Obituaries

Denise Ruth Lafone

Denise Ruth Lafone

Apr 22, 2025



It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Denise Lafone, 73, of Elkin, NC, on April 22, 2025. She passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. Denise was a devoted mother to Heather Trafon (Megan), Hilary Lafone (Mike) and Barry Shannon Lafone II, and grandmother to Stryder, Ryker, Haiden, Alexius, Remy and Caspian. Denise was preceded...

Nancy Collins Moran Hurst

Nancy Collins Moran Hurst

Apr 19, 2025

Mrs. Nancy Collins Moran Hurst, age 82, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Baptist South Community Hospice, with her devoted husband by her side.

Nancy was born on August 3, 1942, in Surry County, North Carolina, to Daniel Smith and Virgie Mae Creed Collins. A woman of deep faith and quiet strength, she was a...

Mettie Elizabeth Hiatt

Mettie Elizabeth Hiatt

Apr 13, 2025

Miss Mettie Elizabeth Hiatt, who was lovingly known as “Lib”, was born March 18, 1945 in Surry County to the late John Alex and Kate Eads Hiatt. Elizabeth worked with the US Department of Agriculture for 39 years until retiring as County Executive Director for Sampson County. Miss Hiatt loved to travel, especially to the beach to enjoy time with...

Ardell Hemric

Ardell Hemric

Apr 12, 2025

Ardell Pruitt Hemric was surrounded by her loving family when she left this earthly home for her heavenly home. Ardell was born on December 30, 1932, to Kelly and Martha Mitchell Pruitt in Wilkes County, North Carolina.

A devoted caregiver, Ardell worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant for 48 years in the Labor and Delivery Department, always serving others and lending...

Ronnie Shirrell Pardue

Ronnie Shirrell Pardue

Apr 9, 2025

Ronnie Shirrell Pardue, 73, of Ronda, passed away Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

Ronnie was born September 5, 1951, in Iredell County to Ralph and Minnie Pardue.

Ronnie was a member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church. He was a loving father and grandfather, and he loved going to auctions.

In addition to his parents, Ronnie was preceded in...

Jared Quincy Nelson

Jared Quincy Nelson

Apr 9, 2025

Jared Quincy Nelson, age 27, of Elkin, passed away Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Iredell County.

Jared was born July 18, 1997, in Surry County to Larry (Steve) Nelson and Linda Gentry Hines. He was the manager of A & J Rentals in Statesville.

 Jared was a devoted and loving husband. He loved and adored his wife, Maranda, endlessly. You never saw...

David Samuel Billings

David Samuel Billings

Apr 9, 2025

David Samuel Billings, age 83 of Hamptonville passed away Wednesday, April 09, 2025, at SECU Hospice Home in Yadkinville.

David was born November 29, 1941, in Surry County to Zeno and Myrtle Vestal Billings.

David was a member of Jonesville First Baptist Church. He enjoyed spending time with his family and his church family.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in...

Martha Combs Absher

Martha Combs Absher

Apr 7, 2025

Mrs. Martha Combs Absher, age 50, passed away Monday, April 7, 2025, at Alleghany Health. Martha was born May 9, 1974, in Wilkes County to Glen Benford Combs and Thelma Johnson Combs.

Her family and animals were her life; her love for grandbabies and family was immeasurable. Her sisters, Helen, Hilda, and Frances, raised Martha as if she were their child....

Christina Rose Smith

Christina Rose Smith

Apr 7, 2025

Christina Rose Smith, age 86, of Jonesville, went to be with her Savior in heaven. She passed away Monday, April 7, 2025, at Hugh Chatham Hospital. She was born to Dennis and Maria Demartino Lanni on July 10, 1938, in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

Christina was an active community member and loved spending time with her friends at the senior center in Jonesville....

Nina Cheek

Nina Cheek

Apr 3, 2025

Nina Ray Hinson Cheek, age 103, passed peacefully and went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on April 3, 2025. Nina was born on November 13, 1921, to George Dewey and Orchie Ann Lyons Hinson. She entered the world alongside her beloved twin sister, Ima May, but faced the loss of their mother just weeks after birth....

Jerry Thomas Byrd

Jerry Thomas Byrd

Apr 2, 2025

Jerry Thomas Byrd, age 82 of Elkin, passed away Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at Chatham Nursing and Rehabilitation. Mr. Byrd was born on February 22, 1943, in Wilkes County. He was the son of Jesse and Ola Adams Byrd. He graduated from Wilkes Central High School. On December 1, 1963, he married Brenda Carter. He was a long-time member of...

Russell S McCann

Russell S McCann

Mar 31, 2025

Russell McCann, age 68, of Elkin, passed away Monday, March 31, 2025, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

Russell was born January 26, 1957, in Wilkes County to Theodore and Iris Watson McCann. He was a member of the Community Fellowship Church. There wasn’t a soul he wouldn’t help, and everyone loved him.

He is survived by his wife, Munjra...

Hazel York Cochrane

Hazel York Cochrane

Mar 27, 2025

Hazel York Cochrane, age 94, formerly of Elkin passed away peacefully Thursday, March 27th, 2025, at Trinity Elms Assisted Living in Clemmons. Hazel was born July 20th, 1930, in Surry County, to Edmond R. York and Bessie Hemric York Stanley.

In addition to her parents Hazel is preceded in death by her husband, Don W. Cochrane Jr. and her brother, Henry...

Joshua Hilmi Akbas

Joshua Hilmi Akbas

Mar 21, 2025

Joshua Hilmi Akbas, age 39, of State Road, passed away at his residence on Friday, March 21, 2025. Josh was born in Forsyth County on June 20, 1985, to Tommie Hilmi "Turk" Akbas and Susan Boyd Akbas.

Josh was a self-employed Welder and Tattoo Artist. He loved to write songs and play his guitar. Josh also loved riding motorcycles, fishing with...

Carol Caudill

Carol Caudill

Mar 20, 2025

Carol Caudill, age 48, of Boonville, passed away Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson. Carol was born in Wilkes County on September 23, 1976, to James Blake "Rocky" Caudill Jr. and Billie Albertson Caudill.

Carol was a member of Collide Church in Yadkinville. She enjoyed the beach, walking, making ice cream, caring for her family and...

William "Dub" Sanford Harris

William "Dub" Sanford Harris

Mar 18, 2025

William Sanford  "Dub" Harris, age 72, of Jonesville, passed away Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Atrium Health Wilkes Medical Center. He was born September 25, 1952, in Surry County to William Guy and Etta St. John Harris.

Dub was a man of many unique interests. As a Folk Artist, he crafted miniature moonshine stills, a skill that brought joy to many....

Brenda Gail Spicer

Brenda Gail Spicer

Mar 16, 2025

Mrs. Brenda Gail Spicer, age 79, of Elkin, passed away Sunday, March 16, 2025, at Novant Medical Center. Mrs. Spicer was born September 27, 1945, in Wilkes County to Conley and Virginia Parsons Milam.

Mrs. Spicer, a dedicated Bank teller at First Union and a devout member of Knobbs Baptist Church, was a woman of many passions. She found joy in...

Melissa Luffman Cheek

Melissa Luffman Cheek

Mar 16, 2025

Mrs. Melissa Luffman Cheek, age 61 of Thurmond, passed away Sunday, March 16, 2025, at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital. She was born in Wilkes County to John Donie and Virginia Mae Wood Luffman.

Melissa was a vibrant soul who worked for PVH in Jonesville. Her love for gardening, flowers, antiques, thrifting, crafting, and jewelry was infectious. She found joy in her...

James Curtis Rhodes

James Curtis Rhodes

Mar 15, 2025

James Curtis Rhodes, 68, of Elkin, passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Novant Health in Winston-Salem. Curtis was born in Wilkes County on August 3, 1958, to Paul Eugene Rhodes and Alma Brown Rhodes.

He loved fishing, playing golf, and helping friends and neighbors with projects in his shed; he had many talents and shared them by helping others.

Curtis...

Carolyn Jones Poteat

Carolyn Jones Poteat

Mar 14, 2025

Carolyn Jones Poteat, age 73, of Ronda, passed away Friday, March 14, 2025, at Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson.

Carolyn was born December 22, 1951, in Surry County to Monty Alonzo and Lucy Jane Pierce Jones. She was a member of Maple Springs Baptist. Carolyn was a loving wife; she loved to cook, watch the birds, and work in her flowers...