The Obituary Section

Larry Dale Hatley

, North Carolina

May 13, 2026

Larry Dale Hatley, 71, of Hickory passed away on May 14, 2026.Born August 25, 1954 in Carter County, Tennessee, he was the son of the late Joseph and Ruth Payne Hatley. In addition to his parents, Larry was preceded in death by four siblings, Edward, Elizabeth (Leroy), Mark, and Rosa (Ronnie); his brother-in-law, Roger; his maternal and paternal grandparents; his niece, Lisa Owens; and a few aunts, uncles, and cousins.Larry was a collector of odds and ends. He was a huge pro wrestling fan and loved making new friends on his CB radio, where most people knew him by his handle, “Cowboy”.Survivors include his siblings, Jerry Hatley and Rebecca Rink, both of Hickory, Gary Hatley (Martha) of Taylorsville, Ray Hatley (Norma) and Janet Presnell (Randall), all of Villas; several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and cousins.The family will receive friends at a later date.In lieu of flowers, donations…

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Janet Elaine Lail

, North Carolina

Janet Elaine Propst Lail, 70, passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at her home in Hickory.Born June 22, 1955 in Catawba County, she was the daughter of the late Foy and Virginia Reinhardt Propst.Janet was a strong Christian woman who loved her family deeply. She was a supportive person who was always willing to lend a hand to anyone that needed it. Together, she and her husband, Robert, enjoyed riding motorcycles. Janet also enjoyed spending time in her flower garden exercising her green thumb.Survivors include her husband, Robert Allen Lail, Sr; two children, Robert Allen Lail, Jr (Lisa) and Ronda Brown (Daniel); three sisters, Donna McComas, Debbie Propst, and Nicole Lamb; three grandchildren, Robert McKinley Lail, Brooke Bowman (Caleb), and Christian Bowman; and three great grandchildren, McKenleigh Lail, Sylvia Heavner, and Audrey Bowman.A celebration of Janet’s life will be held at 11:00 am Friday, May 15, 2026 in the…

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Sharon Yvonne Parks

, North Carolina

November 5, 1976

Sharon Yvonne Parks, age 49, of Weaver Court NE, Lenoir, passed away Monday, May 18, 2026, at Caldwell UNC Healthcare-Lenoir, with her loving family by her side. She was born on November 6, 1976, in Wilkes County to the late Reverend Floyd Parks, Jr. and Mrs. Ella Ruth Parks. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Donna Parks and Kandi Parks.Sharon was a devoted administrative assistant in the accounting field who dedicated her life to both her work and her family. A lifelong member of Union Grove Baptist Church, she found great joy in her faith and singing soprano alongside her siblings. Sharon was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, and aunt who treasured every moment spent with her children, grandchildren, siblings, and extended family. She especially cherished family gatherings, where her warmth, laughter, and love for those closest to her were always evident.Survivors…

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Tierza Cannon Welch

, North Carolina

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Tierza Cannon Welch who left this world far too soon on May 11, 2025. Tierza was born May 12, 1961, in Hickory, North Carolina.Tierza was the cherished daughter of Doris Bolick Cannon and the late Carl U. Cannon. Tierza is survived by her husband, Kenneth Summey Welch; mother, Doris Bolick Cannon; sister, Daria Rhea Cannon, of Hickory; brother, Carl David Cannon, of Camden, NC; and a niece, Jessica Cannon Wiley, of Lincolnton, NC.Her family was her foundation, and she carried her father’s spirit within her throughout her life. Despite her lifelong battle with multiple sclerosis, Tierza’s bravery and determination were an inspiration to all of her friends. Her indomitable spirit was a beacon of hope and strength demonstrating that life’s challenges could be met with grace and dignity.Tierza was a graduate of South Caldwell High School. During her…

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Henry Lester Marley

, North Carolina

Henry Lester Marley of Lenoir passed away Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Forsyth Medical Center, Winston-Salem, N.C.Born November 13, 1955, in Catawba County, he was the son of the late Thomas Marshall Marley and Zora Greene Marley. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Johnny Marley and half-brother Junior Laws.He is survived by his daughter Carla Marley of Hudson; sisters Lillie Lail and husband David, Jane Cannon and husband Charles, and Jessie Angley all of Hudson; three grandchildren Kirstyn, Katelyn and Kayla; two great grandchildren Kaelyn and Keenen; and a number of nieces and nephews.A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Refuge Missionary Baptist Church, Saturday, May 16, 2026, 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Larry Marley officiating.The family will receive friends at the church from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. prior to the service.Bass-Smith Granite Funeral Service is serving the family.Online condolences may…

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Jeanette Wakefield Mccall

, North Carolina

Jeanette Wakefield McCall, 90, of Hudson, NC., went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at UNC Blue Ridge (Grace) Hospital. Jeanette was born on April 10,1936 in Wilkes County to the late, Ray and Mae Wakefield. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Robert McCall, and two brothers, Rex and Harold Wakefield.She was a member of Harris Chapel Baptist Church, worked in the cotton mill as a secretary, and was also a Sunday School Teacher.A loving mother of her daughter, Cynthia (Cindy) McCall of the home, and is also survived by several nieces and nephews who will miss her dearly.Graveside Services will be held this Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Harris Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery with Pastor Ron Burgett officiating.Bass-Smith Granite Funeral Service is honored to serve the family of Jeanette Wakefield McCall.

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Ernest Ray Fox

, North Carolina

Ernest Ray Fox, 84, peacefully left our earth on May 7th, 2026, at Catawba Valley Medical Center after an extended illness.Ray was a gentle and loving man - beloved and devoted father, husband, grandfather, and pawpaw. He loved to read, travel, and collect items such as music, clothes, stamps, and coins.Born April 23rd, 1942, in Marion, North Carolina, he was one of three children. Ray was preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Zora Wyatte Fox and also a baby brother, Jerry Glenn Fox.Ray is survived by his loving wife of 34 years Jacksie Sigmon Fox; sister Gracie Fox Womick (Robert), Dawn Ferguson and Danielle Fergison; daughter Terri Fox, her children Jake Williams (Caroline), Melea Williams Powell, (Thomas) and Rosalie Zora Powell; son Kevin Fox (Tammy),grandsons Nicholas Fox (Emily), Jonathan Fox, and grandson Skyler Fox and great grandson Grayson Fox; and his youngest daughter, Cindy Fox Ferrell (Danny) and…

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