Ray Towery
Aug 2, 2026
Ray Towery, 95, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, August 2, 2026. Born in Cleveland County on July 22, 1931, he was the son of the late Creed Joe Towery and Zinnia Bailey Towery.
Ray was a lifelong farmer, devoted Christian, and faithful member of Lattimore Baptist Church. Alongside his beloved wife, Wilma, he farmed the family's land in...
Max Carroll
Jul 25, 2026
Max M. Carroll, Jr., 78, of Shelby, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 25, 2026.
A lifelong learner, Max earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Florida State University and a master’s degree in Human Development and Learning from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. For more than 30 years, he devoted his career to education and public service,...
Lamuel “Dick” Lilly
Jul 20, 2026
Lamuel McRae Lilly, affectionately known as "Dick," passed away peacefully at his home onMonday, July 20, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on February 25, 1938, in Raleigh County, West Virginia, Dick was the son of the late Lamuel Cartha Lilly and Mary Ellen Lilly. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Lou...
Robert Brown Sr.
Jul 29, 2026
Robert Wilburn Brown (“Rusty”), aged 80, passed away in his hometown of Shelby, North Carolina, on July 29, 2026.
Born on June 30, 1946, in Shelby, Robert was the son of the late Robert Summer Brown and Frances Elizabeth Byers Brown. He grew up in Cleveland County and was a graduate of the Township #3 High School, Class of 1964.
Rusty spent...
April Nolen Harrill
Jul 26, 2026
April Nolen Harrill, 83, of Shelby, passed away Sunday, July 26, 2026 at White Oak Manor Kings Mountain. She was born in Gaston County March 8, 1943 to the Late Rev. Archie Renard Nolen and Lois Anderson. She was also preceded in death by her husband of nearly 60 years, Larry Newton Harrill and infant daughter, Wendy Harrill. Her brother,...
Jim Spangler
Jul 24, 2026
James “Jim” Guy Spangler, 83, of Shelby, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Wendover Hospice in Shelby, North Carolina.
Born in Cleveland County on February 18, 1943, James was the son of the late Albert Deaver Spangler and Evelyn Mauney Spangler. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Larry Spangler.
Jim graduated from...
Mary Powell Brittain
Jul 22, 2026
Mary Ruth Powell Brittain, 87, of Shelby, passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 while at Shelby Manor where she was a resident. A native of Cleveland County, she was born October 15, 1938 to the late William K. Powell and Ruth Willette Powell.
Mary worked for many years as a bookkeeper for Brittain Construction. She was a member of Lafayette...
Howard Padgett
Jul 19, 2026
Howard Heneson Padgett Jr., 74, of Shelby passed away July 19, 2026 at Atrium Health Cleveland.
He was a native of Cleveland County born on November 3, 1951 to the late Howard Heneson Padgett Sr. and Irene Hamrick Padgett. He was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Laura Elizabeth Padgett.
Howard worked in textiles most of his life with the Dover...
Judy Dover
Jul 17, 2026
Judy Sharon Van Gilder Dover, 81, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 17, 2026, at Wendover Hospice House. She was born on August 1, 1944, in Owings, West Virginia, to the late Jesse Andrew Van Gilder and Laotia Bessie Van Gilder.
Judy was blessed with an older sister, Sue, and an older brother, Paul, both of whom preceded her in death.
She...
Betty Bowling
Jul 16, 2026
Mrs. Betty Lutz Bowling passed away on Thursday July 16, 2026. Born in Shelby on September 25, 1928, she was the daughter of John Ray Lutz and Lilly Hoyle Lutz.
Betty (or Bow, as called by her grandchildren) was a graduate of Shelby High School in 1945. She furthered her education and graduated from Peace College and Meredith College in Raleigh...