Several cherished members of the community recently passed away, leaving behind legacies of dedication, service, and love for their families and communities. These individuals, with lives spanning decades, contributed in various ways, from military service and professional careers to deeply held commitments to their faith and loved ones.

Stewart Howard “Buddy” Graves, 77, passed away on July 4, 2025. Born in Maine on February 16, 1948, Buddy’s family moved to Burlington, Vermont, when he was three, where his father's family owned Howard Johnson restaurants. At 14, he moved to Ventura, California, and later enlisted in the U.S. Army at 19, serving in Vietnam with the 513th Engineers from September 20, 1967, until April 23, 1970. After his military service, Buddy resided in Richmond, Virginia, and worked for United Parcel Service for 28 years. He was married to Karen King Graves for 53 years and 10 months. He is survived by his wife, Karen King; daughter/niece Kristi Fisher and her husband Kent Fisher; nephew/son John Paschall; nephew Ken King and his wife Kendra; niece Kimberly King Ehaze and her husband Tye; nephew Mike Briggs and his wife Jeanne; great nephews Ryan Batson, Scott Batson, and Kaden Ehaze; and his sister, Marsha. Funeral services for Buddy Graves were scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, at Bethel Baptist Church, followed by burial at Oakwood Cemetery, with visitation preceding the service from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Troutman Funeral Home is serving the family.

Frances Jo Ann Rimmer Ostwalt, 94, of Troutman, North Carolina, died on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at her residence. Born in Iredell County on March 11, 1931, to the late Samuel Jasper and Leona Brown Rimmer, Frances was the beloved wife of the late Rev. Franklin B. Ostwalt. She was employed by Troutman Shirt Mills and retired from Hunt Manufacturing. A devoted member of Beulah Heights Wesleyan Church, which she and her husband helped to reopen, Frances was a dedicated pastor’s wife, often assisting with church tasks. Known as the “Grandmother of the Church and her community,” she was deeply involved in the lives of others and a very devoted mother. Frances is survived by her son, Kenneth Randall Ostwalt (Patty), and her daughter, Cathy Sue Ostwalt, both of Troutman. She also leaves behind two grandchildren, Philip R. Ostwalt (Misty) and Lauren Comer-Fitzgerald (Ryan), and three great-grandchildren, Skylyn, Gage, and Josey, all residing in Troutman. The family planned to receive friends on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Beulah Heights Wesleyan Church, followed by a service celebrating her life at 11 a.m. with Rev. Trent Patterson officiating. Interment was to follow at Iredell Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County.

Pauline “Penny” Helen Stafford, 68, of Mooresville, North Carolina, passed away on Monday, July 7, 2025, at Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital. Born on January 10, 1957, in Flint, Michigan, to the late Jimmy Rodger “Cotton” and Dorothy Yost Stafford, Penny was famously described by her father as “pretty as a shiny new penny.” After graduating from MHS in 1975, she earned a Business Associates degree and embarked on a career spanning over 40 years with Duke Energy. Penny possessed a remarkable talent for playing the piano, which she shared by playing for her MHS chorus and later for several local churches, including Troutman Church of God, Paw Creek Church of God, Fairview Methodist, and Southside Baptist, where she forged many enduring friendships. Her musical contributions blessed numerous weddings, funerals, homecoming celebrations, and Sunday morning services. Travel and music were her two great passions, leading her to visit places like Branson, Pigeon Forge, and Myrtle Beach to enjoy her favorite artists. As a hostess for Sonshine Tours, she also had the privilege of seeing Hawaii, the Bahamas, New Orleans, and Niagara Falls. Penny is remembered for her quick wit, contagious laugh, and good-natured participation in pranks. She is survived by her younger brother, David Lee Stafford (Sybil), and nephew, Justin Travis Stafford. Per Penny’s request, no services were planned, but memorials can be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation or to Troutman Church of God or Southside Baptist Church. Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory in Mooresville is serving the Stafford family.

Laura Elizabeth Testa Lacon, 84, of Mooresville, North Carolina, and formerly of Franklin Square, New York, peacefully passed away on July 6, 2025. Laura was born on March 29, 1941, in Franklin Square, New York, the daughter of Sebastiano C. and Tillie A. Testa. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas G. Lacon; her daughter, Laura Ann Lacon; and her brothers Charles, John, Anthony, and Edward Testa; and sister, Carol Gill. Laura is survived by her loving son, Thomas S. Lacon. Throughout her life, Laura worked as a full charge bookkeeper for various companies in New York, but her primary focus was always on being a devoted wife and mother. Family was paramount to Laura, who was one of six children from parents originating from large families themselves. She deeply cherished her entire family, from her immediate kin to her many cousins, siblings, in-laws, nieces, and nephews. Laura was consistently active in her church, teaching Roman Catholic Catechism for 30 years at St. Catherine of Siena in Franklin Square, New York. Upon her retirement to Mooresville, she continued her volunteering at St. Therese, contributing to the office and with S.W.A.T. In her later years, Laura maintained a vibrant spirit, striving to enjoy activities she loved when she was younger. She was immensely proud of her Italian/Sicilian and Lithuanian heritage, which fueled her passion for cooking and entertaining; she loved preparing meals for family and friends, always ensuring there was more than enough food for everyone. Laura also loved traveling with her husband, Thomas, visiting Italy twice and Scotland once. She will be profoundly missed by all, with visitation at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home in Mooresville, North Carolina, on Friday, July 11, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. A Celebration of Life Mass was held at St. Therese Roman Catholic Church in Mooresville, North Carolina, on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 11 a.m., with livestream access available. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital and the American Cancer Society, charities Laura supported, are suggested.

William Jamie Riddle, 36, of Harmony, North Carolina, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Iredell Memorial Hospital. Jamie was born on June 20, 1989, in Iredell County, the son of Connie Reavis and Marty Riddle. He was a proud graduate of North Iredell High School, Class of 2009. Jamie was of the Baptist faith and attended Calvary Baptist Church in Union Grove. He found joy in fishing and bowling with his family and friends. In his younger years, he was a successful member of a karate team, earning many first-place trophies and medals. His hobbies also included rock collecting, arrowhead collection, coin collecting, and participating in a bowling league. Jamie was known for his helpful nature and enjoyment of assisting others. He is survived by his mother, Connie Reavis, and stepfather, Mark Reavis; his father, Marty Riddle; his grandparents, Melvin and Odessa Campbell; his brother, Shannon Riddle; and his sister, Kelly Johnson Kennedy (Nate); along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Jamie, a loving son, brother, and friend, left a lasting impression on all who knew him and will be greatly missed. A funeral service was scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2025, in the Troutman Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Stephen Pope officiating, with family and friends invited to visit following the service. A private graveside service will be held at a later date in the Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers include Jacob Evans, Brennan Cass, Jeremy Duzan, Chris Haynes, Ryan Stiltner, and Daniel Johnson, with honorary pallbearers Matt Rupard, Skyler Haneline, Evan Perdue, Kyle Reese, and Kyle Ringler. The family extended heartfelt thanks to the EMS and fire departments of Iredell County and requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Troutman Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses.