Wilkinson Funeral Home

02/01/2026

You can't celebrate African American Heritage Month without talking about music. Michael Jackson, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Sammy Davis Jr., Aretha Franklin, Prince, Stevie Wonder, and so many others have truly shaped our musical culture. Which African American musician has had the greatest impact on your life and why?

01/30/2026

Jay Lee Alexander

Jay Lee Alexander, 67, of Concord, North Carolina, passed away unexpectedly at his home on January 5, 2026.

Jay was born on February 22, 1958, in Charlotte, North Carolina, and was the beloved son of Jewell "Judy" Johnson. Jay grew up as part of a large, close-knit family and remained connected to them throughout his life. He was preceded in death by his father, Jay Worthington Alexander.

Jay was a man who lived with a simple, genuine spirit-one that always loved being with his family. He could always be found with them with his big, bright smile on his face. He loved watching sports with Nate or talking "shop talk" with Ryan. In the kitchen, he was often helping Lizzy with dinner while telling his favorite stories (usually of the beach or Germany). But most often, he could be found playing with his granddaughters.

If you knew Jay, you knew the beach was never far from his heart either. Some of his sons' favorite memories were made in the summers-riding bikes, walking from pier to pier, fishing, building sandcastles, and spending long, sun-filled days in the quieter, family-friendly stretches of South Myrtle, especially around Ocean Lakes. Those moments, and the joy Jay found in them, became a lasting gift he leaves behind.

Over the years, Jay held a variety of jobs, and he was the kind of person who did whatever was needed and took pride in showing up. Most recently before retirement, he worked at Levy's Restaurant at Charlotte Motor Speedway as a dock supervisor/manager, where he handled anything asked of him. He also spent years working in the school system and was especially proud of his time as the first head custodian hired when Weddington Elementary School opened. Jay had a special way with children, and his family often said that one of his greatest joys was simply being around kids. Among the stories that still bring smiles is Jay's time working as a puppeteer-a part of his life that captured his playful creativity and the way he could make others laugh.

Jay was known for being strong-willed in his own way-especially about doctors-and those who loved him understood that he preferred the comfort of home over the walls of a hospital. Though his passing was sudden and deeply unexpected, his family finds comfort in believing he was exactly where he would have chosen to be.

He is survived by his sons, Matthew Ryan Alexander and his wife Elizabeth "Lizzy", and Nathan Alexander; and by his cherished granddaughters, Olivia Alexander and Evelyn Alexander, who brought him great pride and joy. He is also survived by his mother, Jewell "Judy" Johnson; his siblings, Vance Alexander (Dianne), Greg Alexander (Teresa), Wayne Alexander, Robert Alexander (Susan), Lynn Alexander, and Theresa Alexander (Pervis Hutto); along with a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

A formal service is not planned at this time; however, the family may hold a celebration of life at a later date, possibly around a meaningful time such as his birthday, when loved ones are able to gather and share stories.

Jay will be remembered for his love of the beach, his stories, his hands-on way of living, and the unmistakable mark he left on those who called him Dad, Papa, family, and friend. Though he is gone far too soon, all the memories will continue to carry him forward.

View Jay Lee Alexander's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

01/30/2026

When a loved one passes away, you'll have to consider what to do with their house and possessions. If hosting an estate sale on your own sounds complicated, consider hiring a company to do it. Check out these 8 tips for hiring a professional estate sale company!

If you're considering hiring an estate sale company, look at these 8 tips for hiring a professional and trustworthy company.

01/27/2026

Janice Carol Dixon

Janice Carol Dixon, age 67 of Landis passed away on Sunday, January 25, 2026 at Tucker Hospice House in Kannapolis.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 30th at Wilkinson Funeral Home, with visitation from 12 to 1:00 pm and the funeral held in the chapel at 1:00 pm with Pastor Larry Morgan officiating. Burial will follow at Cabarrus Memorial Gardens.

Jancie was born November 13, 1958 in Hartsville, SC, a daughter of the late Roscoe W. Dixon and Lynn Dixon. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, David and Buddy Dixon, sister, Judy Deese and granddaughter, Kayla Dixon.

Janice enjoyed fishing at Camp Spencer and the SC coast. She had some fun times with her brother at the casino, and she loved spending quality time with her grandchildren. Janice will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved her.

Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Jennifer L. Hellard and husband, Chris; grandchildren, Jessica and Kalib Dance, and Riley Hellard; sister, Linda Dixon; brother, Mitchell Dixon; nephews, Gregory, Steven and Chris Boyd, and extended family and friends.

View Janice Carol Dixon's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

01/26/2026

R.H. Honeycutt

R.H. Honeycutt, 94, of Concord, NC, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at The Greens at Cabarrus.

A service to celebrate R.H.'s life will be held at 2:00 pm, on Thursday, January 29, 2026 in the Chapel at Wilkinson Funeral Home, officiated by Revs. David Snow and Mike Culler. Burial will follow at First Baptist Church of Stanfield Cemetery in Stanfield, North Carolina, with military honors. The family will greet friends prior to the service from 12:30 to 1:45 pm.

Born September 29, 1931, in Stanley County, R.H. was the son of the late Mamie Burris Honeycutt and Riley Hugh Honeycutt. In addition to his parents, R.H. was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 69 years, Mary Frances Furr Honeycutt; and by his siblings: Bruce, James, Reese, Lois, Letha, Zula, Floyd, Hugh, Clifford, Marvin, John, and Coy Honeycutt. He was also preceded in death by four great-grandchildren: Isaac, Hannah, Grace, and Ythan.

A hardworking man through and through, R.H. spent most of his life in construction as a carpenter-known for steady hands, a practical mind, and the kind of quiet reliability that family and friends came to depend on.

R.H. proudly served his country in the United States Air Force and fought in the Korean War. His family takes comfort in knowing he will be honored for that service, just as he requested.

To those who knew him best, R.H. will be remembered for his love for his Savior and the simple joys in life - good music, good food, and good company. Bluegrass wasn't just something he listened to; it was part of who he was. He enjoyed playing bass and guitar and had a deep appreciation for that sound and tradition. R.H. served for many years as a Walmart greeter, where he displayed his quick wit and a way of making people laugh. This quick wit and his sayings and stories were part of the family's everyday life; a large part of what everyone will miss. If you knew him well, you knew of his love for spaghetti, chicken and dumplings, and potato soup.

He is survived by his children: Eddie Honeycutt (Lisa) of Rockwell; Cathy Taylor (Jeff) of Mount Pleasant; and Rex Honeycutt (Chris) of Concord; seven grandchildren: Amanda Honeycutt (Rudy), Heather Venrick (Austin), Taylor Gobble (Trent), Jeff Taylor, Jr. (Nichole), Ashley Horne (Steve), Amber Johnson (Clint), and Afton Honeycutt; and twelve great-grandchildren: Aston, Luke, Corbin, Camden, Isabella, Oliver, Bailey, Kalyn, Mya, Elijah (Meredith), Kirsten, and Maddox. He is also survived by his brother, A.P. Honeycutt, along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Community Church of Mt. Pleasant, 400 N Main St, Mt Pleasant, NC 28124

R.H. will be remembered for his love of bluegrass music, his quick wit, and the steady, faithful life he lived for his family and all who knew him. His family rejoices in the promise that he is now at peace in the presence of his Lord.

View R.H. Honeycutt's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

01/26/2026

01/25/2026

Saying what you don't mean is the theme - enjoy Opposite Day!

01/24/2026

Gary Drinnen

It is with many happy memories and great sadness that the family and friends of Dr. Gary L. Drinnen announce his peaceful passing on Thursday, January 22, 2026.

Gary was a man who made everyone he met feel special, often through his trademark good-natured teasing and infectious sense of humor. He always had a joke to tell and there was laughter in every room he occupied. He loved people and people loved him. To his nieces and nephews, coworkers and students, he was a beloved father figure and mentor. As one neighbor recently lamented, "Gary was truly the glue that held us all together."

Gary graduated from Central High School in 1953 and enrolled at The University of Tennessee. After 1 year of schooling, he changed course and enlisted in The United States Army, where he proudly served our nation for 2 years, and met and married the love of his life, Billie Shealy. After the Army, Gary decided to go back to school at Carson Newman and graduated in 1962. Upon graduation, he found his true purpose in life as an educator, coach and servant-leader. Gary began his career as a teacher and coach at Harrisburg High School before taking a position as a teacher, football coach and the inaugural track coach at Central Cabarrus High School from 1966-1974. Proving he could take teasing as good as he could give, his students often affectionally referred to him as Coach Gary "Chrome Dome" Drinnen, due to his trademark bald head. As he began furthering his education, he was promoted and served 1 year as principal at both Bethel Elementary, and then Mt. Pleasant High School. After earning his Doctor of Education degree from Duke University in 1982, he was named Principal of Central Cabarrus High School, where he served for 9 years, retiring in 1991. He was a student and faculty favorite because he sincerely cared about and knew each of them. Gary's professional legacy and outstanding career were recognized in 2016, by the North Cabarrus County Board of Education with the naming of the Dr. Gary Drinnen Field House in his honor.

Beyond his professional achievements, Gary was always thinking of others. He showed love through gifts and service and enjoyed hand painting personalized nautical signs for hundreds of people- family, neighbors, fellow teachers, former players, acquaintances, friends, and friends of friends. These signs will forever be tangible reminders of his love and thoughtfulness in homes across so many communities.

Gary was born on July 17, 1935, to Dr. Tom and Fern Drinnen. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Billie in 2017; his parents; his brother, Dr. Tom Drinnen; half-brother, Jimmy Bittle and lifelong friend, Walt Burr.

He is survived by his youngest brother, Dr. Dan (Sue) Drinnen; his sister-in-laws, Mrs. Anita Drinnen and Mrs. Sharon Bittle; his nieces and nephews, Susan, Tommy, Vickie, Valerie, Danny, Missy, Lane, Matt, Sean and Lindsey, and a dear cousin Becky Cooper Shaffer; lifelong friend, Gordon Thomas, and sweet Maggie, all of whom will miss Gary greatly. The family also wishes to express deep gratitude to Ann Burr and her children, Betsy Biggers and Ben Burr, who were cherished and loved as family by Gary and Billie throughout their lives. The family would like to offer special gratitude to Betsy, who served Gary daily in the last weeks, and lovingly walked him home.

A memorial service will be held 11:00 am, Wednesday, February 4, at Rocky River Presbyterian Church, with Dr. Rev. Neal Carter officiating. The family will receive friends in the church Fellowship Hall immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Rocky River Presbyterian Church, 7940 Rocky River Road, Concord, NC 28027.

View Gary Drinnen's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

01/23/2026

Most funeral homes are staffed by people who care and want to go the extra mile for you and your family. But how do you know if a funeral home doesn't have your best interests at heart? This article shares 7 warning signs to look out for, so you can ensure that you and your family receive the best funeral care and service available in your area!

When you need help planning a funeral, you want to work with the best. To make sure you do, review these warning signs to look out for!

01/20/2026

01/19/2026

H. LeRoy Deabler

On Friday, January 16, 2026, Herdis LeRoy Deabler passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family. Survivors include his beloved wife of 60 years, Sarah (nee Henley) of Concord, NC, his sons Greg of Montverde, FL, and Kevin of Boston, MA, daughters-in-law Danielle and Jennifer, and his grandchildren Brooke, Ashley, Andrew, Fiona and Nolan. He is also survived by his sisters JoAnn Crawford (Frank) and Beth Corwin (Rick). He was predeceased by his sister, Donna J. Durant.

LeRoy was born on January 24, 1944 in Aurora, Illinois to his parents, Dr. Herdis L Deabler and Oleva Deabler. He spent his youth in Gulfport, MS. He was a graduate of Hingham (MA) High School and Ohio Wesleyan University. LeRoy met Sarah in Scarborough, ME, while he was a lifeguard and she was a waitress at the Atlantic House Inn. They married in 1966. He was drawn to serving community health, which led him to study Healthcare Management at Columbia University in New York City. During the Vietnam war era he was a commissioned officer for the United States Public Health Service under the Surgeon General. He later served as a Hospital Administrator in Toledo, OH, Wooster, OH, and Littleton, NH. He moved to Concord, NC, in 1988 to serve as Administrator of the H&M Medical Clinic. In 1990 he directed the design of Pakistan's first cancer hospital in Lahore. In 1992 he served as a surveyor for The Joint Commission- the country's leading healthcare accreditation agency.

LeRoy was an active member of Central United Methodist Church in Concord for over 37 years, serving on the leadership council and teaching men's Sunday School. He tutored numerous immigrant children, helping them adjust to their new lives in Cabarrus County. He led several missions to build churches in Costa Rica. This volunteerism late in his life earned him a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024. Over his life he was active in the Rotary Club, the American College of Healthcare Executives, and the American Hospital Association.

He enjoyed an active life traveling and visiting family with Sarah, playing tennis, skiing, and hiking with Greg and Kevin, and being with his grandchildren regardless of where they lived. He was a tennis referee for the USTA for local college and amateur competitions. Bridge was a passion late in his life- he enjoyed the competition and the many relationships it created for Sarah and himself.

His family is deeply appreciative of the care he received from his family, friends, healthcare professionals and his hospice nurse, Jenna, and caregiver, Tina, during his battle with pancreatic cancer.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm, on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at Central United Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. Stacey Lundy. The family will greet friends following the service in the Coltrane Memorial Room.

The service will be livestreamed at the following link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt8hQdc98rg

Memorials may be given to Central United Methodist Church, 30 Union Street North, Concord, NC 28025, or to the American Cancer Society.

View H. LeRoy Deabler's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

01/19/2026

Jonas Cecil Powers, Jr.

Jonas Cecil Powers, Jr., known to most simply as "Cecil," passed away on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Sunflower Springs in Indian Land, South Carolina.

Cecil's life was defined by strength, laughter, and devotion to the people he loved. He was a man of grit who faced life head-on and carried a strong sense of responsibility for those he cared about.

He loved his daughters deeply, and that love never faded, even through life's challenges.

Cecil will be remembered for his kindness, his humor, and the strength of his character. His legacy is love, and he will be missed

Born on December 11, 1954, in Concord, North Carolina, Cecil was the son of the late Ada Presley Powers and Jonas Cecil Powers, Sr. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Joyce Powers Nash, and her husband, Wayne.

Cecil grew up in Cabarrus County and proudly graduated from Northwest Cabarrus High School, Class of 1973. During those years, he became well known for his love of the game and his time on the football field. He later played briefly with the Concord Cardinals, an accomplishment his family remembers with pride.

A hardworking and dependable man, Cecil spent much of his career in manufacturing and management, serving in several supervisory roles over the years. He also followed in his father's footsteps by owning a restaurant, though he was happiest simply cooking a good meal for others. Cecil believed in showing up, doing the job well, and taking care of responsibilities.

Outside of work, Cecil found joy in the beach, sports, and cars and motorcycles. Above all, he cherished time with his family. He coached his daughters in basketball and softball, seasons that became treasured memories and lasting lessons. Cecil also had a special love for dogs, and his family fondly recalls the bond he shared with his beloved dog, Angel, and the comfort that companionship brought him.

Cecil is survived by his daughters, Brandy Sloop (Chad), Candice Little (Zach), and Windy Ulrich (Andrew); and his cherished grandchildren, Hunter and Kaylah Sloop, Tanner, Autumn, and Tenley Little, and Aikman and Crue Ulrich. He is also survived by his sister, Sharon Mowrer (Jimmy) of Myrtle Beach, and Cheryl Nash of Concord, his former wife and the mother of his daughters.

A memorial service to celebrate Cecil's life will be held at Sojo Church on Friday, January 23. Family will receive friends at the church from 5pm to 6pm with memorial service to follow.

Sojo Church

848 Union Street S.

Concord, NC 28025

View Jonas Cecil Powers, Jr.'s obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.