Drum Funeral Home - Conover

02/26/2026

Today we celebrate an incredible milestone — 40 years of faithful service by Patti Merritt office manager at Drum Funeral Home and Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home.
For four decades, Patti has been a steady presence, a compassionate heart, and a faithful servant to our community. Her dedication, grace, and commitment to excellence have left a lasting mark on our funeral home family and on this community.
Forty years is more than a number — it represents countless families served, friendships built, and lives touched.

Patti, your loyalty and love for what you do does not go unnoticed. We are so grateful for you and the legacy you continue to build every single day.

Please join us in congratulating Patti Merritt on 40 remarkable years! 🎉👏

02/20/2026

What is the difference between a cemetery and a graveyard?
While both are places where people are buried, a graveyard is affiliated with a church and a cemetery is not. Graveyards are often smaller, located on church grounds and may be limited to people of that faith or members of the church. Cemeteries are often larger and open to anyone who wishes to be buried there.

02/18/2026

Grieving while also facing costs they are not prepared for can be an incredible strain on loved ones - having a prepaid funeral plan helps. Learn how it works >>> https://www.dignitymemorial.com/pre-planning/funeral-costs/how-it-works

02/16/2026

02/13/2026

Tomorrow is World Donor Day!
More than 100,000 people are waiting for a life-saving organ or tissue transplant. Show your support by registering as a donor in honor of National Donor Day! https://registerme.org/campaign/dignity

02/05/2026

Dessie Ballard Allman, 94, was born on April 17, 1931, to the late James and Della McClain Ballard. Dessie passed away on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Birch (Bud) Alexander Allman; brothers, Coley, Norman, and James Ballard.
Dessie is survived by her daughter, Tammy Renee Allman; son, Terry Alexander Allman; grandson, Benjamin Allman; great-grandson, Brady Allman; great-granddaughter, Natalie Allman; son, Michael Allman; brothers, Toy and Curley Ballard.

Dessie Belle Allman was a force of nature. After the passing of our sweet father Bud in 1988, she became the matriarch of our family and perfected the role of mother. Her kindness and care extended beyond her own children to friends, neighbors, animals and strangers in need. Her suppers always drew a weekly crowd at the family home and she was one of those people you could always call for a kind word and support. She had a fierce sense of humor, the kindest heart and she walked gently upon this Earth for 94 years. She spent the last years of her life with her daughter, Tammy, in the mountains of WNC.

Dessie was employed for 20+ years and retired from Claremont Elementary School where she also mothered many souls who passed through those doors. She was known for her impeccable fashion sense, intuition and always seemed to be the smartest person in the room. Dess Belle was truly a beautiful soul both inside and out and those lucky to have crossed her path will miss her deeply. This is the photo from her 94th birthday celebration. She will always be beautiful.

Our deep grief serves to exemplify a depth of praise for her life and the love she embodied.

Visitation and receiving of friends will be held at 1pm Monday, Feb. 9th 2026 prior to the service.
The funeral service will then be held at Drum Funeral Home Chapel in Conover, NC at 2 pm. Burial will follow at Catawba Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Friends Of Madison County Animals at www.fomca.org.
Condolences may be left at www.drumfh-conover.com
The Allman Family is under the care of Drum Funeral Home.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/12731171

01/20/2026

Many of us will become a caregiver at some point in our lives. The stress and strain of caregiving can take a toll on your health. It’s important to find ways to care for yourself while caring for others. Depending on your circumstances, some self-care strategies may be more difficult to carry out than others. Choose what works for you. Read more: https://bit.ly/3HtWCYC