Email
Print
In Memoriam: Notable deaths from Cabarrus in 2009
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: December 31, 2009
Richard Anderson
The irrepressible Kannapolis city councilman and former mayor was a straight talker who looked after the little guy.
A former accounts manager at Cannon Mills, Anderson began his civic service in 1991, served as the Towel City's second mayor and continued to serve on City Council right up to his death on Nov. 16.
Known for his outspoken opinions, Anderson was hard on his fellow council members, but never left the council chambers with grudges. He was 73.
W.G. "Bill" Hefner
The longtime congressman for the 8th District is still known for his jokes and amicable attitude.
Hefner went to Congress in 1975 and championed veterans' causes in the halls of the U.S. Capitol. Congress later honored his work by naming the later honored his work by naming the V.A. hospital in Salisbury after him.
A lifelong gospel singer, Hefner made his name on WBTV in the 1950s as the leader of the Harvesters Quartet. After he retired, Hefner would often attend gospel music conventions and stayed active in the local Democratic Party in his native Alabama. He suffered a brain aneurysm on Sept. 2 and died at the age of 79.
Dr. George Liles
His name is on a major thoroughfare in Concord — and for good reason. Dr. George Liles served as mayor of Concord from 1993 to 2001 and helped lead the city through, arguably, its longest period of growth. He helped secure funding for Concord Regional Airport and attract Concord Mills.
But his greatest community contribution was the Community Free Clinic, which he founded with colleague, Dr. David Lockhart, to help those who could not afford basic health care. The retired surgeon remained active in community organizations, like Hospice and All Saints Episcopal Church, until his death on May 22 after an extended illness at age 88.
Dr. David Lockhart
Everyone knew David Lockhart; they took their children to see him. But Dr. Lockhart's contribution to Cabarrus County extended far beyond his pediatric practice. Along with George Liles, Dr. Lockhart founded the Community Free Clinic in 1994 to provide much-needed medical services to those in community who could not afford them.
His advocacy for children's health lead him to start the Children's Advocacy Center at NorthEast Medical Center, a center for diagnosis and treatment of child physical and sexual abuse cases. He also served as chairman of the pediatrics department and chief of staff at the Concord hospital, on the Cabarrus Board of Health and as medical director for Cabarrus Health Alliance.
He died on Oct. 26 after a six-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was 87.
Betty Dorton Thomas
Betty Thomas pioneered women's participation in politics long before it was popular. She was appointed to the state house after her husband, Art Thomas, died in 1975.
She was already active in local politics, starting the Democratic Women's Club of Cabarrus County in 1958, when she got tired of being segregated from the men at Democratic Party meetings. In the legislature, she supported UNC Charlotte and pushed to let communities vote on liquor-by-the-drink ordinances.
In 2006, the Democratic Women of North Carolina created a lifetime service award called the Trailblazer Award in honor of her pioneering spirit for women in politics.
The daughter of J.S. Dorton, the longtime N.C. State Fair manager, Thomas was loyal and feisty, friends remembered. She died on April 13 at a hospice in Shelby. She was 85.
Email
Print
ADVERTISEMENT
Click a region for news specific to that area.
 |
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
Advertisement
