Obituaries
The following are from Hartsell Funeral Home:
Blanche Speight Almond, 98, of Albemarle, passed away Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Trinity Place in Albemarle.
Blanche was born June 30, 1927, in Stanly County to the late Charlie William and Bertha McLester Speight.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Vernon C. Almond; brothers, Ray, Gad, Ruel, C.J., Earl, and Max; sisters, Bernice Burleson and Helen Teeter.
Blanche was a graduate of Endy High school and a faithful and lifelong member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. She also served many years as a volunteer with Hospice of Stanly County.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm, Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church located at 17236 Frog Pond Road, Oakboro, North Carolina. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm officiated by Dr. Rev. Shad Hicks. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
Survivors include daughters, Merle Brooks (Don), Reba Funderburk (Del), and Sheila Sikes; brother, Keith Speight (Sue); 5 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery Fund.
Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Almond family.
Jo Ann Anderson Parr, 79, of Concord, NC, passed away peacefully, July 12, 2025 surrounded by her beloved husband of 57 years, Thomas W. Parr, and their daughter Kirby, after a long and courageous battle with heart disease.
Born in Albemarle, NC, Jo Ann was the eldest of five children born to the late Willard Oliver Anderson and Margaret R. Anderson. She graduated from Appalachian State University, where she studied Library Science. Shortly after marrying the love of her life, Thomas, she worked as a librarian for the U.S. Navy while the couple lived in Hawaii and later in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, during the early years of their marriage.
After returning to North Carolina, they settled in Charlotte, where they were surprised and overjoyed to welcome their daughter, when Jo Ann was 38 after being told by many doctors they wouldn’t be able to have a child. In 2013, they moved to Concord to be closer to Jo Ann’s mother and their daughter’s growing family.
Jo Ann had a deep love for crafts, reading, cooking and creativity. She sewed her own wedding dress and created countless beautiful garments and pieces over the years. She also loved to cook and was happiest when her family was gathered around her table sharing a meal together.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Thomas W. Parr; daughter, Kirby Hattaway Eudy (Travis Eudy); and three adored grandchildren: Selah Eudy (13), Kalli Hattaway and Shilo Eudy (10). She also leaves behind her four siblings: Phyllis Parsons (Chad), Harry Anderson, Nancy Anderson, and Jeffrey Anderson; along with five nieces and nephews and 3 great-nieces and nephews who were very dear to her. She also leaves behind many life long friends who were family just the same; Penny Boyter and Carolyn Brooks to name just a few.
She will be remembered for her kind and giving heart, her love of family, and her quiet strength. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched, and her family is forever grateful for the time they had with her.
Visitation will be held at Hartsell Funeral Home in Midland, Saturday, July 19, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m., followed by a service at 11:00 a.m. in the Jack Hartsell Memorial Chapel. The graveside burial will be at Meadow Creek Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, 1493 Meadow Creek Road in Locust.
Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland is serving the Parr family.