Obituaries are a public record of someone’s passing, and they’re a way to remember the life of the deceased. Often, they’ll include information about memorial services and a short overview of the person’s life.
Beyond the immediate announcement of a death, obituaries are also important tools for genealogy and for understanding the history of a place through the lives of its residents. Searching for Lexington, NC obituaries can help you trace family lines and gain a deeper understanding of the community.
This article will show you how to find and use obituaries connected to Lexington, NC, including where to look online and in local archives.
Where to find Lexington, NC obituaries online
There are several ways to find recent obituaries of people who have lived in Lexington, North Carolina.
Funeral home websites
Most funeral homes maintain a website where they post recent obituaries. These listings include details about the memorial service, photos of the deceased, and a place where you can leave your condolences for the family. If you knew the person who died, the funeral home website may also include a guest book where you can share a story or memory.
In Lexington, you can check websites for funeral homes such as Davidson Funeral Home and Pugh Funeral Home.
Typically, these obituaries will include:
- Name, age, and date of death
- Funeral service information, including date, time, and location
- A brief biography
Online obituary aggregators
Another option is to search websites that collect obituaries from several sources. These include Legacy.com and Echovita.com.
These sites allow you to search for a specific name or browse by keyword and location (Lexington, NC). You can also filter by date to narrow your search.
Library Archives and Historical Records
If you’re looking for older obituaries, you might want to check the library archives and historical records for Lexington, North Carolina, and surrounding areas.
Lexington County Library Resources
The Lexington Main Library and the Batesburg-Leesville Branch Library may have different collections of newspaper archives that contain obituaries. Here’s a list of newspapers and the dates they covered:
- Batesburg-Leesville News: 1921 to 1923
- Lexington Dispatch: 1870 to 1917
- Lexington News: 1915 to 1917
- Lexington Dispatch-News: 1873 to 2001 (but not February 24, 1944 to October 4, 1962)
- Lexington County Chronicle: 1992 to 2001 and December 23, 2021 to now
- Lexington County Chronicle and The Dispatch-News: 2001 to December 16, 2021
- Southern Headlight: 1924
- Summerland Headlight: 1924 to 1925
- The Twin City News: 1925 to now
- West Columbia Journal: 1955 to 1988
Tips for searching
To search the archives effectively, try entering a last name or selecting a year. If you don’t find what you’re looking for right away, try different spellings or variations of the name.
Keep in mind that there may be gaps in the archives for certain newspapers and time periods, so the obituary you’re looking for may not be available.
What information is included in an obituary?
Obituaries typically include these key elements:
- The full name of the person who died, along with their birth and death dates.
- Where they lived and where they died.
- The names of close family members, such as their spouse, children, parents, and siblings.
- Their job or profession.
- Any organizations or groups they belonged to.
You’ll also find details about the funeral or memorial service:
- When and where the visitation will be held.
- The date, time, and location of the funeral service.
- Information about how to make a memorial donation in their name.
Keep in mind that obituaries also reflect the customs and values of the time in which they were written.
In Conclusion
Lexington, NC, obituaries serve multiple important purposes. They’re essential for genealogical research, local history, and, most importantly, honoring the lives of those who have died.
You can find Lexington obituaries on funeral home websites, through obituary aggregators, and in library archives. Each resource provides a different way to learn about the deceased and their contributions to the community.
Preserving and accessing these historical records is vital. Obituaries offer a glimpse into the lives of individuals and the broader history of Lexington, North Carolina. By exploring these records, we can learn more about the people who shaped the community and honor their memories.