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BORN
1944
DIED
2025
FUNERAL HOME
Joseph DePriest Obituary
February 15, 1944 - April 30, 2025
Cramerton, North Carolina - Joe DePriest, a reporter for 45 years with The Shelby Star and then Charlotte Observer, died at home from cancer and pneumonia on April 30. He was 81.
A graveside service will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 9, 2025 at Cleveland Memorial Park, 1225 College Avenue, Shelby. Family and friends will gather afterward at The Banker's House, 319 N. Lafayette St., Shelby.
Visit www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com for the full obituary celebrating Joe's colorful life and the stories he told along the way. You can also share an online condolence or "Joe" memory and make contribution in his honor.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph DePriest
Sponsored by The Charlotte Observer.
Dean Jenks
May 20, 2025
I have known Joe all my life. What a great fellow. He will be missed. Prayers for family and friends.
Sharon Poole
May 14, 2025
I didn't know Joe personally but I remember reading his stories and how much I enjoyed them. Prayers for his family and friends.
Eboy White
May 10, 2025
You will truly be missed. Thank you for all the wonderful stories you shared.
Sylvia Zaun
May 10, 2025
I remember Joe as a very kind, and caring person. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all
Sylvia and Bill Zaun
Chip and Maria Cloninger
May 9, 2025
Condolences David and family. Always enjoyed having BBQ with Joe before our Charleston trips.
Larry Hyde
May 8, 2025
I met Joe when I was Superintendent of Crowders Mountain State Park. Joe wrote several newspaper articles on the park and me. A lot of other reporters interviewed me as well. However, Joe was the only reporter I trusted to give an honest account of the interview. He never added anything, misquoted me, or tried to angle the article a certain direction. Joe would even read the article to me prior to publishing. No other reporter ever offered or was willing to do that. Joe and I both retired about the same time, but we saw each other often at the Y or on the Avon Creek Greenway. Joe was always with his wife when I saw him; after reading Joe's obituary I better understand why Jan was always by her side. The world can use more reporters, and more people, like Joe. I will miss him dearly.
Angela Chambers-Clemenson
May 8, 2025
Mr. DePriest was one of the most beautiful souls I have ever met. He & his wife would visit the library and bring such sweetness, such kindness with them on each visit. He is someone I admire very much. This world is certainly missing an angel. Give my husband and the Mrs. a hug for me. I WILL MISS YOU, SIR!
Yvonne Burton
May 8, 2025
Condolences to the family his wife Jan was a friend and work associate at Allen Tate. Yvonne Burton.
Doug Limerick
May 6, 2025
Joe was my brother, my buddy since 1956.. He, Dick, Larry, Bruce and the late Bob Warlick had some great times over the years.. He was a great writer, a caring husband and loyal friend..When he passed, part of me went with him.. The last words he said to me from his hospital room were" Don´t worry, be happy" See you soon, Jose..Our
Memories will live on.. You were one of a kind..Now, get some rest...Doug Limbrick, lumberduck, Cinderbrick, etc
Gail Branton Rose
May 6, 2025
What a wonderful cousin to have. What a storyteller. Always interested in others. I will miss him. Praying for his family. Love to all of you.
JoAnn Richards
May 5, 2025
What? He's gone? His words will live on for eternity. God bless you, my friend!
Roger/Suzette Ross
May 5, 2025
We met Joe my husband Roger Ross was part-time photographer .Many encounters with Joe always made us feel like family which the entire staff and Mr Weathers did. We loved him for he gave love true from the heart God bless and lift his family up. All of our children Duan ,Dr.Randa ,Shanda (Ross)Martin will forever be grateful for his unwavering love The Shelby Star was home and family to our family.Forever in our hearts
Kathie Branton
May 4, 2025
I met Joe and Jan after my marriage to Vic Branton, who was a cousin to Joe. Such a wonderful kind man he was. My condolences to the family.
Roger Hudson
May 4, 2025
I never knew Joe but of course I knew of him - reading so much of what he wrote in the papers. An amazing life and probably the best obituary here I've read in years. Life well lived.
Anne Wray
May 3, 2025
He was a wonderful friend and classmate of mine at Shelby High School and I loved his writings and bought his books with interest.
Beverly Lail Harry
May 3, 2025
such a loss to the world. A fine true Southern gentleman
Beth Bargar
May 3, 2025
You were a terrific writer. Thank you.
Dan Phillips
May 3, 2025
I am sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Alton Ann McEntire
May 2, 2025
Men don't come any finer than my cousin, Joe. He was the best. We came to know each other during WWII when both our fathers were in the service. He made my life better by simply being a part of it. I'll never forget him. Such a great loss to so many. Ann McEntire (cousin)
Ted Hall
May 2, 2025
I first met Joe in the 1970s when I was a reporter at The News Herald in Morganton and he was at The Shelby Star. We both were covering public concerns about major development plans in the South Mountains and groups lobbying to protect the beautiful land and streams with a state park designation. Those efforts by Cleveland, Burke and Rutherford County supporters helped to preserve 21,000 acres in the South Mountains State Park.
I came to the Star in 1982, and Joe and I worked together for eight years before he left to write for the Charlotte Observer. Our friendship forged in the newsroom was as tight as one of Joe's perfectly crafted sentences and has flourished close to half a century. Like everyone else who knew Joe, I loved him and will miss him dearly.
Kate Cowan Richard
May 2, 2025
Joe and my dad (Dave Cowan) were best buds. Growing up, I remember often seeing Joe at my dad's gatherings for the Observer. He was always very kind to me. I was lucky enough to have him in attendance at my wedding eight years ago. Joe will certainly be missed.
Tom Rash
May 2, 2025
A fine man and gifted writer. He will be missed.
Ellen T Palmer
May 2, 2025
Joe was a good friend and good man. He will be remembered as patient, talented, and loving.
Ginny Maxwell Grose
May 2, 2025
My earliest memories of Joe are riding bikes with him when we were in grammar school. We loved to ride fearlessly down the hill from Peach Street toward Marion School and were always worried that one of our parents would catch us riding too fast. Joe was diligent about staying in touch with his friends and was especially kind to keep me up-to-date as Jan declined. I will miss our conversations and his friendship.
Phil Price
May 2, 2025
Joe was a wonderful person and meant a lot to our family. We were all proud of him both personally and professionally. His texts and calls to my mother in her later years meant a lot to her. I still remember seeing him running all around town when I was in high school. Rest in peace my friend!
Becky Greene
May 1, 2025
I have several newspaper clippings of Joe DePriest’s articles written about my father, Bill Blanton and Blanton’s Toy House and Variety Store in Shelby. He captured my daddy’s heart and humor. His creativity and love for the ordinary story made him an extraordinary journalist. Joe knew how to surround himself with good people like Dick Hamrick and Charlie Noggle who were also friends of the Blanton family.
Thank you to his family and friends for sharing this wonderful treasure with a wider audience.
Laurel Morris
May 1, 2025
Thank you so much for remembering the Cleveland and Gaston Co Libraries. I can’t count the number of times Joe was there to cover the Library’s Book Sales, Storytimes, author events, or Summer Reading. He always made sure to get every detail right and we could tell he believed in our mission. Rest in Peace, Joe!
Laurel (Hicks) Morris
Retired Director, Gaston Co Public Library
Sherri Cox
May 1, 2025
Joe and I became friends in the sixties. I always enjoyed the times we would “run into” each other in Shelby. Time never erased the fondness we shared for each other. He was quite the intellect, but sincere and kind. May his family find comfort in his wonderful, meaningful life.
Dan Ward
May 1, 2025
A kind and gracious man, and a remarkable reporter.
Rich Oppel
May 1, 2025
Though we overlapped at The Observer only a couple years, I learned to admire and respect Joe from the heartfelt testimonials of those who were privileged to work closely with him. Godspeed, Joe.
Rachel Smith Miller
May 1, 2025
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Art Jackson
May 1, 2025
Joe was the best writer l’ve ever met personally. I loved his style and the subjects he chose. Did not know about his RVN time, or follow-up series. Thanks Joe!
David Camp
May 1, 2025
Joe showed me "the ropes" when I first went to The Star as a summer intern during my college years. After joining the staff fulltime a couple of years later, he and his great friend Dick Hamrick even allowed me to run the streets of Shelby with them until we moved away in late 1978. Joe was a wonderful person and a first-class journalist. He touched and enriched many lives. We are all better for having shared even a brief time in our lives with him. May he rest in eternal peace.
Shirley Bowles
May 1, 2025
My sincere condolences to your Family David
Dick Hamrick
May 1, 2025
My good friends know my best stories, my best friend lived them. Since 1950, Joe DePriest has lived my best stories! He and I have experienced a lifetime of being as close as brothers can be. His loss is heartbreaking for me, but I know what he would want all of us to dodon’t be sad, but smile because he was in our lives. I am going to honor his wish. Condolences to David and all others in Joe’s family..especially to his “daughter “ Julie. Thanks to all his earth angels who brought him peace at the end. Thanks for being the good man you were and for being my best friend, Joe.
Ted Whitworth
May 1, 2025
Joe was a remarkable person. I remember his bedroom where he and David grew up. Joe had quite a book collection and ran me and David out of his room when he was busy. He will be missed by all
Charlie Noggle
May 1, 2025
Shelby and Cleveland County lost an icon when Joe passed . No one I know loved his hometown anymore than Joe. A lot of his stories and writings were about the local people and places.
His book on Sunset Cemetary is a book everyone
In Shelby and Cleveland County should read. I was very fortunate to be one of Joes friends.
He never wanted to talk about himself, it was all about you. Going to miss you friend!!
Brenda and Steve Bouser
May 1, 2025
Joe was a wonderful writer, a consummate collector of people and a friend for life.
Nancy Rudisill
May 1, 2025
One of the kindest most respectful man I ever have known always concerned about everyone else fly high Joe Depriest give Jan a hug from me ,Each step you took lead you closer home remembering you forever love Nancy
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Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory - Shelby106 Cherryville Road, Shelby, NC 28150-4208
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