Drum Funeral Home - Conover

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

01/18/2026

James “Jim” Horace Davis, 96, of Newton, North Carolina, died on January 16, 2026. He was born in Boaz, Alabama, on December 8, 1929, to Lowell Clint Davis and Della Brown. He grew up in Toccoa, Georgia. He played multiple sports in high school and proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War.
He worked for Overnite Transportation in Georgia, Alabama, and finally in Hickory, NC. He was active in First Methodist Church of Conover. He and his wife, Jeanette, loved traveling all over the United States in their motorhome. His heart was in volunteer service. He was a leader on the church building team, rebuilding homes after natural disasters all over the Southeast. He was proudly part of the local Habitat for Humanity work team, served as an AARP Tax preparer for 20 years and as a volunteer for ECCCM (now Ashure Ministries), and was a certified Master Gardener.
Most of all, he loved his family. Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 72 years, Frances Jeanette Jacobs Davis; daughter, Janice Hager and husband, Jeffrey; grandchildren, Craig Davis and wife, Leslie, Allison Jackson and husband, Patrick; great-grandchildren, Auburn and Ivy Davis; and many nieces, nephews, and other extended family. He is preceded in death by his parents; his son, Jim Davis, Jr.; and his six brothers and sisters.
Receiving of friends will be held at 2pm prior to the service in the sanctuary.
A celebration of his life will be held at 3:00 pm, Saturday, January 31, 2026, at First Methodist Church Conover with Reverend John Woods officiating.
His family would like to thank James’ wonderful caregivers at Abernathy Laurels.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ashure Ministries at 245 East N St, Newton, NC 28658; Habitat for Humanity at 102 3rd Ave NE, Hickory, NC 28601; and First Methodist Church Conover at 410 1st Ave N, Conover, NC 28613.
Condolences may be left at www.drumfh-conover.com
The Davis Family is under the care of Drum Funeral Home.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/12710301