Jimmy "Abe" Stikeleather

Jimmy Allen “Abe” Stikeleather, 82, of Statesville, passed away Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC.

Abe was born in Iredell County on November 20, 1942, to the late William Mack Stikeleather, Jr. and Martha Virginia Rufty Stikeleather.

He was a 1961 graduate of Statesville High School. He attended Mitchell Community College, Catawba College, Wake Forest University and Florida State University, where he was awarded a PhD.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Melissa Thompson Stikeleather, and sister, Dare S. Ballard.

Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Ben Stikeleather (Betsy) of Efland, NC; grandchildren, Claude Stikeleather of Philadelphia, PA, and Carter Stikeleather of Durham, NC; sisters, Emily S. Baker (Bill), and Anita S. Murdock (Dennis).

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday, March 23 at Concord Presbyterian Church with Pastor Liz Troyer officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Friends of Fort Dobbs, 438 Fort Dobbs Road, Statesville, NC 28625.

Troutman Funeral Home is honored to serve the Stikeleather family.