Valerie graduated from Gastonia High School, Gastonia, NC, and attended Lenoir-Rhyne College, Hickory, NC, where she studied music. She was married to Charles Harold Deal of Hickory in 1953, celebrating 63 years together until his death in 2016. After Charles’ graduation from Lenoir-Rhyne, the couple lived in Ayden, NC, where they operated the Ayden Dispatch, until moving to Marathon, FL, where they operated the Florida Keys Keynoter for 7 years. Following a brief stay in Fort Lauderdale, they came back to North Carolina, where Mr. Deal edited the Newton Observer paper for 7 years. In 1972, the couple purchased and operated the Hickory News for 28 years. Mr. Deal was known throughout the county for his “Five O’Clock Shadow” columns. Mrs. Deal wrote the popular social column “Table Hopping” and was Secretary-Treasurer of the corporation.
Valerie was well known for her musical voice quality and was accepted to study at Juilliard School of Music in New York. She shared her gift with church choirs and special events.
Valerie moved to Raleigh, NC, in 2016 to live near her sister, Gail Dawkins.
Their son, C. Randolph Deal, died in 1990. Survivors include grandson, Jeremy N. Deal of Logan, Utah; sisters, Gail Dawkins of Raleigh, Grace Fitzpatrick and husband Bill of Daly City, CA, and Florence Brainerd and husband Jim of Tallahassee, FL. Her brother, Vernon C. Morrow of Colorado Springs, CO.; sisters, Carol M. Cannon and Ruth A. Morrow preceded Valerie in death.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday January 27, 2019 at 2:00PM at Bass-Smith Funeral Home in Hickory. The family will receive friends after the service at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made in her honor to a charity of one’s choice.
