Merdith Carl Hess

Merdith Carl "Bud" Hess, 89, of China Grove, passed away on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at his home.

Bud was born May 17, 1936, in Cabarrus County, North Carolina to the late Melvin Carlee Hess and the late Lucille Zelda Wilhelm Hess.

He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Melvin Carl Hess and Bobby Ray Hess, one sister, Judith Faye Hess Schrum, two sons, Ronald Scott Hess and Samuel Carlee Hess.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 P.M. – 12:45 P.M on Monday, December 22, 2025, at Whitley’s Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow on Monday, December 22, 2025, at 1:00 P.M. at Whitley’s Funeral Home in Kannapolis officiated by Pastor Tim Newton. Burial will immediately follow at Carolina Memorial Park Cemetery, 601 Mt. Olivet Road, Kannapolis.

Survivors include wife of 68 years, Patricia Karriker Hess of the home; one child, Tamara Hess Allen (Fred Sumlin) of Concord, NC; five grandchildren, Magen C. Anderson, James Edward Allen III, Timothy Roschard Streater (Jachelle Anderson), Samantha Denise Allen (Clinton McQuay) and Kalope Wanya Sumlin (Pheben Abed); six great-grandchildren, Saraiel Johnson, Jaquaylin Streater, Akirianna Streater, Angel McQuay, Princess McQuay and King McQuay.

Merdith Carl "Bud" Hess was a designer for multiple sprinkler companies. In his day he loved going to the beach with his family, sister and her daughter. He also loved to go to the mountains with his wife. He was an outdoors man, didn't like to be still, but loved his naps on the couch. He was an avid baker making some of the best cakes, brownies, pies and mints that family and friends loved and wanted him to open up a shop baking. He loved his family immensely and especially his two house dogs Wadell and Hash over the course of his life with us. He was always willing to help out in any way he could if he knew how to fix something for family or even just a person in time of need.