Grady Ray Fender

Grady Ray Fender, 63, of Morganton, departed this life on December 25, 2024 at Amorum Hospice in Valdese.

Grady was born in McDowell County on June 15, 1961 to his late parents, David Allen Fender and Pauline Mace Fender. He is also preceded in death by a sister, Annette Allen Wadsworth and a brother Max Wade Fender.

Grady was of the Freewill Baptist faith. He enjoyed working on all types of cars but was known as a Mopar man. He loved watching drag racing and his favorite NASCAR driver was Richard Petty. Grady liked to fish and spend time outdoors. His favorite place to visit was Lake Lure. Most of all he was a family man who loved his family.

Surviving Grady are his wife of 43 years, Lesia Barrier Fender; his four children, Kevin Ray Fender (Russell Robinson), Christopher Allen Fender, Stephanie Virginia Fender Stiemke (Hans) and Taylor Raven Hicks; eight grandchildren, Austin, Haley, Skylar, Trinity, Kadence, Emory, Alex and Alyah; two great grandchildren, Ariyah and Lena Mae; and five special friends, Dennis Smith, Charles Lee Pittman, Jeffrey Parker, Wayne Barrier and Bruce Nanny.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, December 29, 2024 from 2:00 until 4:00 in the chapel of Beam Funeral Service.