Mr. Garland Stephen Pilkenton (Steve), age 71, of Lenoir passed away on Friday, February 20, 2026 surrounded by his loved ones after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Born August 11, 1954 in Caldwell County, Steve was a son of the late Oscar Ford and Mildred Cannon Pilkenton. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a brother, Greg Pilkenton; and a sister-in-law, Pam Pilkenton.

Steve was a 1972 graduate of Lenoir High School and attended Lees-McRae college and then graduated from Appalachian State University.  He was a proud Bearcat and Mountaineer his entire life.

After graduation, he worked full time at WG Cannon Paint Company, a family-owned business.  He was so proud to be part of this business started by his grandfather and namesake in 1942.  In 2016, WG Cannon Paint added Greer Janitorial Supply as a sister business.  Steve and his son Charlie worked side by side at the business for over 20 years which is truly what this business is all about – family.  He was happy last year when his son-in-law Micheal joined them.

Steve was a lifelong member of Colliers United Methodist Church where he served in numerous capacities.  Through the years, he served as Trustee Chairman, Chairman of the Administrative Board, Finance Committee, and Parsonage Committee.  The majority of his service centered around maintaining the church buildings, grounds, and parsonage.  Whether he was painting a door or installing an elevator, no project was too big or too small.  He received the Church Laity Award for Christian Service in 2016.

He was a member of the Hibriten Masonic Lodge #262, Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, the Oasis Shrine Temple, and the Foothills Shrine Club.  He enjoyed serving as President and coaching Little League and made life-long friends in the process.

Steve lived life to the fullest and traveling and family adventures were his main priorities.  Beach vacations, fishing trips, afternoons on the lake, Appalachian tailgates, Braves baseball games, Halloween nights and weekly family dinners made him happy. But his greatest joy was being a Dad and a Paw Paw to his children and grandchildren.  He was always present for all their activities.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Patsy House Pilkenton; a son, Charlie Pilkenton (wife Laura) of Lenoir; two daughters, Jennie Williams (husband Micheal) of Hickory and Natalie Hudgens (husband Cole) of Hoschton, GA; seven grandchildren, Jackson Williams, Collin Williams, Lawson Williams, Chapel Hudgens, Hunter Kate Hudgens, Chase Craig and Lawson Craig; a brother in law, Chuck House; a sister in law, Nancy Lee; two nephews, Jeff Pilkenton and Jon Pilkenton; and a great niece, Ella Pilkenton.

A funeral service for Steve will take place on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 3:00 PM at Colliers United Methodist Church with Rev. Ann Gibert and Rev. Julie O'Neal officiating.  Interment will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Park in Lenoir.

The family will receive friends prior to the service at the church from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

Serving as pall bearers are Cole Hudgens, Micheal Williams, Jackson Williams, Collin Williams, Chuck House, Jeff Pilkenton, Jon Pilkenton, and Chuck Cannon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Colliers United Methodist Church Building Fund at P.O. Box 1976, Lenoir, NC  28645 or to the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford (MHCO) at 600 College Street, Oxford, NC  27565.

Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory of Lenoir are serving the Pilkenton family.