Christa Dawn Shuford

Christa Dawn Shuford, 54, of Hickory, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 28, 2025, at Catawba Valley Medical Center with her closest family by her side, following a period of declining health.

Born on June 26, 1971, Christa was the beloved daughter of the late Ronald Coleman Shuford and Betty Ruth Mays Shuford.

Christa lived a life filled with creativity and passion. A lifelong resident of the Hickory area, she was a proud graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne College, where she was an active and devoted member of the Delta Zeta sorority.

Christa was a naturally gifted singer, songwriter, and actress. Having the extraordinary gifts and talents that she did, Christa started a performing career at the young age of 12 in musical theater. She performed in many shows, and sang at a number of large events with many celebrated performers. Her grace and talent were both on display when she won the title of Miss Maiden (1989), Miss Hickory/Catawba County (1991), and the Talent Award for Miss North Carolina for singing (1991). Another career highlight came in 2006 when she won the American Idol Underground competition. Christa was also a singer in a few groups over the years, one being the Lead Singer with the Klick Band where she performed and recorded music with her brother Todd. In her professional life, she worked many years as a Graphic Designer at the family business, Premier Screen Printing, working closely alongside her brother Steve.

Christa was known for her talent, beauty, kindness, quick wit, and deep commitment to her faith. She had an immense love for music, animals, comedy, her family, and her circle of friends, that she thought of as FAMILY.

Christa was preceded in death by her parents, Ronald Coleman Shuford and Betty Ruth Mays Shuford.

Left to cherish her memory are her brothers, Steve Shuford, Todd Shuford and wife Dawn, Scot Shuford and wife Sherry, all of Hickory; her chosen sister and closest friend Carole Clements Miller and husband Tim of Conover; her nieces; her nephew; and great nephews, and her love for her dog Baxter.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Christa’s life will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025, Visitation will begin at 2:00 PM. and the Celebration of Life Ceremony at 3:00 PM at Christ Church-Mt View, 2416 Zion Church Rd, Hickory, NC 28602.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the organization:

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) pancan.org

or the Charity she helped her brother with Open Door Homeless Ministries, PO Box 51, Conover NC 28613

Please sign the online guestbook on the Memorial Wall at www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net. The Shuford family has entrusted arrangements to Jenkins Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Newton 828-464-1555.