William Keith Hughes
Jun 10, 2026
William “Keith” Hughes, 65, of Valdese, passed away on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at UNC Health Blue Ridge in Morganton following a period of declining health.
Keith was born June 5, 1961 in Avery County, a son Paul William Hughes and Judy Beam Hughes Biggerstaff. He served honorably in the United States Army.
He is preceded in passing by his mother, Judy...
Jeremiah Andrew Turpin
Jun 9, 2026
Mr. Jeremiah Andrew Turpin, 47, of Valdese passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
Jeremiah was born on December 22, 1978, in Burke County to Sherry Poarch Gilley and the late Carlton Turpin. He was previously employed in the landscaping industry.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his grandparents and by several aunts and uncles.
Surviving is...
Shirley Kathryn Walker Anthony
Jun 9, 2026
Shirley Kathryn Walker Anthony, 84, of Valdese, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 following a brief illness.
Shirley was born March 20, 1942 in McDowell County, a daughter of the late Benjamin Franklin and Mary Frances Boston Walker. She loved to be outside and was very fond of the mountains. Her favorite place to be...
David Grant Dale
Jun 9, 2026
David Grant Dale, 58, of Morganton, passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at Mission Memorial Hospital following a brief period of declining health.
David was born February 17, 1968 in Burke County to Grant Dale II and Sharon Rose Mace. He owned and operated a mobile mechanic business and enjoyed working on all types of vehicles.
He is preceded in death...
Herman DeLane Fulbright
Jun 8, 2026
Herman DeLane Fulbright, 93, of Morganton, passed away on Monday, June 8, 2026 at Autumn Care of Drexel following a period of declining health.
Herman was born November 15, 1932 in Burke County to the late Kelly Oliver Fulbright and Fennie Knox Fulbright. He served honorably in the United States Navy and worked for over forty years as a contractor for...
Steve Walda Starnes
Jun 7, 2026
Steve Walda Starnes, 66, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at Catawba Valley Medical Center following a period of declining health.
Steve was born April 6, 1960 in Burke County to the late Nick Starnes and Virginia Stephens Starnes. Steve was very active in his community and never judged anyone. He was a member of Peace United...
Jerry Lewis Prather
Jun 6, 2026
Mr. Jerry Lewis Prather, 79, of Morganton, passed away on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Mission Hospital McDowell, following a period of declining health.
Jerry was born on September 2, 1946, in McDowel County to the late John Lewis Prather and Mildred Buchanan Prather. He was member of Faith Freewill Baptist Church in Morganton, and a veteran of the U.S. Army....
Charles Vincent Smith
Jun 6, 2026
Charles Vincent Smith, 62, of Morganton, passed away on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at AMOREM of Burke County following a period of declining health.
Charles was born June 29, 1963 In Buncombe County, a son of the late Thomas Charles and Hattie Margaret Smith.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in passing by a sister, Margaret Alice William Smith, and...
Ralph Eugene McDonald Jr.
Jun 5, 2026
Mr. Ralph Eugene McDonald, 83, of Valdese, formerly of Indian Lake, OH, passed away on Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Springs of Catawba Nursing Home, following a period of declining health.
Ralph was born on January 30, 1943, to the late Ralph and Iona McDonald. He was a graduate of Indian Lake High School, a veteran of the U.S. Army...
Rodney Lee Wilson
Jun 2, 2026
Rodney Lee Wilson, 76, of Connelly Springs, NC, passed away peacefully, on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, surrounded by family and friends after a period of declining health.
Mr. Wilson was born on November 2, 1949, in Burke County to the late Geneva Reid Wilson and Johnny Edward Wilson. He attended Oak Ridge Baptist Church and graduated from Drexel High School. Rodney...
Clyde Edward Taylor
Jun 1, 2026
Clyde Edward Taylor, 89, of Taylorsville, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, June 1, 2026, following a period of declining health.
Clyde was born May 4, 1937, in Lincoln County, NC, a son of the late Alvin Marion and Minnie Alice Sigmon Taylor. He retired from the City of Leesburg, FL, as a deputy fire chief after many...
Lowell Bryan Francis
May 31, 2026
Lowell Bryan Francis, 82, of Valdese, passed away on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at Amorem Hospice following a period of declining health.
Lowell was born October 2, 1943, in Mecklenburg County to the late Judson Bryan Francis and Ann L. Cochran Francis. He was a member of East Valdese Baptist Church and worked for Whirlpool until retirement. He loved Mustang cars,...
Dennis Gene Warlick
May 25, 2026
Dennis Gene "Butch" Warlick went to his Heavenly home to be with the Lord on May 25, 2026 after several months of declining health.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Patricia Collins Warlick of Valdese; his daughter, Kristie Warlick Younce and husband, Brian Younce, of Granite Falls, NC; sister, Doris Warlick Rhoney Pearson; his sister-in-law, Charlotte Collins Wilson...
Doris Rebecca Chapman Hoilman
May 25, 2026
Doris Rebecca Chapman Hoilman, 67, of Morganton, passed away on Monday, May 25, 2026 at UNC Blue Ridge Medical Center following a brief illness.
Doris was born November 1, 1958 in Burke County, to the late Frank Chapman and Elsie Mae Smith Chapman. She loved her family dearly and will be missed by so many.
In addition to her parents, she is...
Barbara Ann Anderson
May 23, 2026
Mrs. Barbara Ann Henery Anderson, 71, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Frye Regional Medical Center, following a period of declining health.
Barbara was born on October 19, 1954, in Mansfield, OH to the late John Henery and Ilene Spiess Henery. She was a retired CNA, specializing in at home healthcare, and was a member of...
Kevin Charles Murray
May 23, 2026
Kevin Charles Murray, 64, of Connelly Springs, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, May 23, 2026 following a period of declining health. he will be deeply missed by his family and countless friends. Kevin had an impact on people wherever he went. He always made time for conversations and never knew a stranger. He always...
Ronald David Rumley Jr.
May 21, 2026
Mr. Ronald Rumley, 27, of Valdese, went home to be with the Lord on May 21, 2026 at Atrium Health Charlotte.
Ron was born March 19, 1999 in Bluefield, West Virginia.
He was preceded in death by his late mother, Juanita Jane Steptoe of Bluefield, WV, a brother, Dwayne Steptoe of Bluefield, WV and a son, King Dwayne Rumley of Marion, NC.
Those...
Anita Veronia Kathleen Hull Andrews
May 20, 2026
Anita Veronia Kathleen Hull Andrews, 77, of Valdese, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 following a period of declining health.
Anita was born July 6, 1948 in Cleveland County, a daughter of the late Belo and Leonia Jones Hull. She loved to sew and made many quilts to donate to a variety of individuals and...
David Pressley Cook
May 19, 2026
David Pressley Cook, 83, of Valdese, passed away on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at home following a period of declining health.
David was born on December 31, 1942 in Burke County, a son of the late Roy and Celia Chapman Cook. He was a proud United States Army veteran. He was a jack-of-all-trades ranging from woodworking projects to automobiles. He loved...
Darlene Dula Brittain
May 17, 2026
Darlene Dula Lail Bivens Brittain, 75, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2026 at her residence; following a period of declining health.
Darlene was born September 11, 1950 in Burke County to the late Ruben Clyde Dula and Melba Jenkins Dula. She was warm and generous, always ready to help others when she could. A devoted wife, mother,...
