William Perry Holland, Jr.
Dec 3, 2025
William Perry Holland, Jr., 54, of Valdese, passed away on Wednesday December 3, 2025, at his residence after a period of declining health.
Perry was born July 28, 1971, in Burke County, a son of William Perry Holland, Sr. and Vickie Smith Lovelace. He was employed in the construction industry as a plumber and was a friend to all he met.
He...
Bobby Stilwell
Dec 3, 2025
Bobby Stilwell, 94, of Hickory, departed this life to his heavenly home on Wednesday December 3, 2025 at College Pines Nursing Center following a period of declining health.
Bobby was born on March 7, 1931 in Burke County to the late Jason Stilwell and Vivian Stilwell. A veteran of the United States Navy, he bravely served his country for four years...
Lewis Bryson Willis
Dec 2, 2025
Mr. Lewis Bryson Willis, 89, of Morganton, passed away on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at UNC-BR Morganton.
Lewis was born on July 24, 1936, in Mitchell County to the late Ecay Titus Willis and Essie Lanning Willis. He was a member of Glen Alpine First Baptist Church and was veteran of the U.S. Army. Lewis was a retired machinist with Drexel...
Donald Ray McKinney
Dec 1, 2025
Donald Ray McKinney, 68, of Morganton, passed away on Monday, December 1, 2025 following a period of declining health.
Donald was born on September 12, 1957 in Avery County, a son of the late Dewey and Faye Shook McKinney. He was a devoted volunteer for the Oak Hill Fire Department for over twenty years, and he also served with the Hazmat...
Toni Lea Street
Nov 30, 2025
Toni Lea Pack Street, 80, of Valdese, passed away on Sunday November 30, 2025, at her residence after a period of declining health.
Mrs. Street was born May 2, 1945, in Logan County, W. Va., a daughter of the late Kay and Mary Pridemore Pack. Toni was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to all she met. She was...
Helen Marie Day Woodruff
Nov 30, 2025
Helen Marie Day Woodruff, 71, of Valdese, passed away on Sunday November 30, 2025, at Amorem, Burke Hospice, after a period of declining health.
Mrs. Woodruff was born January 24, 1954, in Caldwell County, a daughter of the late Thomas and Mae Day Day. She was a former member of Antioch Baptist Church and retired as an employee of the home...
Dennis Eugene Carswell
Nov 28, 2025
Dennis Eugene Carswell, 71, of Valdese, passed away on Friday November 28, 2025, at his residence after a period of declining health.
He was born February 6, 1954, in Burke County, a son of the late Herbert “Skin” and Callie Brittain Carswell. Dennis was a dedicated son, taking care of his parents until their passing. He was also a faithful friend...
Eddie Deana Carswell
Nov 27, 2025
Eddie Deana Williams Carswell, 72, of Connelly Springs, went to her Heavenly Home Thursday November 27, 2025 with her loving family by her side.
Mrs. Carswell was born January 25, 1953, in Burke County, a daughter of the late John and Bell Etta Pearson Williams and foster parents the late Jack and Nancy Bost . She was a loving wife, mother,...
Robert Douglas Helms
Nov 25, 2025
Robert Douglas “Shad” Helms, 89, of Morganton, passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
Shad was born October 14, 1936 in Burke County and was the son of the late William Jethro Helms and Rose Frye Helms. He was an avid sports person, devoted to the Atlanta Braves.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers, Bill...
Cletus Delon Stamey
Nov 25, 2025
Cletus Delon Stamey, 59, of Connelly Springs, passed away at his residence on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 following a period of declining health.
Cletus was born March 29, 1966 in Burke County, a son of the late Nellie Setzer Stamey.
Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Haylea Workman, and her mother, Tammy Workman.
No services will be held at this...
Linda Willis Wilson
Nov 24, 2025
Linda Willis Wilson, 73, of Virginia, passed away on Monday, November 24, 2025 at UNC Health Blue Ridge of Morganton, following a brief illness.
Linda was born May 9, 1952 in Orange County, Florida, a daughter of the late Malcolm Edward and Dorothy Willis.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in passing by her husband, John Wilson, and numerous siblings.
Those...
Jimmy Ray Jacumin
Nov 23, 2025
Jimmy Ray Jacumin, 89, beloved public servant and respected businessman whose life was marked by leadership, hard work and a deep commitment to his community, departed this life to his heavenly home on Sunday November 23, 2025, at Amorem Hospice in Valdese following a brief illness.
Jim was born on November 15, 1936, in Burke County to the late Emile Martin...
Rachel Powell Carswell
Nov 23, 2025
On November 23, 2025, Rachel Powell Carswell, 85, of Morganton, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, after a brief illness. Rachel was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, teacher and friend.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Kirby Edward Powell and Nell Brown Powell; husband, Milburn “Bud” Carswell; brother, Randall Kirby Powell; and son-in-law, Willis Sadberry.
Those...
Floy Mae Fortenberry
Nov 23, 2025
Mrs. Floy Mae Burns Fortenberry, 101, of Hickory, passed away peacefully at her residence, surrounded by her loving family, on Sunday, November 23, 2025.
Floy was born on October 21, 1924, in Burke County to the late Walter Burns and Bessie Hudson Burns. She was a lifelong member of Wilkie’s Grove Baptist Church, and was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother...
Peggy Maxine Albright
Nov 20, 2025
Ms. Peggy Maxine Woody Albright, 84, of Morganton, passed away on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at UNC-Blue Ridge Morganton, following a brief illness.
Peggy was born on February 21, 1941, in Burke County to the late Bill Woody and Gladys Cline Woody. She was a member of Drexel First Baptist Church and was a retired registered nurse. Her faith in Jesus...
Brian Keith Perkins
Nov 18, 2025
Mr. Brian Keith Perkins, 57, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at his residence.
Brian was born on July 23, 1968, in Tazewell County, VA to the late Lola Mae Goodman Stidham. He was previously employed as a machine operator in the furniture manufacturing industry and was raised in the Pentecostal Faith in Virginia.
In addition to his...
Jimmy Hedrick
Nov 18, 2025
Jimmy Hedrick, 81, of Drexel, passed away on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at Margate Health and Rehab following a period of declining health.
Jimmy was born October 12, 1944 in Catawba County. He worked as a long haul truck driver and loved being in the outdoors.
He is survived by his special daughter, Rebecca “Becky” Blair and husband James; special grandchildren, Ashley...
Norman Elmer Huffman
Nov 17, 2025
Norman E. Huffman, 81, passed away peacefully on November 17, 2025, at Amorem Hospice, surrounded by his family.
Born on January 26, 1944, Norman grew up learning the value of hard work at his grandmother's side on her farm—lessons that would shape the man he became.
Norman was a devoted husband, a great father, and a man of loyalty, strength, and quiet...
Joseph Stephen "Steve" Conner
Nov 17, 2025
Joseph Stephen “Steve” Conner, 86, of Morganton, passed away on Monday, November 17, 2025 at VIA Health Partners of Cleveland County following a period of declining health.
Steve was born November 19, 1938 in Cleveland County, a son of the late James Conner and Gertrude Conner Burns. He was a caring and loving father and husband.
Those left to cherish his memory...
Michael Lee "Teeter" Harris
Nov 16, 2025
Michael Lee Harris, lovingly known as “Teeter,” passed away on November 16, 2025, at the age of 48. Born in West Virginia but—by the grace of God—claimed forever by Burke County, he made his home in Connelly Springs, North Carolina, where he built a life filled with laughter, loyalty, and the kind of love that leaves a permanent mark on...
