Obituaries

Feb 23, 2025

Mr. Leslie Grant Crocker, 88, of Connelly Springs, went to his Heavenly Home on Sunday February 23, 2025, at his residence after a period of declining health.

Mr. Crocker was born April 3, 1936, in Johnston County, N.C., a son of the late Ivey and Mamie Delia Creech Crocker. He finished Corinth Holder High School in Zebulon,...

Feb 23, 2025

Patty June Fullmer Farris, 89, of Drexel passed away on Sunday, February 23, 2025 at Amorem Hospice Burke, following a period of declining health.

Patty was born May 4, 1935 in West Virginia to the late James Londus Fullmer and Elizabeth Dengg Fullmer. Patty was a member of Morganton First Church of God and loved being involved...

Feb 22, 2025

Luella Ida Steckel Davis, 84, of Hickory, passed away on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Catawba Valley Medical Center following a period of declining health.

Luella was born May 29, 1940 in Minnesota to the late Mathias Steckel and Gertrude Gillitzer Steckel. She loved to travel with her friends, gardening, and performing in different theatre performances such...

Feb 20, 2025

Mr. Fred “FG” Gordon Wilson, 80, of Granite Falls, passed away on Friday, February 20, 2025, at his residence, following a period of declining health. Fred was born on December 18, 1944, in Caldwell County to the late Fred Garrison Wilson and Mary Penley Wilson. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was a retired woodworker. Fred...

Feb 20, 2025

Mason Cole Pridemore, 22, of Hickory, passed away on Thursday February 20, 2025.

Mason was born, September 20, 2002, in Burke County, a son of Corey Heath Pridemore and Kimberly Ellen Benfield.  He was a graduate of East Burke High School and employed in the Shipping Department of Target.

He was preceded in death by...

Feb 20, 2025

Ms. Carolyn Clontz Franklin, 86, of Morganton, passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at College Pines Health and Rehabilitation, after a period of declining health. Ms. Franklin was born in Burke County on August 22, 1938, to the late J. Harold and Louise Burns Clontz. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters,...

Feb 19, 2025

Shirley Salmon Hinesley, 90, of Connelly Springs, NC. passed away at her residence on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, after a period of declining health. Born December 6, 1934, to the late Alex Reddin and Mae Fields Salmon. She was surrounded by her loving family under hospice care.

A devoted wife and mother, Shirley was a strong, independent...

Feb 19, 2025

Tammy Lynn (Williams) Icard ,58, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully in her home on February 19th, 2025. Tammy was born on June 18th, 1966, in San Bernadino California. Tammy dedicated her life to her two daughters and her community. To know her was to love her and boy did she love HARD. She received her bachelor’s degree from UNC...

Feb 18, 2025

Mr. Garry Dean Powell, 65, son of the late Vernon Jackson Powell and Shirley Fox Powell, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 surrounded by his family at his residence, following a period of declining health. Garry was born on September 8, 1959 in Burke County. He was previously employed as a dye house operator in...

Feb 18, 2025

Mrs. Hazel Pauline Hall, 90, of Valdese, passed away on Tuesday February 18, 2025, at UNC Healtlh Care, Morganton, after a period of declining health. Mrs. Hall was born, December 8, 1934, in Swain County, a daughter of the late Harley P. and Grace Ann Parton. She was retired as a weaver after spending many years of service with...

Feb 17, 2025

Robert Lester “Bob” Wise, 84, of Morganton, passed away on Monday February 17, 2025, at UNC Healthcare, Grace Hospital, after a period of declining health.

Bob was born March 7, 1940, in Burke County, a son of the late Herman and Ruth Rudicill Wise.  He was a member of the Bethel Road Methodist Church and the owner...

Feb 15, 2025

Mr. Wayne Luther Young, 82, of Hildebran, passed away on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at his residence, following a period of declining health. Wayne was born on April 26, 1942, in Burke County to the late Burl Nathaniel Young and Viola Brittain Young. He was the former co-owner and operator of Custom Plumbing for many years and was a...

Feb 15, 2025

Leslie Lester Brittain, Jr., 81, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at home following a brief illness.

Leslie was born March 29, 1943, in Burke County, a son of the late Leslie Brittain, Sr., and Edna Yount.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in passing by his wife of...

Feb 11, 2025

Mr. Cary R.A. Lyda, 55, of Hickory, passed away on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at Frye Regional Medical Center, following a two-year battle with cancer. Cary was born on May 16, 1969, in Catawba County to the late Lentz Lyda and Rita Lail Lyda, and was formerly employed as a forklift operator. Surviving are his two sons, Cary Allen...

Feb 10, 2025

Mr. Gary Eugene Hatley, 66, of Hickory, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025 at his residence.

Gary was born February 6, 1959 in Caldwell County to the late William J. Hatley and Fannie Puckett Hatley. He loved to paint  and play golf.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his...

Feb 10, 2025

Denise “Nicie” Croom Kilbourne, 45, of Hildebran went to her Heavenly Home, after a gallant fight with kidney disease, on Monday February 10, 2025, after a period of declining health.

Denise was born June 7, 1979, in Burke County, a daughter of William Croom Sr. and Sue McGee Croom.  Before her illness, she was formally employed as...

Feb 10, 2025

Mrs. Elizabeth Eller Mullis, 82, of Valdese, passed away on Monday February 10, 2025, at College Pines, after a period of declining health.

Mrs. Mullis was born, December 14, 1942, in Caldwell County, a daughter of the late Marshall and Helen Inez Hayes Eller.  She retired as a Cancer Register from Valdese General Hospital.  Mrs. Mullis was...

Feb 9, 2025

Paul Dean Beach October 2, 1935 – February 9, 2025

Paul Dean Beach, 89, of Valdese, passed away peacefully, with his daughters at his side, on Sunday, February 9. 2025.

Paul was born October 2, 1935, in Burke County, a son of the late Lawrence and Josephine Smith Beach. In addition...

Feb 9, 2025

Mr. Gregory Neal Huffman, 54, of Hickory, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday February 9, 2025. Greg was born on September 17, 1970, in Catawba County to the late Harvey Huffman and Shirley Robinson Huffman. He was employed as an operator for Miller Pipeline Inc. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Johnny Ellis...

Feb 9, 2025

Tony Charles Alexander, 70, of Morganton, passed away on Sunday February 9, 2025, at Amorem, Burke Hospice, after a period of declining health.

Mr. Alexander was born, August 15 1954 in Cleveland County, a son of Charles Osborne Alexander  and the late Carolyne Johnson Alexander.  Tony retired after working many years with Valdese Manufacturing Co. now Meridian...