Obituaries

May 1, 2025

Journey Lyvan Nelson Littlejohn, 77, of Hudson, passed away on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at Frye Regional Medical Center following a period of declining health.

Journey was born April 24, 1948, in Caldwell County to the late Lawrence Nelson and Ruth Trivette Nelson. She was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Lenoir and loved going to...

May 1, 2025

Marvin Richard (“Dick”) Hawes “slipped the surly bonds of earth” on May 1, 2025 to be reunited with family, friends, and old fishing buddies. Dick, or “Grandpa” as he was known to his four granddaughters, was the son of the late Dr. Marvin Ep and Naomi Perrine Hawes. Dick was born in February 1938 in Indianapolis, Indiana, and he...

Apr 30, 2025

Michelle Coleen Williams, 47, passed away on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at Amorem Hospice after a courageous battle with cancer.

A native of Orange County, CA she was the daughter of William Clarence Clark and Charlotte Ann Clark. She was preceded in death by her father in 2005, and her two brothers, William Clarence Clark II in...

Apr 30, 2025

Joshua Eric Spears, 45, of Lenoir passed away on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at his home.

Josh was born May 4, 1979; on his beloved grandmother’s birthday, Grace Louise Pennell; in Catawba County to Douglas R. Spears and Kim Pennell Waldon. He was a member of Corinth Baptist Church and worked at Hickory Springs Manufacturing PTI Plant....

Apr 29, 2025

Peggy Perrou Verreault passed away Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at the age of 92.

Born in Valdese, NC, Peggy was the daughter of the late François Augusta and Janie Pons Perrou. Peggy was a member of Young Memorial Church in Anderson. She completed coursework at Blanton Business College in Asheville, NC and worked in various places throughout...

Apr 28, 2025

Mr. Ernie Lee Cline, 82, of Hickory, passed away on Monday, April 28, 2025, at Frye Regional Medical Center, following a period of declining health. Ernie was born on November 9, 1942, in Cleveland County to the late Ernest Franklin Cline and Gladys Whitener Cline. He worked as a pharmacist for many years and continued so up until his...

Apr 27, 2025

Roy McCampbell, Jr., 89, of Valdese, passed away on Sunday April 27, 2025, at Wendover Hospice House, Shelby, after a period of declining health.

Mr. McCampbell was born September 13, 1935, in Buncombe County, a son of the late Roy and Maude Alice House McCampbell, Sr.  He attended Calvary Freewill Baptist Church and retired as a NC...

Apr 27, 2025

Kristie Leigh Franklin Spurlin, 53, of Rutherford College, passed away on Sunday, April 27, 2025 at UNC Health Blue Ridge of Morganton following a brief illness. Kristie was born on May 24, 1971 in Burke County, a daughter of Howard Lee and Brenda “Gail” Franklin. She loved everyone and often gave her time and finances to benefit others in...

Apr 26, 2025

Sandra Kay “Katie” Bodford Smith, 73, of Lenoir, passed away at home on Saturday, April 26, 2025 following a period of declining health.

Katie was born February 27, 1952 in Cherokee County, South Carolina to the late Burnie Jay Bodford and Sarah Painter Bodford. She attended and loved her church, Faith Tabernacle, and retired from the furniture...

Apr 24, 2025

Mr. Ronald Leslie Hartley, 79, of Hickory, passed away on Thursday April 24, 2025 at the Greens of Hickory, after a period of declining health.

Mr. Hatley was born June 25,1945 in Va., a son of the late Lawrence and Myrtle Garnes Hartley.  Ronald retired after many years of service as a high end leather upholsterer.  He...

Apr 22, 2025

Mrs. Delene Franklin, 81, of Drexel was sent to her eternal home on April 22, 2025, following a period of declining health. She was born May 13, 1943 to the late Ralph Ezell and Eva Seagle Franklin. Mrs. Franklin married the love of her life, Troyal Dell Franklin, over 60 years ago and had spent these years with him...

Apr 22, 2025

Peacefully and surrounded by family, Waits Eugene Hoilman passed away on April 22, 2025, at the age of 84. He was born on January 25, 1941, in Avery County, NC, to the late Howard and Hattie Hoilman. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 62 years, Linda G. Hoilman of the home. Also left to cherish his...

Apr 19, 2025

Ramón Gustavo Nava-Almanza, 28, of Claremont, passed away on Saturday, April 19, 2025.

Ramón was born July 17, 1996, in Catawba County to Ramón Almanza Gonzalez and Yesica Nava-Cruz. During Ramóns younger years, he loved sports and Michael Jordan. He enjoyed thrifting, Vintage Harley Davidsons, and being outdoors. Most important in Ramóns life was his children, whom...

Apr 18, 2025

Mrs. Carol Woods Ribet, 87, of Rutherford College, went to live with her Heavenly Father, Friday April 18, 2025, at UNC Blue Ridge Health Care, Morganton, after a brief illness.

It is fitting that she should pass away on a holiday, because she always decorated her yard for every holiday so the neighbors and everyone else that...

Apr 17, 2025

Mrs. Theresa Ann Burkhardt Butler, 61, of Valdese, passed away on Thursday April 17, 2025, at Amorem Burke Hospice, after a period of declining health.

Mrs. Butler was born January 26, 1964, in Monroe County, New York, a daughter of Carl J. Burkhardt, Sr. and Gail DeCook Burkhardt.  Theresa was a member of High Peak Baptist Church...

Apr 14, 2025

Mr. Derrick Timothy Davis, 54, of Claremont passed away on Monday April 14, 2025, at Presbyterian Novant Hospital, Charlotte, after a period of declining health. Mr. Davis was born March 21, 1971, in Catawba County, the son of Steve A. and Helen Hunt Davis. He was a member of Warlick’s Baptist Church and employed as a machine operator in...

Apr 14, 2025

Annie Mae Brittain, 95, of Rhodhiss, passed away on April 14, 2025 at her residence following a period of declining health.

Annie was born on May 19, 1929 in Burke County, a daughter of the late George McKinnley and Mollie Cline Brittain.

She is preceded in passing by her daughter, Debbie Stroupe; son-in-law, Larry Stroupe;...

Apr 13, 2025

Melba Delores Tensley Greene, 78, of Lenoir, passed away on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at her residence following a period of declining health.

Melba was born September 18, 1946 in Burke County to the late John Henry Tensley and Blanche Little Tensley. She was a member of Lakeview Baptist Church and retired from the furniture industry.

Apr 12, 2025

Jason Eugene Ray, 44, of Connelly Springs, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at Frye Regional Medical Center.

Jason was born on September 22, 1980 in Catawba County, a son of Sandra Morel and the late Gary Keith Ray.  He was an avid fisherman at the carp pond.

In addition to his father,...

Apr 11, 2025

Scott Edwin Craig, 61, of Granite Falls, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, April 11, 2025 at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

Scott was born on December 15, 1963 in Burke County, a son of Lillian Adkins Craig and the late Wayne Edwin Craig.

Scott loved the outdoors. He enjoyed hiking, off-roading, and working...