Obituaries

Dec 15, 2024

Randy Scott “The Root” Rhyne, 73, of Connelly Springs gained his angel wings on Sunday, December 15, 2024 at Carolina Caring following a brief and courageous battle with cancer.

Randy was born July 10, 1951 in Catawba County to the late Hoover Rhyne and Edith Hudson Rhyne. He was lovingly known as Uncle PawPaw to many who...

Dec 14, 2024

James Allen “Jim” Lail, 78, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at The Greens of Hickory, following a period of declining health.

Jim was born July 8, 1946 in Burke County to the late Leslie Lail and Myrtle Hudson Lail. He served honorably in the United States Coast Guard and loved to fish....

Dec 12, 2024

Mrs. Peggy Wright Crotts, 89, of Hickory, passed away peacefully, on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at Amorem Hospice of Valdese, surrounded by her daughters, following a period of declining health. Peggy was born on August 30, 1935, in Burke County to the late Everett B. Wright and Tessie Brittain Wright. She was a longtime member of Wilkie’s Grove Baptist...

Dec 10, 2024

Mr. Anthony Wayne Powell, 55, of Candler, passed away on Tuesday December 10, 2024, at his residence, after a period of declining health. Anthony was born May 24, 1969, in Scottsboro, Al., a son of Jerry and Dorothy McCoy Powell. He graduated from East Burke High School in 1987 and went to NC State University until 1992. Anthony got...

Dec 9, 2024

Catherine ‘Colene’ Hedrick, 91, of Valdese, passed away at home on Monday, December 9, 2024 following a period of declining health.

Colene was born on March 18, 1933 in Burke County, a daughter of the late Sherrill and Jessie Lowman Winkler.  She was a loving mother to everyone and will be truly missed by many.  God has...

Dec 6, 2024

Mr. Robert Harvey Hannah, 80, of Lenoir, passed away on Friday, December 6, 2024 at Mission Memorial Hospital in Asheville, following a brief illness. Robert was born on April 27, 1944 in New Jersey to the late David Hannah and Edna Peer Hannah. He was a member of Amherst Baptist Church in Drexel and was the retired owner and...

Dec 6, 2024

Mrs. Thelma Jane Berry Broyhill, 87, of Connelly Springs, went to her Heavenly Home on Friday December 6, 2024, after a courageous battle with ALS. Mrs. Broyhill was born July 20, 1937, in McDowell County, a daughter of the late Fred Roscoe and Eather Cordelia Watson Berry. Jane was a dedicated and active member of Oak Ridge Baptist Church,...

Dec 5, 2024

Evelyn Catherine Velez Suarez, 66, of New York, passed away at the Greens of Hickory on Thursday, December 5, 2024, following a period of declining health.

Evelyn was born March 24, 1958 in Kings County, NY, a daughter of the late Emilio and Diana Castro Velez.  Evelyn was an artistic soul, and she loved to create works...

Dec 4, 2024

Darvin Lee Rhodes, 75, of Morganton, passed away on December 4, 2024, at Willow Ridge Rehabilitation and Living Center following a period of declining health. Darvin was born on January 25, 1949 in Burke County, a son of Darvin Vernon Rhodes and Rosemary McMahan Rhodes. Music was his life. He loved writing songs and playing his guitar. He is...

Dec 2, 2024

Mrs. Betty Sue Moore Berry, 97, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Monday December 2, 2024, at Carolina Rehab of Burke, after a period of declining health.

Mrs. Berry was born February 1, 1927, in Burke County, a daughter of the late Charles Earl and Mary Abernethy Moore.  She was a member of the Shady Grove Methodist...

Dec 2, 2024

James Billy “Bill” Robinson, 89, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Monday, December 2, 2024 at Magnolia Lane following a period of declining health.

Bill was born May 18, 1935 in Yancey County to the late James Milton Robinson and Cora McIintosh Robinson. He attended Mt. Calvary Baptist Church and was a man well-loved by his family...

Dec 2, 2024

Mr. Mikel Eugene Carden, Sr., 79, of Connelly Springs, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Monday December 2, 2024, at Wake Forest Baptist University Medical Center, Winston Salem, after a period of declining health.

Mr. Carden was born December 24, 1944, in Carter County, TN, a son of the late Troy and Mae Guinn Carden. ...

Nov 30, 2024

Marcus Wilson “Paladin” Huffman, Jr., 82, of Banner Elk, passed away on Saturday, November 30, 2024 at Watauga Medical Center, following a period of declining health.

Marcus was born February 15, 1942 in Burke County to the late Marcus Wilson Huffman Sr. and Annie Mae Branch Huffman. He was of the Baptist faith and worked as a...

Nov 30, 2024

Robert Edsel McCoy, 72, of Connelly Springs, passed away at his residence on Saturday, November 30, 2024.

Robert was born May 29, 1952 in West Virginia. He served honorably in the United States Army, worked as a mechanic on heavy equipment, and was a member of Berea Baptist Church. Robert loved being involved in different areas of...

Nov 28, 2024

Dennis Lee Turnmire, 66, of Valdese, passed away on Thursday, November 28, 2024 at College Pines Health and Rehabilitation following a period of declining health.

Dennis was born on July 4, 1958 in Burke County to the late Walter J. Turnmire and Inez Spann Turnmire. He enjoyed going to country concerts, racing, and watching National Geographic.

Nov 27, 2024

Mrs. Joyce Houston Walling, 80, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Wednesday November 27, 2024 after a period of declining health.

Joyce was born May 21, 1944, in Burke County, a daughter of the late Ralph Houston and Thelma Stamey Houston.  Joyce was retired from Burke Mills and was a member of Connelly Springs First Baptist Church. ...

Nov 27, 2024

Mr. Garel Daney Carswell, 79, of Valdese, passed away on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at UNC-BR Morganton, following a period of declining health.

Garel was born on August 11, 1945, in Burke County to the late Edward Carswell and Estelle Stamey Carswell. He was a retired heating and air technician, owning and operating his own business, Carwell...

Nov 25, 2024

Randy Lynn Stilwell, 60, of Morganton, passed away suddenly on Monday, November 25, 2024. Randy was born on April 6, 1964, in Burke County, a son of the late Brady Edward Stilwell and Frances Auton Stilwell. He loved fishing and the river and being outdoors. He had a good heart and loved his grandchildren dearly. In addition to his...

Nov 25, 2024

Mrs. Mary Carole “Little Mom” Franklin, 76, of Valdese, passed away on Monday November 25,2024 at her residence after a period of declining health.

Mrs. Franklin was born April 29, 1948, in Burke County, a daughter of the late Roye and Essie Mae Robinson Murphy.  She was a member of the Solid Rock Baptist Church and attended...

Nov 23, 2024

Mrs. Shirley Kate Baker McLean, 71, of Connelly Springs, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at Magnolia Lane Nursing Center, following a period of declining health. Shirley was born on September 6, 1953, in Rutherford County to the late Charles Thomas Baker and Helen Cogdell Baker. She was a...