Obituaries

Mar 11, 2025

Scottie Allen Perkins, 43, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 following a period of declining health.

Scottie was born September 8, 1981, in Virginia to Danny Perkins and Patricia Elaine Taylor. He loved to be around his family and all of his friends and tinkering around the house.

He is preceded...

Mar 9, 2025

King Dwayne Rumley, passed away on March 9, 2025 at McDowell Mission Hospital to his parents, Hunter Grace Miller and Ronald Rumley Jr.

King was born March 9, 2025 at 4:11 PM at 2.7 pounds and 15 inches long.

He is preceded in death by his grandmother, Juanita Steptoe and Uncle Dwayne Steptoe.

...

Mar 9, 2025

Makala Cruzita Rangel, 15, of Granite Falls, passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

Makala was born December 17, 2009 in Caldwell County to Emilio Rangel and Jenny Smith Rangel. She was a freshman at South Caldwell High School and a very talented soccer player, playing for both junior...

Mar 8, 2025

Sharon Renea Houston Kitchings, 61, of Granite Falls, passed away on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Kindred Hospital following a period of declining health.

Sharon was born November 19, 1963, in Burke County, to the late James Arthur Houston and Margie Gragg Houston. She retired as a sales representative. Sharon liked to find recipes online for Bill...

Mar 8, 2025

Mildred Kathleen Wright Hildebran, known most by “Kat,” adoring mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away peacefully on March 8, 2025. She was born on May 20, 1942 in Burke County. Kat graduated from George Hildebran High School, became a registered nurse from Western Piedmont and received a bachelor’s degree from University of North Carolina Greensboro. She dedicated over...

Mar 7, 2025

Dorothy Watson Jan 18, 1943- March 7, 2025.

It is with heartfelt sadness and deep appreciation for a life richly lived that we announce Mrs. Dorothy Lail Watson entered the arms of Jesus on March 7, 2025, after a brave battle with cancer.

Born on January 18, 1943, in Casar, NC, Dorothy was preceded in...

Mar 7, 2025

Mr. Ruthven Sidney Beach, 88, of Morganton, passed away on Friday, March 7, 2025, at Carolina Caring Hospice of Catawba County, following a period of declining health. Ruthven was born on February 20, 1937, in Burke County to the late Fred Beach and Cora Neidig Beach. He was a retired maintenance supervisor at Broughton Hospital and was a veteran...

Mar 7, 2025

Mr. Gary Dean Rash, 68, of Rhodhiss, passed away on Friday, March 7, 2025, at Amorem Hospice of Valdese, following a period of declining health. Gary was born on October 2, 1957, in Catawba County to Wilma Anderson Rash and the late Floyd Rash. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and was previously employed as a transporter...

Mar 6, 2025

Charles Wayne Terry, 83, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Thursday, March 6, 2025, following a motor vehicle accident.

Charles was born on May 11, 1941 in Burke County, a son of the late Earnest and Ruby Clarke Terry.  He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing.  He coached recreational basketball and football for many...

Mar 5, 2025

Sandra Dale Williams of Valdese, NC, passed away on March 5 th , 2025, after a period of declining health.

Sandy was born February 2, 1943, in Valdese, NC, a daughter of the late Dale Gilerath of Melbourne, FL, and Ermaline Pascal Gilerath of Valdese. She was enjoying retirement spending her time with her community activities, dancing...

Mar 5, 2025

Mr. Austin Michael Neece, 28, of Connelly Springs, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at his residence. Austin was born on July 24, 1996 in Burke County to Wesley Andrew Neece and Angel Deyton. He was currently employed as a roofer in the construction industry. Austin loved the outdoors, especially going to the mountains and the beach,...

Mar 3, 2025

Mrs. Sherry L. Frye, 73, of Connelly Springs, went Home to her Lord & Savior, on Monday, March 3, 2025, at Atrium Health CMC Charlotte, following a period of declining health. Sherry was born on November 24, 1951, in Burke County to the late Murphy Eugene Frye and Alma Newton Frye. She was previously employed as a school bus...

Mar 2, 2025

Beverly Diane Smith

March 26, 1958 – March 2, 2025

Beverly Diane “Bell” Smith, 66, of Morganton, passed away on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at UNC Health Blue Ridge of Morganton following a brief illness.

Beverly was born on March 26, 1958, in Cleveland County, a daughter of the late Jack...

Mar 2, 2025

Mrs. Kimberly Dawn Burns Carter, 41, of Connelly Springs, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 2, 2025.

Kimberly was born on July 9, 1983, in Burke County to Michael D. Burns and Nancy Church Burns.  She was a member of Lakeview Baptist Church and was employed as a supervisor with Valdese Weavers.  Kimberly was known by all...

Mar 1, 2025

Shirley Jean Mull

September 20, 1937 – March 1, 2025

Shirley Jean Canipe Mull, 87, of Morganton, NC, went home to be with her Lord on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at College Pines following a period of declining health.

Shirley was born on September 20, 1937 in Catawba County, a daughter...

Mar 1, 2025

Sylvia Smith Pennington, 62, passed away on March 1, 2025, of Morganton, North Carolina following a long battle with MS.

Sylvia was born February 10, 1963 in Burke County. Sylvia spent her life in the community she called home. She was known for her deep love of animals and cherished the companionship of her pets throughout the...

Feb 28, 2025

Whisper Amagen Moore, 35, of Morganton, passed away on Friday February 28, 2025. Whisper was born in Morganton, NC on Tuesday, April 11, 1989 to her mother, Lisa McVey and father, Wayne Allen Moore, Sr. Whisper lived at home with her mother Lisa, and as a child attended Tabernacle Christian School, Salem Elementary, Table Rock Middle school and Freedom...

Feb 28, 2025

Mrs. Shirley Jean Hudson Lail, 77, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Friday, February 28, 2025, at UNC-BR Morganton, following a period of declining health. Shirley was born on August 20, 1947, in Cleveland County, NC to the late W.B. Dick Hudson and Thelma Swink Hudson. She was retired from Broughton Hospital, where she worked for 25 years, most...

Feb 28, 2025

Linda Joyce Smart Ethridge, 75, of Valdese, passed away on Friday, February 28, 2025 at UNC Healthcare Blue Ridge following a period of declining health.

Linda was born January 2, 1950 in Burke County to the late Rev. John Smart and Ethel Powell Smart, the youngest of eight children.  She was a member of Solid Rock Baptist...

Feb 27, 2025

It is with great sadness that the family of R. Lynn Buff announce his passing. Lynn, 75, of Nashville, TN and formerly of Morganton, NC passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at Alive Hospice Inpatient Unit of Nashville, following a brief illness. Born on March 8, 1949, in Burke County, NC, Lynn was the son of Roy “Bill”...