Obituaries

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...

Feb 5, 2025

Mr. Thomas Wayne Clark, 64, of Morganton, passed away on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at UNC-BR Morganton, following a period of declining health.

Thomas was born on July 30, 1960, in Burke County to the late Otis Clark and Carrie Baker Clark. He was previously employed in the furniture manufacturing industry as a finisher.

In...

Feb 5, 2025

Melissa Davis, 59, of Hildebran, passed away on Wednesday February 5, 2025 after a period of declining health. Davis was born April 22, 1965 in Burke County, a daughter of the late Kay Nix . Melissa was a member of Burke’s Chapel United Methodist Church and was employed as a seamstress with DeFeet Hosiery. In addition to her mother,...

Feb 4, 2025

Mr. Randy Dean Justice, 67, of Morganton, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday February 4, 2025. Mr. Justice was born September 10, 1957, in Burke County, a son of the late Robert Henry and Odene Mae LeFevers Justice. He was a retired state employee with the NC State Environmental Services at J. Iverson Riddle Development Center. Prior to his time...

Feb 4, 2025

Terry Lee Pritchard, 65, of Hudson, passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at Frye Regional Medical Center.

Terry was born April 10, 1959 in Burke County to the late Paul David Pritchard Sr. and Clara Branch Pritchard. He worked as a welder and loved the UNC Tarheels.

In addition to his parents, he is...

Feb 4, 2025

Mr. Robert Kent Wilson, Jr., of Valdese, passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. He was formerly employed in the cabinet room in furniture manufacturing. He was preceded in death by his mother, Elizaeth Wilson and a sister, Stephanie Wilson. Surviving is his father, Robert Kent Wilson Sr. and wife Caroline of Hudson, a brother, Tim Wilson, and two...

Feb 4, 2025

Jerry Lee Berry, 86, of Morganton, passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at his residence following a period of declining health.

Jerry was born August 15, 1938 in Burke County to the late Martin Berry and Lessie Powell Berry. He owned Berry Body Works since 1975 and loved to build and race cars with his brothers....

Feb 2, 2025

Juanita Sue Williams Warlick, 77, of Connelly Springs, passed away at AMOREM of Valdese on Sunday, February 2, 2025, following a brief illness. Juanita was born on February 22, 1947, in Caldwell County, a daughter of the late Fritz and Mary Smith Williams. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in passing by her husband, Donald Warlick; daughter,...

Feb 2, 2025

The family of Mary Frances Robinson Moore is saddened to announce her passing on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at Amorem Hospice Care Center, she was 94 years young.

Frances was born on November 17, 1930 in Catawba County to the late Herman Flake Robinson and Marie Loftin Robinson. She spent her life in Valdese, NC and married...

Feb 1, 2025

Mr. Terry Lee Rhoney, 69, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Amorem Hospice of Valdese, following a period of declining health. Terry was born on April 6, 1955, in Burke County and was a longtime truck driver for MDI. He was an avid hunter, who loved his cabin, watching wildlife and spending time with...

Feb 1, 2025

Brenda Joyce Buff, 81, of Morganton, went home to meet her Lord and Savior on Saturday, February 1, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born on May 16, 1943 in Rockingham County, NC, Brenda was the daughter of the late Earl Wilson Joyce and Mary Frances Montgomery Joyce.

In addition to her parents, Brenda...

Feb 1, 2025

Joe Luey Fulbright, 88, of Connelly Springs entered his heavenly home Saturday, February 1, 2025 at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center Charlotte following a car accident.

Luey was born March 17, 1936 in Burke County to the late Kelly Oliver Fulbright and Fennie Knox Fulbright. He was a faithful member of Warlick’s Baptist Church, active in Sunday...

Jan 31, 2025

Mr. Justin Wayne Peacock, 33, of Hickory, passed away on Friday, January 31, 2025, at his residence, following a period of declining health. Justin was born on February 5, 1991, in Catawba County to Kenneth Wayne Peacock and Lisa Richards Peacock. He was previously employed with TSG Finishing in Longview was a member of the Baptist faith. He was...

Jan 30, 2025

Jason Edward Kowalski, 40, of Hickory, NC, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, January 30, 2025.

Jason was born October 21, 1984 in Monroe County, NY, a son of Lynne Farmer Kowalski and the late Scott Edward Kowalski.  He served in the United States Army from 2002-2004, most notably providing transportation for the Old...

Jan 29, 2025

Mr. Kenneth “Butch” Ray Buff, 77, of Valdese, passed away on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at Autmn Care of Drexel. Butch was born on October 19, 1947, in Burke County to the late Ransom Grant Buff and Rosa Lee Shidal Buff. He was a retired finisher and associate with Southern Furniture, a member of High Peak Baptist Church, and...

Jan 29, 2025

Anita Gail Crane Banks, 55, of Hickory, passed away unexpectedly from cardiac arrest on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at Frye Regional Medical Center. Anita was born on June 22, 1969, in Catawba County to the late George Washington Crane and Ruby Mae Green Crane Setzer. She was preceded in death by the late Ruby Mae Greene Crane Setzer. She...

Jan 29, 2025

Mr. Billy “Bill” Hugh Jordan, Jr. ,69, of Hickory, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 29, 2025, at Carolina Caring in Sherrills Ford, after a period of declining health. Billy was born on September 12, 1956, in Mecklenburg County, a son of Nancy Keeter Jordan and the late Billy Hugh Jordan, Sr. Before retiring, Bill...

Jan 28, 2025

Paula Kay Brown Hentschel, 65, of Connelly Springs, NC, passed away on January 28, 2025, at Catawba Valley Medical Center following a period of declining health.

Paula was born on March 9, 1959, in Catawba, NC, a daughter of the late George and Maryann Hollar Brown.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in...