Obituaries

Apr 5, 2024

Ponciano Rodriguez-Barrientos, 81, of Hickory, passed away on April 5, 2024 at College Pines Health and Rehabilitation Center in Connelly Springs following a period of declining health.

Ponciano was born November 12, 1942, in Sabinos, Mexico, to the late Jose Rodriguez and Guadalupe Barrientos.

The family finds comfort knowing Ponciano found the Lord and his...

Apr 5, 2024

Mr. Robert Lee Benfield, 74, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Friday April 5, 2024, at UNC Healthcare, Morganton, after a period of declining health.

Mr. Benfield was born January 23, 1950, in Burke County, a son of the late Robert Van Buren Benfield and Kathryn Warlick Benfield.  He was a retired truck driver and attended Bethlehem...

Apr 3, 2024

Mrs. Reba Jean Haney Greene, 92, of Granite Falls, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at her residence, following a period of declining health. Reba was welcomed into Heaven by her Lord and Savior, who she faithfully served. Then she was greeted by the love of her life, Harold, who she was married to for 48 years,...

Apr 2, 2024

James Plato Fletcher, 89, of Valdese, passed away at Amorem of Valdese on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, following a period of declining health.

James was born on August 15, 1934, in Wilkes County, a child of the late Thomas P. Fletcher and Leona Cardwell Fletcher.  He served his country in the United States Navy until his retirement...

Apr 1, 2024

Helen Abernathy Huffman, 91, of Hickory, passed away on Monday, April 1, 2024 at Carolina Caring following a period of declining health.

Helen was born October 14, 1932 in Catawba County, to the late Gorman Abernathy and Etra Parker Abernathy. She was an active member of Providence Baptist Church and the Hickory Chapter 155 order of the...

Apr 1, 2024

Mrs. Kimberlin Reid Oxentine Franklin, 63, of Hildebran, went home to her Lord and Savior, on Monday, April 1, 2024, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, following a long and courageous fight.

Kim was born on April 29, 1960, in Burke County to the late Wilton Oxentine and Ruby Mosteller Oxentine.  She was self-employed in the...

Mar 31, 2024

Mrs. Arlene H. Hudson, 91, of Morganton, passed away on Sunday March 31, 2024 at Autumn Care, Drexel, after a period of declining health.

Mrs. Hudson was born June 29, 1931 in Burke  County, a daughter of the late Ales and Fidelia Rector Hudson.  She was a faithful member of the Walker’s Chapel Baptist Church.  Mrs. Hudson...

Mar 27, 2024

Rufus Franklin Poteat, 77, of Connelly Springs, passed away at Carolina Caring on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, following a period of declining health.

Rufus was born June 17, 1946, in Burke County.  He served in the United States Army from 1967-1969 in Vietnam.  In his civilian career, he worked in the telecommunications industry for 38 years.  He...

Mar 27, 2024

Mrs. Sherry Loraine Collins Drum, 61, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at her residence.

Sherry was born on October 20, 1962, in Caldwell County to the late Rufus Collins and Edith Collins.  She was previously employed as a phlebotomist with UNC-Caldwell Memorial Hospital.

In addition to her parents, she was...

Mar 27, 2024

Mrs. Pamela Stephens, 69, of Hildebran, passed away on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Atrium HealthCare of Charlotte, following a period of declining health.

Pamela was born on July 30, 1954, in Avery County, to the late Evelyn Clontz Carpenter. She was a member of Kings Way Baptist Church and was employed as an office manager in...

Mar 26, 2024

Jearl Scott Bivens, 61, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at Mission Memorial Hospital in Asheville, following a period of declining health.

Jearl was born September, 28 1962 in Catawba County to Linda Smith Bivens and the late Jerry Lee Bivens. Jearl worked as an exterminator and enjoyed fishing.

In addition...

Mar 25, 2024

William Barrett Travis, 52, passed away on March 25th, 2024. He was born 7/22/71 to Edward and Deirdre Travis.

He was steadfast in his convictions and spoke with his chest. He was an avid gamer, reader, and sci-fi enthusiast. He was the author of The Chronicles of Todd.

He is survived by his wife of ten years,...

Mar 24, 2024

Jack Henry Robinson, 81, of Hickory, passed away on Sunday, March 24, 2024 at his residence following a period of declining health.

Jack was born September 17, 1942 in Burke County to the late John Henry Robinson and Susie Mathews Robinson. He was a member of Wilkies Grove Baptist Church and worked as a teacher for the...

Mar 24, 2024

Mrs. Ann Rudicill Shuffler Brown, 79, of Morganton, passed away on Sunday, March 24, 2024, at Frye Regional Medical Center. Ann was born on June 18, 1944, in Burke County to the late Howard Wesley Rudicill and Bessie Moses Rudicill. She was employed for over 30 years with the J. Iverson Riddle Center, up until her retirement, and loved...

Mar 23, 2024

Connie Elaine Hastings, 72, of Rutherford College, went to her Heavenly Home on Saturday March 23, 2024, at UNC Health Care, Morganton, after a period of declining health.

Connie was born November 17, 1951, in Cleveland County, a daughter of the late Rev. Buren Hastings and Muriel Spake Hastings.  She was a graduate of Hudson High School,...

Mar 22, 2024

Mr. John Yates Icard, 87, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Friday, March 22, 2024, at UNC Blue Ridge Morganton following a period of declining health.

John was born on April 14, 1936, in Burke County to the late John Icard and Mae Terri Stilwell Icard.  He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and a longtime member...

Mar 21, 2024

Mr. Joel Louis Jones, 19, of Lenoir, passed away unexpectedly on March 21, 2024.

Joel was born January 18, 2005, in Caldwell County, a son of Adalberto Pavachigo and Stacy Jones of Lenoir.  Joel was a High School graduate and held an Associate’s Degree in Engineering.  He attended Joyston Missionary Baptist Church in Hudson, was fun loving...

Mar 19, 2024

Mrs. Loretta Deaton Miller, 72, of Lenoir, passed away on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at her residence, following a period of declining health. Loretta was born on November 12, 1951 in Perry County, KY to the late Christmas Deaton and Lois Campbell Deaton. She was employed as the owner and administrator of Grandview Villa Assisted Living. In addition to...

Mar 18, 2024

Clifford Enoch Johnson, 84, of Hildebran passed away on Monday, March 18, 2024 at Carolina Medical Center, following a brief illness.

Enoch was born July 4, 1939, in Burke County, to the late Raney Frank Johnson and Nellie Cline Johnson. Enoch worked at East Burke High School from the very beginning; he was on the committee for...

Mar 18, 2024

Mr. Larry Eugene Branch, 72, of Morganton, passed away peacefully, with his loving family by his side, on Monday March 18, 2024, at Amorem, Burke Hospice , after a period of declining health.

Mr. Branch was born April 21, 1951, in Burke County, a son of the late Vernon Ray “Buck” Branch and Thelma Mae Sparks Branch. ...