Obituaries

Mar 17, 2024

Gilda Rector Talmon, 82, of Rutherford College, passed away at home on Sunday, March 17, 2024, following a period of declining health. Gilda was born on April 7, 1941, in McDowell County, a daughter of the late Horace Russell Rector and Francis McCracken Rector. Gilda was a devoted member of the Women of the Moose for many years. She...

Mar 17, 2024

Harvey Dennis Lowman, 80, of Granite Falls, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday March 17, 2024, following a brief illness.

Dennis was born May 18, 1943, in Burke County, a son of the late Lealin Richard Lowman, a casualty of World War II, and Gladys Ogle Lowman Snypes.  He graduated from NC...

Mar 17, 2024

Rebecca Morris Torres, 95, of Morganton, passed away on Sunday March 17, 2024 at Amorem Hospice, following a brief period of declining health.

Rebecca was born September 25, 1928 in Burke County to the late John Robert Morris and Eula Shuford Morris.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband,...

Mar 17, 2024

Ms. Juni Albizu, 83, of Morganton, North Carolina, passed away on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at Magnolia Lane Nursing & Rehabilitation Center following a period of declining health.

Ms. Albizu was born on September 12, 1940, in the Dominican Republic, a daughter of the late Antonio Albizu and Altagracia Albizu.

In addition to her parents,...

Mar 16, 2024

Brenda “Gail” McDaniel (59)

Gail gained her angel wings on March 16, 2024 in her home in Rhodhiss, North Carolina.

Born December 31 st 1964 in Rutherford County North Carolina.

Gail was born to the late Betty Ann and step-father Boyce Wishion. She was a graduate of Isothermal Community College. She worked in...

Mar 14, 2024

Mr. Alan Ray (Monk) Abernathy, 70, of Valdese, passed away on Thursday March 14, 2024 at Windover Hospice House, Shelby after a period of declining health.

Alan was born May 6, 1953, in Burke County, a son of the late Harrison and Allie Bowman Abernathy.  He retired as a cement truck driver, after many years of service...

Mar 14, 2024

Roy E. Keagy, Jr., 80, of Valdese, N.C., (formerly of Columbia, Pennsylvania) passed away unexpectedly on March 14, 2024, at UNC Health Blue Ridge Hospital in Morganton, NC.

Mr. Keagy was born June 30, 1943, in Columbia, Pa., the son of the late Roy E. Keagy Sr. and Mary Ann Goldsborough. He graduated...

Mar 13, 2024

Mrs. Julie Ann Cornett Icard, 83, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at the Cambridge House Nursing Center, following a period of declining health.

Julie was born on February 19, 1941, in Watauga County to the late Clyde Cornett and Blanche Phillips Cornett.  She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker, and...

Mar 13, 2024

Gail Renee Hullette, 64, of Morganton, passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at UNC-BR Morganton, following a period of declining health.

Gail was born on December 14, 1960, in Burke County, to the late Billy Joe Hullette and Versie Lee Cook Hullette.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two...

Mar 13, 2024

Mr. Lester Alan English, 65, of Morganton, passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at UNC-BR Morganton, following a period of declining health.

Lester was born on Apil 15, 1958 in Mitchell County to the late Claude English and Zulline English.  He was formerly employed as a machine operator in the furniture manufacturing industry. Lester always enjoyed...

Mar 13, 2024

Mrs. Diane Carol Bumgardner Icenhour, 57, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at her residence, following a period of declining health. Diane was born on October 26, 1966 in Ashe County to Lena Mae Maine Bumgardner and the late Steve Carroll Bumgardner. She was employed as a sewer for Carpenter Furniture in Hickory and attended...

Mar 12, 2024

Diana June Young Hass, 78, of Valdese, passed away on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at Catawba Valley Medical Center after a period of declining health.

Diana was born July 10, 1945 in Buncombe County to the late Roy Young and Louise Brooks Young. She loved to read and spend time at the library, volunteering with various charities,...

Mar 11, 2024

Joe Willard Duckworth, 86, of Hildebran, passed away on Monday, March 11, 2024 at UNC Blue Ridge – Morganton following a period of declining health.

Joe was born March 12, 1937 to the late William Dewey Duckworth and Rose Branch Duckworth. He was a member of Oak Ridge Baptist Church and served honorably in the United States...

Mar 11, 2024

Mr. Tommy Keller Lane, 50, of Hudson, died Monday March 11, 2024 as the result of an automobile accident.

Mr. Lane was born October 2, 1973, in Burke County, a son of Denis Lane and Cynthia Caraway Keys.  He was employed with JBS, a meat cutting co.

He is survived by his daughter, Taylor Kristine...

Mar 9, 2024

Mr. Harold Wayne Lowman, 65, of Hickory, passed away on Saturday March 9, 2024, at his residence after a period of declining health.

Mr. Lowman was born May 5, 1958, in Catawba County, a son of the late Joseph and Evelyn Hoglan Lowman.  Wayne, was retired from the furniture warehouse industry.  He loved to fish, hunt and...

Mar 8, 2024

Sandra Mejias Mautschke, 73, of Drexel, passed away on Friday, March 8, 2024, at Autumn Care of Drexel.

Born in Bronx, NY, on September 30, 1950, she was the daughter of the late Alejandro Mejias and Conception Figueroa Mejias.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by granddaughter, Sabrina Pavon and two...

Mar 7, 2024

Mr. Robert Nagy, 86, of Morganton, passed away on Thursday March 7, 2024 at Amorem, Burke Hospice, after a period of declining health.

Mr. Nagy was born December 10, 1937 in Connecticut, a son of the late Stephen and Margaret Nagy.  He retired as a machinist with American Roller Bearing and served his country as a US...

Mar 7, 2024

Mr. Edwin “David “Bowditch, 68, of Valdese, passed away on Thursday, March 7, 2024 at his residence. David was born on July 13, 1955, in McDowell County to the late Edwin Bowditch and Elizabeth McFarland Bowditch, and was raised in Bakersville until the age of 13, when they moved to Valdese. He was a member of Vians Valley Presbyterian...

Mar 6, 2024

Billy Ray Powell (69)

Billy Ray Powell, 69 , of Mesa, AZ, went to his Heavenly home on Wednesday March 6, 2024, after complications from heart surgery.

He was a graduate of Valdese High School Class of 1972. Billy was a star athlete in football, track and wrestling.

Billy Ray was a retired...

Mar 6, 2024

Mr. Robert “Andy” Coulter, 87, of Valdese, rejoined his daughter in his Heavenly Home, on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at UNC-BR Morganton, following a period of declining health. Andy was born on August 25, 1936, in Burke County to the late Robert Coulter and Princess Mull Coulter. He was a graduate of Valdese High School, was a longtime member...