Obituaries

Dec 21, 2023

Patricia Ann Smith Clark, 71, of Valdese, passed away at home on Thursday, December 21, 2023, following a period of declining health.

Pat was born on September 6, 1952, in Burke County, a daughter of the late Horace Clifton Smith and Katie Sue Pritchard Johnson.

In addition to her parents, Patricia is preceded in passing...

Dec 20, 2023

Mr. Kenneth “Sonny” Alan Willis, 72, of Hildebran, passed away peacefully Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at Frye Regional Medical Center, with his family at his bedside.

Sonny was born December 1, 1951, in Catawba County, to the late Jake Willis and Junie Lingerfelt Willis Shuford.  He was a member and a Deacon of Open Door Baptist Church...

Dec 19, 2023

Daniel Ray Colvin, 57, of Connelly Springs passed away on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at Frye Regional Medical Center, following a period of declining health.

Daniel was born May 23,1966 in Florida to the late Edward Colvin and Florence Evans Colvin. He enjoyed listening to music.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in...

Dec 18, 2023

Lorena Pearl Moore, neé Taylor, 85, of Myerstown, Pennsylvania passed peacefully into the loving arms of Jesus on December 18, 2023 in Myerstown surrounded by her loving family and finally freed from the prison of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Lorena’s life was one of blessings redeemed from hardship. Throughout her life, when asked how she was, she would say,...

Dec 18, 2023

Samuel Everette Young, 39, passed away on Monday, December 18, 2023.

Samuel was born February 15, 1984 in Catawba County to the late Ricky Young and Sheila Hildebran. He loved his family and children and enjoyed poetry, music, and art.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his grandmothers, Annie Fox...

Dec 17, 2023

Mr. Don Van De Kreeke, 85, of Valdese, NC, formerly Kohler, WI, passed away at his home Sunday December, 17, 2023.

Don was born in Sheboygan, WI on October 25, 1938 to Jacob and Marie Van De Kreeke. He graduated from North High in 1956 and married Shirley Bimmel in 1960. He and Shirley had 3 children,...

Dec 16, 2023

Karen Boutin, 73, of Morganton passed away Saturday, December 16, 2023 at UNC Health Blue Ridge following a period of declining health.

The family will receive friends Thursday, December 21, 2023 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at Heritage Funeral Service in Valdese, NC.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 29, 2023 at 12...

Dec 16, 2023

Sara Rose Bryant, 69, of Valdese peacefully entered into eternal rest on Saturday, December 16, 2023.

Sara was born August 29, 1954 in Waco, Texas to the late James E. Robbins and Wanda Scales Robbins. She bravely battled multiple health issues, and was a devoted Christian, sister and friend. Sara grew up in Hickory, NC and graduated...

Dec 13, 2023

Robert Lee Pearson, 35, of Morganton, passed away at his residence on Wednesday, December 13, 2023.

Robert was born April 2, 1988 in Burke County to Patricia Wilkie Pearson and the late Clarence “Buster” Pearson. He loved playing musical instruments, but mostly his guitar and loved animals. Robert had a great sense of humor.

In...

Dec 11, 2023

Fred E. Chapman, 87, of Morganton, passed away on Monday, December 11, 2023, at UNC Healthcare Blue Ridge, following a period of declining health. Fred was born September 29, 1936, in Burke County to the late Edison and Bessie Chapman. He was a member of Mt. Gilead Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death...

Dec 11, 2023

Jerry Daniel Canipe, 68, of Hickory passed away at his home Monday, December 11, 2023.

Jerry was born December 21, 1954, in Catawba County to the late Jacob Canipe and Evelyn Sparks Canipe. He loved Ford cars and spending time with his family and his fur-buddy, Suzie.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded...

Dec 8, 2023

Mr. Noel Edward White, 64, of Granite Falls, passed away at his residence, on Friday, December 8, 2023, following a period declining health. Noel was born on August 21, 1959 to the late Ralph and Dorthy Burke Jacumin, and Charles W. White. He was self-employed as a roofer for many years, but his favorite job was at Castle Sports,...

Dec 7, 2023

Mrs. Ardell Moses Leonard, 84, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Thursday December 7, 2023, at Amorem, Burke Hospice, Valdese, after a period of declining health.

Mrs. Leonard was born March 5, 1939, in Burke County, a daughter of the late R.E. and Mary Mace Moses.  She was a member of Mt. Home Baptist Church, a graduate...

Dec 7, 2023

On December 7, 2023, Judy Cline went to be with her Lord and Savior after a period of declining health. Judy was born to the late Sid D. Powell and Dovie Lou Young Powell on January 6, 1939.

Judy was a graduate of the 1957 class of Hildebran High School and was a graduate from Lenoir-Rhyne College...

Dec 7, 2023

Mr. Donald Ray Lockee, 79, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Thursday December 7, 2023, at his residence, after a period of declining health.

Mr. Lockee was born June 6, 1944 in Burke County, a son of the late Rev. Angus Archie (A.A.) Lockee and Swoney Oxentine Lockee.  Donald retired from the furniture manufacturing industry and was...

Dec 6, 2023

Peggy Sue Chapman Caudill, 81, of Morganton, departed this life to her heavenly home on Wednesday December 6, 2023 at UNC Blue Ridge following a period of declining health.

Mrs. Caudill was born on December 28, 1941 in Burke County to the late El Canie Chapman and Martha Rachel Bumgarner Chapman. She retired from medical records at...

Dec 6, 2023

Mrs. Sharon Lee Story Wilson,73, of Granite Falls, went to her Heavenly Home Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at College Pines Nursing Center, following a period of declining health.

Sharon was born on August 4, 1950 in Iredell County to the late Clifton Eugene Story and Edna Mathis Story. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker,...

Dec 5, 2023

Randy Dean Bowman, 57, of Morganton, passed away on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at UNC Blue Ridge following a period of declining health.

Randy was born August 7, 1966 in Caldwell County to Violet Kirby Bowman and the late Jack Bowman. He was full of life and loved by many people he had a great heart and...

Dec 4, 2023

Mr. Wayne Brownlow Vance, 75, of Icard passed away Monday, December 4, 2023 at Carolina Caring on Robinson Road in Hickory, North Carolina.

Wayne was born on May 31, 1948 in Avery County to the late Roy Elmore Vance and the late Lily Bell Cook Vance. Wayne was a very active person who enjoyed life. He always...

Dec 3, 2023

Mrs. Shirley Lee Mauney Benfield, 84, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Sunday December 3, 2023, at Amorem Burke Hospice, Valdese after a period of declining health.

Mrs. Benfield was born February 4, 1939 in Gaston County, a daughter of the late Richard and Doris Wickham Mauney.   She retired as a Legal Secretary and was a faithful...