Obituaries

Aug 28, 2023

Randy Eugene Ervin, 64, of Hudson, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 28, 2023 at his home following a period of declining of health.

Randy was born September 24, 1958 in Catawba County to the late Boyce Ervin and Bobbie Bean Ervin. He worked as a truck driver for many years and made friends easily with anyone....

Aug 28, 2023

Mrs. Dorris Jeanne Curtis Watson, 74, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Monday, August 28, 2023, at Amorem Burke Hospice, Valdese, after a period of declining health.

Mrs. Watson was born August 10, 1949, in Cleveland County, a daughter of the late John William and Lucille Ramsey Curtis.  She retired from the textile manufacturing industry in the...

Aug 27, 2023

Diane Marie St. Denis Thomas, 71, of Morganton, passed away Sunday August 27, 2023 at her residence following a period of declining health. Mrs. Thomas was born on February 23, 1952 in Rutland County, VT to the late Harry St. Denis and Ruth Barton St. Denis. She was a retired nurse with J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center in Morganton....

Aug 26, 2023

Thelma Huffman Lail, 94, of Valdese, passed away on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at Trinity Ridge following a period of declining health.

Thelma was born June 13, 1929 in Burke County to the late Willie Huffman and Lottie Icard Huffman. She was a devoted member of Abees Chapel Baptist Church, and enjoyed serving her church family. Thelma...

Aug 26, 2023

Joyce Bowman Self, 88, of Hildebran, passed away on August 26, 2023 at Trinity Ridge Assisted Living in Hickory following a period of declining health. Mrs. Self was born on January 22, 1935 in Burke County to the late Ray Bowman and Alice Hart Bowman. She was the receptionist-bookkeeper with Liberty Life Insurance Company, and was a member of...

Aug 25, 2023

Mr. Edward Joel Woodward, 64, of Valdese, passed away on Friday, August 25, 2023, at his residence.

Mr. Woodward was born November 4, 1958, in Burke County, a son of Fairylyn Pyatte Woodward and the late Odell Woodward.   He retied as a picker in the dyehouse at Seigwerk.

In addition to his father, he was...

Aug 25, 2023

Mr. John Harold Motley, Jr., 76, of Valdese, passed away August 25, 2023, at his residence following an extended illness.

John was born March 10, 1947, in Rowan County, to the late John Harold Motley, Sr. and the late Dorothy Shives-Woodruff. He was known as a hard worker, wonderful grandpa and had a lifelong passion for hunting....

Aug 24, 2023

Bonnie Evelyn Hicks Dean, 90, of Granite Falls, passed away peacefully on Thursday August 24, 2023 at her residence following a period of declining health.

Mrs. Dean was born on July 11, 1933 in Avery County to the late Hobert Hicks and Dora Buchanan Hicks. She was retired as food service director with Glenstone/Brian Center Nursing Home...

Aug 24, 2023

Mrs. Lougenia “Genie” Hollifield, 42, of Morganton passed away Thursday August 24, 2023. Genie was born January 17, 1981 in Polk County, NC. She had a creative mind with a wonderful imagination that she used to make all types of arts and crafts, including pottery. Genie also enjoyed traveling and eating. Those left to cherish her memory include her...

Aug 23, 2023

Phil Cleodis “Smokey” Brittain, 75, of Connelly Springs, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at his residence.

Mr. Brittain was born on September 28, 1947, in Burke County, to the late Guy Brittain and Mildred Wilson Brittain. He was a United States Army Veteran, and was self employed as an auto mechanic.

Survivors include...

Aug 22, 2023

Mr. Thomas Michael Burleson, 67, of Morganton, passed away on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at Amorem of Hudson following a period of declining health. Thomas was born on January 1, 1956, in Avery County, a son of the late Demry Charles Burleson and Inez McKinney Burleson. Thomas loved to race and was an avid fan of Harley’s. His favorite...

Aug 21, 2023

Mrs. Maezell Mull Grady 86, of Drexel, passed away on Monday August 21, 2023 ,at Amorem Buke Hospice, after a period of declining health. Mrs. Grady was born May 31,1937, in Burke County, a daughter of the late Carze and Alice LaFevers Mull. She was retired as a knitter from Drexel Knitting Mill. Maezell was a hard worker, loving...

Aug 21, 2023

Roger Clay “Chopz” Whisnant, 58, of Drexel, passed away on Monday August 21, 2023 at his residence.

Roger was born February 9, 1965 in Burke County to the late Olan Whisnant and Lois Dula Whisnant. He was an avid motorcycle rider and a loyal member of the Twisted Covenant MSC. Roger attended Freedom Biker Church in Hickory...

Aug 20, 2023

Mr. Jerry Lee Norman, 76, of Valdese, went to his Heavenly Home on Sunday August 20, 2023 at UNC Healthcare, Morganton, after a period of declining health. Mr. Norman was born October 27, 1946, in Burke County, a son of the late William Lee and Betty Pritchard Norman. He was proud of his service to his country serving as...

Aug 19, 2023

Mr. Clyde Parton, 58, of Hickory, passed away on Saturday August 19, 2023 ,at his residence, after a period of declining health. Mr. Parton was born March 27, 1965, in Catawba County a son of the late Roy and Marie Long. He was a long-time employee as an Arborist in the tree trimming industry. Surviving are his daughter, Reshella...

Aug 19, 2023

Mr. Rafeal Cedeño, 60, of Morganton, North Carolina, passed away on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at his home following a period of declining health.

Rafael was born on February 12, 1963, in the Dominican Republic to the late Rafael Eugenio Cedeño and Juni Albizu.

Those left to cherish his memory include his mother, Juni Albizu;...

Aug 19, 2023

Nell Berry Hildebrand, 92, passed away peacefully in the arms of Jesus on August

19, 2023, surrounded by her family.

She was the daughter of the late J. Cornelius and Sallie Hauss Berry and was born on September

17, 1930, in Valdese. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years...

Aug 18, 2023

Mrs. Mary Iva Powell Bailey, 95, of Morganton, passed away on Friday, August 18, 2023 at her residence, following a period of declining health. Mary was born on June 18, 1928 in Burke County to the late Robert Lee Powell and Mary Etta Watts Powell. She retired from Western Carolina Center, now J. Iverson Riddle, where she worked in...

Aug 18, 2023

Mr. Jonathan *Scott* Lane, 50, of Valdese, passed away on Friday August 18, 2023 at his residence after a period of declining health. Mr. Lane was born October 5, 1972 in Rutherford County a son of Donna Lynn Woody Goins. Scott was a former employee of Drexel Furniture Co. and an active member of Flat Gap Baptist Church. He...

Aug 18, 2023

Mr. J.P. McCurry, 82, of Connelly Springs passed away on Friday, August 18, 2023, at UNC Blue Ridge Valdese, after a period of declining health. J.P. was born February 14, 1941, in Rutherford County, a son of the late Fred Frank and Clara Mae Swink McCurry. He retired after a career in maintenance. J.P. loved to tinker and was...