Obituaries

Jan 5, 2024

Robin Harmon Deal, 55, of Morganton, passed away on Friday, January 5, 2024 at her residence.

Robin was born October 31, 1968 in Tennessee to the late Bobby G. Harmon and Shirley Clawson Harmon. Robin was a genuine person and free spirited. She loved spending time with her family.

In addition to her parents, she...

Jan 5, 2024

Donald William Bonesteel, 79, of Valdese, passed away on Friday, January 5, 2024 at UNC Blue Ridge, following a period of declining health.

Donald was born July 26, 1944 in New York to the late William Bonesteel and Myrtle Barker Bonesteel. Donald loved riding motorcycles, attending Revolutionary War reenactments, and being in his wood shop working. In...

Jan 4, 2024

Lorene Hildebran Martin, 89, of Hickory, NC , passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 4, 2024 surrounded by her immediate family after a period of declining health.

Lorene was born on August 15, 1934  to John James and Desolia Rogers Hildebran in Burke County. Lorene was employed in the hosiery mill industry for many years...

Jan 3, 2024

Margaret Pons Lowdermilk, 90, of Valdese, passed away on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at her residence following a period of declining health.

Margaret was born February 19, 1933, in Burke County, to the late Charlie Pons and Agnes Young Pons. She was a member of First Baptist Church Valdese.

In addition to her parents, she...

Jan 1, 2024

Kendall Preston Epley, 54, of Morganton, passed away Monday January 1, 2024.

Mr. Epley was born on April 24, 1969 in Virginia to the late Paul Lenoir Epley and Nancy Bowman Epley. He was a self employed DJ. He enjoyed golfing, The History Channel, and Karaoke.

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

Jan 1, 2024

Mrs. Helen Sue Davis Bivens, 78, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Monday January 1,

2024 at UNC Healthcare, after a period of declining health.

Mrs. Bivens was born June 22, 1945 in Burke County, a daughter of the late Marion and Elvie

Brittain Davis. She became a faithful and active member of...

Jan 1, 2024

Mr. Ray Edward Bass, 59, of Hickory, passed away on January 1, 2024 at his residence.

Ray was born on July 4, 1964 in Catawba County to Opal Singletary Bass and the late Milton Bass.

Ray was a beautiful and kind soul and loved everyone he met. You never...

Dec 31, 2023

Mr. Larry Wayne Powell, 84, of Valdese, passed away on Sunday December 31, 2023, at the residence of his daughter with his loving family by his side. Wayne was born on March 8, 1939, in Burke County, a son of the late Phifer and Edith Deal Powell.    He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great- grandfather and friend to...

Dec 30, 2023

Mark Anthony Bridges, 64, of Morganton passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2023 at his residence following a period of declining health.

Mark was born July 20, 1959 in Catawba County. He was a member of Henry River Baptist Church. He loved music and spending time with his nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in...

Dec 29, 2023

Mr. Wayne Sterling Secrest, 90, of Rutherford College, passed away on Friday, December 29, 2023, at College Pines Nursing Center, after a period of declining health.

Mr. Secrest was born January 9, 1933, in Burke County, a son of the late Eva Secrest.  He retired after 44 years of service as the Lead Man in the finishing...

Dec 28, 2023

David “Harold” Feagley, 82, of Lenoir, passed away on Thursday, December 28, 2023 at Amorem of Burke following a period of declining health.

Harold was born November 16, 1941 in Maryland to the late Harry Kenneth Feagley and Vesta Richey Feagley.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife Beulah...

Dec 25, 2023

Justin Orders, 44 of Valdese, passed away on Monday December 25, 2023 at UNC Healthcare, Morganton, after a brief illness.

Justin was born March 6, 1979, in Burke County, the son of Allen and Judy Dean Orders and was employed as the controller with A Caring Alternative in Morganton.  Justin loved golfing with his father, son and...

Dec 25, 2023

June Carolyn Ramsey Cook, 76, of Hildebran, passed away on Monday, December 25, 2023 at her residence, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

June was born December 9, 1947 in Burke County to the late Rev. Glenn A. Ramsey Jr. and Faye Walsh Ramsey. She loved Christmas and Thanksgiving because it gave her precious time with...

Dec 24, 2023

Herbert Edward (Eddie) Wade Jr. passed on December 24, 2023 following a courageous battle. He was home surrounded by family and embraced by his soul mate, wife of 51 years, and angel Jeanne.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert & Gwin Wade and his big brother, Kenney.

Survivors are...

Dec 23, 2023

Mrs. Joan Elizabeth Brown Powell, 89, of Drexel, went to her Heavenly Reward on Saturday December 23, 2023 at her residence after a period of declining health.

Mrs. Powell was born March 11, 1934, in Burke County, a daughter of the late Julius Roy Brown, Sr. and Ethel Arrowood Brown.  She was a faithful Christian and attended...

Dec 22, 2023

Pansy Watts Hull, 84, of Hickory passed away on Friday, December 22, 2023, at her residence following a period of declining health.

Pansy was born August 30, 1939 in Catawba County to the late Theodore J. Watts and Lovie Crump Watts. She was a member of Bible Baptist Church. She retired from Vanguard Furniture, where she wrote...

Dec 21, 2023

Another member of the greatest generation has died.   Mary Belle Workman went to be united with her Lord on December 21, 2023.  She was 98 years old.  Mary was born in 1925 and raised in Lilly, WV the daughter of Bishop and Cora Hamrick.  She lived most of her life in various places in Clay County.  She later moved...

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...