Obituaries

Aug 3, 2023

Mr. Dwayne Alan Smith, 43, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Thursday, August 3, 2023 at his residence. Dwayne was born on June 12, 1980 in Burke County to Philip Herbert Smith and Irma Banner Smith. He was employed as the owner/operator of Hildebran Towing. Surviving in addition to his parents, are his four children, Madison Smith, Karter Smith,...

Aug 3, 2023

Wilma Lee Greene Townsend, 74, of Connelly Springs passed away on Thursday, August 3, 2023 at Carolina Rehab Center of Burke after a period of declining health.

Wilma was born October 16, 1948, in Wilkes County, to the late Garfield and Amelia White Greene. Early in life, she enjoyed being outside, tending to her gardens, and fishing...

Aug 1, 2023

Michael Starr “Mike” Burnette, 68, of Morganton passed away on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at his residence.

Mike was born May 18, 1955 in Burke County to the late Norman Burnette and Ruby Whisnant Burnette. He enjoyed playing softball, fishing, and tinkering around to fix things.

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

Jul 30, 2023

Mr. Kenneth James Canipe, 87, of Valdese, was led to his heavenly home by a band of angels, on Sunday, July 30, 2023, in his home after a period of declining health. He died peacefully surrounded by his loving family, holding the hand of his bride, and loyal companion, his dog Katie who was always by his side.

Jul 30, 2023

Mr. Windall Emmett Voyles, 74, of Valdese, passed away on Sunday July 30, 2023, at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, after a period of declining health.

Windall was born December 21, 1948 in Ellijay, GA, a son of the late Luther Houston and Ethel Mae Parrish Voyles.  He retired as a machinist with the furniture...

Jul 30, 2023

Sharon Hagy Preswood, 67, of Hickory passed away Sunday, July 30, 2023 at her home following a period of declining health. Sharon was born March 24, 1956 in Washington County, VA to the late Joseph Hagy and Ellen Marie Price Hagy. Sharon will be remembered as a great mother, and wonderful grandmother, who never missed an episode of Wheel...

Jul 27, 2023

Mr. Franklin Carswell Hyde, 85, of Valdese, passed away on Thursday, July 27, 2023 at his residence, following a period of declining health. Franklin was born on March 15, 1938 in Burke County to the late Louise Lowman Hyde. He was a retired inspector in the furniture manufacturing industry. In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death...

Jul 26, 2023

Mr. Donald Eugene Chapman Jr., of Valdese, passed away on Wednesday July 26, 2023, at Transylvania County Regional Medical Center, Brevard, NC after a period of declining health.

Mr. Chapman was born June 3, 1980, in Burke County, a son of Annette Causby Chapman and the late Donald E. Chapman, Sr.  Donald was formally employed as a...

Jul 24, 2023

Justin Flay Pruitt, 37, of Casar, North Carolina, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, July 24, 2023.

Mr. Pruitt was born on April 18, 1986, in Burke county, a son of Ronnie and Tamila Barrett Pruitt. Justin had a passion for cooking, becoming recognized as an accomplished chef. He enjoyed fishing in his spare...

Jul 23, 2023

Mr. John Henry Lail, 71, of Hickory, found rest with his Savior, on Sunday, July 23, 2023, following a period of declining health. John was born on July 2, 1952 in Catawba County to the late Dock Henry Lail and Callie Carswell Lail. He was a longtime member and Deacon of Calvary Baptist Church in Hickory. He was previously...

Jul 23, 2023

Mary Frances Stallings Icard, 77, of Valdese, passed away on Sunday, July 23, 2023, at Catawba Valley Medical Center following a period of declining health.

Ms. Icard was born on August 23, 1945, in Cabarrus County, a daughter of the late Jeff Daniel and Ellen Irene Rheinhart Stallings.  She loved to make homemade quilts.  As a CNA,...

Jul 23, 2023

Vance Herbert Eldreth, 86, of Morganton, passed away on Sunday July 23, 2023 at his residence after a period of declining health. Mr. Eldreth was born September 22, 1936 in Ashe County, a son of the late David  Vance and Lessie Hamn Eldreth.  He served his country as a veteran of the US Army. He was known as a...

Jul 22, 2023

Mary Elizabeth Clark Icard, 71, of Connelly Springs, NC, passed away on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at Amorem Burke Hospice.

Mary was born on August 22, 1951 to the late Dick and Juanita Clark in San Diego, CA, where her dad was serving in the US Navy.

She attended Caldwell County Schools and later worked...

Jul 21, 2023

Ms. Melanie Fredereke Hart of Swansboro, North Carolina, passed away at the age of 62 in her daughter’s home in the early morning of Friday, July 21, 2023. Melanie was born on November 12, 1960, in Onslow county, a child of the late Elton and Aldolphine Dolly Vanderlinden Hart. She spent her time showing love to others through her...

Jul 21, 2023

Callie Brittain Carswell, 89, of Valdese passed away at her home on Friday, July 21, 2023.

Callie was born August 15, 1933 in Burke County to the late Frank Brittain and Esther Brown Brittain. She was a member of Flat Gap Baptist Church and loved working outside, cooking and baking.

In addition to her parents,...

Jul 20, 2023

Leah Holden, 42, of Morganton, passed away on Thursday July 20, 2023 at Amorem Burke Hospice after a period of declining health.

Leah was born January 15, 1981, in Maryville, Calf., a daughter of Peggy Boyd Logue and the late Alan Holden.  Leah was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker.  She was an active member of...

Jul 20, 2023

Mr. Andrew Duggan Harrell, 57, of Morganton, passed away on Thursday, July 20, 2023 at his residence, following a period of declining health. Andrew was born on May 7, 1966 in Bishop, California, to the late King Tyson Harrell and Joyce Wheeler Harrell. He was employed in the furniture manufacturing industry. This man had a faith, testimony, and love...

Jul 19, 2023

Susan Kay Johnson Staggs, born in North Charleroi, Pennsylvania, on November 25, 1959 and living in Morganton, North Carolina for around thirty years, departed this world on July 19, 2023 at Amorem Hospice to continue her journey to the home that her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has prepared for her. Susan is survived by her husband David Earl...

Jul 17, 2023

Mr. Jeffery Dean Wise, 60, of Valdese, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 17, 2023. Jeffery was born on May 27, 1963 in Burke County to the late James Wise and Mary Stilwell Wise. He was employed with Vanguard Furniture in the product development department. Jeffery enjoyed woodworking , motorcycles, and loved spending time with his beloved grandchildren. Survivors...

Jul 16, 2023

Jacqueline Todd Ledford, 61, of Newton, passed away at her home on Sunday, July 16, 2023 following a period of declining health.

Jacqueline was born May 25, 1962, in Guilford County, a daughter of the late Jack and Clara Dyson Todd.  She was a loving mother and grandmother who took special pride in her grandchildren.   She loved...