Obituaries

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...

Jul 15, 2023

Kenneth Wayne Causby, 70, passed away on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at his residence.

Kenneth was born September 13, 1952 in Burke County to the late Benjamin L. Causby and Mildred Crump Causby. He served in the United States Air Force and worked as a land surveyor.

He is survived by his son, Zebulon Causby;...

Jul 15, 2023

Mr. Kevin Lewis Benjamin Auten, 52, of Morganton passed away Saturday July 15, 2023 at UNC Health Blue Ridge following a period of declining health.

Kevin was born January 20, 1971 in Gaston County. He worked as a concrete finisher.

Preceding him in death are his maternal grandmother, Akie Patterson; aunts, Mary Neikirk and April...

Jul 14, 2023

Peggy Joe Jones McCall, 81, of Baton, passed away surrounded by her family on Friday, July 14, 2023, at UNC Healthcare Blue Ridge – Morganton (formerly Grace Hospital).

The fifth of nine children, Peggy was born in her family’s home in Gamewell, NC on July 19th, 1941, to Thomas Carl Jones and Hazel Coffey Jones. She graduated...

Jul 14, 2023

Carson “Dean” Berry, 56, of Connelly Springs, passed away peacefully Friday July 14, 2023 at Amorem Hospice Center in Valdese following a period of declining health.

Dean was born on March 28, 1967 in Catawba County to Robert Lee Berry and the late Judith Ann “Judy” Brittain Berry. He was a former Sergeant with the North Carolina...

Jul 13, 2023

Alvin Lee Newton, 73, of Connelly Springs, passed away unexpectedly Thursday July 13, 2023 at his residence.

Alvin was born on October 23, 1949 to the late Calvin Curley Newton and Rebecca Smith Newton. He was a US Army Veteran serving in Vietnam and was employed in the furniture industry as an upholsterer.

Surviving is...

Jul 11, 2023

Mr. James Franklin Barnes, 86, of Hildebran passed away on July 11, 2023, at his residence following a period of declining health. Mr. Barnes was born April 15, 1937, in Catawba County, a son of the late William Franklin and Hester Barbour Barnes. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in passing by his sisters, Audrey Huffman and...

Jul 11, 2023

Mrs. Florence Ozzy Robinson, 101, of Morganton passed away on Tuesday July 11, 2023, at Burke Hospice, after a period of declining health. Mrs. Robinson was born October 12, 1921, in Cleveland County, a daughter of the late Pink and Alice Smith Chapman. Mrs. Robinson was a faithful member of Mt. Home Baptist Church and retired from Broughton Hospital...

Jul 7, 2023

Our family is saddened to announce the passing of our dear Patricia Alice Hoyle Lowman; beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother on Friday, July 7, 2023.

Patricia (Trish to her cousins and Pat to everyone else) was born November 17 th , 1945, to Loy Edgar Hoyle and Ruth Belle Brittain Hoyle of Valdese, NC.  Patricia married...

Jul 5, 2023

Mr. Bobby Ray Epley, 79, of Morganton, passed away on Wednesday July 5, 2023, at Amorem Burke Hospice, after a period of declining health. Mr. Epley was born August 16, 1943, in Burke County, a son of the late Fred and Ruby Yount Epley. Bobby was a member of Mulls Grove Baptist Church, serving as the bus driver for...

Jul 3, 2023

Mr. Bobby Dean Houston, 71, of Granite Falls, passed away on Monday July 3, 2023 at Fourlines Hospice in Caldwell County, after a long period of declining health. Mr. Houston was born February 5, 1952, in Burke County, a son of the late Henry Houston and Mamie Huffman Houston. He retired from MDI after 27 years of service to...

Jul 2, 2023

Fred Alexander Price, 94, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Sunday, July 2, 2023, at Amorem Hospice of Burke County, following a period of declining health.

Fred was born  January 4, 1929, in Alexander County to the late Ruben Price and Nevia Bolick Price. He served honorably in the United States Army.  He was a devoted member...

Jun 30, 2023

Kimberly Tomlinson Robbins, 50, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Friday, June 30, 2023 at her residence.

Kimberly was born January 19, 1973, in Burke County to Dennis Tomlinson and Cathy Carpenter Tomlinson. She was a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, “Mimi”, and friend. She would always put others before herself and never ask for anything in return....