Obituaries

Oct 6, 2023

Mr. Steven Douglas Punch, 56, of Morganton, passed away on Friday, October 6, 2023.

Steven was born on October 3, 1967 in Catawba County to Dermid Punch and the late Judy Whisnant Watson.  He was employed as a general manager with U-HAUL in Hickory.

Survivors include his four children: Brandon Punch, Douglas Punch, Katie Punch...

Oct 6, 2023

Mr. Ricky Olin Abee, 53, of Morganton, passed away on Friday, October 6, 2023 at Amorem Hospice of Valdese, following a period of declining health. Ricky was born on January 6, 1970 in burke County to Martha Huffman Carswell and the late Olin Alvin Abee. He was previously employed in the furniture manufacturing industry. Survivors include his mother, Martha...

Oct 5, 2023

Patsy Sue Lowman Bishop, 74, of Connelly Springs, passed away on October 5, 2023, at her residence surrounded by loved ones.

Patsy was born February 12, 1949, in Burke County, to Ruth Mace Lowman and the late Grady Lowman. Patsy will be remembered as a “wonderful daughter”, a loving mother of two sons, and a beloved grandmother...

Oct 5, 2023

Mr. John Reece Groves, 71, of Hickory, passed away on Thursday October 5, 2023, at Atrium Shelby after a period of declining health.

Mr. Groves was born January 26, 1952, a son of the late Ralph Ray Groves and Elizabeth Reece  Carswell.  He was retired as an engineer in the furniture manufacturing industry.  John enjoyed his years...

Oct 4, 2023

Ms. Ethel Mae (Smith) Stamey, 82, of Morganton, passed away on Wednesday October 4, 2023 at her residence following a period of declining health.

Ethel was born on June 7, 1941, in Cleveland county, a daughter of the late Bert and Zonie Butler Smith.

In addition to her parents, Ethel is preceded in passing by...

Oct 4, 2023

Ms. Carolyn Edwards Pyatte Smith, 87, of Valdese, passed away on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at Magnolia Lane Nursing and Rehab in Morganton after a period of declining health.

Carolyn was born January 27, 1936, in Burke county, a daughter of the late Esco and Ruby Brendle Edwards. She will always be remembered as “the Best Mom...

Oct 4, 2023

Mrs. Jacqueline (Jackie) Pittman Deaton, 92 , of Cary, passed away on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at her residence, following a period of declining health. Jackie was born on May 29, 1931 in Richmond, VA to the late Edwin Temple Pittman and Dorothy Smith Pittman. She completed her nursing training at the Medical College of Virginia, where she met...

Oct 3, 2023

Rhonda Mosteller Norris, 67, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at her residence.

Rhonda was born February 15, 1956 in Catawba County to the late Gary Mosteller and Marie Walsh Brunt. She was an outgoing person that enjoyed her cigarettes and Sundrops, and had many loves; from being in nature hiking, gem mining,...

Sep 30, 2023

Mildred Faye Randolph McCall, 76, of Morganton, passed away on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at Carolina Caring Hospice, following a period of declining health.

Mildred was born February 28, 1947 in Erwin, Tennessee to the late Stanley Randolph and Tassie Guinn Poston. She was a member of Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Morganton and was an avid...

Sep 29, 2023

Kenneth Lee Rhoney, 76, of Valdese , passed away on Friday, September 29, 2023 at Amorem Hospice following a period of declining health.

Kenneth was born December 5, 1946 in Burke County to the late Jesse Leon Rhoney and Annie Coffey Rhoney. He enjoyed working with his hands and is known to have been able to build...

Sep 28, 2023

Taylor Kathleen Kuykendall, 30, of Hickory, passed away on Thursday September 28, 2023, at her residence.

Taylor was born July 20, 1993, in Burke County, a daughter of Marsha McGuire Kuykendall and the late Lawrence Allen Kuykendall.  She was a member of Oak Ridge Baptist Church and employed in the warehouse industry.  Taylor was a loving daughter...

Sep 27, 2023

Verenese Wilson, of Morganton, passed away on Wednesday September 27, 2023 at Carolina Caring, after a period of declining health.

Mrs. Wilson was born in Burke County a daughter of the late Thomas and Anna Lou Dale Mull.

Verenese  was a faithful member of Grace Baptist Church, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She...

Sep 27, 2023

Mr. Harry James Corpening Jr., 59, of Morganton, passed away on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at his residence, following a period of declining health.

Harry was born on February 3, 1964 in Burke County to Harry James Corpening Sr. and the late Nancy McClain Corpening.  He was previously employed with Waldensian Bakeries for over 30 years.

Sep 26, 2023

Suzanne Galadriel Cameron, 50, of Lenoir, passed away on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at Amorem Hospice following a period of declining health.

Suzanne was born January 7, 1973 in Maryland to Gordon H. Cameron and the late Lois Phelps Cameron. She loved crafts and showed her love to everyone through her wonderful cooking and baking.

...

Sep 26, 2023

Jeffrey Scott Thomas of Connelly Springs passed away at his home on September 26, 2023 at the age of 45.  Jeff was a native of Burke County, residing there all his life.

Jeffrey was born July 31, 1978, a son of the Michael Stephen Thomas, Sr., and Linda Jean Ward Thomas Rector.

In addition to...

Sep 23, 2023

Judy Penland Elmore, 72,  of Connelly Springs, NC passed away unexpectedly at Carolina Rehab Center of Burke in the early morning hours of Saturday, September 23, 2023.

Judy was born on July 14, 1951 in Yancey County to the late Herman Penland Jr and Mary Lee Penland.  She was a wonderful, loving, and caring Mother to her...

Sep 23, 2023

Roger Norman Bostain, 77, of Hickory, passed away on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at his residence following a period of declining health.

Roger was born October 25, 1945, in Catawba County, to the late Jacob Bostain and Ruth Drum Bostain. He will always be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather. Roger served in the Army...

Sep 23, 2023

Mr. Charles Jefferson “C.J.” Hurst, 76, of Valdese, passed away on Saturday September 23, 2023, at Mission Memorial Hospital, after a period of declining health.

Mr. Hurst was born October 2, 1946, in Burke County, a son of the late Charles Jefferson Hurst, SR. and Dexter Lynch Hurst.  C.J. had worked as an ambulance attendant with Kirksey...

Sep 22, 2023

Raymond Hall Childers, 79, of Lincolnton, passed away on Friday, September 22, 2023, at The Greens at Lincolnton following a period of declining health. Raymond was born on October 29, 1943, in Alexander County, a son of the late Charlie and Bertha Laws Childers. He was an avid people person and never met a stranger. He loved visiting with...

Sep 22, 2023

Mr. Gary Lee Beck, 77, of Morganton, passed away on Friday, September 22, 2023, after a period of declining health.

Mr. Beck was born May 8, 1946, in Burke County, a son of the late John William Beck and Virginia Morgan.  Gary was a former store manager in the grocery business and a salesman in the automobile...