Obituaries

Mar 12, 2025

Glen Alex Chapman, 62, of Hickory, passed away on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. He was born March 11, 1963, in Cabell County, West Virginia, a son of the late Glendon Ray Chapman and Virginia Mae Riggs Chapman.

Glen leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and wisdom. He was the loving and devoted father of Lisa Bennett...

Mar 12, 2025

Tex Burns, of Connelly Springs, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2025 surrounded by loved ones.

Tex was preceded in death by his parents Tom & Bernese Burns, brother Clifford Burns, sister Susie Greene, & the love of his life Peggy Hodge Burns.

He is survived by his siblings, Bob Burns (Jewell), brother-in-law Carl Greene,...

Mar 11, 2025

Mrs. Regina “Gina” Rice Arensman, 83, of Valdese, passed away on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at Frye Regional Medical Center. Gina was born on September 11, 1941 in Saline County. IL, to the late James Marion Rice and Minnie Fritts Rice. She was a member of Faith Presbyterian Church in Morganton, and was loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and...

Mar 11, 2025

Joyce Cook Wheeling

February 24, 1942 – March 11, 2025

Joyce Cook Wheeling, 83, of Valdese, passed away on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at UNC Health Blue Ridge of Morganton following a period of declining health.

Joyce was born February 24, 1942, in Yancey County, a daughter of the late Ralph...

Mar 11, 2025

Scottie Allen Perkins, 43, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 following a period of declining health.

Scottie was born September 8, 1981, in Virginia to Danny Perkins and Patricia Elaine Taylor. He loved to be around his family and all of his friends and tinkering around the house.

He is preceded...

Mar 9, 2025

King Dwayne Rumley, passed away on March 9, 2025 at McDowell Mission Hospital to his parents, Hunter Grace Miller and Ronald Rumley Jr.

King was born March 9, 2025 at 4:11 PM at 2.7 pounds and 15 inches long.

He is preceded in death by his grandmother, Juanita Steptoe and Uncle Dwayne Steptoe.

...

Mar 9, 2025

Makala Cruzita Rangel, 15, of Granite Falls, passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

Makala was born December 17, 2009 in Caldwell County to Emilio Rangel and Jenny Smith Rangel. She was a freshman at South Caldwell High School and a very talented soccer player, playing for both junior...

Mar 8, 2025

Sharon Renea Houston Kitchings, 61, of Granite Falls, passed away on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Kindred Hospital following a period of declining health.

Sharon was born November 19, 1963, in Burke County, to the late James Arthur Houston and Margie Gragg Houston. She retired as a sales representative. Sharon liked to find recipes online for Bill...

Mar 8, 2025

Mildred Kathleen Wright Hildebran, known most by “Kat,” adoring mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away peacefully on March 8, 2025. She was born on May 20, 1942 in Burke County. Kat graduated from George Hildebran High School, became a registered nurse from Western Piedmont and received a bachelor’s degree from University of North Carolina Greensboro. She dedicated over...

Mar 7, 2025

Dorothy Watson Jan 18, 1943- March 7, 2025.

It is with heartfelt sadness and deep appreciation for a life richly lived that we announce Mrs. Dorothy Lail Watson entered the arms of Jesus on March 7, 2025, after a brave battle with cancer.

Born on January 18, 1943, in Casar, NC, Dorothy was preceded in...

Mar 7, 2025

Mr. Ruthven Sidney Beach, 88, of Morganton, passed away on Friday, March 7, 2025, at Carolina Caring Hospice of Catawba County, following a period of declining health. Ruthven was born on February 20, 1937, in Burke County to the late Fred Beach and Cora Neidig Beach. He was a retired maintenance supervisor at Broughton Hospital and was a veteran...

Mar 7, 2025

Mr. Gary Dean Rash, 68, of Rhodhiss, passed away on Friday, March 7, 2025, at Amorem Hospice of Valdese, following a period of declining health. Gary was born on October 2, 1957, in Catawba County to Wilma Anderson Rash and the late Floyd Rash. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and was previously employed as a transporter...

Mar 6, 2025

Charles Wayne Terry, 83, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Thursday, March 6, 2025, following a motor vehicle accident.

Charles was born on May 11, 1941 in Burke County, a son of the late Earnest and Ruby Clarke Terry.  He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing.  He coached recreational basketball and football for many...

Mar 5, 2025

Sandra Dale Williams of Valdese, NC, passed away on March 5 th , 2025, after a period of declining health.

Sandy was born February 2, 1943, in Valdese, NC, a daughter of the late Dale Gilerath of Melbourne, FL, and Ermaline Pascal Gilerath of Valdese. She was enjoying retirement spending her time with her community activities, dancing...

Mar 5, 2025

Mr. Austin Michael Neece, 28, of Connelly Springs, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at his residence. Austin was born on July 24, 1996 in Burke County to Wesley Andrew Neece and Angel Deyton. He was currently employed as a roofer in the construction industry. Austin loved the outdoors, especially going to the mountains and the beach,...

Mar 3, 2025

Mrs. Sherry L. Frye, 73, of Connelly Springs, went Home to her Lord & Savior, on Monday, March 3, 2025, at Atrium Health CMC Charlotte, following a period of declining health. Sherry was born on November 24, 1951, in Burke County to the late Murphy Eugene Frye and Alma Newton Frye. She was previously employed as a school bus...

Mar 2, 2025

Beverly Diane Smith

March 26, 1958 – March 2, 2025

Beverly Diane “Bell” Smith, 66, of Morganton, passed away on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at UNC Health Blue Ridge of Morganton following a brief illness.

Beverly was born on March 26, 1958, in Cleveland County, a daughter of the late Jack...

Mar 2, 2025

Mrs. Kimberly Dawn Burns Carter, 41, of Connelly Springs, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 2, 2025.

Kimberly was born on July 9, 1983, in Burke County to Michael D. Burns and Nancy Church Burns.  She was a member of Lakeview Baptist Church and was employed as a supervisor with Valdese Weavers.  Kimberly was known by all...

Mar 1, 2025

Shirley Jean Mull

September 20, 1937 – March 1, 2025

Shirley Jean Canipe Mull, 87, of Morganton, NC, went home to be with her Lord on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at College Pines following a period of declining health.

Shirley was born on September 20, 1937 in Catawba County, a daughter...

Mar 1, 2025

Sylvia Smith Pennington, 62, passed away on March 1, 2025, of Morganton, North Carolina following a long battle with MS.

Sylvia was born February 10, 1963 in Burke County. Sylvia spent her life in the community she called home. She was known for her deep love of animals and cherished the companionship of her pets throughout the...