Obituaries

Feb 28, 2025

Whisper Amagen Moore, 35, of Morganton, passed away on Friday February 28, 2025. Whisper was born in Morganton, NC on Tuesday, April 11, 1989 to her mother, Lisa McVey and father, Wayne Allen Moore, Sr. Whisper lived at home with her mother Lisa, and as a child attended Tabernacle Christian School, Salem Elementary, Table Rock Middle school and Freedom...

Feb 28, 2025

Mrs. Shirley Jean Hudson Lail, 77, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Friday, February 28, 2025, at UNC-BR Morganton, following a period of declining health. Shirley was born on August 20, 1947, in Cleveland County, NC to the late W.B. Dick Hudson and Thelma Swink Hudson. She was retired from Broughton Hospital, where she worked for 25 years, most...

Feb 28, 2025

Linda Joyce Smart Ethridge, 75, of Valdese, passed away on Friday, February 28, 2025 at UNC Healthcare Blue Ridge following a period of declining health.

Linda was born January 2, 1950 in Burke County to the late Rev. John Smart and Ethel Powell Smart, the youngest of eight children.  She was a member of Solid Rock Baptist...

Feb 27, 2025

It is with great sadness that the family of R. Lynn Buff announce his passing. Lynn, 75, of Nashville, TN and formerly of Morganton, NC passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at Alive Hospice Inpatient Unit of Nashville, following a brief illness. Born on March 8, 1949, in Burke County, NC, Lynn was the son of Roy “Bill”...

Feb 27, 2025

Jeanette Ruth Brown Hanks, 91, of Drexel, went to her Heavenly Home on Thursday February 27, 2025, at Iredell County Hospice after a period of declining health.

Mrs. Hanks was the only daughter of the late James Ira and Aleeta Campbell Brown Miller.  She retired as a healthcare medical records clerk and was an active member of...

Feb 26, 2025

Mrs. Ella Elizabeth “Lib” Branch Summey, 91, of Valdese, gained her Heavenly wings and went home to her Lord & Savior, on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Conover Rehab & Nursing Center, following a period of declining health. Lib was born on October 8, 1933, in Burke County to the late George Branch and Pauline Franklin Branch. She was...

Feb 26, 2025

Mr. Jeffrey Starnes, 64, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at his residence. Jeffrey was born on November 17, 1960, in Alexander County to the late Edward Starnes and Marlene Isenhour Starnes. He was a self-employed painter and was a member of Bible Gospel Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in...

Feb 25, 2025

In Loving Memory of Grace Fortner Robinson Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Friend

It is with both heavy hearts and warm memories that we announce the passing of Grace Fortner Robinson on February 25, 2025 under hospice care after a period of declining health. Born September 23, 1940 to the late John Fortner and Ethel...

Feb 24, 2025

Mr. Grover David Blossfield, 76, of Valdese, NC, went home to be with His Lord on Monday, February 24, 2025, following a period of declining health.

Grover was born on November 7, 1948, in Kanawha, WV, a son of the late Harry Bishop and Tasey Estep Blossfield.  He was a loving father and devoted friend.  Those who...

Feb 23, 2025

Mee Chang Hang, 93, of Valdese passed away on Sunday, February 23, 2025 at her home, following a period of declining health.

Mee was born in Laos on April 18, 1931 to the late Nao Lue Chang and May Hang Chang.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Nhia...

Feb 23, 2025

Mr. Leslie Grant Crocker, 88, of Connelly Springs, went to his Heavenly Home on Sunday February 23, 2025, at his residence after a period of declining health.

Mr. Crocker was born April 3, 1936, in Johnston County, N.C., a son of the late Ivey and Mamie Delia Creech Crocker. He finished Corinth Holder High School in Zebulon,...

Feb 23, 2025

Patty June Fullmer Farris, 89, of Drexel passed away on Sunday, February 23, 2025 at Amorem Hospice Burke, following a period of declining health.

Patty was born May 4, 1935 in West Virginia to the late James Londus Fullmer and Elizabeth Dengg Fullmer. Patty was a member of Morganton First Church of God and loved being involved...

Feb 22, 2025

Luella Ida Steckel Davis, 84, of Hickory, passed away on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Catawba Valley Medical Center following a period of declining health.

Luella was born May 29, 1940 in Minnesota to the late Mathias Steckel and Gertrude Gillitzer Steckel. She loved to travel with her friends, gardening, and performing in different theatre performances such...

Feb 20, 2025

Mr. Fred “FG” Gordon Wilson, 80, of Granite Falls, passed away on Friday, February 20, 2025, at his residence, following a period of declining health. Fred was born on December 18, 1944, in Caldwell County to the late Fred Garrison Wilson and Mary Penley Wilson. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was a retired woodworker. Fred...

Feb 20, 2025

Mason Cole Pridemore, 22, of Hickory, passed away on Thursday February 20, 2025.

Mason was born, September 20, 2002, in Burke County, a son of Corey Heath Pridemore and Kimberly Ellen Benfield.  He was a graduate of East Burke High School and employed in the Shipping Department of Target.

He was preceded in death by...

Feb 20, 2025

Ms. Carolyn Clontz Franklin, 86, of Morganton, passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at College Pines Health and Rehabilitation, after a period of declining health. Ms. Franklin was born in Burke County on August 22, 1938, to the late J. Harold and Louise Burns Clontz. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters,...

Feb 19, 2025

Shirley Salmon Hinesley, 90, of Connelly Springs, NC. passed away at her residence on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, after a period of declining health. Born December 6, 1934, to the late Alex Reddin and Mae Fields Salmon. She was surrounded by her loving family under hospice care.

A devoted wife and mother, Shirley was a strong, independent...

Feb 19, 2025

Tammy Lynn (Williams) Icard ,58, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully in her home on February 19th, 2025. Tammy was born on June 18th, 1966, in San Bernadino California. Tammy dedicated her life to her two daughters and her community. To know her was to love her and boy did she love HARD. She received her bachelor’s degree from UNC...

Feb 18, 2025

Mr. Garry Dean Powell, 65, son of the late Vernon Jackson Powell and Shirley Fox Powell, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 surrounded by his family at his residence, following a period of declining health. Garry was born on September 8, 1959 in Burke County. He was previously employed as a dye house operator in...

Feb 18, 2025

Mrs. Hazel Pauline Hall, 90, of Valdese, passed away on Tuesday February 18, 2025, at UNC Healtlh Care, Morganton, after a period of declining health. Mrs. Hall was born, December 8, 1934, in Swain County, a daughter of the late Harley P. and Grace Ann Parton. She was retired as a weaver after spending many years of service with...