Obituaries

Apr 7, 2025

Paula Lynn Weaver Wyatt, 60, of Morganton, passed away on Monday, April 7, 2025 at UNC Health Blue Ridge of Morganton following a period of declining health.

Paula was born on December 4, 1964 in Burke County, a daughter of the late Paul Earl Weaver and Eva Nell Ledford.  She was a very selfless individual who loved...

Apr 5, 2025

Mr. Marvin “Wayne” Ingle, 57, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Saturday April 5, 2025, on the wings of an angel, after a period of declining health.

Mr. Ingle was born July 2, 1967, in Burke County, a son of the late Marvin and Louise Helton Ingle.  He was a graduate of East Burke High School, a...

Apr 5, 2025

With heavy hearts, I announce the passing of my father, your brother and friend Kenneth “Kenny” Ray Phillips, of Connelly Springs. Who was found on April 5, 2025 after being missing since February 20, 2025.

Preceded in death by his mother Janice Brown Phillips and father Cecil Phillips. Kenny, the middle son, was born March 12th 1964...

Apr 3, 2025

Mr. Henry Lee Hudson, 80, of Hickory, passed away on Thursday April 3, 2025, at his residence with his family by his side, after a period of declining health. Mr. Hudson was born, July 22, 1944, in Cleveland County, a son of the late John Ransom and Zella Young Hudson. Mr. Hudson retired as a plant superintendent of Drexel...

Apr 2, 2025

Jack Abernathy, 88, of Connelly Springs, departed his earthly home and went to his Heavenly Home on Wednesday April 2, 2025, after a brief illness.

Mr. Abernathy was born June 29, 1936, in Burke County, a son of the late George Sutton and Mary Carswell Abernathy.  Jack was a faithful and active member of Mount Hebron Baptist...

Apr 2, 2025

Rebekah Caroline Woody, 21, of Morganton, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.

Rebekah was born on August 20, 2003, in Burke County to Darby Alan Woody and Laura Smith Woody.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, George and Phyllis Woody,  uncle, Derrell Collins; and cousin, Michael Bivens.

Surviving...

Apr 2, 2025

Mr. Clyde Martin Yahnke, 91, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Tuesday April 2, 2025, at Carolina Rehab of Burke, after a period of declining health.

Mr. Yahnke was born December 15, 1933, in Joliet, Ill., a son of the late Clyde Yahnke, Sr. and Verna Lambert Yahnke.  He served his country as a veteran of the...

Apr 1, 2025

Mr. Ross Edward ‘Ed” Fidecaro, 75, of Hickory, passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, surrounded by his family, at Carolina Caring Hospice, following a courageous battle with cancer. Ed was born on September 7, 1949, in Seattle, WA, to the late Joseph Fidecaro and Thelma Grice Fidecaro. He was a retired truck driver and a talented master carpenter,...

Mar 29, 2025

Buddy Gene Spicer, 87, of Valdese, passed away on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Autumn Care of Drexel following a period of declining health.

Buddy was born June 1, 1937 in Caldwell County, a son of the late Eugene and Vena Anders Spicer. He enjoyed riding bicycles, particularly old Schwinn bikes. He was very fond of his...

Mar 28, 2025

Randy Lynn Buchanan, 53, of Morganton, passed away at home on Friday, March 28, 2025, following a brief illness.

Randy was born on July 2, 1971 in Burke County, a son of Barbara Young Buchanan and the late Robert G. Buchanan.  Randy loved his family, especially his nephews, niece, great nephew, and great niece.  He was an...

Mar 28, 2025

Mr. Boyd Leon Hoyle, 64, of Valdese, passed away on Friday, March 28, 2025, at Frye Regional Medical Center. Leon was born on August 22, 1960, in Rutherford County, to the late Avery Jackson Hoyle and Shirley Hudson Hoyle. He was previously employed as a contractor in the construction industry and also served as the pastor for Back to...

Mar 28, 2025

Steven “Sam” Wayne Moretz, 63, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Friday, March 28, 2025 at home following a period of declining health.

Steven was born on August 29, 1961 in Chatham County, GA, a son of Linda Jean Moretz Ball Martin and the late Ned Thomas Moretz.

In addition to his father, Steven is...

Mar 28, 2025

Randy Lynn Buchanan, 53, of Morganton, passed away at home on Friday, March 28, 2025, following a brief illness.

Randy was born on July 2, 1971 in Burke County, a son of Barbara Young Buchanan and the late Robert G. Buchanan.  Randy loved his family, especially his nephews, niece, great nephew, and great niece.  He was an...

Mar 25, 2025

Mrs. Willie Elizabeth Price Gillespie, 76, of Morganton, passed away on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at her residence.

Willie was born on March 5, 1949, in Gaston County to the late George Price and Maggie Cook Price.  She was retired from the textile industry and previously attended Burkemont Baptist Church.  Willie was very active in her community,...

Mar 24, 2025

Stephen “Steve” Russell Brown, 67, of Valdese, passed away on Monday, March 24, 2025, at Magnolia Lane Nursing and Rehab Center following a period of declining health.

Steve was born on September 27, 1957, in Burke County, a son of the late Buyet and Dorothy Abee Brown.  He loved sports of all types, playing softball, baseball, football,...

Mar 23, 2025

Travis James Brothers, 48, of Hickory, NC passed away of an unexpected cardio-vascular event Sunday, March 23rd, 2025 in Winnsboro, SC.

Travis was born on October 6th, 1976 in Massena, NY. Son of Gary Lee Brothers and the late Anna (Luther) Brothers of Lenoir, NC. In addition, to his late sister Kristine (Brothers) Jackson of Schenectady NY....

Mar 23, 2025

Mrs. Evelyn Deal Sanders Owens, 86, of Valdese, passed away on Sunday March 23, 2025 at Magnolia Nursing Center, after a period of declining health.

Mrs. Owens was born June 19, 1938 in Burke County, a daughter of the late Lawrence Nelson and Myrtle Dallas Settlemyre Deal.  Evelyn was a member of the Valdese First Baptist Church...

Mar 22, 2025

Elgie Leslie Benfield, Jr., 79, of Drexel passed away Saturday, March 22, 2025 at UNC Healthcare Blue Ridge following a period of declining health. Elgie was born May 11, 1945 in Burke County to the late Elgie Leslie Benfield, Sr. and Margaret “Ruth” Bowman Benfield. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson, Mason...

Mar 22, 2025

Charles Timothy “Tim” Shelton, 63, of Valdese, went to his Heavenly Home on Saturday March 22, 2025, at Burke Hospice, Valdese, after a courageous battle with cancer. Tim was born December 8, 1961, in Hamilton County, TN a son of the late Dannie Douglas and Sandra Spence Shelton. Tim was an active and faithful member of Enon Baptist Church,...

Mar 21, 2025

Betty Sue Mull, 96, passed away on Friday, March 21, 2025, after several years of declining health and a courageous battle with dementia.

Born on November 13, 1928, in Burke County, she was the daughter of the late Fred and Gladys Baker.

She was a quiet person who enjoyed spending time with her family,  playing...