Obituaries

Mar 21, 2025

Mr. Cecil Hildred Shields, 86, of Granite Falls, passed away on Friday March 21, 2025, at UNC Healthcare, Valdese, after a period of declining health.

Mr. Shields was born February 19, 1939, in Macon County, North Carolina, a son of the late Emmett and Myrtle Grant Shields.  He was a retired machine operator for General Electric in...

Mar 20, 2025

William “Dwaine” Elliott, 77, of Hickory, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2025. He was born on June 2, 1947, in Walker County, Georgia, to the late Herbert Elliott and Nelle Hudgins Elliott.

Dwaine was raised on a dairy farm, where he developed a deep and lasting love for animals—especially horses. This passion inspired his...

Mar 18, 2025

William “Kenneth” Smith, 87, passed away on March 18, 2025. Born in Lincoln County, North Carolina, on March 31, 1937, to Herman Lenoir Smith and Minnie Mae Wehunt Smith, Kenneth moved to Burke County at a young age. He attended Salem High School before joining the army in 1954. He ended his military service in 1966 as Petty Officer...

Mar 18, 2025

Mrs. Julie Mae Young Dula, 83, of Hickory went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday March 18, 2025.

Mrs. Dula was born July 14,1941, a daughter of the late Otis and Edna Brittain Young.  When her health allowed her, she attended New Covenant Church.  Julie retired from Robinson Hosiery Mill after many years of...

Mar 18, 2025

Barbara Ann Anderson Miller, 85, of Connelly Springs, passed with dignity and grace on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Carolina Caring following a period of declining health.

Barbara was born on June 18, 1939, in Catawba County, a daughter of the late Avery “Jack” Tellis and Betty Louise Heavner Anderson. Barbara was a woman of strength and...

Mar 17, 2025

Mrs. Linda B. Cook, “Little Mama” 75, of Hickory, went to be with her Lord, on Monday March 17, 2025, at Forsyth Medical Center after a brief illness.

Mrs. Cook was born, July 4, 1949, in Catawba County, the daughter of Ruth Parker Brittain Fulbright and the late Paul Edward Brittain.  Linda, was retired from the Cambridge...

Mar 16, 2025

Marilyn Faye Brendle Davis, 88, of Morganton, passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at Autumn Care of Drexel following a brief illness.

Marilyn was born March 5, 1937, in Burke County, a daughter of the late Clarence and Velna Watson Brendle.  She was very active with the Burke County Senior Center following her retirement from Shadowline...

Mar 16, 2025

Barbara Burleson Curtis, 79, of Morganton, NC, formerly of Avery County, passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2025.

Barbara was born September 4, 1945 in Avery County, the daughter of the late Olin and Margaret Biggs Burleson. She was a 1963 graduate of Crossnore High School and went on to earn her business degree at Lees McRae...

Mar 16, 2025

Mrs. Geraldine Carroll Corpening, 81, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at UNC-BR Morganton, following a period of declining health. Geraldine was born on December 9, 1943, in Cherokee County to the late William Carroll and Edna Hancock Carroll. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker, who was known for her quick wit...

Mar 14, 2025

It is with earthly sadness but heavenly rejoicing that we announce the passing of Linda Faye Carpenter Lowman, a devoted mother, grandmother, and steadfast follower of Christ, who left this world at the home of Randy and Jaimee Lowman following a brief illness peacefully on March 14, 2025, at the age of 79.

Linda was born on...

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...