Obituaries

Feb 17, 2025

Robert Lester “Bob” Wise, 84, of Morganton, passed away on Monday February 17, 2025, at UNC Healthcare, Grace Hospital, after a period of declining health.

Bob was born March 7, 1940, in Burke County, a son of the late Herman and Ruth Rudicill Wise.  He was a member of the Bethel Road Methodist Church and the owner...

Feb 15, 2025

Mr. Wayne Luther Young, 82, of Hildebran, passed away on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at his residence, following a period of declining health. Wayne was born on April 26, 1942, in Burke County to the late Burl Nathaniel Young and Viola Brittain Young. He was the former co-owner and operator of Custom Plumbing for many years and was a...

Feb 15, 2025

Leslie Lester Brittain, Jr., 81, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at home following a brief illness.

Leslie was born March 29, 1943, in Burke County, a son of the late Leslie Brittain, Sr., and Edna Yount.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in passing by his wife of...

Feb 11, 2025

Mr. Cary R.A. Lyda, 55, of Hickory, passed away on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at Frye Regional Medical Center, following a two-year battle with cancer. Cary was born on May 16, 1969, in Catawba County to the late Lentz Lyda and Rita Lail Lyda, and was formerly employed as a forklift operator. Surviving are his two sons, Cary Allen...

Feb 10, 2025

Mr. Gary Eugene Hatley, 66, of Hickory, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025 at his residence.

Gary was born February 6, 1959 in Caldwell County to the late William J. Hatley and Fannie Puckett Hatley. He loved to paint  and play golf.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his...

Feb 10, 2025

Denise “Nicie” Croom Kilbourne, 45, of Hildebran went to her Heavenly Home, after a gallant fight with kidney disease, on Monday February 10, 2025, after a period of declining health.

Denise was born June 7, 1979, in Burke County, a daughter of William Croom Sr. and Sue McGee Croom.  Before her illness, she was formally employed as...

Feb 10, 2025

Mrs. Elizabeth Eller Mullis, 82, of Valdese, passed away on Monday February 10, 2025, at College Pines, after a period of declining health.

Mrs. Mullis was born, December 14, 1942, in Caldwell County, a daughter of the late Marshall and Helen Inez Hayes Eller.  She retired as a Cancer Register from Valdese General Hospital.  Mrs. Mullis was...

Feb 9, 2025

Paul Dean Beach October 2, 1935 – February 9, 2025

Paul Dean Beach, 89, of Valdese, passed away peacefully, with his daughters at his side, on Sunday, February 9. 2025.

Paul was born October 2, 1935, in Burke County, a son of the late Lawrence and Josephine Smith Beach. In addition...

Feb 9, 2025

Mr. Gregory Neal Huffman, 54, of Hickory, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday February 9, 2025. Greg was born on September 17, 1970, in Catawba County to the late Harvey Huffman and Shirley Robinson Huffman. He was employed as an operator for Miller Pipeline Inc. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Johnny Ellis...

Feb 9, 2025

Tony Charles Alexander, 70, of Morganton, passed away on Sunday February 9, 2025, at Amorem, Burke Hospice, after a period of declining health.

Mr. Alexander was born, August 15 1954 in Cleveland County, a son of Charles Osborne Alexander  and the late Carolyne Johnson Alexander.  Tony retired after working many years with Valdese Manufacturing Co. now Meridian...

Feb 5, 2025

Mr. Thomas Wayne Clark, 64, of Morganton, passed away on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at UNC-BR Morganton, following a period of declining health.

Thomas was born on July 30, 1960, in Burke County to the late Otis Clark and Carrie Baker Clark. He was previously employed in the furniture manufacturing industry as a finisher.

In...

Feb 5, 2025

Melissa Davis, 59, of Hildebran, passed away on Wednesday February 5, 2025 after a period of declining health. Davis was born April 22, 1965 in Burke County, a daughter of the late Kay Nix . Melissa was a member of Burke’s Chapel United Methodist Church and was employed as a seamstress with DeFeet Hosiery. In addition to her mother,...

Feb 4, 2025

Mr. Randy Dean Justice, 67, of Morganton, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday February 4, 2025. Mr. Justice was born September 10, 1957, in Burke County, a son of the late Robert Henry and Odene Mae LeFevers Justice. He was a retired state employee with the NC State Environmental Services at J. Iverson Riddle Development Center. Prior to his time...

Feb 4, 2025

Terry Lee Pritchard, 65, of Hudson, passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at Frye Regional Medical Center.

Terry was born April 10, 1959 in Burke County to the late Paul David Pritchard Sr. and Clara Branch Pritchard. He worked as a welder and loved the UNC Tarheels.

In addition to his parents, he is...

Feb 4, 2025

Mr. Robert Kent Wilson, Jr., of Valdese, passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. He was formerly employed in the cabinet room in furniture manufacturing. He was preceded in death by his mother, Elizaeth Wilson and a sister, Stephanie Wilson. Surviving is his father, Robert Kent Wilson Sr. and wife Caroline of Hudson, a brother, Tim Wilson, and two...

Feb 4, 2025

Jerry Lee Berry, 86, of Morganton, passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at his residence following a period of declining health.

Jerry was born August 15, 1938 in Burke County to the late Martin Berry and Lessie Powell Berry. He owned Berry Body Works since 1975 and loved to build and race cars with his brothers....

Feb 2, 2025

Juanita Sue Williams Warlick, 77, of Connelly Springs, passed away at AMOREM of Valdese on Sunday, February 2, 2025, following a brief illness. Juanita was born on February 22, 1947, in Caldwell County, a daughter of the late Fritz and Mary Smith Williams. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in passing by her husband, Donald Warlick; daughter,...

Feb 2, 2025

The family of Mary Frances Robinson Moore is saddened to announce her passing on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at Amorem Hospice Care Center, she was 94 years young.

Frances was born on November 17, 1930 in Catawba County to the late Herman Flake Robinson and Marie Loftin Robinson. She spent her life in Valdese, NC and married...

Feb 1, 2025

Mr. Terry Lee Rhoney, 69, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Amorem Hospice of Valdese, following a period of declining health. Terry was born on April 6, 1955, in Burke County and was a longtime truck driver for MDI. He was an avid hunter, who loved his cabin, watching wildlife and spending time with...

Feb 1, 2025

Brenda Joyce Buff, 81, of Morganton, went home to meet her Lord and Savior on Saturday, February 1, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born on May 16, 1943 in Rockingham County, NC, Brenda was the daughter of the late Earl Wilson Joyce and Mary Frances Montgomery Joyce.

In addition to her parents, Brenda...