Obituaries

Feb 1, 2025

Joe Luey Fulbright, 88, of Connelly Springs entered his heavenly home Saturday, February 1, 2025 at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center Charlotte following a car accident.

Luey was born March 17, 1936 in Burke County to the late Kelly Oliver Fulbright and Fennie Knox Fulbright. He was a faithful member of Warlick’s Baptist Church, active in Sunday...

Jan 31, 2025

Mr. Justin Wayne Peacock, 33, of Hickory, passed away on Friday, January 31, 2025, at his residence, following a period of declining health. Justin was born on February 5, 1991, in Catawba County to Kenneth Wayne Peacock and Lisa Richards Peacock. He was previously employed with TSG Finishing in Longview was a member of the Baptist faith. He was...

Jan 30, 2025

Jason Edward Kowalski, 40, of Hickory, NC, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, January 30, 2025.

Jason was born October 21, 1984 in Monroe County, NY, a son of Lynne Farmer Kowalski and the late Scott Edward Kowalski.  He served in the United States Army from 2002-2004, most notably providing transportation for the Old...

Jan 29, 2025

Mr. Kenneth “Butch” Ray Buff, 77, of Valdese, passed away on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at Autmn Care of Drexel. Butch was born on October 19, 1947, in Burke County to the late Ransom Grant Buff and Rosa Lee Shidal Buff. He was a retired finisher and associate with Southern Furniture, a member of High Peak Baptist Church, and...

Jan 29, 2025

Anita Gail Crane Banks, 55, of Hickory, passed away unexpectedly from cardiac arrest on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at Frye Regional Medical Center. Anita was born on June 22, 1969, in Catawba County to the late George Washington Crane and Ruby Mae Green Crane Setzer. She was preceded in death by the late Ruby Mae Greene Crane Setzer. She...

Jan 29, 2025

Mr. Billy “Bill” Hugh Jordan, Jr. ,69, of Hickory, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 29, 2025, at Carolina Caring in Sherrills Ford, after a period of declining health. Billy was born on September 12, 1956, in Mecklenburg County, a son of Nancy Keeter Jordan and the late Billy Hugh Jordan, Sr. Before retiring, Bill...

Jan 28, 2025

Paula Kay Brown Hentschel, 65, of Connelly Springs, NC, passed away on January 28, 2025, at Catawba Valley Medical Center following a period of declining health.

Paula was born on March 9, 1959, in Catawba, NC, a daughter of the late George and Maryann Hollar Brown.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in...

Jan 27, 2025

Benny Ray Proffitt, 59, of Hickory, passed away on Monday, January 27, 2025, at home following a brief illness. Benny was born on October 17, 1965 in Buchanan County, VA, a son of the late Ervin Proffitt and Gearldine Compton. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in passing by a sister, Donna Jean Crockett. Those left to...

Jan 26, 2025

Reba Inez Lowman Pittman, 83, of Hickory, went home to be with her Lord on Sunday, January 26, 2025 following a brief illness. Reba was born on March 29, 1941, in Catawba County, a daughter of the late Oliver E. and Mildred Ross Lowman. She had an unconditional love for her family, and a heart that always felt compassion...

Jan 26, 2025

Mr. David Larry Causby, 89, of Morganton, passed away on Sunday January 26,2025 at his residence, after a period of declining health. Mr. Causby was born July 24, 1935, in Burke County, a son of the late Raymond and Ceila Burns Causby. David graduated from Oak Hill High School and served his country as a member of the US...

Jan 26, 2025

Mr. Bobby Hildebran, 74, of Valdese, Went to be with his Lord on Sunday January 26, 2025, at his residence, after a period of declining health.

Bobby was born, November 29, 1950, in Burke County, a son of the late Jessie Benjamin and Martha Elizabeth Hildebran.

Bobby was a member of the Abee’s Chapel Baptist...

Jan 25, 2025

LaVonda Griffin “Kaye” McGalliard, 82, of Morganton passed away on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at Morganton Long-Term Care following a period of declining health.

Kaye was born September 28, 1942 in Burke County to the late Oliver Griffin and Lucille Rhoney Griffin. She was a member of Morganton Seventh-day Adventist Church and worked as a secretary until...

Jan 25, 2025

Billy Joseph Gragg, 87, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at Frye Regional Medical Center following a period of declining health.

Bill was born August 24, 1937 in Rutherford County to the late Eugene Gragg and Eva Price Gragg. He was a member of Oak Ridge Baptist Church and worked in the furniture...

Jan 24, 2025

Mrs. Linda Kay Bivins Lowman, 83, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Friday January 24, 2025, at Autumn Care of Drexel, after a period of declining health.

Mrs. Lowman was born, March 17, 1941, in Catawba County, a daughter of the late Everette Bivins and Effie Houston Bivins Hildebran.  She was retired as a seamstress from Abla-Waldensian,...

Jan 18, 2025

Mr. Thomas Joe McDaniel, 60, of Hickory, passed away on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at UNC-BR Morganton, following a period of declining health. Tommy was born on October 22, 1964 in Burke County to the late Ray Clemet McDaniel and Garnie Brown McDaniel. He was previously employed as a framer in the furniture industry and loved to spend his...

Jan 17, 2025

Nora June Flowers Waters, 85, of Valdese, passed away on Friday January 17, 2025, at Autumn Care Rehab Center, after a period of declining health.

Mrs. Waters was born August 14, 1939, in Burke County, a daughter of the late Rev. W.H. and Lola Flowers.  She attended Mount Calvary Baptist Church, Valdese, and retired as a seamstress...

Jan 17, 2025

Rev. Richard Baxter Hudson, 67, of Hickory, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, January 17, 2025, at his residence. Rick was born on June 9, 1957, in Burke County to the late Baxter Fonzo Hudson and Doris Jean Brittain Hudson. He retired from the NCDOT and worked as a healthcare technician for Broughton Hospital for 12 years as well. Rick...

Jan 17, 2025

Mr. Calvin Lee Swink, 71 of Connelly Springs, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, January 17, 2025, following a tractor accident at his residence. Calvin was born on June 19, 1953, in Avery County to Lula Rose Swink and the late Calvin Oliver Swink. He was a retired warehouse manager and dock supervisor and worked for both Fredrickson Trucking and...

Jan 17, 2025

Grace Dellinger Buchanan, 95, of Hickory, passed away on Friday, January 17, 2025, at Carolina Caring following a period of declining health.

Grace was born on April 27, 1929 in Mitchell County, a daughter of the late Virgil and Lora Gragg Dellinger.  She was a mother and grandmother to many and stranger to none. You could expect...

Jan 16, 2025

Timothy Scott Bumgarner, Sr., 50, of Valdese, passed away on Thursday January 16, 2025, at Amorem, Burke Hospice, after a brief period of declining health.

Scott was born June 12, 1974, in Burke County, a son of Carl “Sonny” and Doris Icard Bumgarner.  He was a member of Solid Rock Baptist Church and was lucky enough to...