Obituaries

Mar 7, 2025

Mr. Ruthven Sidney Beach, 88, of Morganton, passed away on Friday, March 7, 2025, at Carolina Caring Hospice of Catawba County, following a period of declining health. Ruthven was born on February 20, 1937, in Burke County to the late Fred Beach and Cora Neidig Beach. He was a retired maintenance supervisor at Broughton Hospital and was a veteran...

Mar 7, 2025

Mr. Gary Dean Rash, 68, of Rhodhiss, passed away on Friday, March 7, 2025, at Amorem Hospice of Valdese, following a period of declining health. Gary was born on October 2, 1957, in Catawba County to Wilma Anderson Rash and the late Floyd Rash. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and was previously employed as a transporter...

Mar 6, 2025

Charles Wayne Terry, 83, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Thursday, March 6, 2025, following a motor vehicle accident.

Charles was born on May 11, 1941 in Burke County, a son of the late Earnest and Ruby Clarke Terry.  He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing.  He coached recreational basketball and football for many...

Mar 5, 2025

Sandra Dale Williams of Valdese, NC, passed away on March 5 th , 2025, after a period of declining health.

Sandy was born February 2, 1943, in Valdese, NC, a daughter of the late Dale Gilerath of Melbourne, FL, and Ermaline Pascal Gilerath of Valdese. She was enjoying retirement spending her time with her community activities, dancing...

Mar 5, 2025

Mr. Austin Michael Neece, 28, of Connelly Springs, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at his residence. Austin was born on July 24, 1996 in Burke County to Wesley Andrew Neece and Angel Deyton. He was currently employed as a roofer in the construction industry. Austin loved the outdoors, especially going to the mountains and the beach,...

Mar 3, 2025

Mrs. Sherry L. Frye, 73, of Connelly Springs, went Home to her Lord & Savior, on Monday, March 3, 2025, at Atrium Health CMC Charlotte, following a period of declining health. Sherry was born on November 24, 1951, in Burke County to the late Murphy Eugene Frye and Alma Newton Frye. She was previously employed as a school bus...

Mar 2, 2025

Beverly Diane Smith

March 26, 1958 – March 2, 2025

Beverly Diane “Bell” Smith, 66, of Morganton, passed away on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at UNC Health Blue Ridge of Morganton following a brief illness.

Beverly was born on March 26, 1958, in Cleveland County, a daughter of the late Jack...

Mar 2, 2025

Mrs. Kimberly Dawn Burns Carter, 41, of Connelly Springs, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 2, 2025.

Kimberly was born on July 9, 1983, in Burke County to Michael D. Burns and Nancy Church Burns.  She was a member of Lakeview Baptist Church and was employed as a supervisor with Valdese Weavers.  Kimberly was known by all...

Mar 1, 2025

Shirley Jean Mull

September 20, 1937 – March 1, 2025

Shirley Jean Canipe Mull, 87, of Morganton, NC, went home to be with her Lord on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at College Pines following a period of declining health.

Shirley was born on September 20, 1937 in Catawba County, a daughter...

Mar 1, 2025

Sylvia Smith Pennington, 62, passed away on March 1, 2025, of Morganton, North Carolina following a long battle with MS.

Sylvia was born February 10, 1963 in Burke County. Sylvia spent her life in the community she called home. She was known for her deep love of animals and cherished the companionship of her pets throughout the...

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...