Obituaries
Amanda Brooke Williams
Jul 20, 2026
Amanda Brooke Williams, age 43, of Valdese, passed away on July 20, 2026. She was born in Burke county on November 15, 1982 to the late Ricky and Sherry Benfield.
Amanda enjoyed crafting and being outdoors. She was preceeded in death by her two daughters Elizabeth Honeycutt and Meadow Williams; her grandparents, Micky Benfield, Tom Benfield and Geraldine Cooper.
She is survived...
James Wesley Henry
Jul 26, 2026
James Wesley Henry, 46, of Morganton, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 26, 2026.
He was born in Burke County on November 15, 1979. James served honorably in the United States Army for four years. During his period of service, he worked at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. James had a passion for cars and motorcycles. He will be remembered...
Rickey Dan Branch
Aug 13, 2026
Mr. Rickey Dan Branch, age 54, of Old Fort, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, August 13 2026 at his residence. He was born on September 17, 1971 to the late Ernest Dan Branch and Lucy Forbes Blevins.
Rickey was known as a hard working man who loved the Lord. He had a special way of finding those...
Dor Jeong
Aug 13, 2026
Dor Jeong, 90, of Marion, formerly of New York, NY, passed away Thursday, August 13, 2026, at her residence.
Dor was born in Staten Island, NY on March 5, 1936, to the late Gow Shee and Gong Jeong. She spent most of her life in the Chinatown neighborhood of Manhattan. Dor was a member of the Lions...
Moises Baez Avalos
Aug 13, 2026
Moises Baez Avalos, age 53, passed away peacefully at his residence on Thursday, August 13, 2026.
Born on October 4, 1972, he was the son of Deltino Baez and the late Paula Avalos Baez.
Moises worked at painters greenhouse. He enjoyed spending time outdoors, especially hiking and kayaking. He was also known for enjoying a good cup of black coffee.
In addition to...
Margaret Katherine Edwards Pack
Aug 13, 2026
Margaret Katherine Edwards Pack, 95, of Nebo, was received in the loving arms of Jesus on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at UNC Healthcare Blue Ridge in Morganton.
Margaret was born in McDowell County, NC on October 13, 1930 to the late Beatrice Reel Edwards. She was married to her husband of 58 years, Walter Fred Pack, who...
Brian Earl Gordon
Aug 11, 2026
The Scripture from Ecclesiastes 3:2-8 speaks of “A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.”
Brian was born Dec 20,1951 in Ft. Benning, GA, to Francis Bernard Gordon and Margaret Elaine Raff Gordon. He died at Elizabeth House Hospice Facility, North Carolina on August 11,...
Jay Gaston Dover
Aug 11, 2026
Jay Gaston Dover, 85, passed away, Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at The CarePartners Solace Center in Asheville.
Jay was born in McDowell County on September 1, 1940, to the late Harry Dover and Catherine Williams Dover. He is also preceded in death by his wife, of 35 years Margaret Young Dover and his siblings, William Dover, Donna Lou Dover Wilson, and...
Bruce Wayne Hollifield
Aug 11, 2026
Bruce Wayne Hollifield, age 78, of Pleasant Hill Estates in Marion, passed away Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at his home.
Born on December 2, 1947 in McDowell County, he was the son of the late Starling and Elsie Buchanan Hollifield. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Lois Ann Owensby Hollifield who passed away...
Krystal Dawn Jackson
Aug 10, 2026
In Loving Memory of Krystal Dawn JacksonKrystal Jackson passed away on August 10, 2026, at the age of 38. Her unexpected passing leaves a tremendous loss in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.Krystal was born on October 18, 1987 in Marion, NC to Joe and Bonnie Hicks. She spent her life caring about her family, cooking, taking...
Tammy Jean Story Drake
Aug 10, 2026
Tammy Jean Story Drake, 62, of Morganton, passed away Monday, August 10, 2026 at her residence.
She was born in Guilford County, North Carolina on October 10, 1963 to Mary Elizabeth Smith Story and the late Robert Story.
Tammy was a woman of many interests. She was very creative and enjoyed making crafts and arranging beautiful flowers. She also loved fishing. Her...
Sharon Danielle Bailey
Aug 9, 2026
Sharon Danielle Bailey, 44, of Marion, passed away Sunday, August 9, 2026, at UNC Healthcare Blue Ridge in Morganton.
Sharon was born in Burke County, NC, on October 2, 1981, to Ricky Allen Bailey and the late Linda Gail Lawing Bailey. Sharon was a free spirit with a fun-loving personality. She loved to smile and was known...
Maxine Duncan Padgett
Aug 9, 2026
Maxine Padgett, 91, of Marion, passed away on Sunday, August 9, 2026 at Mountain Ridge Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Maxine was one of 14 children. She was born on May 27, 1935 to the late Jasper Duncan and Docia Webb Duncan. She is also preceded in death by her husband, Danny Padgett; her brothers, Warren, James, Robert and Jack Duncan; her...
Danny Shane Davis
Aug 7, 2026
Mr. Danny Shane Davis, age 56, of Marion, passed away, Friday August 7, 2026. He was born in McDowell county on August 25, 1969 and was the son of Charles and Mary Smith Davis. Danny was preceded in death by his sister Rebecca Davis.
Danny loved the outdoors, when he was able he loved hunting and fishing. His hobbies also included...
Lionel "Lonnie" William Putnam
Aug 5, 2026
Lonnie was born in Dubuque, Iowa to Lorna Hill Putnam and Lionel Thomas Putnam on July 13, 1945. At the end of World War II Lonnie's parents moved to Rutherfordton, N.C. where he was raised.
Lonnie graduated from R.S. Central High School and then attended Gardner Webb College and then graduated from The Basic Law Enforcement Training at The Institute of...
Billy Ray Miller
Aug 5, 2026
Billy Ray Miller, 64, of Nebo, passed away Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at the Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.
Billy was born in Yancey County, NC, on March 28, 1962, to Rosalee Hyleman and the late Jay Lloyd Miller. He was married to his wife of 27 years, Elizabeth Ann Caraway Miller. Billy was a...
Scott Robert Ryan
Aug 5, 2026
Scott Robert Ryan, 67, of Morganton, passed away Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at his residence.
Scott was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, on August 1, 1959, to the late Barbara June Bruce and La Moine Ryan. He attended Denton’s Chapel in Morganton and was a dedicated fan of the UNC Tarheels and San Francisco 49ers. Scott loved all...
John Michael Fussell
Aug 5, 2026
John Michael Fussell, age 72, of Coxes Creek Church Road in Marion, went to be with his Lord on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at his home.
Born on November 19, 1953 at Fort Benning, GA, he was the son of the late Jarman Levine Fussell and Dorothy Davis Fussell who still survives. John had lived in McDowell for the past eleven...
Charles Howard Ray
Aug 4, 2026
Charles Howard Ray, known fondly by those around him for his warmth, humor, and spirited love of life, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2026, at UNC Blue Ridge in Morganton. Born on November 22, 1940, in McDowell County, Charles lived a full life that touched the hearts of many.
Charles will be deeply missed by his family, who were central...
Jackie Eugene Edwards, Sr.
Aug 4, 2026
Jackie Eugene Edwards Sr passed away on Tuesday August 4, 2026, peacefully at his home in Spruce Pine with his loving wife of twenty-eight years Sheila Edwards by his side.
Born August 18, 1943 in Greensboro, North Carolina to the late William Edgar and Eva Myrtle Edwards. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by brothers; Leroy, Bob,...
Amanda Brooke Williams
Jul 20, 2026
Amanda Brooke Williams, age 43, of Valdese, passed away on July 20, 2026. She was born in Burke county on November 15, 1982 to the late Ricky and Sherry Benfield.
Amanda enjoyed crafting and being outdoors. She was preceeded in death by her two daughters Elizabeth Honeycutt and Meadow Williams; her grandparents, Micky Benfield, Tom Benfield and Geraldine Cooper.
She is survived...
James Wesley Henry
Jul 26, 2026
James Wesley Henry, 46, of Morganton, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 26, 2026.
He was born in Burke County on November 15, 1979. James served honorably in the United States Army for four years. During his period of service, he worked at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. James had a passion for cars and motorcycles. He will be remembered...
Rickey Dan Branch
Aug 13, 2026
Mr. Rickey Dan Branch, age 54, of Old Fort, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, August 13 2026 at his residence. He was born on September 17, 1971 to the late Ernest Dan Branch and Lucy Forbes Blevins.
Rickey was known as a hard working man who loved the Lord. He had a special way of finding those...
Dor Jeong
Aug 13, 2026
Dor Jeong, 90, of Marion, formerly of New York, NY, passed away Thursday, August 13, 2026, at her residence.
Dor was born in Staten Island, NY on March 5, 1936, to the late Gow Shee and Gong Jeong. She spent most of her life in the Chinatown neighborhood of Manhattan. Dor was a member of the Lions...
Moises Baez Avalos
Aug 13, 2026
Moises Baez Avalos, age 53, passed away peacefully at his residence on Thursday, August 13, 2026.
Born on October 4, 1972, he was the son of Deltino Baez and the late Paula Avalos Baez.
Moises worked at painters greenhouse. He enjoyed spending time outdoors, especially hiking and kayaking. He was also known for enjoying a good cup of black coffee.
In addition to...
Margaret Katherine Edwards Pack
Aug 13, 2026
Margaret Katherine Edwards Pack, 95, of Nebo, was received in the loving arms of Jesus on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at UNC Healthcare Blue Ridge in Morganton.
Margaret was born in McDowell County, NC on October 13, 1930 to the late Beatrice Reel Edwards. She was married to her husband of 58 years, Walter Fred Pack, who...
Brian Earl Gordon
Aug 11, 2026
The Scripture from Ecclesiastes 3:2-8 speaks of “A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.”
Brian was born Dec 20,1951 in Ft. Benning, GA, to Francis Bernard Gordon and Margaret Elaine Raff Gordon. He died at Elizabeth House Hospice Facility, North Carolina on August 11,...
Jay Gaston Dover
Aug 11, 2026
Jay Gaston Dover, 85, passed away, Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at The CarePartners Solace Center in Asheville.
Jay was born in McDowell County on September 1, 1940, to the late Harry Dover and Catherine Williams Dover. He is also preceded in death by his wife, of 35 years Margaret Young Dover and his siblings, William Dover, Donna Lou Dover Wilson, and...
Bruce Wayne Hollifield
Aug 11, 2026
Bruce Wayne Hollifield, age 78, of Pleasant Hill Estates in Marion, passed away Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at his home.
Born on December 2, 1947 in McDowell County, he was the son of the late Starling and Elsie Buchanan Hollifield. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Lois Ann Owensby Hollifield who passed away...
Krystal Dawn Jackson
Aug 10, 2026
In Loving Memory of Krystal Dawn JacksonKrystal Jackson passed away on August 10, 2026, at the age of 38. Her unexpected passing leaves a tremendous loss in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.Krystal was born on October 18, 1987 in Marion, NC to Joe and Bonnie Hicks. She spent her life caring about her family, cooking, taking...
Tammy Jean Story Drake
Aug 10, 2026
Tammy Jean Story Drake, 62, of Morganton, passed away Monday, August 10, 2026 at her residence.
She was born in Guilford County, North Carolina on October 10, 1963 to Mary Elizabeth Smith Story and the late Robert Story.
Tammy was a woman of many interests. She was very creative and enjoyed making crafts and arranging beautiful flowers. She also loved fishing. Her...
Sharon Danielle Bailey
Aug 9, 2026
Sharon Danielle Bailey, 44, of Marion, passed away Sunday, August 9, 2026, at UNC Healthcare Blue Ridge in Morganton.
Sharon was born in Burke County, NC, on October 2, 1981, to Ricky Allen Bailey and the late Linda Gail Lawing Bailey. Sharon was a free spirit with a fun-loving personality. She loved to smile and was known...
Maxine Duncan Padgett
Aug 9, 2026
Maxine Padgett, 91, of Marion, passed away on Sunday, August 9, 2026 at Mountain Ridge Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Maxine was one of 14 children. She was born on May 27, 1935 to the late Jasper Duncan and Docia Webb Duncan. She is also preceded in death by her husband, Danny Padgett; her brothers, Warren, James, Robert and Jack Duncan; her...
Danny Shane Davis
Aug 7, 2026
Mr. Danny Shane Davis, age 56, of Marion, passed away, Friday August 7, 2026. He was born in McDowell county on August 25, 1969 and was the son of Charles and Mary Smith Davis. Danny was preceded in death by his sister Rebecca Davis.
Danny loved the outdoors, when he was able he loved hunting and fishing. His hobbies also included...
Lionel "Lonnie" William Putnam
Aug 5, 2026
Lonnie was born in Dubuque, Iowa to Lorna Hill Putnam and Lionel Thomas Putnam on July 13, 1945. At the end of World War II Lonnie's parents moved to Rutherfordton, N.C. where he was raised.
Lonnie graduated from R.S. Central High School and then attended Gardner Webb College and then graduated from The Basic Law Enforcement Training at The Institute of...
Billy Ray Miller
Aug 5, 2026
Billy Ray Miller, 64, of Nebo, passed away Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at the Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.
Billy was born in Yancey County, NC, on March 28, 1962, to Rosalee Hyleman and the late Jay Lloyd Miller. He was married to his wife of 27 years, Elizabeth Ann Caraway Miller. Billy was a...
Scott Robert Ryan
Aug 5, 2026
Scott Robert Ryan, 67, of Morganton, passed away Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at his residence.
Scott was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, on August 1, 1959, to the late Barbara June Bruce and La Moine Ryan. He attended Denton’s Chapel in Morganton and was a dedicated fan of the UNC Tarheels and San Francisco 49ers. Scott loved all...
John Michael Fussell
Aug 5, 2026
John Michael Fussell, age 72, of Coxes Creek Church Road in Marion, went to be with his Lord on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at his home.
Born on November 19, 1953 at Fort Benning, GA, he was the son of the late Jarman Levine Fussell and Dorothy Davis Fussell who still survives. John had lived in McDowell for the past eleven...
Charles Howard Ray
Aug 4, 2026
Charles Howard Ray, known fondly by those around him for his warmth, humor, and spirited love of life, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2026, at UNC Blue Ridge in Morganton. Born on November 22, 1940, in McDowell County, Charles lived a full life that touched the hearts of many.
Charles will be deeply missed by his family, who were central...
Jackie Eugene Edwards, Sr.
Aug 4, 2026
Jackie Eugene Edwards Sr passed away on Tuesday August 4, 2026, peacefully at his home in Spruce Pine with his loving wife of twenty-eight years Sheila Edwards by his side.
Born August 18, 1943 in Greensboro, North Carolina to the late William Edgar and Eva Myrtle Edwards. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by brothers; Leroy, Bob,...
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