Obituaries
Frankie Lane Milliken
Feb 24, 2023
Frankie Lane Milliken, 73, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 24th, 2023, after a courageous battle with ALS. He was a graduate of West Columbus High School, Class of ’67.
He was drafted into the US Army and served from 1969-1971 in Vietnam and Germany.
Frankie grew up on a tobacco farm in Eastern North Carolina learning the importance...
Donald Jacob Hilzendager
Feb 23, 2023
Donald Jacob Hilzendager, 59, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away Thursday, February 23, 2023 at Baptist Hospital after a brief battle with stage IV pancreatic cancer.
A native of Summerville, South Carolina, Donnie was born February 20, 1964 to Donald Jacob Hilzendager and Dorothy Kain Hilzendager.
Donnie owned and operated DLH Global for 25 years and was talented...
Michael Douglas Varnadore
Feb 23, 2023
Michael Douglas Varnadore, 63, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away Thursday, February 23, 2023 at Mission Hospital McDowell.
A native of South Carolina, Doug was born July 18, 1959 to the late Edward Blair Varnadore and Jean Sutton Varnadore.
He worked in carpentry and served in the United States Army. Doug was a member of First Free Will...
Gary Keith Rockett
Feb 23, 2023
Gary Keith Rockett, 80, of Nebo, North Carolina, passed away Thursday, February 23, 2023 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.
He was born in Morganton on August 3, 1942 to the late Ned Riddle Rockett and Sarah Melton Rockett.
Gary graduated from Pleasant Gardens High School in 1960 and went on to Western Carolina University where he graduated in...
Rebecca "Becky" Lynn Bowman
Feb 23, 2023
Rebecca “Becky” Lynn Bowman, age 57, of Old Fort, passed away Thursday, February, 23, 2023 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.
She was born in McDowell County on October 31, 1965 to the late Billy Dean Bowman and Gladys Lynn Reel Bowman.
Those left to cherish her memory include her mother, Gladys Bowman of Marion: brother, Jeff Bowman (Katie) of...
Ruth Ellen Smith McKinney
Feb 22, 2023
Ruth Ellen Smith McKinney, 66, of Marion, passed away at her residence on Wednesday, February 22, 2023. Ruth was born on July 4, 1956 to the late Cloyd Vestal Smith and Jennie Gurley Smith. She is also preceded in death by her granddaughter, Kayla Bowling and three brothers, Rex Smith, Buddy Smith and Tommy Smith.
Ruth was known as a...
Donna Dees Harris
Feb 22, 2023
Donna Dees Harris, age 63 of Morganton, formerly of Old Fort, passed away Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at her residence. *Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8*
Donna was born on Thursday, August 27th, 1959, in McDowell County. She was the youngest child of the late Elmer B. Dees and Gladys Sherrill Dees. She was a 1977 graduate of McDowell...
Terrance Arthur Kincaid, Sr.
Feb 22, 2023
Terrance Arthur Kincaid, Sr., 58 of Marion passed away Wednesday, February 22, 2023.
Terrance was born in McDowell County, on March 20, 1964 to Maxine Logan Kincaid and the late Bobby Joe Kincaid. He was a loving son, father, uncle, grandfather and brother. Terrance was an avid Raiders fan. He enjoyed sports, cooking and spending time with his family....
Sharon Phillips Smith
Feb 21, 2023
Sharon Phillips Smith, 74, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away Tuesday morning, February 21, 2023 at UNC Health Blue Ridge in Morganton.
A native of Gastonia, Sharon was born August 11, 1948 to the late Conrad Mack Phillips and Rosa Lee Chesney Phillips.
Sharon was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church of Marion where she served...
Ruth Marie Hood Johnson
Feb 19, 2023
Ruth Marie Hood Johnson, age 93, of Edgefield, SC passed away on February 19, 2023.
Ruth was born in April 1929 in Edgefield, SC. She married Ralph Johnson in 1947. The family business moved them from Edgefield, SC to Jacksonville, FL; Toccoa, GA; and ultimately back to Edgefield. Ruth was the President of her Garden Club in Jacksonville, and a member...
Connie Kay Stroupe Hurt
Feb 19, 2023
Connie Kay Stroupe Hurt, 67, of Old Fort, North Carolina, passed away Sunday, February 19, 2023 at her home.
Connie was born February 14, 1956 to Vera Bailey Stroupe and the late Robert Samuel Stroupe.
She worked for many years in manufacturing, and she worked the longest at Ethan Allen. She loved her family and friends, especially...
Susie McClure Webb
Feb 19, 2023
Susie McClure Webb, 70, of Morganton, North Carolina, passed away Sunday, February 19, 2023 at her home.
A native of McDowell County, she was born January 31, 1953 to the late Roby Clarence McClure and Jennie Lee Blackwell McClure. She is also preceded in death by a brother, Russell McClure.
Susie worked as a caregiver for most of...
Helen Lucille Fender
Feb 17, 2023
Helen Lucille Greer Fender, age 88, passed away February 17, 2023 at Mountain Ridge Wellness Center. She was born September 8, 1934 to the late Frank Hill Greer and Bonnie Jones Greer. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Junior Greer.
Lucille was a member of the Fairview Free Will Baptist Church. She...
Helen Faye Mathis Ramsey
Feb 15, 2023
Helen Ramsey from Marion, North Carolina, peacefully joined her Lord and Savior Wednesday, February 15, 2023. She was surrounded by her loving family as they gathered around her.
Helen was born November 27, 1937, in Sallisaw, Oklahoma, to Thomas Jefferson and Nadine Matthews Mathis. She was preceded in death by her parents; and eight siblings.
Helen is survived by three...
Carroll Edward Kirkpatrick
Feb 14, 2023
On February 14, 2023, at the age of 67, Heaven called home His faithful servant, Carroll Edward Kirkpatrick, after a brief, albeit wearisome, battle with cancer.
Born in Marion in 1956, Carroll grew up in McDowell County, graduated from McDowell High School, and left home to serve the United States Army. He later met and married his sweetheart Donna...
Harvey Cleveland Smith
Feb 14, 2023
Harvey Cleveland Smith, 77, of Old Fort, North Carolina, passed away Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.
He was born in Newport News, Virginia on December 29, 1945 to the late Theodore Roosevelt Smith and Dorothy Davis Smith. He is also preceded in death by a sister, Frances Smith.
Harvey worked for many years...
Jane Ellen Jarrett Bibbee
Feb 13, 2023
On the evening of February 13th, 2023, Jane Ellen Jarrett Bibbee, 83, of Marion, NC, passed away after a prolonged battle with dementia. She died at her home surrounded by her loving husband and daughters. A native of Charleston, WV, Jane Ellen was born on July 7th, 1939, to the late Thornton Jackson Jarrett and Margaret Irene Tully Jarrett....
Jack Eugene Silver
Feb 13, 2023
On Monday afternoon, February 13, 2023, Jack Eugene Silver, 65, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away unexpectedly at his home.
A native of Marion, Jack was born August 12, 1957 to the late Carl Eugene Silver and Mary Ruth Lane Silver.
Jack was a true jack of all trades. He worked in construction all his life and was...
Lillian Mae Wyatt Roland
Feb 12, 2023
Lillian Mae Wyatt Roland, 96, of Nebo, North Carolina, passed away Sunday evening, February 12, 2023 at her home.
She was born March 2, 1926 to the late Walter and Evelyn Wright Wyatt.
Lillian was a member of Trinity Hill Free Will Baptist Church. She was a faithful pastor’s wife and a loving mother and grandmother. She enjoyed...
Victor Baron Conley
Feb 11, 2023
Victor Baron Conley, 61, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, February 11, 2023 at his home.
He was born May 23, 1961 to the late Vance Conley, Jr. and Doris Borders Conley.
Victor was a veteran of the United States Army. He worked in several manufacturing plants over the years and finished his career in the...
Frankie Lane Milliken
Feb 24, 2023
Frankie Lane Milliken, 73, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 24th, 2023, after a courageous battle with ALS. He was a graduate of West Columbus High School, Class of ’67.
He was drafted into the US Army and served from 1969-1971 in Vietnam and Germany.
Frankie grew up on a tobacco farm in Eastern North Carolina learning the importance...
Donald Jacob Hilzendager
Feb 23, 2023
Donald Jacob Hilzendager, 59, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away Thursday, February 23, 2023 at Baptist Hospital after a brief battle with stage IV pancreatic cancer.
A native of Summerville, South Carolina, Donnie was born February 20, 1964 to Donald Jacob Hilzendager and Dorothy Kain Hilzendager.
Donnie owned and operated DLH Global for 25 years and was talented...
Michael Douglas Varnadore
Feb 23, 2023
Michael Douglas Varnadore, 63, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away Thursday, February 23, 2023 at Mission Hospital McDowell.
A native of South Carolina, Doug was born July 18, 1959 to the late Edward Blair Varnadore and Jean Sutton Varnadore.
He worked in carpentry and served in the United States Army. Doug was a member of First Free Will...
Gary Keith Rockett
Feb 23, 2023
Gary Keith Rockett, 80, of Nebo, North Carolina, passed away Thursday, February 23, 2023 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.
He was born in Morganton on August 3, 1942 to the late Ned Riddle Rockett and Sarah Melton Rockett.
Gary graduated from Pleasant Gardens High School in 1960 and went on to Western Carolina University where he graduated in...
Rebecca "Becky" Lynn Bowman
Feb 23, 2023
Rebecca “Becky” Lynn Bowman, age 57, of Old Fort, passed away Thursday, February, 23, 2023 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.
She was born in McDowell County on October 31, 1965 to the late Billy Dean Bowman and Gladys Lynn Reel Bowman.
Those left to cherish her memory include her mother, Gladys Bowman of Marion: brother, Jeff Bowman (Katie) of...
Ruth Ellen Smith McKinney
Feb 22, 2023
Ruth Ellen Smith McKinney, 66, of Marion, passed away at her residence on Wednesday, February 22, 2023. Ruth was born on July 4, 1956 to the late Cloyd Vestal Smith and Jennie Gurley Smith. She is also preceded in death by her granddaughter, Kayla Bowling and three brothers, Rex Smith, Buddy Smith and Tommy Smith.
Ruth was known as a...
Donna Dees Harris
Feb 22, 2023
Donna Dees Harris, age 63 of Morganton, formerly of Old Fort, passed away Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at her residence. *Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8*
Donna was born on Thursday, August 27th, 1959, in McDowell County. She was the youngest child of the late Elmer B. Dees and Gladys Sherrill Dees. She was a 1977 graduate of McDowell...
Terrance Arthur Kincaid, Sr.
Feb 22, 2023
Terrance Arthur Kincaid, Sr., 58 of Marion passed away Wednesday, February 22, 2023.
Terrance was born in McDowell County, on March 20, 1964 to Maxine Logan Kincaid and the late Bobby Joe Kincaid. He was a loving son, father, uncle, grandfather and brother. Terrance was an avid Raiders fan. He enjoyed sports, cooking and spending time with his family....
Sharon Phillips Smith
Feb 21, 2023
Sharon Phillips Smith, 74, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away Tuesday morning, February 21, 2023 at UNC Health Blue Ridge in Morganton.
A native of Gastonia, Sharon was born August 11, 1948 to the late Conrad Mack Phillips and Rosa Lee Chesney Phillips.
Sharon was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church of Marion where she served...
Ruth Marie Hood Johnson
Feb 19, 2023
Ruth Marie Hood Johnson, age 93, of Edgefield, SC passed away on February 19, 2023.
Ruth was born in April 1929 in Edgefield, SC. She married Ralph Johnson in 1947. The family business moved them from Edgefield, SC to Jacksonville, FL; Toccoa, GA; and ultimately back to Edgefield. Ruth was the President of her Garden Club in Jacksonville, and a member...
Connie Kay Stroupe Hurt
Feb 19, 2023
Connie Kay Stroupe Hurt, 67, of Old Fort, North Carolina, passed away Sunday, February 19, 2023 at her home.
Connie was born February 14, 1956 to Vera Bailey Stroupe and the late Robert Samuel Stroupe.
She worked for many years in manufacturing, and she worked the longest at Ethan Allen. She loved her family and friends, especially...
Susie McClure Webb
Feb 19, 2023
Susie McClure Webb, 70, of Morganton, North Carolina, passed away Sunday, February 19, 2023 at her home.
A native of McDowell County, she was born January 31, 1953 to the late Roby Clarence McClure and Jennie Lee Blackwell McClure. She is also preceded in death by a brother, Russell McClure.
Susie worked as a caregiver for most of...
Helen Lucille Fender
Feb 17, 2023
Helen Lucille Greer Fender, age 88, passed away February 17, 2023 at Mountain Ridge Wellness Center. She was born September 8, 1934 to the late Frank Hill Greer and Bonnie Jones Greer. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Junior Greer.
Lucille was a member of the Fairview Free Will Baptist Church. She...
Helen Faye Mathis Ramsey
Feb 15, 2023
Helen Ramsey from Marion, North Carolina, peacefully joined her Lord and Savior Wednesday, February 15, 2023. She was surrounded by her loving family as they gathered around her.
Helen was born November 27, 1937, in Sallisaw, Oklahoma, to Thomas Jefferson and Nadine Matthews Mathis. She was preceded in death by her parents; and eight siblings.
Helen is survived by three...
Carroll Edward Kirkpatrick
Feb 14, 2023
On February 14, 2023, at the age of 67, Heaven called home His faithful servant, Carroll Edward Kirkpatrick, after a brief, albeit wearisome, battle with cancer.
Born in Marion in 1956, Carroll grew up in McDowell County, graduated from McDowell High School, and left home to serve the United States Army. He later met and married his sweetheart Donna...
Harvey Cleveland Smith
Feb 14, 2023
Harvey Cleveland Smith, 77, of Old Fort, North Carolina, passed away Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.
He was born in Newport News, Virginia on December 29, 1945 to the late Theodore Roosevelt Smith and Dorothy Davis Smith. He is also preceded in death by a sister, Frances Smith.
Harvey worked for many years...
Jane Ellen Jarrett Bibbee
Feb 13, 2023
On the evening of February 13th, 2023, Jane Ellen Jarrett Bibbee, 83, of Marion, NC, passed away after a prolonged battle with dementia. She died at her home surrounded by her loving husband and daughters. A native of Charleston, WV, Jane Ellen was born on July 7th, 1939, to the late Thornton Jackson Jarrett and Margaret Irene Tully Jarrett....
Jack Eugene Silver
Feb 13, 2023
On Monday afternoon, February 13, 2023, Jack Eugene Silver, 65, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away unexpectedly at his home.
A native of Marion, Jack was born August 12, 1957 to the late Carl Eugene Silver and Mary Ruth Lane Silver.
Jack was a true jack of all trades. He worked in construction all his life and was...
Lillian Mae Wyatt Roland
Feb 12, 2023
Lillian Mae Wyatt Roland, 96, of Nebo, North Carolina, passed away Sunday evening, February 12, 2023 at her home.
She was born March 2, 1926 to the late Walter and Evelyn Wright Wyatt.
Lillian was a member of Trinity Hill Free Will Baptist Church. She was a faithful pastor’s wife and a loving mother and grandmother. She enjoyed...
Victor Baron Conley
Feb 11, 2023
Victor Baron Conley, 61, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, February 11, 2023 at his home.
He was born May 23, 1961 to the late Vance Conley, Jr. and Doris Borders Conley.
Victor was a veteran of the United States Army. He worked in several manufacturing plants over the years and finished his career in the...
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