Obituaries

Cora Lee Wilson Thomas

Jan 27, 2023

Cora Lee Wilson Thomas, 81, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away Friday, January 27, 2023 at her home.

She was born in Yancey County on August 25, 1941 to the late Lyda Wilson and Faye Dale Wilson.

Cora worked for many years as a registered nurse at Broughton Hospital where she retired. She enjoyed her flowers, gardening, and...

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Gary Dean Joy

Jan 27, 2023

Gary Dean Joy, age 83, of Morganton, passed away Friday January, 27, 2023 at Amorem Hospice in Valdese. He was born in Gosper County, Nebraska on February 15, 1939 to the late Donald Chester Joy and Vera Lola Bean Joy.

He graduated from Baylor University in 1961 and made his career in the bank insurance business in Houston, TX....

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Betty Sue Davis

Jan 27, 2023

Betty Sue Davis, 81, of Union Mills, passed away Friday, January 27, 2023 at her home surrounded by her family.

She was born in Old Fort on July 7, 1941 to the late Virgil and Ethel Mason Davis.

Betty was a caregiver at heart who cared for all of her family and friends including all nine of her...

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Mary Lee Wilson Lytle

Jan 26, 2023

Mary Lee Wilson Lytle, 86, of Old Fort, passed away Thursday, January 26, 2023 at Rose Hill Retirement Community.

She was born on February 15, 1936 to Robert “Bob” Francis Wilson and Sarah Elizabeth “Tiny” Wilson in Salisbury, NC. Mary Lee was the eldest child and the family lived in Spencer/Salisbury until Mary Lee was 11 years old. The...

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Michael Steven Lonon

Jan 26, 2023

Michael Steven Lonon

Age 62

August 2, 1960- January 26, 2023

Michael Steven Lonon``Steve”, age 62 of Marion, North Carolina, stepped into Glory to be with the Lord on Thursday January 26, 2023. Steve received a liver transplant in March of 2022, afterwards Steve suffered many complications, which left him spending a total of 262 days at Duke Medical...

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Norman "Bud" Vance Cox

Jan 26, 2023

Norman “Bud” Vance Cox, 94, of Marion, passed away on Thursday, January 26, 2023.

Norman was born in Fletcher NC, on April 8, 1928 to the late George V. Cox and Edna Ingle Cox.

Norman moved to Ashford in 1938, and had many stories about growing up in the area at a time when there were no telephones and...

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Emma June Testerman Goforth

Jan 25, 2023

Emma June Testerman Goforth, 89, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine.

She was born in Washington County Virginia on June 14, 1933 to the late Luther and Virginia Thomas Testerman.

Emma June retired from Baxter Healthcare. She enjoyed collecting recipes and cooking for her family and...

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Howard Eugene "Gene" Medford

Jan 23, 2023

Howard Eugene “Gene” Medford, 89, of Nebo, North Carolina, passed away Monday, January 23, 2023 at the Charles George VA Medical Center.

Gene was born to the late John Clifton Medford and the late Elizabeth Ruth Hollifield Medford on November 6, 1933 in McDowell County where he lived his entire life. He met his wife, Barbara Anne Medford whom...

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Ronald Russell Medders, Sr.

Jan 23, 2023

Ronald Russell Medders, Sr., 88, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away Monday, January 23, 2023 at CarePartners Hospice Solace Center in Asheville.

He was born in Anniston, Alabama on July 14, 1934 to the late William Russell Medders and Jewel Snow Medders.

Ron was a 1961 graduate of North Carolina State University. He remained an avid fan...

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Hazel Sue McCurry

Jan 22, 2023

Hazel Sue McCurry, 86, of Bostic, North Carolina, passed away Sunday, January 22, 2023 at her granddaughter’s residence in Ellenboro.

A native of Rutherford County, Hazel was born on May 8, 1936 to the late Eli and Lola McCurry.

Hazel was a lifelong homemaker. She was not only a mother to her own children but also to countless...

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Vanda Elaine Buchanan

Jan 21, 2023

Vanda Elaine Buchanan, age 73, of Elkins Road, Bakersville, NC went home to be with the Lord on January 21, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. Vanda was the daughter of the late Youles and Ruby Willis of Penland, NC.

Vanda attended Bowman High School. When she was a senior, she moved to Hickory, NC and graduated from Hickory High...

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Dixie Lee Branton

Jan 20, 2023

Dixie Lee Reece Branton, age 90, went to be with the Lord on Friday, January 20, 2023 at her residence. She was born in Lee County Iowa on February 20, 1932 the daughter of the late Louis Reece and Nettie Bowers Reece.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Marvin Edward Branton; two...

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Gerald Wayne Noblitt

Jan 20, 2023

Gerald Wayne Noblitt, 64, of Marion, passed away on Friday, January 20, 2023 at Johnson City Medical Center. Gerald was born on October 28, 1958 to the late Ray Noblitt and Patricia Parker. He enjoyed being outdoors, especially fishing and digging for gold. He also enjoyed NASCAR. Gerald never met a stranger. He was loved by his family and...

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Ronald Steven Lee

Jan 20, 2023

Ronald Steven Lee, 72, of Old Fort, passed away Friday, January 20, 2023, at Carolina Caring Hospice in Newton.

Ronald was born in Rutherford County, NC on February 12, 1950, to the late Clyde Jasper Lee and Mattie Kay Hicks Lee. He was an outdoorsman with a green thumb who enjoyed planting and arranging flowers. Ronald enjoyed...

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Jerry Mac Webb

Jan 19, 2023

Jerry Mac Webb, 72, of Newland, passed away Thursday, January 19, 2023 at his son’s residence in Spruce Pine.

Jerry was born in Avery County, NC on April 28, 1950 to Dorothy Webb McKinney and the late Roy Jones. Jerry loved cars and was a Mustang enthusiast. He was a very kind hearted man who loved his...

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Sue Branch Rose

Jan 18, 2023

Sue Branch Rose, 85, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at her home with her family by her side.

She was born in the Grassy Creek Community on September 16, 1937 to the late Albert and Judy Biddix Branch. Her husband, Jim Rose, also precedes her in death; along with three children, Randy Rose, Sheila...

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Geretha Coyt Murray "Gerri" Byrd

Jan 16, 2023

Geretha Coyt Murray “Gerri” Byrd, 79, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away Monday, January 16, 2023.

A native of McDowell County, she was born November 25, 1943 to the late Coyt and Louise Murray.

Gerri loved her church family including Sunday School Class – Bethany - and spending time with her family whether it be at the beach,...

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Wetzel Samuel Hampton

Jan 16, 2023

Wetzel Samuel Hampton, 61, of Nebo, North Carolina, passed away at his residence on Monday, January 16, 2023.

A native of Gaston County, Wetzel was born April 20, 1961 to the late Calvin Hampton and Vivian Sutton Hampton.

Wetzel was formerly employed in construction. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish. He enjoyed learning...

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Loretta Jane Causby

Jan 16, 2023

Loretta Jane Causby, 74, of Marion, passed away Monday, January 16, 2023, at McDowell Hospital.

Loretta was born in McDowell County, NC on April 12, 1948, to the late Jay Horace Causby and Mildred Irene Freeman Causby. Loretta was a member of New Horizon Baptist Fellowship Church. She loved music and enjoyed puzzles and art. Loretta was...

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Thomas Leroy Smith

Jan 16, 2023

Thomas Leroy Smith, 72, of Old Fort, North Carolina, passed away Monday, January 16, 2023 at Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville.

He was born on July 17, 1950 in Jackson, Michigan to the late Robert Smith and Margaret Anders.

Tom, who was also known by many as Big Tom, was a veteran of the United States...

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