Obituaries
Lois Ann Rabb
Aug 30, 2026
Lois Ann Ollis Whittington Rabb, 95, of Marion, NC passed away Sunday, August 30, 2026 at her residence. She was born on December 31, 1930 in Avery County to the late Walter Brownlow Ollis & Bertha Julian Ollis. She was preceded in death by two husbands, Tom C. Whittington & Guy C. Rabb, five siblings, Alberta Connell, Ray Ollis, Ludella...
Pearl Bailey Reid
Aug 30, 2026
Pearl Bailey Reid, 96 of Marion passed into the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, on the morning of August 30, 2026 with her family by her side.
Pearl was born in Mitchell County on September 29, 1929 to the late John and Pansy Canipe Bailey.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Ervin Reid, Jr....
Gary Dale Hamby
Aug 29, 2026
Gary Dale Hamby, age 69, passed away peacefully at his residence on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
Born on September 8, 1956, he was the son of the late Theodore Hamby and Betty Smith Hamby. In addition to his parents, Gary was preceded in death by his brother, Rick Hamby.
Gary enjoyed music and found great joy in playing the guitar and singing....
Gwyn Doyle Baker
Aug 28, 2026
Mr. Gwyn Doyle Baker, 63, of Morganton, passed away Friday, August 28, 2026.
Arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced once finalized.
Sheila Beth Holsonback Gamoneda
Aug 28, 2026
Sheila Beth Holsonback Gamoneda, 51, of Marion, passed away Friday, August 28, 2026 at Mission Hospital McDowell.
A native of Plant City, Florida, Sheila was born on April 24, 1975 to the late Carlos Holsonback, Jr. and Dora Spencer Holsonback.
An avid reader, Sheila had a passion for books. She owned and operated her own book store for a number of years....
Charlotte Bernice Wilson
Aug 26, 2026
Charlotte Bernice Ballew Wilson, passed away on August 26, 2026, at the age of 88. She was born on March 20, 1938, in Yancey County. She was the daughter of the late Albert Ballew and Olamae Robison Ballew Collins.
Charlotte will be remembered as a woman who dearly loved her family and found great joy in caring for those around her....
Bobbie Stallings Dodson
Aug 26, 2026
Bobbie Stallings Dodson, 89, of Spruce Pine, passed away on August 26, 2026, at Mission Hospital.
Bobbie was born on December 9, 1936, in Homestead, Florida, to the late Marlowe and Bonnie Stallings. Growing up as the daughter of a commercial farmer, she spent her childhood dividing her time between Homestead, FL and Hickory, North Carolina.
After graduating from South Dade High...
Thomas Dean Hensley, Jr.
Aug 25, 2026
Thomas Dean Hensley, Jr., 60 of Morganton, NC, passed away at Memorial Mission in Asheville, on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
Thomas was born in McDowell County on November 15, 1965 to the late Thomas Dean Hensley, Sr. and Naomi Jean Gouge Hensley.
Thomas enjoyed junk collecting and motorcycles. A lot of his time was spent doing mechanic work and repairing small engines....
Mable Ruth Lavender
Aug 24, 2026
Mable Ruth Lavender left this world peacefully on August 24, 2026 at Mountain Ridge Health and Rehab surrounded by her family at the age of 93.
She was born May 5, 1933 to the late Rev. Grady Fender and Sadie Fender.
Ruth retired from a career in manufacturing. She had a great love for gardening, mowing her grass, and watching her hummingbirds.
In...
Barbara Black Silver
Aug 24, 2026
Barbara Black Silver, age 91, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 24, 2026, at the Solace Center in Buncombe County.
Born on July 1, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Black and Ida McCanless Black. In addition to her parents, Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Don Silver; two brothers; and four sisters.
Barbara enjoyed reading, spending...
Rebecca "Jane" Shiflet Jimeson
Aug 23, 2026
Rebecca Jane Shiflet Jimeson, 90, of Marion, passed away Sunday, August 23, 2026 at The Greens of Spruce Pine.
She was born in McDowell County on November 13, 1935 to the late William Shiflet and Ermon McConnell Shiflet.
Jane attended Garden Creek Baptist Church where she enjoyed worshipping and singing. Known as a wonderful cook, Jane also enjoyed crafts and word searches....
Clarence Franklin Poole
Aug 23, 2026
Clarence Franklin Poole, 76, of Marion, passed away Sunday, August 23, 2026 at his residence.
He was born in Lexington, North Carolina on July 22, 1950. He worked at Collins & Aikman, now Auria, for many years. He honorably served in the United States Army.
Clarence was preceded in death by a grandson, Tyler Poole.
Those left to cherish his memory are his...
Pamela Jean Virgin Smith
Aug 22, 2026
Pamela Jean Virgin Smith, 56, of Old Fort, passed away unexpectedly at her residence on the morning of Saturday, August 22, 2026.
She was born in Concord, New Hampshire on April 22, 1970 to the late Daniel James Virgin and Dona Marie Marion Virgin. A grandchild, Hunter, and a sister, Cathy Virgin, also preceded her in death.
Pamela formerly worked in a...
Georgia Davis Presnell
Aug 22, 2026
Georgia Davis Presnell, age 100, of Marion, passed away Saturday, August 22, 2026 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.
A native of Avery County, she was born April 16, 1926 to the late Ed Davis and Laura McMahan Davis.
Georgia retired from a career in manufacturing. She had a great love for flowers of all kinds and working in her garden. She loved...
Alan Byrne Tinney
Aug 21, 2026
Alan Byrne Tinney, age 70, of Conley Ridge Road in Bakersville passed away peacefully on Friday, August 21, 2026, at his home.
Born on March 26, 1956, in Ancon, Panama, he was the son of the late Oscar Byrne Tinneyand the late Wilma Howell Tinney. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a sister; Nancy Tinney.
For...
Adam Bryce Maynor
Aug 20, 2026
Adam Bryce Maynor, 27, of Marion, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, August 20, 2026. Above all the titles he held, being a father to his four-year-old son, Ayden, was Adam's greatest joy and proudest achievement. His love for Ayden was boundless and fierce-whether they were dreaming up superhero adventures, exploring outside, or simply laughing together. Alongside Ayden, the true anchor of...
Freida Louise Webb
Aug 20, 2026
Freida Louise Fender Webb, went to be with the Lord peacefully on August 20, 2026, at Mountain Ridge Health and Rehab at the age of 96. Born on August 1, 1930, Freida’s long and meaningful life stands as a testament to her deep love for family, her steadfast faith, and her enduring spirit of service. Freida was the daughter of...
Robert Boyd Blair
Aug 19, 2026
Robert Boyd Blair, 80, of Marion, passed away August 19, 2026. No services are planned.
Alan Todd Helms
Aug 19, 2026
Alan “Todd” Helms, beloved son, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully at his residence on August 19, 2026. Born on February 6, 1976, in McDowell County, Todd spent his fifty years inspiring those around him with kindness, warmth, and an devotion to his family.
Todd was the cherished son of Dixie Lawing Helms and the late Rev. Joseph Helms.
Todd...
Maxine Hensley Lane
Aug 18, 2026
Maxine Hensley Lane, age 72, passed away peacefully at the Amorem Care Unit in Valdese on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
Born on February 10, 1954, she was the daughter of the late Frank Hensley and Irene Hensley. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Lane; two brothers, Buryl Hensley and Howard Robinson; and a...
Lois Ann Rabb
Aug 30, 2026
Lois Ann Ollis Whittington Rabb, 95, of Marion, NC passed away Sunday, August 30, 2026 at her residence. She was born on December 31, 1930 in Avery County to the late Walter Brownlow Ollis & Bertha Julian Ollis. She was preceded in death by two husbands, Tom C. Whittington & Guy C. Rabb, five siblings, Alberta Connell, Ray Ollis, Ludella...
Pearl Bailey Reid
Aug 30, 2026
Pearl Bailey Reid, 96 of Marion passed into the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, on the morning of August 30, 2026 with her family by her side.
Pearl was born in Mitchell County on September 29, 1929 to the late John and Pansy Canipe Bailey.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Ervin Reid, Jr....
Gary Dale Hamby
Aug 29, 2026
Gary Dale Hamby, age 69, passed away peacefully at his residence on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
Born on September 8, 1956, he was the son of the late Theodore Hamby and Betty Smith Hamby. In addition to his parents, Gary was preceded in death by his brother, Rick Hamby.
Gary enjoyed music and found great joy in playing the guitar and singing....
Gwyn Doyle Baker
Aug 28, 2026
Mr. Gwyn Doyle Baker, 63, of Morganton, passed away Friday, August 28, 2026.
Arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced once finalized.
Sheila Beth Holsonback Gamoneda
Aug 28, 2026
Sheila Beth Holsonback Gamoneda, 51, of Marion, passed away Friday, August 28, 2026 at Mission Hospital McDowell.
A native of Plant City, Florida, Sheila was born on April 24, 1975 to the late Carlos Holsonback, Jr. and Dora Spencer Holsonback.
An avid reader, Sheila had a passion for books. She owned and operated her own book store for a number of years....
Charlotte Bernice Wilson
Aug 26, 2026
Charlotte Bernice Ballew Wilson, passed away on August 26, 2026, at the age of 88. She was born on March 20, 1938, in Yancey County. She was the daughter of the late Albert Ballew and Olamae Robison Ballew Collins.
Charlotte will be remembered as a woman who dearly loved her family and found great joy in caring for those around her....
Bobbie Stallings Dodson
Aug 26, 2026
Bobbie Stallings Dodson, 89, of Spruce Pine, passed away on August 26, 2026, at Mission Hospital.
Bobbie was born on December 9, 1936, in Homestead, Florida, to the late Marlowe and Bonnie Stallings. Growing up as the daughter of a commercial farmer, she spent her childhood dividing her time between Homestead, FL and Hickory, North Carolina.
After graduating from South Dade High...
Thomas Dean Hensley, Jr.
Aug 25, 2026
Thomas Dean Hensley, Jr., 60 of Morganton, NC, passed away at Memorial Mission in Asheville, on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
Thomas was born in McDowell County on November 15, 1965 to the late Thomas Dean Hensley, Sr. and Naomi Jean Gouge Hensley.
Thomas enjoyed junk collecting and motorcycles. A lot of his time was spent doing mechanic work and repairing small engines....
Mable Ruth Lavender
Aug 24, 2026
Mable Ruth Lavender left this world peacefully on August 24, 2026 at Mountain Ridge Health and Rehab surrounded by her family at the age of 93.
She was born May 5, 1933 to the late Rev. Grady Fender and Sadie Fender.
Ruth retired from a career in manufacturing. She had a great love for gardening, mowing her grass, and watching her hummingbirds.
In...
Barbara Black Silver
Aug 24, 2026
Barbara Black Silver, age 91, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 24, 2026, at the Solace Center in Buncombe County.
Born on July 1, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Black and Ida McCanless Black. In addition to her parents, Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Don Silver; two brothers; and four sisters.
Barbara enjoyed reading, spending...
Rebecca "Jane" Shiflet Jimeson
Aug 23, 2026
Rebecca Jane Shiflet Jimeson, 90, of Marion, passed away Sunday, August 23, 2026 at The Greens of Spruce Pine.
She was born in McDowell County on November 13, 1935 to the late William Shiflet and Ermon McConnell Shiflet.
Jane attended Garden Creek Baptist Church where she enjoyed worshipping and singing. Known as a wonderful cook, Jane also enjoyed crafts and word searches....
Clarence Franklin Poole
Aug 23, 2026
Clarence Franklin Poole, 76, of Marion, passed away Sunday, August 23, 2026 at his residence.
He was born in Lexington, North Carolina on July 22, 1950. He worked at Collins & Aikman, now Auria, for many years. He honorably served in the United States Army.
Clarence was preceded in death by a grandson, Tyler Poole.
Those left to cherish his memory are his...
Pamela Jean Virgin Smith
Aug 22, 2026
Pamela Jean Virgin Smith, 56, of Old Fort, passed away unexpectedly at her residence on the morning of Saturday, August 22, 2026.
She was born in Concord, New Hampshire on April 22, 1970 to the late Daniel James Virgin and Dona Marie Marion Virgin. A grandchild, Hunter, and a sister, Cathy Virgin, also preceded her in death.
Pamela formerly worked in a...
Georgia Davis Presnell
Aug 22, 2026
Georgia Davis Presnell, age 100, of Marion, passed away Saturday, August 22, 2026 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.
A native of Avery County, she was born April 16, 1926 to the late Ed Davis and Laura McMahan Davis.
Georgia retired from a career in manufacturing. She had a great love for flowers of all kinds and working in her garden. She loved...
Alan Byrne Tinney
Aug 21, 2026
Alan Byrne Tinney, age 70, of Conley Ridge Road in Bakersville passed away peacefully on Friday, August 21, 2026, at his home.
Born on March 26, 1956, in Ancon, Panama, he was the son of the late Oscar Byrne Tinneyand the late Wilma Howell Tinney. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a sister; Nancy Tinney.
For...
Adam Bryce Maynor
Aug 20, 2026
Adam Bryce Maynor, 27, of Marion, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, August 20, 2026. Above all the titles he held, being a father to his four-year-old son, Ayden, was Adam's greatest joy and proudest achievement. His love for Ayden was boundless and fierce-whether they were dreaming up superhero adventures, exploring outside, or simply laughing together. Alongside Ayden, the true anchor of...
Freida Louise Webb
Aug 20, 2026
Freida Louise Fender Webb, went to be with the Lord peacefully on August 20, 2026, at Mountain Ridge Health and Rehab at the age of 96. Born on August 1, 1930, Freida’s long and meaningful life stands as a testament to her deep love for family, her steadfast faith, and her enduring spirit of service. Freida was the daughter of...
Robert Boyd Blair
Aug 19, 2026
Robert Boyd Blair, 80, of Marion, passed away August 19, 2026. No services are planned.
Alan Todd Helms
Aug 19, 2026
Alan “Todd” Helms, beloved son, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully at his residence on August 19, 2026. Born on February 6, 1976, in McDowell County, Todd spent his fifty years inspiring those around him with kindness, warmth, and an devotion to his family.
Todd was the cherished son of Dixie Lawing Helms and the late Rev. Joseph Helms.
Todd...
Maxine Hensley Lane
Aug 18, 2026
Maxine Hensley Lane, age 72, passed away peacefully at the Amorem Care Unit in Valdese on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
Born on February 10, 1954, she was the daughter of the late Frank Hensley and Irene Hensley. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Lane; two brothers, Buryl Hensley and Howard Robinson; and a...
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