Obituaries
Billie Ann Burgess
Nov 30, 2021
Billie Ann Burgess, passed away, with her family by her side on, November 30th, 2021 at the age of seventy-nine at Valdese Hospice. Billie Ann was born on October 21, 1942.
She was predeceased by her parents George and Ruth Brown; siblings, Carol, Gladys, Pat, Penny, Peggy, Wanda, Brenda and her three sons; Michael George McEntire, Lloyd W. Foster...
Martha Gayle Kirby
Nov 30, 2021
Martha Gayle Kirby, 51, of Morganton, North Carolina, passed away Tuesday, November 30, 2021. She was born July 03, 1970 in McDowell County to the late Mary Ruth Kirby Triplett. Gayle was a warm-hearted and loving soul. She was quite a character who was a friend to all. Gayle was giving to everyone regardless of their status. She always rooted...
Grace "Gracie" Evelyn Bradley Harris
Nov 29, 2021
Grace “Gracie” Evelyn Bradley Harris, 85, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away Monday, November 29, 2021 at Mountain Ridge Wellness Center.
She was born in Rutherford County on July 18, 1936 to the late McClain and Estelle Huffman Bradley. She is also preceded in death by her husband, Gay Harris; a son, Talmadge Harris; six brothers, Don, Wilford, Charlie, Floyd,...
Swan Arvil Woody
Nov 27, 2021
Swan Arvil Woody, 84, of Marion, passed away Saturday, November 27, 2021, in Lincolnton. Mr. Woody was born in Madison County, NC on June 9, 1937 to the late Grover and Verlie Gowan Woody. Mr. Woody attended Yancey Street Baptist Church in Marion. He had an easy-going personality and loved to remanence about old times. He was a car enthusiast...
Patricia Ann Billingsley
Nov 25, 2021
Patricia Ann Willis Billingsley, 76, of Marion, North Carolina passed away Thursday November 25, 2021 at her residence.
Patricia was born in Sullivan County, Tennessee to the late Earl Glenn Willis and Vivian Flora Mahan Willis. She was an accountant until retirement, and later she started her own Jewelry Company called “Sassy Lady” where she made her own special jewelry. Patricia...
Nina "Ninie" Lee Gibbs Johnson
Nov 23, 2021
In the early morning hours of Tuesday, November 23, 2021, Nina “Ninie” Gibbs Johnson passed away at Rose Hill Retirement Community. A native of Yancey County, Nina was born on November 15, 1936 to the late Ed and Lula Caroway Gibbs.
Nina was a longtime member of Pleasant Gardens Baptist Church. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed sharing meals with...
Margaret Ann Cope Freeman
Nov 22, 2021
Margaret Ann Cope Freeman, 78, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away Monday, November 22, 2021 at her residence.
A native of South Carolina, Margaret was born December 05, 1942 to the late Sidney Cope and Sadie Mole Cope. Margaret worked as a respiratory therapist for 38 years. She was a fun, energetic, and loving woman. In addition to her parents,...
James Donald Ledbetter Sr.
Nov 21, 2021
James Donald Ledbetter, Sr., age 84, of the Glenwood Community, passed away on Sunday, November 21, 2021.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Betty Pyatt Ledbetter; his parents, Homer and Mammie Sue Ledbetter and a host of brothers and sisters. Left to cherish his memory are his two sons, James Donald Ledbetter Jr., of the home and William...
Thomas Albert Rapan
Nov 21, 2021
Thomas Albert Rapan, age 76, passed away at the Charles George VA Medical Center, on Sunday, November 21, 2021.
He was born to the late Raymond and Kathleen Walsh Rapan, on February 16, 1945, in Allegany County, New York. Thomas proudly served in the US Navy. He was a Vietnam Vet and in the Riverine Force. He was a recipient...
Orin Crisp
Nov 21, 2021
Orin Crisp, age 99, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away Sunday, November 21, 2021 at the Hospice Center of the Charles George VA Medical Center.
He was born in Clay County on July 10, 1922 to the late Julius Goldman Crisp and Delia Calhoun Crisp. Orin believed in hard work. He worked for many years as a logger. He enjoyed...
Gary Benny Thomas
Nov 20, 2021
On Saturday, November 20, 2021, Gary Benny Thomas, age 81, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away at his residence. A native of McDowell County, he was born August 31, 1940 to the late Charles Hyatt Thomas and Dicie Lee Chrisawn Thomas. Gary was a supervisor with the North Carolina Department of Corrections. He was also a proud veteran of the...
Gary Everett Hollifield
Nov 19, 2021
Gary Everett Hollifield, 69, of Nebo, passed away Friday, November 19, 2021 at The Memorial Campus of Mission Hospital.
Gary was born in Marion, North Carolina on December 9, 1951 to Lucille Blankenship Hollifield and the late Doc Everett Hollifield. Gary was a faithful member of Nowlings Chapel Church. Gary taught Sunday School for many years at Rocky Pass and...
Wilma Elizabeth Haynes Conner
Nov 19, 2021
Wilma Elizabeth Haynes Conner, age 91, of Old Fort, North Carolina passed away, unexpectedly, but peacefully, into the arms of Jesus on Friday, November 19, 2021 at Mountain Ridge Health and Rehabilitation in Black Mountain, North Carolina.
Wilma was born on May 26, 1930 in Buncombe County to the late Arthur Leroy Haynes and Arizona Burleson Haynes. In addition to...
Larry "Butch" Hogan
Nov 19, 2021
Larry “Butch” Hogan, 75, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away in the early morning hours of Friday, November 19, 2021. A native of McDowell County, Butch was born July 22, 1946 to the late J.C. and Norma Harklerode Hogan. Butch began working at Cross Cotton Mill, and the Cross Mill community always held a special place in his heart. He...
Virginia Moore Clontz
Nov 19, 2021
On the morning of Friday, November 19, 2021, Virginia Moore Clontz passed away peacefully with her loved ones by her side. She was born in Rutherford County on April 27, 1924 to the late Ault and Elizabeth Settlemyre Moore.
In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her husband, Albert Lanier Clontz; one brother, Belvin Moore; her sisters, Alma...
Brenda Jean Hutchins-Bledsoe
Nov 18, 2021
Brenda Jean Hutchins-Bledsoe, 74, of Nebo, passed away Thursday, November 18, 2021, at her residence.
Brenda was born in Morganton, North Carolina on November 1, 1947 to the late Dewey E. Hutchins and Tassie Ledford Hutchins. Brenda was a quality control specialist at Continental in Morganton, where she retired after many years of dedicated service. She was a member of...
Cecil Howard Pittman
Nov 18, 2021
Cecil Howard Pittman, 72, of Old Fort, North Carolina, went to be with the Lord peacefully at home Thursday, November 18, 2021 surrounded by his loving family.
A native of McDowell County, he was born January 10, 1949 to the late Floyd Pittman and Josie Wheeler Pittman. Cecil worked in construction his whole life and will be remembered as a...
John Michael Lipe
Nov 16, 2021
John Michael Lipe, age 71, of Old Fort, North Carolina, went to be with his Heavenly Father on the evening of Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at Autumn Care of Marion.
A native of McDowell County, he was born on August 12, 1950 to the late Gilbert Lipe and Frances Thomason Lipe. John worked in law enforcement and retired as a...
John Walter Inman
Nov 15, 2021
On the night of Monday, November 15, 2021, John Walter Inman went home to be with the Lord at Memorial Campus. Born on September 3, 1958 in Newport, Tennessee to the late Charles Inman, Sr. and Ponnee Ellison Fender.
Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Angie Rice Inman who passed away on November 2,...
Michele "Shell Shell" Shaw
Nov 15, 2021
Michele “Shell Shell” Shaw, age 56, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away Monday, November 15, 2021 at her residence.
She was born in Los Angeles, California on October 12, 1965 to Corbet Macy and the late Phyllis Kay Stevenson. She was co-owner of Head Lines Limited Beauty Salon for many years. Most recently, she was employed at Grace Hospital. Michele...
Billie Ann Burgess
Nov 30, 2021
Billie Ann Burgess, passed away, with her family by her side on, November 30th, 2021 at the age of seventy-nine at Valdese Hospice. Billie Ann was born on October 21, 1942.
She was predeceased by her parents George and Ruth Brown; siblings, Carol, Gladys, Pat, Penny, Peggy, Wanda, Brenda and her three sons; Michael George McEntire, Lloyd W. Foster...
Martha Gayle Kirby
Nov 30, 2021
Martha Gayle Kirby, 51, of Morganton, North Carolina, passed away Tuesday, November 30, 2021. She was born July 03, 1970 in McDowell County to the late Mary Ruth Kirby Triplett. Gayle was a warm-hearted and loving soul. She was quite a character who was a friend to all. Gayle was giving to everyone regardless of their status. She always rooted...
Grace "Gracie" Evelyn Bradley Harris
Nov 29, 2021
Grace “Gracie” Evelyn Bradley Harris, 85, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away Monday, November 29, 2021 at Mountain Ridge Wellness Center.
She was born in Rutherford County on July 18, 1936 to the late McClain and Estelle Huffman Bradley. She is also preceded in death by her husband, Gay Harris; a son, Talmadge Harris; six brothers, Don, Wilford, Charlie, Floyd,...
Swan Arvil Woody
Nov 27, 2021
Swan Arvil Woody, 84, of Marion, passed away Saturday, November 27, 2021, in Lincolnton. Mr. Woody was born in Madison County, NC on June 9, 1937 to the late Grover and Verlie Gowan Woody. Mr. Woody attended Yancey Street Baptist Church in Marion. He had an easy-going personality and loved to remanence about old times. He was a car enthusiast...
Patricia Ann Billingsley
Nov 25, 2021
Patricia Ann Willis Billingsley, 76, of Marion, North Carolina passed away Thursday November 25, 2021 at her residence.
Patricia was born in Sullivan County, Tennessee to the late Earl Glenn Willis and Vivian Flora Mahan Willis. She was an accountant until retirement, and later she started her own Jewelry Company called “Sassy Lady” where she made her own special jewelry. Patricia...
Nina "Ninie" Lee Gibbs Johnson
Nov 23, 2021
In the early morning hours of Tuesday, November 23, 2021, Nina “Ninie” Gibbs Johnson passed away at Rose Hill Retirement Community. A native of Yancey County, Nina was born on November 15, 1936 to the late Ed and Lula Caroway Gibbs.
Nina was a longtime member of Pleasant Gardens Baptist Church. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed sharing meals with...
Margaret Ann Cope Freeman
Nov 22, 2021
Margaret Ann Cope Freeman, 78, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away Monday, November 22, 2021 at her residence.
A native of South Carolina, Margaret was born December 05, 1942 to the late Sidney Cope and Sadie Mole Cope. Margaret worked as a respiratory therapist for 38 years. She was a fun, energetic, and loving woman. In addition to her parents,...
James Donald Ledbetter Sr.
Nov 21, 2021
James Donald Ledbetter, Sr., age 84, of the Glenwood Community, passed away on Sunday, November 21, 2021.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Betty Pyatt Ledbetter; his parents, Homer and Mammie Sue Ledbetter and a host of brothers and sisters. Left to cherish his memory are his two sons, James Donald Ledbetter Jr., of the home and William...
Thomas Albert Rapan
Nov 21, 2021
Thomas Albert Rapan, age 76, passed away at the Charles George VA Medical Center, on Sunday, November 21, 2021.
He was born to the late Raymond and Kathleen Walsh Rapan, on February 16, 1945, in Allegany County, New York. Thomas proudly served in the US Navy. He was a Vietnam Vet and in the Riverine Force. He was a recipient...
Orin Crisp
Nov 21, 2021
Orin Crisp, age 99, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away Sunday, November 21, 2021 at the Hospice Center of the Charles George VA Medical Center.
He was born in Clay County on July 10, 1922 to the late Julius Goldman Crisp and Delia Calhoun Crisp. Orin believed in hard work. He worked for many years as a logger. He enjoyed...
Gary Benny Thomas
Nov 20, 2021
On Saturday, November 20, 2021, Gary Benny Thomas, age 81, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away at his residence. A native of McDowell County, he was born August 31, 1940 to the late Charles Hyatt Thomas and Dicie Lee Chrisawn Thomas. Gary was a supervisor with the North Carolina Department of Corrections. He was also a proud veteran of the...
Gary Everett Hollifield
Nov 19, 2021
Gary Everett Hollifield, 69, of Nebo, passed away Friday, November 19, 2021 at The Memorial Campus of Mission Hospital.
Gary was born in Marion, North Carolina on December 9, 1951 to Lucille Blankenship Hollifield and the late Doc Everett Hollifield. Gary was a faithful member of Nowlings Chapel Church. Gary taught Sunday School for many years at Rocky Pass and...
Wilma Elizabeth Haynes Conner
Nov 19, 2021
Wilma Elizabeth Haynes Conner, age 91, of Old Fort, North Carolina passed away, unexpectedly, but peacefully, into the arms of Jesus on Friday, November 19, 2021 at Mountain Ridge Health and Rehabilitation in Black Mountain, North Carolina.
Wilma was born on May 26, 1930 in Buncombe County to the late Arthur Leroy Haynes and Arizona Burleson Haynes. In addition to...
Larry "Butch" Hogan
Nov 19, 2021
Larry “Butch” Hogan, 75, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away in the early morning hours of Friday, November 19, 2021. A native of McDowell County, Butch was born July 22, 1946 to the late J.C. and Norma Harklerode Hogan. Butch began working at Cross Cotton Mill, and the Cross Mill community always held a special place in his heart. He...
Virginia Moore Clontz
Nov 19, 2021
On the morning of Friday, November 19, 2021, Virginia Moore Clontz passed away peacefully with her loved ones by her side. She was born in Rutherford County on April 27, 1924 to the late Ault and Elizabeth Settlemyre Moore.
In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her husband, Albert Lanier Clontz; one brother, Belvin Moore; her sisters, Alma...
Brenda Jean Hutchins-Bledsoe
Nov 18, 2021
Brenda Jean Hutchins-Bledsoe, 74, of Nebo, passed away Thursday, November 18, 2021, at her residence.
Brenda was born in Morganton, North Carolina on November 1, 1947 to the late Dewey E. Hutchins and Tassie Ledford Hutchins. Brenda was a quality control specialist at Continental in Morganton, where she retired after many years of dedicated service. She was a member of...
Cecil Howard Pittman
Nov 18, 2021
Cecil Howard Pittman, 72, of Old Fort, North Carolina, went to be with the Lord peacefully at home Thursday, November 18, 2021 surrounded by his loving family.
A native of McDowell County, he was born January 10, 1949 to the late Floyd Pittman and Josie Wheeler Pittman. Cecil worked in construction his whole life and will be remembered as a...
John Michael Lipe
Nov 16, 2021
John Michael Lipe, age 71, of Old Fort, North Carolina, went to be with his Heavenly Father on the evening of Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at Autumn Care of Marion.
A native of McDowell County, he was born on August 12, 1950 to the late Gilbert Lipe and Frances Thomason Lipe. John worked in law enforcement and retired as a...
John Walter Inman
Nov 15, 2021
On the night of Monday, November 15, 2021, John Walter Inman went home to be with the Lord at Memorial Campus. Born on September 3, 1958 in Newport, Tennessee to the late Charles Inman, Sr. and Ponnee Ellison Fender.
Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Angie Rice Inman who passed away on November 2,...
Michele "Shell Shell" Shaw
Nov 15, 2021
Michele “Shell Shell” Shaw, age 56, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away Monday, November 15, 2021 at her residence.
She was born in Los Angeles, California on October 12, 1965 to Corbet Macy and the late Phyllis Kay Stevenson. She was co-owner of Head Lines Limited Beauty Salon for many years. Most recently, she was employed at Grace Hospital. Michele...
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