Obituaries
Leona Anthony Owensby
Dec 6, 2023
Leona Anthony Owensby, 76, of Marion, passed away Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at Atrium Health Cabarrus.
She was born in Swain County on May 16, 1947 to the late William Marion Anthony and Ada McClure Anthony.
Leona was a devoted homemaker, wife, and mother who took great pride in caring for others. She cared for her mother...
Dicky H. Harris
Dec 6, 2023
Dicky H. Harris, 89, of Marion, passed away Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at Mission McDowell Hospital.
Dicky was born in Yancey County, NC, on March 27, 1934, to the late James G. Harris and Nellie Jane Carroll Harris. He was married to his wife of 63 years, Patrica “Patsy” Lucille Inman Harris. Dicky was an avid...
Jesse Lee Elliott
Dec 6, 2023
Jesse Lee Elliott, 77, of Marion, passed away Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at his residence.
Jesse was born in McDowell County, NC, on May 20, 1946, to the late Gordon Elliott and Rosalee Stroud Elliott. Jesse was the youngest of nine children. He was a unique renaissance man who lived on his own terms. He was...
Peggy Lou McKinney Carroll
Dec 6, 2023
Peggy Lou McKinney Carroll, 79, of Marion, passed away Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at Grace Hospital in Morganton.
Peggy was born in Mitchell County, NC on October 17, 1944, to the late Carl McKinney and Bonnie Wilson McKinney, and was a longtime member of Chestnut Grove Baptist Church in Little Switzerland. She was married to her...
Mary Lidia Fabean Mitchell
Dec 5, 2023
Mary Lidia Fabean Mitchell, age 100 of Marion, passed away Tuesday, December 5, 2023.
Mary was born in Smithton, PA on April 16, 1923 to the late Julius Fabean and Anna Marie Obicl Fabean.
Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Kent Mitchell (Sandra); one brother, Larry Fabean; one grandson, Curtis Nicholi Mitchell (June); one...
Donald Dean Freeman
Dec 5, 2023
Donald Dean Freeman, 75, of Black Mountain, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at his home.
Donald was born in Mitchell County, on December 17, 1947 to the late Georgia Freeman. He is also preceded in death by a son, Kenneth Freeman; a brother Charles Huskins; and a sister Hazel Rose Stroud.
...
Betty Lillian Hall Hensley
Dec 4, 2023
Betty Lillian Hall Hensley, 88, of Old Fort, passed away at her residence on Monday, December 4, 2023.
Betty was born on April 6, 1935 in McDowell County to her late parents, Barney Logan Hall and Arwilder Staton Hall. She is also preceded in death by her sister, Mildred Stroud.
Betty attended Salem Free Will Baptist Church....
Cannie Scott Jones
Dec 3, 2023
Cannie Scott Jones, 60, of Robbins, North Carolina passed away on December 3, 2023.
Cannie was born in McDowell Co., North Carolina to the late Hillard Jones and Love Whetstine Jones on December 9, 1962.
Those left to cherish his memory are two children; Colt Jones and Amelia Thompson (Tyler); three sisters; Brenda Bailey, Kaye Bordner, and...
Jacob Scott Livingston
Dec 3, 2023
Jacob Scott Livingston, 36, of Marion, passed away Sunday, December 3, 2023.
He was born in High Point, North Carolina on February 5, 1987 to Janet May Livingston and the late Brian Scott Livingston. He was a talented musician, and he had a particular fondness for the guitar. He will be missed.
He was preceded in...
Brenda Diane Reese Lewis
Dec 3, 2023
Brenda Diane Reese Lewis, 75, of Marion, passed away at her home on the evening of Sunday, December 3, 2023.
She was born on August 30, 1948 in McDowell County to the late Clifford Reese and Betty Kelley Reese.
Brenda was a CNA for most of her life. She will be remembered as being the best caregiver...
Lois Marie McKinney O'Dear
Dec 3, 2023
Lois Marie McKinney O’Dear, 81, of Marion, passed away Sunday, December 3, 2023, at Mission McDowell Hospital.
Lois was born in Yancey County, NC, on January 23, 1942, to the late Joseph Ransom McKinney and Jewell McNeil McKinney. Lois formerly operated Little Super and Riverside Convenience Stores. Later, she operated O’Dears Country Diner for more...
Herbert Elvert Prince
Dec 2, 2023
Herbert Elvert Prince, 81, of Marion, passed away at his home on the morning of Saturday, December 2, 2023.
He was born in Copperhill, Tennessee on January 12, 1942 to the late Carl Prince and Ola Mae Baker Prince. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Cynthia Renee Price; brother, James Prince; and sister, Margie...
Rev. Arnold Lee Hancock
Dec 2, 2023
Reverend Arnold Lee Hancock, age 92, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 2, 2023. He was born in Jackson County Alabama on May 8, 1931 to the late Homer Arnold Hancock and Dora Houston Hancock.
Rev. Hancock served in both the US Army and the Alabama National Guard. He was called to preach in 1957...
Clara Gail Johnson
Dec 1, 2023
Clara Gail Morgan “Mamaw” Johnson, 68, of Old Fort, passed away Friday, December 1, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in Charlotte.
Mrs. Johnson was born in Asheville, NC, on May 13, 1955, to the late Cecil Creed Morgan and Helen Jeanette Speakes Morgan. She was married to the late Kevin Johnson. Mrs. Johnson was loved by...
Irva Lee Boyd Frady Byrd
Dec 1, 2023
Irva Lee Boyd Frady Byrd, 78, of Marion, passed away Friday, December 1, 2023 at Rose Hill Retirement Community.
She was born in Madison County on April 30, 1945 to the late Samuel Boyd and Bonnie Davis Boyd. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Dewey Frady.
Irva was a hairdresser for over 25...
Barbara Jean Freeman Hensley
Nov 30, 2023
Barbara Jean Freeman Hensley, 81, of Valdese, passed away Thursday, November 30, 2023 at UNC Health Blue Ridge.
A native of Yancey County, she was born July 24, 1942 to the late Carroll Freeman and Mary Hughes Freeman. She was also preceded in death by a son, Carroll Freeman; and all of her siblings.
Barbara was a...
Officer Virgil Nicholas Varrone
Nov 30, 2023
Officer Virgil Nicholas Varrone, 83, of Marion, passed away Thursday, November 30, 2023 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.
He was born in Far Rockaway, NY on December 8, 1939 to Italian immigrants. He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Varrone; parents, Giuseppe and Carmela Varrone; brother, Anthony Varrone; and a grandson, Nicholas Brockner.
Virgil was...
Betty Jean Hughes Freshour
Nov 30, 2023
Betty Jean Hughes Freshour, 80, of Marion, passed away at Mission Memorial in Asheville on Thursday, November 30, 2023.
Jean was born in Yancey County on September 16, 1943 to the late Russell Hughes and the late Pansy Wallace Hughes. She is also preceded in death by her husband, Johnny Freshour, a son, Marcus Freshour and a grandson,...
Joyce Kendall Palmer McCall
Nov 29, 2023
Joyce Kendall Palmer McCall, 93, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 29th, closely attended by her children, nurses, and caregivers at Autumn Care of Marion.
Joyce was born in Fort Pierce, Florida, on July 31st, 1930. She was predeceased by her husband, Michael Alvin McCall, MD, and an infant son; her parents, J.D. Palmer and Rubye Gold Kendall Palmer;...
Sherry Lee Yeager
Nov 29, 2023
Sherry Lee Cumberland Yeager, 75, of Marion, passed away Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at Mission McDowell Hospital.
Sherry was born in Arlington, Virginia on May 22, 1948, to the late Mae Alexander and John Cumberland. She served her country proudly in the United States Army during the Vietnam conflict. While living in Oswego, New York, Sherry...
Leona Anthony Owensby
Dec 6, 2023
Leona Anthony Owensby, 76, of Marion, passed away Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at Atrium Health Cabarrus.
She was born in Swain County on May 16, 1947 to the late William Marion Anthony and Ada McClure Anthony.
Leona was a devoted homemaker, wife, and mother who took great pride in caring for others. She cared for her mother...
Dicky H. Harris
Dec 6, 2023
Dicky H. Harris, 89, of Marion, passed away Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at Mission McDowell Hospital.
Dicky was born in Yancey County, NC, on March 27, 1934, to the late James G. Harris and Nellie Jane Carroll Harris. He was married to his wife of 63 years, Patrica “Patsy” Lucille Inman Harris. Dicky was an avid...
Jesse Lee Elliott
Dec 6, 2023
Jesse Lee Elliott, 77, of Marion, passed away Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at his residence.
Jesse was born in McDowell County, NC, on May 20, 1946, to the late Gordon Elliott and Rosalee Stroud Elliott. Jesse was the youngest of nine children. He was a unique renaissance man who lived on his own terms. He was...
Peggy Lou McKinney Carroll
Dec 6, 2023
Peggy Lou McKinney Carroll, 79, of Marion, passed away Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at Grace Hospital in Morganton.
Peggy was born in Mitchell County, NC on October 17, 1944, to the late Carl McKinney and Bonnie Wilson McKinney, and was a longtime member of Chestnut Grove Baptist Church in Little Switzerland. She was married to her...
Mary Lidia Fabean Mitchell
Dec 5, 2023
Mary Lidia Fabean Mitchell, age 100 of Marion, passed away Tuesday, December 5, 2023.
Mary was born in Smithton, PA on April 16, 1923 to the late Julius Fabean and Anna Marie Obicl Fabean.
Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Kent Mitchell (Sandra); one brother, Larry Fabean; one grandson, Curtis Nicholi Mitchell (June); one...
Donald Dean Freeman
Dec 5, 2023
Donald Dean Freeman, 75, of Black Mountain, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at his home.
Donald was born in Mitchell County, on December 17, 1947 to the late Georgia Freeman. He is also preceded in death by a son, Kenneth Freeman; a brother Charles Huskins; and a sister Hazel Rose Stroud.
...
Betty Lillian Hall Hensley
Dec 4, 2023
Betty Lillian Hall Hensley, 88, of Old Fort, passed away at her residence on Monday, December 4, 2023.
Betty was born on April 6, 1935 in McDowell County to her late parents, Barney Logan Hall and Arwilder Staton Hall. She is also preceded in death by her sister, Mildred Stroud.
Betty attended Salem Free Will Baptist Church....
Cannie Scott Jones
Dec 3, 2023
Cannie Scott Jones, 60, of Robbins, North Carolina passed away on December 3, 2023.
Cannie was born in McDowell Co., North Carolina to the late Hillard Jones and Love Whetstine Jones on December 9, 1962.
Those left to cherish his memory are two children; Colt Jones and Amelia Thompson (Tyler); three sisters; Brenda Bailey, Kaye Bordner, and...
Jacob Scott Livingston
Dec 3, 2023
Jacob Scott Livingston, 36, of Marion, passed away Sunday, December 3, 2023.
He was born in High Point, North Carolina on February 5, 1987 to Janet May Livingston and the late Brian Scott Livingston. He was a talented musician, and he had a particular fondness for the guitar. He will be missed.
He was preceded in...
Brenda Diane Reese Lewis
Dec 3, 2023
Brenda Diane Reese Lewis, 75, of Marion, passed away at her home on the evening of Sunday, December 3, 2023.
She was born on August 30, 1948 in McDowell County to the late Clifford Reese and Betty Kelley Reese.
Brenda was a CNA for most of her life. She will be remembered as being the best caregiver...
Lois Marie McKinney O'Dear
Dec 3, 2023
Lois Marie McKinney O’Dear, 81, of Marion, passed away Sunday, December 3, 2023, at Mission McDowell Hospital.
Lois was born in Yancey County, NC, on January 23, 1942, to the late Joseph Ransom McKinney and Jewell McNeil McKinney. Lois formerly operated Little Super and Riverside Convenience Stores. Later, she operated O’Dears Country Diner for more...
Herbert Elvert Prince
Dec 2, 2023
Herbert Elvert Prince, 81, of Marion, passed away at his home on the morning of Saturday, December 2, 2023.
He was born in Copperhill, Tennessee on January 12, 1942 to the late Carl Prince and Ola Mae Baker Prince. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Cynthia Renee Price; brother, James Prince; and sister, Margie...
Rev. Arnold Lee Hancock
Dec 2, 2023
Reverend Arnold Lee Hancock, age 92, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 2, 2023. He was born in Jackson County Alabama on May 8, 1931 to the late Homer Arnold Hancock and Dora Houston Hancock.
Rev. Hancock served in both the US Army and the Alabama National Guard. He was called to preach in 1957...
Clara Gail Johnson
Dec 1, 2023
Clara Gail Morgan “Mamaw” Johnson, 68, of Old Fort, passed away Friday, December 1, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in Charlotte.
Mrs. Johnson was born in Asheville, NC, on May 13, 1955, to the late Cecil Creed Morgan and Helen Jeanette Speakes Morgan. She was married to the late Kevin Johnson. Mrs. Johnson was loved by...
Irva Lee Boyd Frady Byrd
Dec 1, 2023
Irva Lee Boyd Frady Byrd, 78, of Marion, passed away Friday, December 1, 2023 at Rose Hill Retirement Community.
She was born in Madison County on April 30, 1945 to the late Samuel Boyd and Bonnie Davis Boyd. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Dewey Frady.
Irva was a hairdresser for over 25...
Barbara Jean Freeman Hensley
Nov 30, 2023
Barbara Jean Freeman Hensley, 81, of Valdese, passed away Thursday, November 30, 2023 at UNC Health Blue Ridge.
A native of Yancey County, she was born July 24, 1942 to the late Carroll Freeman and Mary Hughes Freeman. She was also preceded in death by a son, Carroll Freeman; and all of her siblings.
Barbara was a...
Officer Virgil Nicholas Varrone
Nov 30, 2023
Officer Virgil Nicholas Varrone, 83, of Marion, passed away Thursday, November 30, 2023 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.
He was born in Far Rockaway, NY on December 8, 1939 to Italian immigrants. He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Varrone; parents, Giuseppe and Carmela Varrone; brother, Anthony Varrone; and a grandson, Nicholas Brockner.
Virgil was...
Betty Jean Hughes Freshour
Nov 30, 2023
Betty Jean Hughes Freshour, 80, of Marion, passed away at Mission Memorial in Asheville on Thursday, November 30, 2023.
Jean was born in Yancey County on September 16, 1943 to the late Russell Hughes and the late Pansy Wallace Hughes. She is also preceded in death by her husband, Johnny Freshour, a son, Marcus Freshour and a grandson,...
Joyce Kendall Palmer McCall
Nov 29, 2023
Joyce Kendall Palmer McCall, 93, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 29th, closely attended by her children, nurses, and caregivers at Autumn Care of Marion.
Joyce was born in Fort Pierce, Florida, on July 31st, 1930. She was predeceased by her husband, Michael Alvin McCall, MD, and an infant son; her parents, J.D. Palmer and Rubye Gold Kendall Palmer;...
Sherry Lee Yeager
Nov 29, 2023
Sherry Lee Cumberland Yeager, 75, of Marion, passed away Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at Mission McDowell Hospital.
Sherry was born in Arlington, Virginia on May 22, 1948, to the late Mae Alexander and John Cumberland. She served her country proudly in the United States Army during the Vietnam conflict. While living in Oswego, New York, Sherry...
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