Obituaries

Brandy Ione House
May 16, 2018
Brandy Ione House, age 66, of Union Mills, North Carolina passed away on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at Oak Grove Health Care Center. She was born on August 18, 1951 in Albuquerque, New Mexico to the late Orin and Adelaide Resseguie.
Brandy was a well-known self-employed artist. Some of her work may be viewed at brandycraft.com. She was a...

Nelda Gwen Rathbone
May 16, 2018
Nelda Gwen Rathbone, age 45, of Marion, North Carolina passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. A native of McDowell County, Nelda was born on June 2, 1972 to the late Reed and Mary Jane Wall Rathbone.
Nelda was known to be a caring, loving and forgiving person. Often hilarious, she faced miles of...
Nellie Davis
May 15, 2018
Nellie Marler Davis, age 85, of Marion, North Carolina passed away on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 while at Rose Hill Retirement Community in Marion. A native of McDowell County, born December 4, 1932 she was the daughter of the late Hobert and Annie Worley Marler.
A member of Cornerstone Church of God in Marion, Nellie enjoyed working in...

Charles "Bug" Simpson
May 15, 2018
Charles “Bug” Simpson, age 73, of Marion, North Carolina passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at his home.
Bug was born January 27, 1945 in McDowell County to the late Hewie Simpson and Frankie Hawkins Simpson. He retired from Marion Manufacturing and was a member of Catawba Heights Baptist Church. Bug was an avid Atlanta Braves, Dallas...

Lee Morgan Hoilman
May 14, 2018
Lee Morgan Hoilman, age 82, passed away on the morning of Monday, May 14, 2018 at his residence in Spruce Pine. Lee was born in Mitchell County, North Carolina on February 26, 1936 to the late Bob and Bertie Buchanan Hoilman.
Following many years, Lee had retired from Finish First, but more recently had been working as a delivery...

Brittney Burden Bumgardner
May 14, 2018
Brittney Burden Bumgardner, age 31, of Old Fort, North Carolina was taken much too soon Monday, May 14, 2018.
Brittney was born September 10, 1986 in Marietta, GA. She was a wonderful mother and loved her two children dearly. Another passion of hers was her animals.
She is also preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Mike Burden.
...

Bonnie Sue Wilson
May 12, 2018
Bonnie Sue Davis Wilson, age 87, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away unexpectedly on the afternoon of Saturday, May 12, 2018 at her residence. The daughter of the late Lewis and Nancy Norris Davis, Bonnie was born in Haywood County, North Carolina on January 2, 1931.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by...
Scott D. Wilson
May 10, 2018
Scott Dewayne Wilson, age 47, of Marion, North Carolina passed away unexpectedly Thursday, May 10, 2018 at his home.
Scott was born December 21, 1970 in McDowell County to Nina Edwards Wilson of Marion, NC and to the late Mack Oliver Wilson, Jr. He was a wonderful husband, son and brother. He loved the Lord and enjoyed spending...
Bobby E. Beam
May 9, 2018
Bobby E. Beam, age 72, passed away on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at his residence with is loving family by his side. A resident of the Glenwood Community, Bobby was born in Lucas County, Ohio on August 10, 1945 to the late Donald and Marion Runion Beam.
An avid NASCAR fan, which he was a strong supporter...
Cynthia Canella
May 6, 2018
Cynthia Robbins Canella, age 60, of Hickory, North Carolina, passed away on the night of Sunday, May 6, 2018 at Gateway Rehabilitation & Healthcare in Lenoir. The only child of the late Ernest and Barbara Taylor Robbins, Cynthia was born in Shelby, North Carolina on December 30, 1957.
A loving and compassionate mother and grandmother, Cynthia, who was...
Garrett Bud Rice "The Idaho Cowboy"
May 6, 2018
Garrett Bud Rice “The Idaho Cowboy”, age 81, of Marion, North Carolina gave up his mortal body of pain and suffering to take on his new perfect body in his new home of everlasting peace and happiness with Jesus our Savior, at St. Joseph Campus of Mission Hospital, Asheville, NC following an extended illness with family at his side. He...
Randall "Randy" Leroy Guffey
May 5, 2018
Randall “Randy” Leroy Guffey, age 62, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at Mission Hospital McDowell. Born in Oakland, Michigan on October 2, 1954, he was the son of the late Frank and Nellie Mae Stacy Guffey.
Randy will be remembered for his love of drawing, writing poems, and “cruising” on his...
Kathy A. Ramsey
May 4, 2018
Kathy A. Ramsey, age 61, of Nebo, North Carolina, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Friday, May 4, 2018 at her residence with her loving family by her side. A native of McDowell County, North Carolina, born June 12, 1956, she was the oldest daughter of Gladys Ashe of Marion and the late Otis James Ashe.
...

John Kirk May
May 4, 2018
John Kirk May, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away on Friday, May 4, 2018 at the SECU Inpatient Unit of Hospice of the Carolina Foothills in Forest City. A resident of Spindale, John was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on September 4, 1949 and was the son of the late Thomas and Jean Duncan May.
A member of...
Doris Mae Romine
May 2, 2018
Doris Mae Duncan Romine, age 89, of Marion, North Carolina went to be with the Lord Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at her son’s home surrounded by her loving family.
Mrs. Romine was born July 4, 1928 in McDowell County to the late Elmer and Leona Fox Duncan. She retired from Cross Cotton Mill. In addition to her parents, she...
Thomas "Tom" R. Carson
May 2, 2018
Thomas “Tom” R. Carson, age 63, of Charlotte, North Carolina and formerly of Nebo, North Carolina, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at Carolinas HealthCare System-Blue Ridge (Grace Hospital) in Morganton. The son of the late Nathaniel and Mae Etta Rutherford Carson, Tom was born in Burke County, North Carolina on October 25, 1954.
Tom, who...
Dillard Hoover Payne
Apr 28, 2018
Dillard Hoover Payne, age 90, of Marion, North Carolina passed away Saturday, April 28, 2018 at the SECU House of Hospice of Rutherford County.
Mr. Payne was born February 25, 1928 in Madison County to the late James Frank Payne and Ettie Sluder Payne. He retired from Chrysler Corporation in 1980 after 30 years of service. He was...
Elna Magdalene Chapman
Apr 27, 2018
Mrs. Elna Ogle Chapman, age 95, of Swannanoa North Carolina went home to be with the Lord on the morning of Friday, April 27, 2018 at Asheville Health Care. Born in Yancy County North Carolina on January 5, 1923, and was the daughter of the late Elzie Hilliard Ogle, and Elsie Roland Ogle. She was also preceded in death by...
Joe L. Buchanan
Apr 27, 2018
Joe L. Buchanan, age 76, of Marion, North Carolina went home to be with his Lord on Friday, April 27, 2018 at his residence. The son of the late Holden and Dollie Pitman Buchanan, Joe was born in Mitchell County, North Carolina on March 19, 1942.
Joe loved raising miniature horses, watching wrestling, and “tinkering” with his 1966 Ford...

Brandy Ione House
May 16, 2018
Brandy Ione House, age 66, of Union Mills, North Carolina passed away on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at Oak Grove Health Care Center. She was born on August 18, 1951 in Albuquerque, New Mexico to the late Orin and Adelaide Resseguie.
Brandy was a well-known self-employed artist. Some of her work may be viewed at brandycraft.com. She was a...

Nelda Gwen Rathbone
May 16, 2018
Nelda Gwen Rathbone, age 45, of Marion, North Carolina passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. A native of McDowell County, Nelda was born on June 2, 1972 to the late Reed and Mary Jane Wall Rathbone.
Nelda was known to be a caring, loving and forgiving person. Often hilarious, she faced miles of...
Nellie Davis
May 15, 2018
Nellie Marler Davis, age 85, of Marion, North Carolina passed away on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 while at Rose Hill Retirement Community in Marion. A native of McDowell County, born December 4, 1932 she was the daughter of the late Hobert and Annie Worley Marler.
A member of Cornerstone Church of God in Marion, Nellie enjoyed working in...

Charles "Bug" Simpson
May 15, 2018
Charles “Bug” Simpson, age 73, of Marion, North Carolina passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at his home.
Bug was born January 27, 1945 in McDowell County to the late Hewie Simpson and Frankie Hawkins Simpson. He retired from Marion Manufacturing and was a member of Catawba Heights Baptist Church. Bug was an avid Atlanta Braves, Dallas...

Lee Morgan Hoilman
May 14, 2018
Lee Morgan Hoilman, age 82, passed away on the morning of Monday, May 14, 2018 at his residence in Spruce Pine. Lee was born in Mitchell County, North Carolina on February 26, 1936 to the late Bob and Bertie Buchanan Hoilman.
Following many years, Lee had retired from Finish First, but more recently had been working as a delivery...

Brittney Burden Bumgardner
May 14, 2018
Brittney Burden Bumgardner, age 31, of Old Fort, North Carolina was taken much too soon Monday, May 14, 2018.
Brittney was born September 10, 1986 in Marietta, GA. She was a wonderful mother and loved her two children dearly. Another passion of hers was her animals.
She is also preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Mike Burden.
...

Bonnie Sue Wilson
May 12, 2018
Bonnie Sue Davis Wilson, age 87, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away unexpectedly on the afternoon of Saturday, May 12, 2018 at her residence. The daughter of the late Lewis and Nancy Norris Davis, Bonnie was born in Haywood County, North Carolina on January 2, 1931.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by...
Scott D. Wilson
May 10, 2018
Scott Dewayne Wilson, age 47, of Marion, North Carolina passed away unexpectedly Thursday, May 10, 2018 at his home.
Scott was born December 21, 1970 in McDowell County to Nina Edwards Wilson of Marion, NC and to the late Mack Oliver Wilson, Jr. He was a wonderful husband, son and brother. He loved the Lord and enjoyed spending...
Bobby E. Beam
May 9, 2018
Bobby E. Beam, age 72, passed away on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at his residence with is loving family by his side. A resident of the Glenwood Community, Bobby was born in Lucas County, Ohio on August 10, 1945 to the late Donald and Marion Runion Beam.
An avid NASCAR fan, which he was a strong supporter...
Cynthia Canella
May 6, 2018
Cynthia Robbins Canella, age 60, of Hickory, North Carolina, passed away on the night of Sunday, May 6, 2018 at Gateway Rehabilitation & Healthcare in Lenoir. The only child of the late Ernest and Barbara Taylor Robbins, Cynthia was born in Shelby, North Carolina on December 30, 1957.
A loving and compassionate mother and grandmother, Cynthia, who was...
Garrett Bud Rice "The Idaho Cowboy"
May 6, 2018
Garrett Bud Rice “The Idaho Cowboy”, age 81, of Marion, North Carolina gave up his mortal body of pain and suffering to take on his new perfect body in his new home of everlasting peace and happiness with Jesus our Savior, at St. Joseph Campus of Mission Hospital, Asheville, NC following an extended illness with family at his side. He...
Randall "Randy" Leroy Guffey
May 5, 2018
Randall “Randy” Leroy Guffey, age 62, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at Mission Hospital McDowell. Born in Oakland, Michigan on October 2, 1954, he was the son of the late Frank and Nellie Mae Stacy Guffey.
Randy will be remembered for his love of drawing, writing poems, and “cruising” on his...
Kathy A. Ramsey
May 4, 2018
Kathy A. Ramsey, age 61, of Nebo, North Carolina, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Friday, May 4, 2018 at her residence with her loving family by her side. A native of McDowell County, North Carolina, born June 12, 1956, she was the oldest daughter of Gladys Ashe of Marion and the late Otis James Ashe.
...

John Kirk May
May 4, 2018
John Kirk May, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away on Friday, May 4, 2018 at the SECU Inpatient Unit of Hospice of the Carolina Foothills in Forest City. A resident of Spindale, John was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on September 4, 1949 and was the son of the late Thomas and Jean Duncan May.
A member of...
Doris Mae Romine
May 2, 2018
Doris Mae Duncan Romine, age 89, of Marion, North Carolina went to be with the Lord Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at her son’s home surrounded by her loving family.
Mrs. Romine was born July 4, 1928 in McDowell County to the late Elmer and Leona Fox Duncan. She retired from Cross Cotton Mill. In addition to her parents, she...
Thomas "Tom" R. Carson
May 2, 2018
Thomas “Tom” R. Carson, age 63, of Charlotte, North Carolina and formerly of Nebo, North Carolina, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at Carolinas HealthCare System-Blue Ridge (Grace Hospital) in Morganton. The son of the late Nathaniel and Mae Etta Rutherford Carson, Tom was born in Burke County, North Carolina on October 25, 1954.
Tom, who...
Dillard Hoover Payne
Apr 28, 2018
Dillard Hoover Payne, age 90, of Marion, North Carolina passed away Saturday, April 28, 2018 at the SECU House of Hospice of Rutherford County.
Mr. Payne was born February 25, 1928 in Madison County to the late James Frank Payne and Ettie Sluder Payne. He retired from Chrysler Corporation in 1980 after 30 years of service. He was...
Elna Magdalene Chapman
Apr 27, 2018
Mrs. Elna Ogle Chapman, age 95, of Swannanoa North Carolina went home to be with the Lord on the morning of Friday, April 27, 2018 at Asheville Health Care. Born in Yancy County North Carolina on January 5, 1923, and was the daughter of the late Elzie Hilliard Ogle, and Elsie Roland Ogle. She was also preceded in death by...
Joe L. Buchanan
Apr 27, 2018
Joe L. Buchanan, age 76, of Marion, North Carolina went home to be with his Lord on Friday, April 27, 2018 at his residence. The son of the late Holden and Dollie Pitman Buchanan, Joe was born in Mitchell County, North Carolina on March 19, 1942.
Joe loved raising miniature horses, watching wrestling, and “tinkering” with his 1966 Ford...