Obituaries
Kenneth Ray Sparks
Sep 16, 2024
Kenneth Ray Sparks, age 77, of Spruce Pine, departed this life on Monday, September 16, 2024 at home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in Mitchell County on March 29, 1947 to the late Henry Sparks and Mary Lee Biddix Sparks. Kenneth formerly worked as a cook in fish camps in both Marion and Bakersville. He was a wonderful...
James Henry Gibson, Sr.
Sep 13, 2024
James Henry Gibson, Sr., 74, of Marion, passed away Friday, September 13, 2024, at his residence.
James was born in McDowell County, NC on March 5, 1950, to William Silvers and Verties Ellen Gibson. He was married to his wife of 29 years, Denise Kay Rumfelt Gibson and was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church in Nebo. He was a hard...
Willow Cera Thorne
Sep 12, 2024
Willow Cera Thorne, age 3 months, passed away Thursday, September 12, 2024 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.
She was born June 3, 2024 in Marion. Willow was a very happy baby who had a smile that would melt your heart. She would always smile when someone said “I love you.” She had the most beautiful sky-blue eyes. Willow recently started cooing...
Gerald Douglas Styles
Sep 12, 2024
Gerald D. Styles, aka “Peg-leg,” passed away on September 12, 2024, in Asheville, North Carolina. Born on May 30, 1957, a native to Yancey County.
Gerald proudly served in the Air Force and lived a full life. He loved his family & friends, enjoyed racing, driving, working on hot rods, riding motorcycles and doing burn-outs. He asks his friends to do...
Joel Craig Forbes
Sep 11, 2024
Joel Craig Forbes, 50, of Marion passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.
Craig was born in McDowell County to the late Margaret Forbes on October 20, 1973. He is survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
No services are planned at this time.
Christina Kathryn Godfrey Creasman
Sep 10, 2024
Christina “Tina” Kathryn Godfrey Creasman, 52, of Marion went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at Atrium Health Charlotte.
Tina was born in Cook County, Illinois on November 11, 1971 to Kenneth Denby and Theodora Lantz Glenn.
She loved her Lord and Savior and gave to her community by working as a CNA. Tina was devoted to her...
Madge Irene Silver Bivins
Sep 10, 2024
Madge Irene Silver Bivins, 91, of Old Fort, peacefully departed this life on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at Autumn Care of Marion.
She was born in Old Fort on March 31, 1933 to the late Virgil Silver and Sallie Noblitt Silver. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Howard Bivins; two daughters, Sheila Jeanne Bivins Stewart and Kathy Luann...
Glen Ray Bartlett
Sep 8, 2024
On the afternoon of Sunday, September 8, 2024, Glen Ray Bartlett, 84, of Old Fort, passed away at Mission Hospital in Asheville.
He was born at home in Old Fort on March 24, 1940 to the late Horace Bartlett and Essie Bean Bartlett.
Glen had a dedicated career in textiles, where he spent many years contributing to the industry at Old Fort...
James Christopher "Chris" Conley
Sep 5, 2024
James Christopher "Chris" Conley, a cherished member of the Marion community, passed away on September 5, 2024, at Carepartners Hospice Solace Center. Born May 24, 1972 in Wilmington, North Carolina, Chris's life was marked by his unwavering spirit, love for his family, and dedication to his career.
Chris proudly served his country as a United States Marine, an experience that shaped...
Jane Cable Oertel
Sep 5, 2024
Jane Eloise Cable Oertel, 81, of Nebo, passed away Thursday, September 5, 2024, at Deer Park Health and Rehabilitation.
Jane was born in Swain County, NC on August 30, 1943, to the late Richard Pearson Cable and Virginia Jenkins Cable. She loved people, and for many years, Jane was an employee of Wal-Mart. She enjoyed cooking for the family, laughing, and...
Ollie Mae Effler
Sep 4, 2024
Ollie Mae Effler, 71, of Old Fort, passed away on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 in Morganton at UNC Health Blue Ridge.
Ollie was born in McDowell County to the late James Effler and the late Irene Knupp Effler. She is also preceded in death by her siblings, Daniel Effler, Doris Lunsford, James Effler, Jr., Mary Goodson, Henry Effler, Evelyn Young and...
Bruce Leon Brown
Sep 2, 2024
Bruce Leon Brown, 63, of Marion, met Jesus face to face on Monday, September 2, 2024.
He was born September 1, 1961 in Elyria, Ohio to the late Ford Brown and Helen Soules Brown. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Gary Brown.
Bruce attended Cleveland State University where he studied TV and Radio Production and Journalism. He later attended...
Shawn Condrey
Sep 2, 2024
Shawn Patrick Condrey, 62, of Old Fort passed away unexpectedly at The McDowell Hospital on Monday, September 2, 2024.
Shawn was born in Guilford County on April 15, 1962 to William Harold Condrey and Patsy Ann Ayers who preceded him in death.
Shawn loved sports and was an avid UNC Tarheel fan. He was also a big fan of the Dallas Cowboys....
Charles Steven King
Sep 2, 2024
Charles Steven King, 76, of Old Fort, passed away at the North Carolina Veterans Home in Black Mountain on Monday, September 2, 2024.
Steve was born in McDowell County on May 21, 1948 to the late Charles King and the late Sue Gaddy King.
Steve was a proud veteran of the US Army. Most of his work career was spent as a...
Reba Jewel Scott McMahon
Sep 1, 2024
Reba Jewel Scott McMahon, 96, of Ramseur, North Carolina and formerly of Marion, passed away Sunday, September 1, 2024 at Randolph Hospice House.
She was born in Yancey County on May 19, 1928 to the late Theodore “Joe Bill” Scott and Dora Elizabeth Buchanan Scott. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Talmadge Ernest McMahon; her brother, Joel Scott...
Terry Wayne Brown
Aug 30, 2024
Terry Wayne Brown, 68, formerly of Dysartsville, passed away Friday, August 30, 2024.
He was born in McDowell County on December 12, 1955 to the late Ade Clark and Evie Brown. Terry worked with shrubbery in the landscaping business. He was also a very skilled mechanic. He spent a lot of his time tinkering with engines, both big and small, and...
Bonnie Jackson
Aug 30, 2024
Bonnie Rebecca Raffield Jackson, 97, of Marion, passed away Friday, August 30, 2024 at the John F. Keever, Jr. Solace center in Asheville.
Bonnie was born in Old Fort, NC on February 7, 1927, to the late Thomas Elbert Raffield and Margaret Cordell Raffield. She was married to the late Rev. Allen L. Jackson, who was her husband of more than...
Shirley Ann Banks McCoyle
Aug 29, 2024
Shirley Ann Banks McCoyle, 80, of Marion, went to be with the Lord on Thursday evening, August 29, 2024 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.
She was born in McDowell County on December 28, 1943 to the late Arlond Theodore Banks and Pearl Woodby Banks. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Douglas Fred Banks.
Shirley loved the Lord and...
Grace Mae Rutherford
Aug 27, 2024
Obituary For Grace Mae Rutherford
Homegoing Services for Mrs. Grace Rutherford will be on Friday, September 6, 2024, 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 25 Boulevard NE, Atlanta, GA 30312. The Viewing will be held before the Service from 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM on Friday, the 6th, followed by the Omega Omega Farewell presented by the Delta...
Charles Ree Radford
Aug 24, 2024
Charles Ree Radford, 81, passed away on the evening of Saturday, August 24, 2024 at his residence in Marion with family by his side.
Born in McDowell County on December 11, 1942, Charles was the son of the late Ernest Ree Radford and Jeanette Seaman Radford.
Charles was known as a strong, hard-working man who enjoyed working in his wood pile. He...
Kenneth Ray Sparks
Sep 16, 2024
Kenneth Ray Sparks, age 77, of Spruce Pine, departed this life on Monday, September 16, 2024 at home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in Mitchell County on March 29, 1947 to the late Henry Sparks and Mary Lee Biddix Sparks. Kenneth formerly worked as a cook in fish camps in both Marion and Bakersville. He was a wonderful...
James Henry Gibson, Sr.
Sep 13, 2024
James Henry Gibson, Sr., 74, of Marion, passed away Friday, September 13, 2024, at his residence.
James was born in McDowell County, NC on March 5, 1950, to William Silvers and Verties Ellen Gibson. He was married to his wife of 29 years, Denise Kay Rumfelt Gibson and was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church in Nebo. He was a hard...
Willow Cera Thorne
Sep 12, 2024
Willow Cera Thorne, age 3 months, passed away Thursday, September 12, 2024 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.
She was born June 3, 2024 in Marion. Willow was a very happy baby who had a smile that would melt your heart. She would always smile when someone said “I love you.” She had the most beautiful sky-blue eyes. Willow recently started cooing...
Gerald Douglas Styles
Sep 12, 2024
Gerald D. Styles, aka “Peg-leg,” passed away on September 12, 2024, in Asheville, North Carolina. Born on May 30, 1957, a native to Yancey County.
Gerald proudly served in the Air Force and lived a full life. He loved his family & friends, enjoyed racing, driving, working on hot rods, riding motorcycles and doing burn-outs. He asks his friends to do...
Joel Craig Forbes
Sep 11, 2024
Joel Craig Forbes, 50, of Marion passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.
Craig was born in McDowell County to the late Margaret Forbes on October 20, 1973. He is survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
No services are planned at this time.
Christina Kathryn Godfrey Creasman
Sep 10, 2024
Christina “Tina” Kathryn Godfrey Creasman, 52, of Marion went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at Atrium Health Charlotte.
Tina was born in Cook County, Illinois on November 11, 1971 to Kenneth Denby and Theodora Lantz Glenn.
She loved her Lord and Savior and gave to her community by working as a CNA. Tina was devoted to her...
Madge Irene Silver Bivins
Sep 10, 2024
Madge Irene Silver Bivins, 91, of Old Fort, peacefully departed this life on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at Autumn Care of Marion.
She was born in Old Fort on March 31, 1933 to the late Virgil Silver and Sallie Noblitt Silver. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Howard Bivins; two daughters, Sheila Jeanne Bivins Stewart and Kathy Luann...
Glen Ray Bartlett
Sep 8, 2024
On the afternoon of Sunday, September 8, 2024, Glen Ray Bartlett, 84, of Old Fort, passed away at Mission Hospital in Asheville.
He was born at home in Old Fort on March 24, 1940 to the late Horace Bartlett and Essie Bean Bartlett.
Glen had a dedicated career in textiles, where he spent many years contributing to the industry at Old Fort...
James Christopher "Chris" Conley
Sep 5, 2024
James Christopher "Chris" Conley, a cherished member of the Marion community, passed away on September 5, 2024, at Carepartners Hospice Solace Center. Born May 24, 1972 in Wilmington, North Carolina, Chris's life was marked by his unwavering spirit, love for his family, and dedication to his career.
Chris proudly served his country as a United States Marine, an experience that shaped...
Jane Cable Oertel
Sep 5, 2024
Jane Eloise Cable Oertel, 81, of Nebo, passed away Thursday, September 5, 2024, at Deer Park Health and Rehabilitation.
Jane was born in Swain County, NC on August 30, 1943, to the late Richard Pearson Cable and Virginia Jenkins Cable. She loved people, and for many years, Jane was an employee of Wal-Mart. She enjoyed cooking for the family, laughing, and...
Ollie Mae Effler
Sep 4, 2024
Ollie Mae Effler, 71, of Old Fort, passed away on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 in Morganton at UNC Health Blue Ridge.
Ollie was born in McDowell County to the late James Effler and the late Irene Knupp Effler. She is also preceded in death by her siblings, Daniel Effler, Doris Lunsford, James Effler, Jr., Mary Goodson, Henry Effler, Evelyn Young and...
Bruce Leon Brown
Sep 2, 2024
Bruce Leon Brown, 63, of Marion, met Jesus face to face on Monday, September 2, 2024.
He was born September 1, 1961 in Elyria, Ohio to the late Ford Brown and Helen Soules Brown. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Gary Brown.
Bruce attended Cleveland State University where he studied TV and Radio Production and Journalism. He later attended...
Shawn Condrey
Sep 2, 2024
Shawn Patrick Condrey, 62, of Old Fort passed away unexpectedly at The McDowell Hospital on Monday, September 2, 2024.
Shawn was born in Guilford County on April 15, 1962 to William Harold Condrey and Patsy Ann Ayers who preceded him in death.
Shawn loved sports and was an avid UNC Tarheel fan. He was also a big fan of the Dallas Cowboys....
Charles Steven King
Sep 2, 2024
Charles Steven King, 76, of Old Fort, passed away at the North Carolina Veterans Home in Black Mountain on Monday, September 2, 2024.
Steve was born in McDowell County on May 21, 1948 to the late Charles King and the late Sue Gaddy King.
Steve was a proud veteran of the US Army. Most of his work career was spent as a...
Reba Jewel Scott McMahon
Sep 1, 2024
Reba Jewel Scott McMahon, 96, of Ramseur, North Carolina and formerly of Marion, passed away Sunday, September 1, 2024 at Randolph Hospice House.
She was born in Yancey County on May 19, 1928 to the late Theodore “Joe Bill” Scott and Dora Elizabeth Buchanan Scott. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Talmadge Ernest McMahon; her brother, Joel Scott...
Terry Wayne Brown
Aug 30, 2024
Terry Wayne Brown, 68, formerly of Dysartsville, passed away Friday, August 30, 2024.
He was born in McDowell County on December 12, 1955 to the late Ade Clark and Evie Brown. Terry worked with shrubbery in the landscaping business. He was also a very skilled mechanic. He spent a lot of his time tinkering with engines, both big and small, and...
Bonnie Jackson
Aug 30, 2024
Bonnie Rebecca Raffield Jackson, 97, of Marion, passed away Friday, August 30, 2024 at the John F. Keever, Jr. Solace center in Asheville.
Bonnie was born in Old Fort, NC on February 7, 1927, to the late Thomas Elbert Raffield and Margaret Cordell Raffield. She was married to the late Rev. Allen L. Jackson, who was her husband of more than...
Shirley Ann Banks McCoyle
Aug 29, 2024
Shirley Ann Banks McCoyle, 80, of Marion, went to be with the Lord on Thursday evening, August 29, 2024 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.
She was born in McDowell County on December 28, 1943 to the late Arlond Theodore Banks and Pearl Woodby Banks. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Douglas Fred Banks.
Shirley loved the Lord and...
Grace Mae Rutherford
Aug 27, 2024
Obituary For Grace Mae Rutherford
Homegoing Services for Mrs. Grace Rutherford will be on Friday, September 6, 2024, 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 25 Boulevard NE, Atlanta, GA 30312. The Viewing will be held before the Service from 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM on Friday, the 6th, followed by the Omega Omega Farewell presented by the Delta...
Charles Ree Radford
Aug 24, 2024
Charles Ree Radford, 81, passed away on the evening of Saturday, August 24, 2024 at his residence in Marion with family by his side.
Born in McDowell County on December 11, 1942, Charles was the son of the late Ernest Ree Radford and Jeanette Seaman Radford.
Charles was known as a strong, hard-working man who enjoyed working in his wood pile. He...
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