Obituaries

Annie Faye Vess

May 9, 2024

Annie Faye Vess, 95, of Marion passed away at Mountain Ridge Wellness Center in Black Mountain on Thursday, May 9, 2024.

Born in McDowell County on April 30, 1929, Annie was the daughter of the late James Edward Vess and Mary Elizabeth Jolly Vess. Also preceding were siblings Clyde Vess (Vena), Ruby Vess, Gladys Allison (Donald), and her twin sister Fannie...

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Rena Isabelle McGee

May 8, 2024

Rena Isabelle McGee, 88, a resident of Old Fort passed away at Carepartners Solace Center of Asheville on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

Rena was born on July 8, 1935 in Jackson County, NC to the late Albert McHeffey and the late Maude Foster McHeffey. Rena enjoyed nature and loved watching cardinals, chickens and frogs.

Surviving Rena are her children, Hilda Edwards (Jerry)...

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Robert Earl Long

May 7, 2024

Robert Earl Long, 77, of Marion, passed away Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at Deer Park Health & Rehabilitation.A native of McDowell County, he was born November 22, 1946 to the late Earl Edward Long and Edna Nancy Norton Long. Mr. Long was a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill and worked as a pharmacist for over 30 years. He will be...

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Jimmy Lee Allen

May 7, 2024

Jimmy Lee Allen, 81, of Old Fort, passed away Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.

A native of Buncombe County, he was born May 12, 1942 to the late William Carson Allen and Altha Berlyn McPeters Allen. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Edith Morris Allen; granddaughter, Ansley Grace Carpenter; and a sister, Tamara Diane...

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Robert Jerome Matson

May 7, 2024

Robert “Bob” Jerome Matson, 78 years old, born in Blair, Wisconsin, on May 1, 1946, went home to be with Jesus on May 7, 2024.

Bob was an Army veteran and served his country in Germany. He was an engineer and worked at Outboard Marine Corporation/Bombardier for 35 years. Bob started a landscape business after his retirement....

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Vivian R. Frisbee Banks

May 6, 2024

Vivian R. Frisbee Banks went to be with her Lord on Monday, May 6, 2024.Vivian was born in Marion, NC to the late Delmer J. and Nola Baker Reynolds on December 8, 1927. She was preceded in death by her husband, William J. Frisbee; second husband, Lennie M. Banks; her brothers, Harold, Wayne, Jack, and Foy Mack "Bud;" and sisters,...

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Angelo Castro, Jr.

May 5, 2024

Angelo Castro, Jr., 60, of Nebo, NC, passed away Sunday, May 5, 2024, at his residence.

Angelo was born in Brooklyn, NY on December 15, 1963, to the late Blanca Edy Rivera and Angelo Castro, Sr. He was married to his wife of 34 years, Heidi R. Koch-Castro. Angelo was a train operator for the New York...

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Mary Lou "Mimi" Padgett Allison

May 4, 2024

Her given name was Mary Lou, but everyone called her Mimi. Her nickname fit. Diminutive in size, she would ball up her hand in a small fist and say she was tougher than a pine knot. In fact, Mimi was all heart; sweet, kind, tenderhearted, humble.Mary Lou "Mimi" Padgett Allison, who suffered through more than six years of declining health...

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Lori Norman

May 3, 2024

Lori Norman, 12/28/1948 - 5/3/2024

On the occasion of Lori’s 75th birthday in December, this is some of what Bob wrote to her:

“This feels like a good time and place to acknowledge and celebrate the many powerful, loving impacts you’ve had on so many other lives. In the varied roles to which you gave your heart and soul, you always found...

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Julia Ginette Postell Grant

May 3, 2024

Julia Ginette Postell Grant, 69, of Marion, departed this life Friday, May 3, 2024 after a brief illness.

She was born in New Smyrna Beach, Florida on November 27, 1954 to the late Preston Postell and Doretha Edwards. She also is preceded in death by a second mother, Mildred Reid Postell; and her son, David Jonathan Grant.

Julia Postell Grant was an...

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Donald Aaron McKinney

May 3, 2024

Donald Aaron McKinney, 67, of Marion, passed away Friday, May 3, 2024, at his residence.

Donald was born in Mitchell County, NC on September 10, 1956, to the late Lee McKinney and Maxine Lowery McKinney. He was married to his wife of twenty-six years, Wanda Jane Rumfelt McKinney. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing. Donald...

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Rebecca Ann Wilson Kelly

May 3, 2024

Rebecca Ann Wilson Kelly, 72, of Nebo, passed away at Mission Memorial of Asheville on Friday, May 3, 2024.

Rebecca was born in McDowell County on February 3, 1952 to the late Andy Thomas Wilson and the late Grace Moody Wilson.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Howard Dennis Kelly; her children, Brett Moore (Allen) of Nebo, and Joshua Kelly...

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Norma Kaye Brooks Revis

May 2, 2024

Norma Kaye Brooks Revis, 85, of Nebo, passed away at UNC Blue Ridge in Morganton on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

Norma was born in Swain County, NC to her late parents, Thomas Roy Brooks and Eula Anthony Brooks.

Norma was lovingly known as Momma Kaye. She was avid in attending her children and grandchildren’s ballgames. Norma loved her pet dogs dearly and...

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Elizabeth Anna Cope Brown

May 1, 2024

Elizabeth Anna Cope Brown, 69, of Old Fort, went to her heavenly home on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Elizabeth passed away at Mission Memorial of Asheville.

Elizabeth was born in Lincoln County, NC on December 3, 1954 to the late Lawson McKinley Cope and the late Fannie Carswell Cope. A grandson, Jacob Garrett Brown also preceded her in death.

Elizabeth was known...

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Sandra Ann Lytle Carpenter

May 1, 2024

Sandra Ann Lytle Carpenter, 66, of Old Fort, passed away Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at her home after a brief battle with cancer.

She was born in Marion on July 4, 1957 to the late Robert C. Lytle and Lucille Grindstaff Lytle.

Sandra was a part of Concord United Methodist Church for several years, and she later attended Old Fort United Methodist...

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LuAnn Brown Fonville

May 1, 2024

LuAnn Brown Fonville, 68, passed on to her eternal home on May 1, 2024. After a long and courageous fight with cancer, LuAnn peacefully left all of her sickness behind as she was surrounded by her family.

LuAnn was born in Durham, NC on March 29, 1956. She enjoyed working in her flower garden and spending time with her family.

She is...

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Jack Eugene Holt, Jr.

Apr 27, 2024

Jack Eugene Holt, Jr., 61, of Marion, passed away Saturday, April 27, 2024 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.

He was born in Creswell, Oregon on May 23, 1962 to the late Jack Eugene Holt, Sr. and Shirley Lamb Farnsworth. He was also preceded in death by his stepmother, Adelia Holt; two brothers, Jason Holt and Joel Holt; and one sister, Linda...

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Bill Morgan

Apr 26, 2024

Billy Ray Morgan, 72, of Rutherfordton, passed away Friday, April 26, 2024, at Atrium Health Cleveland.

Bill was born in McDowell County, NC, on September 8, 1951, to the late Ray Mills Morgan and Eva Mae Lawing Morgan. Bill was a retired electrician who enjoyed playing golf, fishing, pool, and gardening. He was an active member of...

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Grover Gene O'Dear

Apr 25, 2024

Grover Gene O’Dear, 82, of Marion passed away at the CarePartners Solace Center of Asheville on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Gene was born in McDowell County on March 08, 1942 to the late Rev. Harold O’Dear and the late Reva Franklin.

Gene loved fishing and hunting where he really enjoyed spending time in the beautiful outdoors. He was known as an...

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Josefina Sharon Pringle

Apr 24, 2024

Josefina Sharon Pringle, 74, of Hickory, passed away Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at Deer Park Health & Rehabilitation in Nebo. Josefina was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on June 1, 1949, to the late Horace Stanley Pringle, Jr. and Ora June Rhodes Pringle. She was a playful person who was known for her infectious laughter. Josefina was...

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