Obituaries
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...
Sandra Lynn Wells
Nov 28, 2023
Sandra Lynn Capps Wells, 62, of Bulls Gap, TN, passed away Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at her residence.
Sandra was born in Bordeaux, France to the late Iva Norton and Winfred Capps. She was a graphic artist and a writer who published several mystery novels. Sandra was an adventurist who loved to travel and was very...
Rose Dian Hall Russell
Nov 28, 2023
Rose Dian Hall Russell, age 77, of Nebo passed away at Mission McDowell Hospital on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.
Rose was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota on October 23, 1946 to the late Dell Hall and the late Cecelia Sahli.
Rose was a former bus driver for Pleasant Gardens Elementary. She never met a stranger. Most of...
David Lee Bradley
Nov 27, 2023
David Lee Bradley, 51, of Morganton, passed away Monday, November 27 2023, at Amorem Hospice in Valdese.
David was born in McDowell County, NC on February 17, 1972, to Gloria Haney Bradley and the late Stanley Bradley. David was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing and hunting. He was a loving son and brother. David will...
James Lee Weaver
Nov 27, 2023
James Lee Weaver, 68, of Marion, passed away Monday, November 27, 2023 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in Cleveland County on October 9, 1955 to the late Willard Daniel Weaver and Rebecca Lucy Moss Weaver. He was also preceded in death by a son, Michael VanHorn.
Mr. Weaver was a veteran...
Sue Kelley Smith
Nov 27, 2023
Sue Kelley Smith, 74, of Dysartsville, was called Home to be with the Lord on Monday, November 27, 2023 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.
A native of McDowell County, she was born April 21, 1949 to the late Albert Guy Kelley and Ruby Arrowood Kelley.
Sue held many different careers during her life, but she mostly...
Ricky Dee Gouge
Nov 26, 2023
Ricky Dee Gouge, 55, of Marion, unexpectedly departed this life on Sunday, November 26, 2023 in Roxboro, North Carolina.
Ricky was a native of McDowell County and was born on January 6, 1968. He was preceded in death by his mother, Joyce Honeycutt Gouge; grandmother, Thelma Lee Harvey; and an uncle, Peewee Johnson.
Ricky was an avid...
Albertia Marie Swepson Rutherford
Nov 25, 2023
Albertia Marie Swepson Rutherford, 92, of Marion, departed this life Saturday, November 25, 2023 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.
A native of Marion, she was born July 3, 1931 to the late Clinton Swepson and Maggie Mae Carson Swepson.
Albertia was employed with Washington Mills for over twenty years and was a beautician by trade. She was...
Traci Wilson Loftis
Nov 25, 2023
Traci Wilson Loftis, 50, of Marion, passed away Saturday, November 25, 2023 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.
She was born in Burke County on August 17, 1973 to the late Clifton Theodore Wilson and Shirley Jean Ingle Wilson. Traci was also preceded in death by her daughter, Chloe Grace Loftis; and a special friend, Gordon Cook.
Traci...
Millie Ann Banks
Nov 24, 2023
Millie Ann Banks, 91, of Old Fort, passed away Friday, November 24, 2023 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills in Forest City.
Millie was born in McDowell County, NC on December 7, 1931, to the late Robert Ernest Banks and Hattie Elizabeth Wilde Banks. Millie was known for her good sense of humor. She loved...
Betty Lou Davis Padgett
Nov 23, 2023
Betty Lou Davis Padgett, affectionately known as "Betty Lou" by her friends and family, of the Pleasant Gardens Community, passed away peacefully Thursday, November 23, 2023, at the Greens of Spruce Pine, at the age of 79.
Born in Rutherford County, August 2, 1944, she was the daughter of Charles and Nora Buchanan Davis.
She was a graduate of...
Mary Louise Killian Taylor
Nov 23, 2023
Mrs. Mary Louise Killian Taylor, age 89, of Nebo, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 23, 2023 at her residence. She was born in McDowell County on March 2, 1934 to the late David Killian and Pearl Haynes Killian. Louise was preceded in death by her husband, Dallas Taylor and one son Edward Lewis.
Louise was...
David Mitchell Curtis Lunsford
Nov 21, 2023
David Mitchell Curtis Lunsford, 70, of Marion, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.
He was born December 26, 1952 to the late Conley Lunsford and Irene Moss Lunsford. He is also preceded in death by the mother of his children, Brenda Gail Lunsford.
David was a hard worker his entire...
Barri Shawn Loftis
Nov 20, 2023
Barri Shawn Loftis, 65, of Rutherfordton, passed away on Monday, November 20, 2023.
Barri was born in McDowell County to the late Thomas Franklin Loftis, Jr. and the late Dorothy Jones Loftis.
He was a graduate of McDowell High School, and attended NC State University. He loved the game of golf and Alabama football. Music recharged his soul. He...
Geraldine Dowless Fox
Nov 20, 2023
Geraldine Dowless Fox, age 72, passed away Monday, November 20, 2023 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills in Forest City.
She was born in Virginia on July 6, 1951 to the late Eugene Dowless and Geneva Mae Dew Perry.
She is survived by her husband, Arcemus Fox; son, Mark Benson; and three grandchildren, Cameron Benson, Collin Benson, and...
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...
Sandra Lynn Wells
Nov 28, 2023
Sandra Lynn Capps Wells, 62, of Bulls Gap, TN, passed away Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at her residence.
Sandra was born in Bordeaux, France to the late Iva Norton and Winfred Capps. She was a graphic artist and a writer who published several mystery novels. Sandra was an adventurist who loved to travel and was very...
Rose Dian Hall Russell
Nov 28, 2023
Rose Dian Hall Russell, age 77, of Nebo passed away at Mission McDowell Hospital on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.
Rose was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota on October 23, 1946 to the late Dell Hall and the late Cecelia Sahli.
Rose was a former bus driver for Pleasant Gardens Elementary. She never met a stranger. Most of...
David Lee Bradley
Nov 27, 2023
David Lee Bradley, 51, of Morganton, passed away Monday, November 27 2023, at Amorem Hospice in Valdese.
David was born in McDowell County, NC on February 17, 1972, to Gloria Haney Bradley and the late Stanley Bradley. David was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing and hunting. He was a loving son and brother. David will...
James Lee Weaver
Nov 27, 2023
James Lee Weaver, 68, of Marion, passed away Monday, November 27, 2023 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in Cleveland County on October 9, 1955 to the late Willard Daniel Weaver and Rebecca Lucy Moss Weaver. He was also preceded in death by a son, Michael VanHorn.
Mr. Weaver was a veteran...
Sue Kelley Smith
Nov 27, 2023
Sue Kelley Smith, 74, of Dysartsville, was called Home to be with the Lord on Monday, November 27, 2023 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.
A native of McDowell County, she was born April 21, 1949 to the late Albert Guy Kelley and Ruby Arrowood Kelley.
Sue held many different careers during her life, but she mostly...
Ricky Dee Gouge
Nov 26, 2023
Ricky Dee Gouge, 55, of Marion, unexpectedly departed this life on Sunday, November 26, 2023 in Roxboro, North Carolina.
Ricky was a native of McDowell County and was born on January 6, 1968. He was preceded in death by his mother, Joyce Honeycutt Gouge; grandmother, Thelma Lee Harvey; and an uncle, Peewee Johnson.
Ricky was an avid...
Albertia Marie Swepson Rutherford
Nov 25, 2023
Albertia Marie Swepson Rutherford, 92, of Marion, departed this life Saturday, November 25, 2023 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.
A native of Marion, she was born July 3, 1931 to the late Clinton Swepson and Maggie Mae Carson Swepson.
Albertia was employed with Washington Mills for over twenty years and was a beautician by trade. She was...
Traci Wilson Loftis
Nov 25, 2023
Traci Wilson Loftis, 50, of Marion, passed away Saturday, November 25, 2023 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.
She was born in Burke County on August 17, 1973 to the late Clifton Theodore Wilson and Shirley Jean Ingle Wilson. Traci was also preceded in death by her daughter, Chloe Grace Loftis; and a special friend, Gordon Cook.
Traci...
Millie Ann Banks
Nov 24, 2023
Millie Ann Banks, 91, of Old Fort, passed away Friday, November 24, 2023 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills in Forest City.
Millie was born in McDowell County, NC on December 7, 1931, to the late Robert Ernest Banks and Hattie Elizabeth Wilde Banks. Millie was known for her good sense of humor. She loved...
Betty Lou Davis Padgett
Nov 23, 2023
Betty Lou Davis Padgett, affectionately known as "Betty Lou" by her friends and family, of the Pleasant Gardens Community, passed away peacefully Thursday, November 23, 2023, at the Greens of Spruce Pine, at the age of 79.
Born in Rutherford County, August 2, 1944, she was the daughter of Charles and Nora Buchanan Davis.
She was a graduate of...
Mary Louise Killian Taylor
Nov 23, 2023
Mrs. Mary Louise Killian Taylor, age 89, of Nebo, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 23, 2023 at her residence. She was born in McDowell County on March 2, 1934 to the late David Killian and Pearl Haynes Killian. Louise was preceded in death by her husband, Dallas Taylor and one son Edward Lewis.
Louise was...
David Mitchell Curtis Lunsford
Nov 21, 2023
David Mitchell Curtis Lunsford, 70, of Marion, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.
He was born December 26, 1952 to the late Conley Lunsford and Irene Moss Lunsford. He is also preceded in death by the mother of his children, Brenda Gail Lunsford.
David was a hard worker his entire...
Barri Shawn Loftis
Nov 20, 2023
Barri Shawn Loftis, 65, of Rutherfordton, passed away on Monday, November 20, 2023.
Barri was born in McDowell County to the late Thomas Franklin Loftis, Jr. and the late Dorothy Jones Loftis.
He was a graduate of McDowell High School, and attended NC State University. He loved the game of golf and Alabama football. Music recharged his soul. He...
Geraldine Dowless Fox
Nov 20, 2023
Geraldine Dowless Fox, age 72, passed away Monday, November 20, 2023 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills in Forest City.
She was born in Virginia on July 6, 1951 to the late Eugene Dowless and Geneva Mae Dew Perry.
She is survived by her husband, Arcemus Fox; son, Mark Benson; and three grandchildren, Cameron Benson, Collin Benson, and...
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