Obituaries
Wayne Burton Rumfelt
Mar 22, 2025
Wayne Burton Rumfelt, 88, of Marion, NC passed away peacefully on the morning of March 22, 2025 at the Mitchell House after a period of declining health. Born June 8, 1936, he was the son of the late Houston B. and Eursley Rhom Rumfelt.
Wayne began his professional life at American Thread quickly deciding that wasn't for him. After accounting training,...
Ruby Jane Morris Piercy
Mar 21, 2025
Ruby Jane Morris Piercy, age 82, of Nebo, passed away on Friday, March 21, 2025 at Deer Park Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Ruby was born in McDowell County on April 09, 1942 to the late Irby Morris and the late Elda Johnson Morris. She is also preceded in death by all her siblings and her son Danny Leon Davis.
She would put...
Beatrice "Elaine" Snypes
Mar 20, 2025
Beatrice “Elaine” Snypes, 68, of Greensboro, passed away Thursday, March 20, 2025 at the Hospice Home in Burlington.
Elaine was born in McDowell County on September 20, 1956 to the late Robert Snypes and Beatrice Fox Snypes. She was also preceded in death by a special aunt and uncle, Mabel and Dewey James.
She was a 1974 graduate of McDowell High School...
Kevin Clarke Swepson
Mar 20, 2025
Kevin Clarke Swepson, 67, of Marion, passed away Thursday, March 20, 2025 at Mission Hospital McDowell.
He was born in Marion on February 8, 1958 to the late Isaac Moore and Josie Swepson. A brother, Michael Swepson, also preceded him in death.
A graduate of McDowell High School, Kevin was a wonderful football player who earned the nickname, “Hoss.” Later in life,...
Reva Sue Suttles Allison
Mar 19, 2025
Reva Sue Suttles Allison, 75, of Marion, passed away at her home surrounded by her loved ones on Wednesday morning, March 19, 2025.
She was born in Madison County on April 30, 1949. She enjoyed working with and planting flowers, and she did so for a number of years as she worked for a greenhouse. She loved her family deeply, and...
Nellie Mae Vance Gilland
Mar 18, 2025
Nellie Mae Vance Gilland, 83, of Marion, passed away Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at home surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in Rutherfordton on June 11, 1941 to the late James Vance and Effie Moles Vance.
Nellie enjoyed the simple pleasures in life such as sitting outside and watching the birds and squirrels in God’s creation. She thoroughly enjoyed the...
Thomas Auburn Hendley
Mar 17, 2025
Thomas Auburn Hendley, better known as Tommy to family and friends, went to be with the Lord on the afternoon of Monday, March 17, 2025 at the Charles George VA Medical Center. He was 88 years old.
A native of McDowell County, Tommy was born on November 11, 1936 to the late Ken Shuford and Mildred “Tommie” Hilton Shuford.
Tommy lived a...
Russell Roland
Mar 16, 2025
Russell Roland, beloved son of Karen Roland, was born July 31st, 1983, in Marion, North Carolina. He peacefully passed away on March 16th, 2025, leaving behind cherished memories and a legacy of kindness and laughter.
Russell was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Bobby R. Roland and Bobbie S. Jones Roland. Also preceding Russell in death was his loved pet...
D. Eugene Shetley
Mar 16, 2025
Doris “Eugene” Shetley, 82, of Dysartsville, passed away Sunday, March 16, 2025, at Mountain Ridge Health and Rehabilitation.
Eugene was born in Madison County, NC on March 5, 1943, to the late John Roland Shetley and Edna Holt Shetley. He was married to the late Donna Shetley, who passed away in 2023. Eugene was an old-fashioned man...
Hilda Sue McGee Edwards
Mar 16, 2025
Hilda Sue McGee Edwards, 71, of Marion, passed away with her family by her side on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at her home.
She was born in Avery County on June 2, 1953 to the late Willard Jesse McGee and Rena Isabelle McHeffey McGee. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Joel Edwards, Sr.
Hilda dedicated much of her...
Madge Elizabeth Trent Gaddis
Mar 15, 2025
On the evening of March 15, 2025 Madge Elizabeth Trent Gaddis, age 93, left this world and went to her heavenly home in Glory.
Born in Marion, on February 9, 1932, she was the daughter of Eugene & Elizabeth Freshour Trent. Madge loved her Lord and Savior and served Him many years at Rocky Pass Free Will Baptist Church. She especially...
Roy Dean Sowers
Mar 15, 2025
Roy Dean Sowers, 72, of Marion, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at Mission Hospital McDowell.
A native of McDowell County, he was born February 14, 1953 to the late Starlin Bennett Sowers and Betty Jean Padgett Sowers.
With a career that spanned more than three decades, Roy Dean devoted 35 years to the furniture business until...
Danny Ledford
Mar 14, 2025
Danny Ledford, 68, of Valdese, NC, passed away Friday, March 14, 2025, at his residence.
Danny was born in Michigan, on August 11, 1956, to the late Juanita and Ralph Ledford. He was member of Vesper Lodge No. 554, A.F.&A.M. in Spruce Pine, NC. Danny was a regional manager with Quality Oil, where he was loved by...
William Horace Thompson
Mar 13, 2025
William “Bill” Horace Thompson, 85, of Marion, NC, formally of Wheeler Texas, passed away Thursday, March 13, 2025, at his residence.
Bill was born in Beaufort County, North Carolina, on December 26, 1939, to the late Nell Moore Thompson. He served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force for 16 years, and served in Special Operations during the Vietnam War....
Charles Wesley Thomas
Mar 11, 2025
Charles Wesley Thomas, 51, of Marion, passed away Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at UNC Health Blue Ridge in Morganton.
Chuck was born in Santa Rosa, California on April 25, 1973, to the late Cora Lee Wilson and Gary Benny Thomas. He grew up in the Glenwood community of McDowell County, NC. Chuck loved music and was the drummer for the band,...
Arthur Eldridge Leake, III
Mar 10, 2025
Arthur Eldridge Leake, III was born May 14, 1968 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina to Brenda England Leake of Marion, NC and Arthur Eldridge Leake, Jr. of Marshall, NC.
“Art” graduated from Erwin High School. Challenged with an early diagnosis of schizophrenia, Art faced each day with determination and hope. He brought much joy to his family with his sharp sense...
Gary Layne Kesecker
Mar 10, 2025
On Monday morning, March 10, 2025, Gary Layne Kesecker, age 73, of Marion, passed away at Autumn Care of Marion.
He was born in Hampshire County, West Virginia on October 9, 1951 to the late Gilbert Henry Kesecker and Rosella Gertrude Montgomery Kesecker.
Gary spent his career in the furniture industry where he mainly worked in maintenance. He began at Broyhill and...
Dennis Brad Sanford
Mar 9, 2025
Dennis “Brad” Sanford, 50, of Spindale, passed away Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Spartanburg Regional Hospital.
Brad was born in Waynesville, NC on December 16, 1974, to Woodrow Sanford and the late Darlene Baker Sanford. Brad loved gardening and was especially proud of his flowers. He loved dogs and adopted many rescue animals over the years. Brad was a good-hearted man...
Dwight Lee Bailey
Mar 9, 2025
Dwight Lee Bailey, 61, passed away Sunday, March 9, 2025 at Deer Park Health & Rehabilitation.
No services are planned.
Jackie Lewis Forbes
Mar 9, 2025
Jackie Lewis Forbes, 63, of Marion, NC, passed away Sunday, March 9, 2025, at his residence.
Jackie was born in McDowell County, NC, on April 17, 1961, to the late Mark Forbes and Hazel Pittman Forbes.
He is survived by four sisters, Reva Yoakum & husband John, Ellen Hemphill & husband Ronnie, Nancy Frady & husband Willie, and Mildred Robinson & husband...
Wayne Burton Rumfelt
Mar 22, 2025
Wayne Burton Rumfelt, 88, of Marion, NC passed away peacefully on the morning of March 22, 2025 at the Mitchell House after a period of declining health. Born June 8, 1936, he was the son of the late Houston B. and Eursley Rhom Rumfelt.
Wayne began his professional life at American Thread quickly deciding that wasn't for him. After accounting training,...
Ruby Jane Morris Piercy
Mar 21, 2025
Ruby Jane Morris Piercy, age 82, of Nebo, passed away on Friday, March 21, 2025 at Deer Park Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Ruby was born in McDowell County on April 09, 1942 to the late Irby Morris and the late Elda Johnson Morris. She is also preceded in death by all her siblings and her son Danny Leon Davis.
She would put...
Beatrice "Elaine" Snypes
Mar 20, 2025
Beatrice “Elaine” Snypes, 68, of Greensboro, passed away Thursday, March 20, 2025 at the Hospice Home in Burlington.
Elaine was born in McDowell County on September 20, 1956 to the late Robert Snypes and Beatrice Fox Snypes. She was also preceded in death by a special aunt and uncle, Mabel and Dewey James.
She was a 1974 graduate of McDowell High School...
Kevin Clarke Swepson
Mar 20, 2025
Kevin Clarke Swepson, 67, of Marion, passed away Thursday, March 20, 2025 at Mission Hospital McDowell.
He was born in Marion on February 8, 1958 to the late Isaac Moore and Josie Swepson. A brother, Michael Swepson, also preceded him in death.
A graduate of McDowell High School, Kevin was a wonderful football player who earned the nickname, “Hoss.” Later in life,...
Reva Sue Suttles Allison
Mar 19, 2025
Reva Sue Suttles Allison, 75, of Marion, passed away at her home surrounded by her loved ones on Wednesday morning, March 19, 2025.
She was born in Madison County on April 30, 1949. She enjoyed working with and planting flowers, and she did so for a number of years as she worked for a greenhouse. She loved her family deeply, and...
Nellie Mae Vance Gilland
Mar 18, 2025
Nellie Mae Vance Gilland, 83, of Marion, passed away Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at home surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in Rutherfordton on June 11, 1941 to the late James Vance and Effie Moles Vance.
Nellie enjoyed the simple pleasures in life such as sitting outside and watching the birds and squirrels in God’s creation. She thoroughly enjoyed the...
Thomas Auburn Hendley
Mar 17, 2025
Thomas Auburn Hendley, better known as Tommy to family and friends, went to be with the Lord on the afternoon of Monday, March 17, 2025 at the Charles George VA Medical Center. He was 88 years old.
A native of McDowell County, Tommy was born on November 11, 1936 to the late Ken Shuford and Mildred “Tommie” Hilton Shuford.
Tommy lived a...
Russell Roland
Mar 16, 2025
Russell Roland, beloved son of Karen Roland, was born July 31st, 1983, in Marion, North Carolina. He peacefully passed away on March 16th, 2025, leaving behind cherished memories and a legacy of kindness and laughter.
Russell was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Bobby R. Roland and Bobbie S. Jones Roland. Also preceding Russell in death was his loved pet...
D. Eugene Shetley
Mar 16, 2025
Doris “Eugene” Shetley, 82, of Dysartsville, passed away Sunday, March 16, 2025, at Mountain Ridge Health and Rehabilitation.
Eugene was born in Madison County, NC on March 5, 1943, to the late John Roland Shetley and Edna Holt Shetley. He was married to the late Donna Shetley, who passed away in 2023. Eugene was an old-fashioned man...
Hilda Sue McGee Edwards
Mar 16, 2025
Hilda Sue McGee Edwards, 71, of Marion, passed away with her family by her side on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at her home.
She was born in Avery County on June 2, 1953 to the late Willard Jesse McGee and Rena Isabelle McHeffey McGee. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Joel Edwards, Sr.
Hilda dedicated much of her...
Madge Elizabeth Trent Gaddis
Mar 15, 2025
On the evening of March 15, 2025 Madge Elizabeth Trent Gaddis, age 93, left this world and went to her heavenly home in Glory.
Born in Marion, on February 9, 1932, she was the daughter of Eugene & Elizabeth Freshour Trent. Madge loved her Lord and Savior and served Him many years at Rocky Pass Free Will Baptist Church. She especially...
Roy Dean Sowers
Mar 15, 2025
Roy Dean Sowers, 72, of Marion, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at Mission Hospital McDowell.
A native of McDowell County, he was born February 14, 1953 to the late Starlin Bennett Sowers and Betty Jean Padgett Sowers.
With a career that spanned more than three decades, Roy Dean devoted 35 years to the furniture business until...
Danny Ledford
Mar 14, 2025
Danny Ledford, 68, of Valdese, NC, passed away Friday, March 14, 2025, at his residence.
Danny was born in Michigan, on August 11, 1956, to the late Juanita and Ralph Ledford. He was member of Vesper Lodge No. 554, A.F.&A.M. in Spruce Pine, NC. Danny was a regional manager with Quality Oil, where he was loved by...
William Horace Thompson
Mar 13, 2025
William “Bill” Horace Thompson, 85, of Marion, NC, formally of Wheeler Texas, passed away Thursday, March 13, 2025, at his residence.
Bill was born in Beaufort County, North Carolina, on December 26, 1939, to the late Nell Moore Thompson. He served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force for 16 years, and served in Special Operations during the Vietnam War....
Charles Wesley Thomas
Mar 11, 2025
Charles Wesley Thomas, 51, of Marion, passed away Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at UNC Health Blue Ridge in Morganton.
Chuck was born in Santa Rosa, California on April 25, 1973, to the late Cora Lee Wilson and Gary Benny Thomas. He grew up in the Glenwood community of McDowell County, NC. Chuck loved music and was the drummer for the band,...
Arthur Eldridge Leake, III
Mar 10, 2025
Arthur Eldridge Leake, III was born May 14, 1968 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina to Brenda England Leake of Marion, NC and Arthur Eldridge Leake, Jr. of Marshall, NC.
“Art” graduated from Erwin High School. Challenged with an early diagnosis of schizophrenia, Art faced each day with determination and hope. He brought much joy to his family with his sharp sense...
Gary Layne Kesecker
Mar 10, 2025
On Monday morning, March 10, 2025, Gary Layne Kesecker, age 73, of Marion, passed away at Autumn Care of Marion.
He was born in Hampshire County, West Virginia on October 9, 1951 to the late Gilbert Henry Kesecker and Rosella Gertrude Montgomery Kesecker.
Gary spent his career in the furniture industry where he mainly worked in maintenance. He began at Broyhill and...
Dennis Brad Sanford
Mar 9, 2025
Dennis “Brad” Sanford, 50, of Spindale, passed away Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Spartanburg Regional Hospital.
Brad was born in Waynesville, NC on December 16, 1974, to Woodrow Sanford and the late Darlene Baker Sanford. Brad loved gardening and was especially proud of his flowers. He loved dogs and adopted many rescue animals over the years. Brad was a good-hearted man...
Dwight Lee Bailey
Mar 9, 2025
Dwight Lee Bailey, 61, passed away Sunday, March 9, 2025 at Deer Park Health & Rehabilitation.
No services are planned.
Jackie Lewis Forbes
Mar 9, 2025
Jackie Lewis Forbes, 63, of Marion, NC, passed away Sunday, March 9, 2025, at his residence.
Jackie was born in McDowell County, NC, on April 17, 1961, to the late Mark Forbes and Hazel Pittman Forbes.
He is survived by four sisters, Reva Yoakum & husband John, Ellen Hemphill & husband Ronnie, Nancy Frady & husband Willie, and Mildred Robinson & husband...
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