Obituaries
Joseph John Merola
Aug 28, 2023
Joseph John Merola, 76, of Mooresville, North Carolina, passed away Monday, August 28, 2023 at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.
He was born in Plainfield, New Jersey on October 23, 1946 to the late Louis J. Merola and Elina Viotto Merola. He is also preceded in death by two grandsons, Bradley Martin and Brandon Sanders.
Joe was...
Annie Ellison Brown
Aug 27, 2023
Annie Ellison Brown, 90, of Marion, went Home to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 27, 2023 at CarePartners Hospice Solace Center in Asheville.
She was born in Cocke County Tennessee on May 23, 1933 to the late Fred Ellison and Nancy Ann Hall Ellison. Her husband, Fred Thomas Brown, and nine siblings also precede her in...
William Arvile Penley
Aug 27, 2023
William Arvile Penley, 89, of Marion, passed away Sunday, August 27, 2023.
He was born in Caldwell County on August 3, 1934 to the late Julius Nathan Penley and Bertha Tolbert Penley. He is also preceded in death by his wife, Lorene Radford Penley; grandson, Richard McCloud; and his siblings, Monroe Penley, Ralph Penley, Margie Lawing, Maggie Miller,...
Norman Lee Stevens
Aug 26, 2023
Norman Lee Stevens, 78, of Marion, passed away Saturday, August 26, 2023 at CarePartners Hospice Solace Center.
He was born in Old Fort on June 24, 1945 to the late William Randolph Stevens, Sr. and Ruby Frances Melton Stevens.
Norman was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a talented craftsman who could build anything....
Patrick Michael Conner
Aug 25, 2023
Patrick Michael Conner, 66, of Marion, passed away Friday morning, August 25, 2023 at Mission Hospital.
He was born in Rutherford County on July 6, 1957 to the late Clyde Freeman Conner and Nellie Brown Conner. He is also preceded in death by six siblings, Carroll Conner, Jack Conner, Ray Conner, Jewel Simmons, Lillie Mae Hodge, and Josephine...
Janis Myree Zibelin
Aug 24, 2023
Janis Myree Harrell Zibelin, 78, of Nebo, passed away Thursday, August 24, 2023 at the Solace Center in Asheville.
Janis was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 1, 1945, to the late Raymond Charles Harrell and Violet Myree Harrell Bland. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Marion and was married to her...
Gregory Scott Elkins
Aug 22, 2023
On Tuesday, August 22, 2023 Gregory Scott Elkins, 64, of Marion, passed away at Mission Hospital-McDowell.
Gregory was born in St. Joseph, Missouri on August 8, 1959 to Catherine Reynolds Bossert and the late Gene Elkins.
Surviving Gregory are his wife, Bridget L. Elkins and his brother, George Elkins.
There are no services planned at this time.
John Lenn Hodges
Aug 22, 2023
John Lenn Hodges, 38, of Mooresboro, passed away Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.
He was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina on June 22, 1985 to Linda Marie Howard Henson and the late Ronnie Lenn Hodges.
John was an avid outdoorsman. He loved camping, fishing, and enjoying time by the bonfire with family...
Hazel Vess McPeters
Aug 22, 2023
Hazel Vess McPeters, 92, passed away Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at the Black Mountain Neuro-Medical Treatment Center.
She was born in McDowell County to the late Otis Theodore Vess and Flossie Odell Elliott Vess. She is also preceded in death by her husband, Bruce McPeters; daughter, Vicky Lynn McPeters; and three siblings, Frank Vess, Roy Vess, and Lothella...
Pamela Jean Gooding
Aug 22, 2023
Pamela Jean Gooding, 62, of Marion passed away at Mission Hospital-McDowell on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.
She was born in Kinston, NC to the late Cecil Gooding and the late Norma Jean Ross.
Pamela is survived by her sister Donna Lynn Gooding Harris and her husband Tandy, nephew Ross and niece Caroline. In addition she is survived by many...
Debra Lee Minish Webb
Aug 21, 2023
Debra Lee Minish Webb, 68, of Morganton, passed away Monday, August 21, 2023 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.
A native of McDowell County, she was born April 3, 1955 to the late Harold Bruce Minish and Betty Jean Lindsey Ellis. She is also preceded in death by her brothers, Allen Minish, Larry Sparks, and Lynn Sparks.
Debbie...
Jonathan James Stroud
Aug 20, 2023
Jonathan James Stroud, 37, of Marion, passed away on Sunday, August 20, 2023.
He was born in Burke County to Scott Stroud and Karen Jean Curtis Stroud on August 24, 1985. Jonathan was known to have a heart of gold and was always helping those in his neighborhood. He was a great mechanic and could fix anything he set...
Timothy Wayne Stephenson
Aug 20, 2023
Master Trooper Timothy Wayne Stephenson, 59, of Marion, passed away peacefully Sunday, August 20, 2023 at UNC Health Blue Ridge.
He was born in Asheville on June 2, 1964 to the late Pastor Francis Daniel Stephenson, who was a Baptist minister for more than 55 years, and the late Betty Jo Stephenson. He is also preceded in death...
Lori Beth Cox
Aug 18, 2023
Lori Beth Cox, 40, of Marion, passed away unexpectedly Friday, August 18, 2023.
She was born in Greeneville, Tennessee on August 2, 1983. Lori loved listening to music and reading. She will be greatly missed.
She is survived by her husband, John Wayne Bailey; father, Donnie Everett Cox; mother, Rosa Lee Garland Stanley; her daughter, Zoe Hendrix...
Leroy Albert Price
Aug 18, 2023
Leroy “Bud” Albert Price, 75, of Gaffney, SC, passed away Friday, August 18, 2023 at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.
Bud was born in McDowell County, NC on April 15, 1948, to the late Clarence Albert Price and Hazel Jean Ellington Price. He was married to his wife of 55 years, Rita Dills Price. Bud...
Donna Jean Hampton Stepp
Aug 17, 2023
Donna Jean Hampton Stepp, 62, passed away Thursday, August 17, 2023 at the Memorial Campus of Mission Hospital in Asheville.
She was born in Burke County on August 25, 1960 to the late Charles Hampton and Nora Wigley Hampton.
No services are planned at this time.
James "Jim" Cecil Varner
Aug 17, 2023
James “Jim” Cecil Varner of Marion, N.C. passed away on August 17 at Mission Hospital in Asheville. He was 78. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 20, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Beam Funeral Service. Rev. Jerry Lewis will officiate. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m.
Jim was born...
Rodger Guy Leach
Aug 15, 2023
Rodger Guy Leach, 63, of Union Mills, passed away Tuesday, August 15, 2023.
Rodger was born in Asheville, NC on February 2, 1960, to the late Troy Guy Leach and Lula Mae Arrowood Leach. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed camping and fishing. He was fond of water skiing and enjoyed being on the water....
Rev. Van Harold Davis
Aug 15, 2023
Rev. Van Harold Davis, 85, of Marion, went to be with the Lord at Autumn Care on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 15, 2023.
Harold was born in McDowell County on April 1, 1938 to the late Chester Evan Davis and the late Mabel Rice Davis.
He and his wife Joyce organized Faith Tabernacle Church on March 8, 1964...
Roverna Hudgins Pinkerton
Aug 13, 2023
Roverna Hudgins Pinkerton, age 86, of Marion, passed away Sunday, August 13, 2023 at the Solace Center of Asheville.
Roverna was born in McDowell County on June 9, 1937 to the late Arthur and Vennie Gouge Hudgins. Roverna was a member of Hicks Chapel Baptist Church. She retired from the McDowell County Schools food service following twenty years...
Joseph John Merola
Aug 28, 2023
Joseph John Merola, 76, of Mooresville, North Carolina, passed away Monday, August 28, 2023 at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.
He was born in Plainfield, New Jersey on October 23, 1946 to the late Louis J. Merola and Elina Viotto Merola. He is also preceded in death by two grandsons, Bradley Martin and Brandon Sanders.
Joe was...
Annie Ellison Brown
Aug 27, 2023
Annie Ellison Brown, 90, of Marion, went Home to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 27, 2023 at CarePartners Hospice Solace Center in Asheville.
She was born in Cocke County Tennessee on May 23, 1933 to the late Fred Ellison and Nancy Ann Hall Ellison. Her husband, Fred Thomas Brown, and nine siblings also precede her in...
William Arvile Penley
Aug 27, 2023
William Arvile Penley, 89, of Marion, passed away Sunday, August 27, 2023.
He was born in Caldwell County on August 3, 1934 to the late Julius Nathan Penley and Bertha Tolbert Penley. He is also preceded in death by his wife, Lorene Radford Penley; grandson, Richard McCloud; and his siblings, Monroe Penley, Ralph Penley, Margie Lawing, Maggie Miller,...
Norman Lee Stevens
Aug 26, 2023
Norman Lee Stevens, 78, of Marion, passed away Saturday, August 26, 2023 at CarePartners Hospice Solace Center.
He was born in Old Fort on June 24, 1945 to the late William Randolph Stevens, Sr. and Ruby Frances Melton Stevens.
Norman was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a talented craftsman who could build anything....
Patrick Michael Conner
Aug 25, 2023
Patrick Michael Conner, 66, of Marion, passed away Friday morning, August 25, 2023 at Mission Hospital.
He was born in Rutherford County on July 6, 1957 to the late Clyde Freeman Conner and Nellie Brown Conner. He is also preceded in death by six siblings, Carroll Conner, Jack Conner, Ray Conner, Jewel Simmons, Lillie Mae Hodge, and Josephine...
Janis Myree Zibelin
Aug 24, 2023
Janis Myree Harrell Zibelin, 78, of Nebo, passed away Thursday, August 24, 2023 at the Solace Center in Asheville.
Janis was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 1, 1945, to the late Raymond Charles Harrell and Violet Myree Harrell Bland. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Marion and was married to her...
Gregory Scott Elkins
Aug 22, 2023
On Tuesday, August 22, 2023 Gregory Scott Elkins, 64, of Marion, passed away at Mission Hospital-McDowell.
Gregory was born in St. Joseph, Missouri on August 8, 1959 to Catherine Reynolds Bossert and the late Gene Elkins.
Surviving Gregory are his wife, Bridget L. Elkins and his brother, George Elkins.
There are no services planned at this time.
John Lenn Hodges
Aug 22, 2023
John Lenn Hodges, 38, of Mooresboro, passed away Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.
He was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina on June 22, 1985 to Linda Marie Howard Henson and the late Ronnie Lenn Hodges.
John was an avid outdoorsman. He loved camping, fishing, and enjoying time by the bonfire with family...
Hazel Vess McPeters
Aug 22, 2023
Hazel Vess McPeters, 92, passed away Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at the Black Mountain Neuro-Medical Treatment Center.
She was born in McDowell County to the late Otis Theodore Vess and Flossie Odell Elliott Vess. She is also preceded in death by her husband, Bruce McPeters; daughter, Vicky Lynn McPeters; and three siblings, Frank Vess, Roy Vess, and Lothella...
Pamela Jean Gooding
Aug 22, 2023
Pamela Jean Gooding, 62, of Marion passed away at Mission Hospital-McDowell on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.
She was born in Kinston, NC to the late Cecil Gooding and the late Norma Jean Ross.
Pamela is survived by her sister Donna Lynn Gooding Harris and her husband Tandy, nephew Ross and niece Caroline. In addition she is survived by many...
Debra Lee Minish Webb
Aug 21, 2023
Debra Lee Minish Webb, 68, of Morganton, passed away Monday, August 21, 2023 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.
A native of McDowell County, she was born April 3, 1955 to the late Harold Bruce Minish and Betty Jean Lindsey Ellis. She is also preceded in death by her brothers, Allen Minish, Larry Sparks, and Lynn Sparks.
Debbie...
Jonathan James Stroud
Aug 20, 2023
Jonathan James Stroud, 37, of Marion, passed away on Sunday, August 20, 2023.
He was born in Burke County to Scott Stroud and Karen Jean Curtis Stroud on August 24, 1985. Jonathan was known to have a heart of gold and was always helping those in his neighborhood. He was a great mechanic and could fix anything he set...
Timothy Wayne Stephenson
Aug 20, 2023
Master Trooper Timothy Wayne Stephenson, 59, of Marion, passed away peacefully Sunday, August 20, 2023 at UNC Health Blue Ridge.
He was born in Asheville on June 2, 1964 to the late Pastor Francis Daniel Stephenson, who was a Baptist minister for more than 55 years, and the late Betty Jo Stephenson. He is also preceded in death...
Lori Beth Cox
Aug 18, 2023
Lori Beth Cox, 40, of Marion, passed away unexpectedly Friday, August 18, 2023.
She was born in Greeneville, Tennessee on August 2, 1983. Lori loved listening to music and reading. She will be greatly missed.
She is survived by her husband, John Wayne Bailey; father, Donnie Everett Cox; mother, Rosa Lee Garland Stanley; her daughter, Zoe Hendrix...
Leroy Albert Price
Aug 18, 2023
Leroy “Bud” Albert Price, 75, of Gaffney, SC, passed away Friday, August 18, 2023 at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.
Bud was born in McDowell County, NC on April 15, 1948, to the late Clarence Albert Price and Hazel Jean Ellington Price. He was married to his wife of 55 years, Rita Dills Price. Bud...
Donna Jean Hampton Stepp
Aug 17, 2023
Donna Jean Hampton Stepp, 62, passed away Thursday, August 17, 2023 at the Memorial Campus of Mission Hospital in Asheville.
She was born in Burke County on August 25, 1960 to the late Charles Hampton and Nora Wigley Hampton.
No services are planned at this time.
James "Jim" Cecil Varner
Aug 17, 2023
James “Jim” Cecil Varner of Marion, N.C. passed away on August 17 at Mission Hospital in Asheville. He was 78. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 20, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Beam Funeral Service. Rev. Jerry Lewis will officiate. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m.
Jim was born...
Rodger Guy Leach
Aug 15, 2023
Rodger Guy Leach, 63, of Union Mills, passed away Tuesday, August 15, 2023.
Rodger was born in Asheville, NC on February 2, 1960, to the late Troy Guy Leach and Lula Mae Arrowood Leach. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed camping and fishing. He was fond of water skiing and enjoyed being on the water....
Rev. Van Harold Davis
Aug 15, 2023
Rev. Van Harold Davis, 85, of Marion, went to be with the Lord at Autumn Care on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 15, 2023.
Harold was born in McDowell County on April 1, 1938 to the late Chester Evan Davis and the late Mabel Rice Davis.
He and his wife Joyce organized Faith Tabernacle Church on March 8, 1964...
Roverna Hudgins Pinkerton
Aug 13, 2023
Roverna Hudgins Pinkerton, age 86, of Marion, passed away Sunday, August 13, 2023 at the Solace Center of Asheville.
Roverna was born in McDowell County on June 9, 1937 to the late Arthur and Vennie Gouge Hudgins. Roverna was a member of Hicks Chapel Baptist Church. She retired from the McDowell County Schools food service following twenty years...
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