Obituaries
Walter Ray Cheek
Aug 4, 2023
Walter "Ray" Cheek, 81, of Marion, passed away Friday, August 4, 2023 at Mission McDowell Hospital.
Ray was born in McDowell County, NC on April 24, 1942, to the late Lee Adam Cheek and Flossie Thelma McKinney Cheek. He was married to his wife of 21 years, Reba McKinney Cheek. Ray was a Christian who served...
Frances Aldridge
Aug 3, 2023
Frances Irene Brandon Aldridge, age 93, of Nebo, North Carolina, passed away Thursday, August 3, 2023, with her daughters, Linda and Libby, by her side.
Frances was born June 27, 1930, in Clover, S.C., to Earl Price Brandon and Janie Irene (Barnes) Brandon. After her mother’s death when she was less than two years of age, and...
Doris Vess Buff
Aug 2, 2023
Doris Vess Buff, 92, of Marion, passed away at Rose Hill Retirement Community on the evening of Wednesday, August 2, 2023.
Doris was born in McDowell County on April 21, 1931 to the late Claude Vess and the late China Fender Vess. She is also preceded in death by her first husband, Bill Nunnally and her second husband,...
Michael Keith "Bubba" Hicks
Aug 1, 2023
Michael Keith “Bubba” Hicks, 56, of Marion, passed away at The McDowell Hospital on Tuesday, August 1, 2023.
Bubba was born in Marion to Alfred Hicks and Linda Hollifield Hicks. He was known as a talker with a great sense of humor and was a huge KISS fan. Bubba enjoyed putting together and painting model cars. He will...
Amanda Marie Edwards
Aug 1, 2023
Amanda “Mandy” Marie Edwards, 32, of Nebo, passed away Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at Mission Hospital McDowell.
She was born November 29, 1990 in Morganton. Mandy was a loving daughter, granddaughter, sister, and friend, but her favorite title was being a mother. She was a wonderful mother and loved her daughter tremendously. Her daughter loved her greatly in...
Michael Alen Hughes
Jul 31, 2023
Michael Alen Hughes, 58, of Old Fort, passed away Monday, July 31, 2023 at CarePartners Hospice Solace Center in Asheville.
A native of Gaston County, he was born November 2, 1964. He worked in the heating and air business. He enjoyed fishing and going to auctions. Michael was a fan of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. He loved riding and attending...
Belinda Lee Cooper Fort
Jul 27, 2023
Belinda Lee Cooper Fort, 67, of Nebo, North Carolina, passed away Thursday, July 27, 2023 at CarePartners Hospice Solace Center.
She was born in Brooklyn, New York on February 13, 1956 to the late Joseph Cooper and Patricia Stevens Cooper. A son, Patrick Ackerman and a brother, Raymond Koopman, also precede her in death.
Belinda worked for...
Lloyd Roger Crowder Sr.
Jul 26, 2023
Rev. Lloyd Roger Crowder Sr. went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.
Lloyd was born in Mitchell County on June 8, 1949 to the late Roscoe Walter Crowder Sr. and the late Edith Julie Riddle Crowder.
Lloyd served the Lord and was an ordained minister for thirty-three years. He was one of thirteen...
Kristin Brooke Rutherford
Jul 25, 2023
Kristin Brooke Rutherford, 27, of Marion, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 25, 2023.
She was born in Marion on September 18, 1995 to Bo Rutherford and the late Rhonda Rumfelt. Along with her mother, she is preceded in death by her grandmother, Trudy Rumfelt and an uncle, Darrell Rumfelt.
Kris loved people, especially...
Jordan Robert Blake Stapleton
Jul 23, 2023
Jordan Robert Blake Stapleton, 20, of Nebo, NC, was called home to Jesus on Sunday, July 23, 2023. Jordan was born to Kimberly Stapleton on February 4, 2003. He graduated from McDowell High School and was previously employed in construction with his brother Cody Mashburn.
Jordan loved fishing, playing video games, and camping with his siblings and cousins....
Calvin Godfrey Penland
Jul 23, 2023
Calvin Godfrey Penland, 79, of Marion, passed away Sunday, July 23, 2023, at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem.
Calvin was born in Yancey County, NC on February 9, 1944, to the late Arnold and Vergie Penland. He was married to the late Patsy Penland, who passed away in 1988. Calvin was a truck driver for more...
Daniel Eugene Hollifield
Jul 23, 2023
On July 23, 2023, Daniel Eugene Hollifield passed away after a brief illness into the arms of Jesus Christ to that Heavenly Home.
He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Brenda Painter Hollifield; one brother, Michael; two sisters, Joyce and Rebekah; two nephews; five great nieces; and two great nephews.
Daniel "Gene" was born to Gilkey...
Hicks Neal Moore
Jul 21, 2023
Hicks Neal Moore, 82, of Rutherfordton, passed away Friday, July 21, 2023 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.
A native of McDowell County, he was born October 6, 1940 to the late Ransom Moore and Elsie Williams Moore. He is also preceded in death by four siblings, Joyce Bailey, Earl Moore, Donald Moore, and Dennis Moore.
...
Michael Bill Cox
Jul 21, 2023
Michael Bill Cox, 64, of Marion, passed away at Autumn Care of Drexel on Friday, July 21, 2023.
Michael was born to the late Bill Wylie Cox and the late Joretta Hefner Cox in McDowell County on October 28, 1958.
Michael was a member of Pleasant Hill Methodist Church. He retired from the NC Department of Public Safety as...
Sam Buckner
Jul 20, 2023
On the night of Thursday, July 20, 2023, Sam Buckner passed away at Carepartners Hospice Solace Center in Asheville. A native of McDowell County, Sam was born on February 24, 1948 to the late George and Julia Ann Bean Buckner.
He is preceded in death by six brothers and seven sisters.
Sam was a faithful member...
Brian Lee Tepper
Jul 20, 2023
Brian Lee Tepper, 49, of Marion, passed away Thursday, July 20, 2023 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.
He was born April 30, 1974 to the late Conrad Tepper and Esther Macie Roberts Tepper. Brian was a funny and social man who loved people. His family, especially his daughter and stepson, meant the most to him. He often referred...
Margaret Mayo Grubbs Fisher
Jul 20, 2023
Margaret Mayo Grubbs Fisher, 90, of Newland, passed away Thursday, July 20, 2023 at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital.
She was born in Florida on November 20, 1932 to the late Jack Grubbs and Florence Gregory Grubbs. Margaret worked as a stewardess for National Airline and as a model for Mercedes-Benz. She was known for her ever-present elegance and...
Shirley Christine Harris Duncan
Jul 20, 2023
Shirley Christine Harris Duncan, 86, of Marion, passed away Thursday, July 20, 2023 at Mission Hospital McDowell.
She was born October 20, 1936 to the late Joseph and Minnie Loftis Harris. Shirley was a proud resident of the North Cove Community. She retired from American Thread. She enjoyed watching the news and keeping up with world events. Shirley...
Rev. Kenneth Ray Burleson
Jul 19, 2023
Rev. Ken “Kimbo” Burleson, age 69 of Marion, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at his residence. He was born on July 23, 1953 in Spruce Pine, NC to the late Robert Burleson and Lucille Forbes Burleson. He was preceded in death by his wife Ann Rhom Burleson and a brother Robert Burleson Jr.
...
Roberta Ellen Smith Peters
Jul 19, 2023
Roberta Ellen Smith Peters, 76, of Black Mountain, passed away at her residence on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.
Roberta was born in Birmingham, AL on August 7, 1946 to the late Robert R. Smith and the late Nancy Jones Smith.
She is survived by her husband, Thomas Peters; her children, Laura Higgins of Black Mountain and Tracy Higgins...
Walter Ray Cheek
Aug 4, 2023
Walter "Ray" Cheek, 81, of Marion, passed away Friday, August 4, 2023 at Mission McDowell Hospital.
Ray was born in McDowell County, NC on April 24, 1942, to the late Lee Adam Cheek and Flossie Thelma McKinney Cheek. He was married to his wife of 21 years, Reba McKinney Cheek. Ray was a Christian who served...
Frances Aldridge
Aug 3, 2023
Frances Irene Brandon Aldridge, age 93, of Nebo, North Carolina, passed away Thursday, August 3, 2023, with her daughters, Linda and Libby, by her side.
Frances was born June 27, 1930, in Clover, S.C., to Earl Price Brandon and Janie Irene (Barnes) Brandon. After her mother’s death when she was less than two years of age, and...
Doris Vess Buff
Aug 2, 2023
Doris Vess Buff, 92, of Marion, passed away at Rose Hill Retirement Community on the evening of Wednesday, August 2, 2023.
Doris was born in McDowell County on April 21, 1931 to the late Claude Vess and the late China Fender Vess. She is also preceded in death by her first husband, Bill Nunnally and her second husband,...
Michael Keith "Bubba" Hicks
Aug 1, 2023
Michael Keith “Bubba” Hicks, 56, of Marion, passed away at The McDowell Hospital on Tuesday, August 1, 2023.
Bubba was born in Marion to Alfred Hicks and Linda Hollifield Hicks. He was known as a talker with a great sense of humor and was a huge KISS fan. Bubba enjoyed putting together and painting model cars. He will...
Amanda Marie Edwards
Aug 1, 2023
Amanda “Mandy” Marie Edwards, 32, of Nebo, passed away Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at Mission Hospital McDowell.
She was born November 29, 1990 in Morganton. Mandy was a loving daughter, granddaughter, sister, and friend, but her favorite title was being a mother. She was a wonderful mother and loved her daughter tremendously. Her daughter loved her greatly in...
Michael Alen Hughes
Jul 31, 2023
Michael Alen Hughes, 58, of Old Fort, passed away Monday, July 31, 2023 at CarePartners Hospice Solace Center in Asheville.
A native of Gaston County, he was born November 2, 1964. He worked in the heating and air business. He enjoyed fishing and going to auctions. Michael was a fan of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. He loved riding and attending...
Belinda Lee Cooper Fort
Jul 27, 2023
Belinda Lee Cooper Fort, 67, of Nebo, North Carolina, passed away Thursday, July 27, 2023 at CarePartners Hospice Solace Center.
She was born in Brooklyn, New York on February 13, 1956 to the late Joseph Cooper and Patricia Stevens Cooper. A son, Patrick Ackerman and a brother, Raymond Koopman, also precede her in death.
Belinda worked for...
Lloyd Roger Crowder Sr.
Jul 26, 2023
Rev. Lloyd Roger Crowder Sr. went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.
Lloyd was born in Mitchell County on June 8, 1949 to the late Roscoe Walter Crowder Sr. and the late Edith Julie Riddle Crowder.
Lloyd served the Lord and was an ordained minister for thirty-three years. He was one of thirteen...
Kristin Brooke Rutherford
Jul 25, 2023
Kristin Brooke Rutherford, 27, of Marion, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 25, 2023.
She was born in Marion on September 18, 1995 to Bo Rutherford and the late Rhonda Rumfelt. Along with her mother, she is preceded in death by her grandmother, Trudy Rumfelt and an uncle, Darrell Rumfelt.
Kris loved people, especially...
Jordan Robert Blake Stapleton
Jul 23, 2023
Jordan Robert Blake Stapleton, 20, of Nebo, NC, was called home to Jesus on Sunday, July 23, 2023. Jordan was born to Kimberly Stapleton on February 4, 2003. He graduated from McDowell High School and was previously employed in construction with his brother Cody Mashburn.
Jordan loved fishing, playing video games, and camping with his siblings and cousins....
Calvin Godfrey Penland
Jul 23, 2023
Calvin Godfrey Penland, 79, of Marion, passed away Sunday, July 23, 2023, at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem.
Calvin was born in Yancey County, NC on February 9, 1944, to the late Arnold and Vergie Penland. He was married to the late Patsy Penland, who passed away in 1988. Calvin was a truck driver for more...
Daniel Eugene Hollifield
Jul 23, 2023
On July 23, 2023, Daniel Eugene Hollifield passed away after a brief illness into the arms of Jesus Christ to that Heavenly Home.
He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Brenda Painter Hollifield; one brother, Michael; two sisters, Joyce and Rebekah; two nephews; five great nieces; and two great nephews.
Daniel "Gene" was born to Gilkey...
Hicks Neal Moore
Jul 21, 2023
Hicks Neal Moore, 82, of Rutherfordton, passed away Friday, July 21, 2023 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.
A native of McDowell County, he was born October 6, 1940 to the late Ransom Moore and Elsie Williams Moore. He is also preceded in death by four siblings, Joyce Bailey, Earl Moore, Donald Moore, and Dennis Moore.
...
Michael Bill Cox
Jul 21, 2023
Michael Bill Cox, 64, of Marion, passed away at Autumn Care of Drexel on Friday, July 21, 2023.
Michael was born to the late Bill Wylie Cox and the late Joretta Hefner Cox in McDowell County on October 28, 1958.
Michael was a member of Pleasant Hill Methodist Church. He retired from the NC Department of Public Safety as...
Sam Buckner
Jul 20, 2023
On the night of Thursday, July 20, 2023, Sam Buckner passed away at Carepartners Hospice Solace Center in Asheville. A native of McDowell County, Sam was born on February 24, 1948 to the late George and Julia Ann Bean Buckner.
He is preceded in death by six brothers and seven sisters.
Sam was a faithful member...
Brian Lee Tepper
Jul 20, 2023
Brian Lee Tepper, 49, of Marion, passed away Thursday, July 20, 2023 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.
He was born April 30, 1974 to the late Conrad Tepper and Esther Macie Roberts Tepper. Brian was a funny and social man who loved people. His family, especially his daughter and stepson, meant the most to him. He often referred...
Margaret Mayo Grubbs Fisher
Jul 20, 2023
Margaret Mayo Grubbs Fisher, 90, of Newland, passed away Thursday, July 20, 2023 at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital.
She was born in Florida on November 20, 1932 to the late Jack Grubbs and Florence Gregory Grubbs. Margaret worked as a stewardess for National Airline and as a model for Mercedes-Benz. She was known for her ever-present elegance and...
Shirley Christine Harris Duncan
Jul 20, 2023
Shirley Christine Harris Duncan, 86, of Marion, passed away Thursday, July 20, 2023 at Mission Hospital McDowell.
She was born October 20, 1936 to the late Joseph and Minnie Loftis Harris. Shirley was a proud resident of the North Cove Community. She retired from American Thread. She enjoyed watching the news and keeping up with world events. Shirley...
Rev. Kenneth Ray Burleson
Jul 19, 2023
Rev. Ken “Kimbo” Burleson, age 69 of Marion, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at his residence. He was born on July 23, 1953 in Spruce Pine, NC to the late Robert Burleson and Lucille Forbes Burleson. He was preceded in death by his wife Ann Rhom Burleson and a brother Robert Burleson Jr.
...
Roberta Ellen Smith Peters
Jul 19, 2023
Roberta Ellen Smith Peters, 76, of Black Mountain, passed away at her residence on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.
Roberta was born in Birmingham, AL on August 7, 1946 to the late Robert R. Smith and the late Nancy Jones Smith.
She is survived by her husband, Thomas Peters; her children, Laura Higgins of Black Mountain and Tracy Higgins...
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