Obituaries

Charles Lee Trivette, 73, passed away on March 17, 2026 at Watauga Medical Center in NC. He was born on May 5, 1952 in Avery County, NC to the late Roger Lee and LIlly Vance

Trula Gardner, age 97 of Bakersville, passed away, surrounded by her family, on March 17, 2026. She was the daughter of George and Bessie Rathbone. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death

Janina Darlene Robinson, age 43, went Home to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 19th, 2026 at the Solace Center in Asheville, NC. Janina was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents who raised

Grace Ray Banks-Dart, 97, of Burnsville, N.C. passed away at her home on March 17th, 2026. Born on July 28,1928 in Yancey Co to Frank & Maude Ray, Grace was recognized at an early age

Jimmy Dale Barnett, age 88,passed away unexpectedly in a automobile accident on Monday, March 9th, 2026. He was a native of Yancey, NC and a son of the late Floyd Lee and Elvie Byrd Barnett.

Cassie “Opal” Robinson, age 95, of Green Mountain, NC, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 15, 2026. A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of Noah and Ruby Riddle

James Ralph Watson, age 85, of U.S. 19-E South in Spruce Pine, passed away Saturday, March 14, 2026 at the Cranberry House. Born on March 27, 1940 in Avery County, he was the son of

Juanita Waldrop, age 72, of Buncombe County, passed away on March 13, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on June 12, 1953, to the late James Paul Hollifield and Beth Ruth Suttles.

Sylvia Gabriele Badschild, age 79, passed peacefully at home on Sunday, March 15th 2026. Born in Munich, Germany she moved to Burnsville in 1978. She was a devoted wife and business partner to her husband,

Benjamin David Atwood, age 50, of Old Fort, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, March 7th, 2026 at his home. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents and was the son of David Ray

Timothy “Tim” Dale Byrd, age 58, went Home to be with the Lord on Monday, March 9th, 2026 with his Son and Father by his side. He was a native of Hickory, NC and the

Johnny Ray Ollis, age 83, passed away, surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Johnson City Medical Center. A native of Jonas Ridge, Johnny was born on December 8, 1942. He

Alfred Cornett, age 76, of Bakersville, North Carolina, passed away Friday, March 6, 2026 at his residence. Alfred loved and greatly encouraged his children, his large extended family, many friends, coworkers, and he opened his

Jonathan Joe Capps, age 49, of Burnsville, North Carolina, passed away on March 5, 2026, in Burnsville. Jonathan was born on December 24, 1976, to the late D. Joe Capps and Frances Jackson Capps. In

Freda Ann Ballew, 63, of Burnsville, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 4th, 2026 at the Yancey House. A lifelong resident of Yancey County, she was born in the Low Gap

Joyce Ann McKinney Beauchamp died on March 2nd, 2026 as a result of an automobile accident.  She was born January 17th, 1945, the daughter of Isom Hayes McKinney and Jean Bowman McKinney. Joyce lived almost

Patsy Ann Burnette Riddle, age 86 , of the Pensacola Community, went Home to be with the Lord surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, March 4th, 2026.  A native of Yancey County, she was

Mary Frances Edwards, age 95, of the South Toe Community, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026 at The Greens of Spruce Pine.  A native of Yancey County, she

Denise Pate Sturgill, age 57, of the Jacks Creek Community, went Home to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 4th, 2026 at Mission Hospital.  A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of

Darryl Wayne Whitson,age 84, of Burnsville, went home to be with the Lord unexpectedly on Saturday February the 28, at Mission Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. A native of Yancey county he was a

Barbara Baird Henline, 91 years old, passed away peacefully at The Greens in Spruce Pine, NC on Friday, February 27, 2026, after several years of declining health. Barbara enjoyed traveling the United States over the

Arthur Jackson “AJ” Arrowood, age 85, passed away peacefully on February 20, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. AJ was born on August 13, 1940, in Jonesborough, Tennessee. He lived a long and meaningful life defined by

Leona Presnell, age 59, of Burnsville, North Carolina, passed away on Friday, February 27, 2026, in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Born on August 11, 1966, in Yancey County, North Carolina, Leona was the daughter of the

Ron McKinney, age 90, of Beans Creek, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 28th, 2026.  A native of Mitchell County, he was a son of the late Earl and Nannie Buchanan McKinney. In addition to

Olean Hughes Arrowood, age 96 of the Buladean Community went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 26, 2026. A native of Mitchell County, NC she was a daughter of the late Waites

Barbara Jean Duckworth Blair passed away unexpectedly at her residence, after a period of declining health on Monday,  February the 23rd, 2026. She was a daughter of the late Gurney and Martha Norman Duckworth. She

John Wils Honeycutt, age 83, of Poplar, passed away on Tuesday, February 24th, 2026 at his home.  He was a son of the late James and Lilly Adkins Honeycutt. In addition to his parents John

Rev. James “JD” McClellan, 81, of Spruce Pine, passed away Monday, February 23, 2026 at his son’s residence in Marion. He was born in Mitchell County on April 1, 1944 to the late Lee McClellan

David Anthony Lay (70) of Burnsville, NC, went to be with Jesus on January 28th, 2026, after battling Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) for the past few years. David was born on September 16, 1955, in

James “Melvin” McNeill Sr, age 89, passed away on Saturday, February 21st. Melvin was born November 22, 1936, in Lee County NC to the late Johnny and Rosie McNeill. Church, faith, prayer and the Bible

Peter “Pete” Villano, 48, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, passed away unexpectedly on February 20th, 2026. Born on June 21, 1977, he was the son of the late Ray Villano, who passed away in November 2020. He

James Harold Julian Oakley, age 73, of Green Mountain, passed away on Thursday, February 19th, 2026 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.  A native of Bradenton, FL, he was a son of Judy Oakley of Palmetto,

Gary Switzer, age 79, passed away suddenly at his home in Burnsville, North Carolina on Saturday, February 21, 2026. Gary was born on May 9, 1946 in Parma, Ohio. He was the son of the

David Hensley, age 81, of Fox Creek, went Home to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 21st, 2026 at Mission Hospital in Asheville. A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the

Linda Diane Garland Leach age 70 of Rockdale Rd, Bakersville, NC went home to be with her Lord and Savior February 18, 2026. Linda was a native of Mitchell County, NC and a daughter of

Anita Faye McFalls, 62, of Spruce Pine, NC passed away on Thursday, February 19, 2026. A native of Mitchell County, she was a daughter of the late Earnest Franklin and Mary Elizabeth McFalls. In addition

Melba English Davis  – Henline – Hughes Funeral Service   Melba English Davis, 88 of Charles Creek Rd, Bakersville, NC went home to be with the Lord February 19, 2026. She was born in Avery

Richard Luther Bailey, age 83, of the Micaville Community, is now resting in the arms of Jesus. He passed on Thursday, February 19th, 2026 at his home. A native of Yancey County, he was a

Bud Phillips, age 91, born on December 9, 1934, in Mitchell County, North Carolina, passed away on February 18, 2026. He leaves behind a legacy of love and service that will be cherished by his

William David Carson, Jr. (Bill) died on February 12, 2026, in Oxford, North Carolina. Bill was born December 5, 1938, at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Indiana, to William David Carson and Almeda (Converse) Carson.