Obituaries

Grace Louella Buchanan, age 88, of the Newdale Community, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Thursday, January 29th, 2026. A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter to the late

Robert Carl “Bob” Thomas, age 90, of Burnsville, North Carolina passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, January 28th, 2026, with his family near his side. A native of Watauga County, he was born

Captain Ernest “Professor” H. Cates, USMC Ret., 92, passed away on Monday, January 26, 2026 at his home in Bakersville, NC. He was born on May 11, 1933 in Floral Park, NY. He was preceded

Marietta Young passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 25, 2025, at Carmel Hills in Charlotte at the age of 92. She was born June 8, 1933, in Big Sandy, WV, to the late Elmer and

Betty Jean Rowe, age 78, of Bakersville, went Home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, January 28th, 2026. She was the daughter of the late Claude and Naomi McKinney. In addition to her parents

With a sad heart, we announced the passing of George A Wilson. George has been sick for a long time after having two strokes. We think God felt like he had suffered long enough. He

David Raymond Rutkowski, age 93, of Suspense Dr., passed away peacefully on Monday, January 26th, 2026 at CarePartners Solace Center in Asheville surrounded by his loving family.  A native of Lake Como, PA, he was

Sandra McMahan Gibbs, age 75, of Burnsville, passed away after an extended illness on Monday, January 26th, 2026. She was one of five children of the late Vincent and Ruby Silver McMahan who were raised

Jeanetta Buchanan Fortner, age 86, of Burnsville, entered her heavenly home on Sunday, January 25, 2026. Born on August 21, 1939, at the former Bakersville medical clinic, Jeanetta was the daughter of Jesse and Alberta Whaley Buchanan. A

Anna Lou Hughes, age 93, a devoted woman of faith and a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her loved ones, on Saturday, January 24, 2026. She

 Cread Wilson, age 82, of Forest City, passed away on January 23, 2026 at his home. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Hazel Wilson; brothers, Reece Wilson and Charles Wilson; his

Dennis Carroway, age 80, of Burnsville, went Home to be with the Lord unexpectedly on Thursday, January 22nd, 2026 after a period of declining health.  A native of Yancey County, he was a son of

Harold G. Smith, age 87, of Georges Fork Community, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, January 23rd, 2026. He was the son of the late Howard Samuel and Edna Mae Gouge Smith. In

Deanna Joyce Tidwell Broughton, age 85, of Spruce Pine, North Carolina, went Home to be with the Lord and was reunited with her late husband, Joe Broughton, on January 18, 2026, at Memorial Mission Hospital

Katherine Thomas, 83, passed away on January 19, 2026 at her home in Bakersville, NC. Kitty, as she was known was born on August 08, 1942 in Mountain City, TN to the late Joe and

Charles James Rhyne, age 82, of Three Mile Community, went Home to be with Lord on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at his home surrounded by his loving family, after a 17 Year courageous battle with

Erma Jean Houser, age 85, of Green Mountain, went home to be with her Lord; surrounded by her loving family on Monday, January 19th, 2026. She was a daughter to the late John and Carrie

Dorothy Fisher Tehandón age 83, formerly of Anna Illinois and for the past few years of Spruce Pine, NC, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on January 11, 2026. Born on

Joyce Ann Hughes (Joy) 61, of the Licklog Community went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, January 16, 2026. Joy was born on January 13, 1965 to the late Ted

Janice went to her heavenly home on January 16, 2026.She was born to Gordon and Wilma Howell on August 6, 1957. Janice was a special needs person who was a blessing to all who knew

David McCoy Piercy, 76, passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine, NC. David was born on August 26, 1949, in Avery County, NC to the late Allen

Derek Hughes, age 67, of the Windom Community, passed away on Wednesday, January 14th, 2026 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was a son to Jack and Thelma Styles Hughes. Derek was

Joyce Ann Deaton Norris, formerly of Yancey County, entered into the gates of Heaven in the early hours of January 17th, 2026. She passed peacefully in the company of her daughters and was no doubt

Ruby Pearl Fox Edwards, age 94, of the Pensacola Community, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 17th, 2026 at The Greens of Spruce Pine. She was a daughter to the late Elzie and Arlie Hensley

Marie Hughes Presnell, 99, went Home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, January 14th, 2026. She was a daughter to the late Goodson and Tessie Hughes Riddle. In addition to her parents she was

Mary Louise Weitzel, 86, passed away on January 11, 2026, at Charles A Cannon Memorial Hospital in Linville, NC. Marylou, as she was known, was born on May 21, 1939, in Auburndale, FL to the

Arthur Dwayne Ledford, age 58, of the Cane Creek Community, passed away on January 11, 2026, after a long and complicated battle with alcoholism. His life was shaped by both struggle and heart, and the

Theresa “Nancy” Greene, 88, passed away on January 09, 2026 in Spruce Pine, NC. Nancy was born on November 05, 1937 in Baltimore, MD to the late William Henry and Theresa Bolek Borger. In addition

Kimberly Dawn Boone, 56, passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Born in Burnsville, she was the daughter of Banner Ray and Shirley Ann Boone. Kimberly worked as a Nurse and Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner

This obituary serves as a notice to the family of Barbara Lee. If you have any information on Barbara or know any of her relatives, please contact Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. Thank you, Holcombe Brother’s

Coy Earl “Junior” Buchanan, age 73, passed away on Thursday, January 8,2026, at Johnson City Medical Center. He was born on October 10, 1952, in Avery County, to the late Coy Earl Buchanan Sr. and

Virginia Allen McKinney Vilichka, age 91, of Zachary Ridge in Asheville, formerly of Spruce Pine, passed away Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at the Memorial Campus of Mission Hospitals in Asheville. Born on March 14, 1934

Robert Stroup, Jr. passed away on Friday, January 9th, 2026. He is survived by his wife Ruby; brother, Luther; sisters: Betsy and Ragan. A memorial service will be held to honor his life at 3

Tommy Dale Hall, age 71, of Burnsville passed away on Thursday, January 8th, 2026, at his residence. He was born in 1954 in Siler City, NC to the late Jessie and Ruby Hall. In addition

Katherine Jo ‘Katie Jo’ Phillips was taken to heaven in the arms of Jesus on Monday, January 5, 2026. She is survived by her parents; Charles Anthony Phillips and Maranda Renae Phillips of Spruce Pine,

Ola Belle Thomas Canipe, age 89, passed away Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at Deerfield Ridge Assisted Living in Boone. Born on August 15, 1936 in Mitchell County, she was the daughter of the late Scott

Shirley Gouge Ingram, 87, of Simpsonville, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2026. Born in Bakersville, North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Romulus and Essie Gouge. Mrs. Ingram was a

Reba Robinson Boone, departed this life peacefully on Wednesday, January 7th, 2025, at her and her daughter’s residence in Morganton. A native of Yancey County she was a daughter to the late Grayson and Eva

Kenneth Lee “Ken” Hicks, passed away peacefully on January 4th, 2026, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in McDowell County on November 24th, 1951 to the late Virgil Lee Hicks

Carolyn ‘Carol’ Hoilman Pendley, age 71, of Beaver Creek Road in Spruce Pine, went home to be with the Lord on January 2, 2026 at Amorem Health in Valdese. Born on June 22, 1954 in