Obituaries

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

Patricia Ann Buchanan (Sissy), age 61, of Wilcox Drive in Bakersville, passed away Friday, January 2, 2026 at her home in Bakersville. Born on July 2, 1964 in Mitchell County, she was the daughter of

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

Sonia Sigrid Nielsen Taylor, age 92, of Burnsville, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 2, 2026. She was born on August 13, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, to the late Thorvald D. Nielsen

Emma Irene Calloway Benfield, age 80, of the Plumtree Community, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, January 3rd, 2026 at her home. A native of Avery County, she was a daughter of the late Burl and

Leonard Ray Staton, age 79, of Mountain View Road in Spruce Pine, passed away Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine. Born on October 21, 1946 in Avery County, he

Betty Street Pendley, age 74, of Spruce Pine, went Home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 31st, 2025. A native of Buladean, she was a daughter of the late Coy and Bessie Hughes

Grace Lee Thomas Allen, age 91, of the Blue Rock Community, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 31, 2025. She was born December 13, 1934, to the late Arnold Jesse Thomas and Pearl Woody Thomas.

Doris Duncan Sullins, age 89, of Pine Branch Road in Spruce Pine, passed away peacefully Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at her home. Born on February 10, 1936 in Mitchell County, she was the daughter of

Barbara Ann Fisher Buchanan, age 83, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 29th,2025 at Waters of the Roan Highlands, surrounded by the love of her family. Born on June 20th, 1942, in Spruce Pine, North

Glen Ledford, age 69, of the Bald Mountain Community, went Home to be with the Lord on Monday, December 29th, 2025 at his home. A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the

Louise Pittman Carver, age 86, of Spruce Pine, NC, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2025. Better known to many as Tudy, Weezie, or Granny, Louise was born on May 8, 1939, to Andrew and