Obituaries

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

Karen Benfield McMahan, age 63, of Hide Road in Bakersville, passed away Saturday, December 27, 2025 at her home. Born on June 26, 1962 in Avery County, she was the daughter of the late Hue

Ruth Vance Young of Minneapolis, NC, finished her journey to Heaven on Friday, December 26th, 2025, at her home, surrounded by her loving family, leaving behind a legacy of faith, service, and love for her

Bryan Scott McFalls, age 53, went to be with the Lord on Thursday December 18th, 2025. He was a native of Mitchell County and was preceded in death by his mother, Agnes Biddix. He worked

Jackie Young Cornett, of the Montezuma Community, went Home to be with the Lord on Christmas Day, December 25th, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. A native of Avery County, she was one

Jerry James Jones, age 80, of Licklog Road in Newland, NC, went Home to be with the Lord on Thursday, December 25th, 2025. Born on September 27th, 1945, he was a son of the late

Denise Ann Fortner Hilemon, age 66, of Micaville, received the most precious Christmas gift of all when she entered Heaven’s gates on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24, 2025. Denise was born on April 17, 1959,

On Sunday, December 21st, 2025 at 4:45pm, Charles “Wesley” Gurley, 62, of the Crabtree Community, crossed over Jordan peacefully at home, with his wife of 37 years holding his hand. Wesley loved God and always

Betty Jo Worrell Herrell, 95, of the Harrell Hill community in Bakersville, North Carolina, died peacefully at home in the early morning of the winter solstice, December 21, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was

James Anthony Correll, 49, passed away on Saturday, December 20, 2025. Jimmy, as he was known, was born on July 27, 1976 in Kannapolis, NC to William Lynn and Sandra Ann Norris Correll. He worked

Shirley Geouge Briggs, age 88, went Home to dance around the throne on Sunday, December 21st, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and unwavering devotion to her family. She was born in the

Frankie Wilson Wyatt, age 90, of the Double Island Community, went Home to join her Lord and Savior on Saturday, December 20th, 2025, at Smoky Ridge Health and Rehabilitation.  Born in McDowell County, she was

Steve Ray Hollifield, age 64, of Altapass Highway in Spruce Pine, passed away Friday, December 19, 2025 at the Memorial Campus of Mission Hospitals in Asheville. Born on February 12, 1961 in Mitchell County, he

Louella Buchanan Polechio, age 90, of Green Young Cemetery Road in Bakersville, passed away Friday, December 19, 2025 at the Green’s of Spruce Pine. Born on May 17, 1935 in Mitchell County, she was the

Frances Eileen Peterson, age 93 of the Clearmont Community, went Home to be with the Lord on Friday, December 19th, 2025, at her home. She was a daughter of the late Euphrates and Rosa Peterson

Sherry Kay Hughes Edwards, age 73, of Mt. Ulla, North Carolina, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 6:01 a.m. Born on March 2, 1952, in Mitchell

Sheila Masters Bullis, age 78 of the Bee Branch Community, went Home to be with the Lord on Thursday, December 18th, 2025, at her surrounded by her family. She was a daughter of the late

Eunice Hughes, age 83, of Mollies Branch Rd (Roaring Creek community) passed away on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. She was born in Avery County on April 29, 1942 to the late Arnie and Ethel Clark

Jerry Lee Robinson, age 71 of Burnsville, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on December 16, 2025, at Care Partners Solace Center in Asheville, NC. Jerry was born on July 25, 1954, in Burnsville, to the

Rosa Belle Hise Horton, of the Banks Creek Community, went Home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 16th, 2025, at The Greens. Born on December 21st, 1937 in Mitchell County, she was a

Terry Lee Buchanan, age 80, of the Frank Community in Avery County. went Home to be with the Lord on Monday, December 15th, 2025, at Johnson City Medical Center.  A native of Avery County, he

Julia Miller Garland, age 97 of the Buladean community, took her flight into Heaven on Tuesday, December 16th, 2025 at her home. A native of Mitchell county, she was a daughter of the late Joe

Nancy “Sue” Woody, age 82, of Green Cove Road in Bakersville, went to be with the Lord on Saturday the 13th of December at CarePartners hospice in Asheville, NC. Born on February 21, 1943 in