Jeffrey Lynn Chapman
Apr 29, 2026
Mr. Jeffrey Lynn Chapman, 65, of Lenoir, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at his residence.
Jeff was born on December 9, 1960, in Caldwell County to the late John Herman Chapman and Betty Sue Nelson Chapman. He was formerly employed as a maintenance technician for Broyhill Furniture for over 25 years, and enjoyed being outdoors, especially going hunting...
Martha Stamey Jones
Apr 29, 2026
Martha Stamey Jones, 86, of Icard, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at Aston Park following a brief illness.
Martha was born June 24, 1939 in Burke County to the late Martin and Cordia Stamey. She retired from Icard Elementary School, where she worked as a kindergarten teacher’s assistant for more than twenty years. Martha...
Glenn Carroll Pruette
Apr 28, 2026
Glenn Carroll Pruette of Vale, North Carolina went home to be with his Lord and Savior on April 28,2026, NC at the age of 86 after a period of declining health.
Born March 14th, 1940 in Connelly Springs, North Carolina to Perry and Flavie Pruette. Glenn was a member of Westside Baptist Church, Newton and known for his love of woodworking...
Mary Woody Cook
Apr 28, 2026
Mary Lou Woody Cook, born August 2, 1941 (though her mother, Viola, always insisted it was August 1), passed away suddenly and unexpectedly, leaving behind a legacy of quiet strength, enduring faith, and deep love for her family.
Mary Lou was a woman of gentle nature yet an indomitable spirit. As beautiful as any beauty queen, she also possessed remarkable courage;...
Kimberly Dawn Whisnant
Apr 26, 2026
Kimberly Dawn Whisnant, 66, of Morganton, North Carolina, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 26, 2026, after a vibrant and well-lived life. Kim was born in McDowell County on April 6, 1960, to the late James Robert Whisnant and Norma Jean Hall Whisnant.
Kim will be remembered fondly for her fierce love of God, her country, her...
Melba Schronce Icard
Apr 25, 2026
Melba Lynn Schronce Icard, 79, of Hickory, passed away on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Frye Regional Medical Center.
Melba was born August 31, 1946 in Catawba County to the late, Richard Paul Schronce and Minnie Catherine Sharpe Schronce. She worked for MDI for more than 29 years and was the owner of M&S Mobile Fleet Service. Melba loved all animals...
Rhonda Janelle Barus
Apr 24, 2026
Rhonda Janelle Barus, 60, of Valdese, North Carolina, passed away on April 24, 2026 at Frye Regional Medical Center. Born on February 7, 1966, Rhonda lived a life marked by love, strength, and compassion that will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew her.
Rhonda was a devoted mother, a cherished friend, and a woman whose kindness touched many....
Susan Hudson Dzmura
Apr 24, 2026
Susan Hudson Dzmura, 75, of Valdese, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, April 24, 2026 at AMOREM of Valdese following a period of declining health.
Susan was born June 10, 1950, a daughter of the late Miles and Georgia Hudson. She was a PhD graduate of the University of Rochester in the field of psychology. She worked as...
Carolyn Elizabeth Street Abee Blankenship
Apr 20, 2026
Carolyn Elizabeth Street Abee Blankenship, 76, of Lenoir, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Monday, April 20, 2026 at Atrium Health CMC Main following a period of declining health.
Carolyn was born June 14, 1949 in Burke County, a daughter of the late S.D. and Ruby Bowman Street. She had a great sense of humor and loved to...
Graham Michael Orndoff
Apr 19, 2026
Graham Michael “Mike” Orndoff, 79, of Hickory, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at Wake Forest Medical Center following a brief period of declining health.
Mike was born October 10, 1946 in McDowell County to the late Graham Webster Orndorff and Nadgie Quinn Orndorff.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Edwin Quinn “Ed”...
Ronnie Wayne Hamby
Apr 18, 2026
Ronnie Wayne Hamby, 54, Connelly Springs, passed away on April 18, 2026 at his home following a period of declining health.
Ronnie was born June 22, 1971 in Catawba County to Barbara Kiziah Pearson and Ronald Alan Hamby (Faye Hamby). He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and enjoyed his vacation time with all of them when he was not...
Pansy Huffman Cross
Apr 18, 2026
Pansy Huffman Cross, 93, of Morganton, went to her Heavenly Home on Saturday April 18, 2026, at Grace Heights Nursing Center, after a period of declining health.
Mrs. Cross was born on February 25,1933, in Burke County, a daughter of the late Filo and Liza Huffman. She retired from J. Iverson Riddle Development Center after many years of faithful service. Pansy...
Coleen Franklin
Apr 16, 2026
Mrs. Blonnie Coleen Young Franklin, 96, of Icard, NC , passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Carolina Rehab Center of Burke, after a period of declining health.
What a wonderful 96 years she lived. Coleen was born on July 18, 1929, in Burke County to the late Marshall Young and Lela Cline Young. Loving daughter,...
Martha Harwell
Apr 16, 2026
Mrs. Martha Killian Harwell, 91, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at her residence, following a period of declining health.
Martha was born on March 23, 1935 in Catawba County, to the late Thomas Everette Killian and Elsie Marie Hoke Killian. She was a retired inspector in the furniture manufacturing industry.
In addition to her parents, she was...
Michael Joe Willis
Apr 14, 2026
Michael Joe Willis, 66, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Tuesday April14, 2026 at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist after a period of declining health.
Mr. Willis was born on December 7, 1959 in Cleveland County, a son of Nellie Ruth Felmet Willis and the late Joe Forest Willis. He was a hard worker and tried to fix anything that needed...
Johnny Baxter Bolden
Apr 14, 2026
Johnny Baxter Bolden, 78, of Hickory, passed away on April 14, 2026 at UNC Health Blue Ridge of Morganton following a period of declining health.
Johnny was born May 9, 1947 in McDowell County, a son of the late Russell and Lennie Causby Bolden. He worked for General Electric as a welder for twenty-five years before moving to Corning for another...
Curtis Paul Cates
Apr 14, 2026
Curtis Paul Cates, 68, of Connelly Springs, passed away at home on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 following a period of declining health.
Curtis was born June 4, 1957 in Roane County, TN, a son of Delcie Kurly. He was a proud United States Army veteran.
He is preceded in passing by a brother, Lee Cates.
Those left to cherish his memory include his...
Donna Lee Barnett Nelson
Apr 13, 2026
Donna Lee Nelson, 76, of Morganton, passed away on Monday April 13, 2026, at Burke Assisted Living Center, after a period of declining health.
Mrs. Nelson was born on January 28, 1950, in Virginia, a daughter of the late David and Mary Barnett Evans. She was a member of Sandy Ridge Baptist Church and a homemaker, a life she enjoyed very...
Deborah Leigh Bernard
Apr 13, 2026
Deborah Leigh Bernard (Debbie) passed away April 13, 2026. Debbie was born in Morganton, North Carolina on December 10,1954 and grew up in Connelly Springs, North Carolina.
She is survived by her sisters Mary Helen (Bernard) Harmon (Connelly Springs, NC) and Beverly (Bernard) Tyner (Chattanooga, TN). She is also survived by her brother Clint Bernard (Asheville, NC). She dearly loved her...
Jean-Marie Camerlengo Cole
Apr 13, 2026
Mrs. Jean- Marie Camerlengo Cole, 85, of Valdese, entered her eternal home, on Monday, April 13, 2026, at her residence following a period of declining health.
Jean was born on September 29, 1940, in Pittsfield, MA, to the late John Michael Camerlengo and Alice Churchill Camerlengo. She was a member of Morganton Baptist Church, and was a retired office administrator, working...
