Obituaries

Oct 29, 2025

Ashley Danielle Arnette Burnette, 29, of Morganton, passed away on Wednesday October 29, 2025 at UNC Blue Ridge Healthcare following a period of declining health.

Ashley was born April 25, 1996 in Caldwell County to Jerry Arnette and Kimberly Johnson Arnette. She loved life and she loved big; always happy and caring; and loved by so many people. Ashley will be...

Oct 28, 2025

Mr. Jerry Allen Williams, 85, of Valdese, passed away on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at his residence.

Jerry was born on June 10, 1940, in Burke County to the late James Harley Williams and Naomi Sigmon Willams. He retired after 42 years of military service, serving in the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Army and the N.C. National Guard. Jerry was a...

Oct 26, 2025

Linda Carswell Auten, 65, of Connelly Springs passed away on Sunday, October 26, 2025 at Carolina Rehab following a period of declining health.

Linda was born May 14, 1960 in Burke County to the late William Reece Carswell and Eva Marie Brittain Carswell. She worked in the hosiery industry, but her true passion was photography. Linda was a member of Walker’s...

Oct 24, 2025

Jerry “J.R.” Louis Russo, Sr., 83, passed away on Friday October 24, 2025, at his residence, after a period of declining health.

Jerry was born September 29, 1942, in Washington DC, a son of the late Mario and Ruth Newton Russo. He retired as a warehouse manager with Canteen, Inc. Jerry loved his family and being around people. He was known...

Oct 23, 2025

William Horace Beal went to his heavenly home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, October 23, 2025. William was born July 7, 1934 in Alabama and as an adult moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, the Franklin Graham Samaritan’s Purse Ministry gave him the opportunity to relocate in Hickory, North...

Oct 22, 2025

Larry “Tub” Stowe Rhoney, 79, of Newton passed away Wednesday, October 22, 2025.

Born in Catawba County on March 4, 1946, he was the son of the late Ruffin Stowe (R.S.) Rhoney and Annie Arney Rhoney. Tub loved being on the lake or wading through streams trying to catch the biggest fish possible. He was also an avid gardener and enjoyed...

Oct 21, 2025

Mrs. Dolly Ann Brittain Bradshaw, 92, of Hickory, passed away on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at her residence.

Dolly was born on March 13, 1933, in Burke County to the late George Baxter Brittain and Ila Johnson Brittain. She was retired bookkeeper for Burke County Public Schools and was a longtime member of Wilkies Grove Baptist Church. Dolly loved being outdoors,...

Oct 20, 2025

Mr. Tommy Ray Little, 77, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Monday, October 20, 2025 at his residence.

Tommy was born on October 5, 1948 in Catawba County, to the late Charlie Little and Rosa Lee Ledford Little. He was formerly employed as a floor mechanic and installer up until his retirement. Tommy was also a proud veteran having served honorably...

Oct 20, 2025

Lenny Arthur Stuart, 74, of Connelly Springs, passed away on October 20, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

In his younger years, Lenny had a passion for sports cars, swimming, and strategy games. He took pleasure in watching wrestling, football, and racing, and enjoyed staying up to date with the latest entertainment technology. In later years, he worked...

Oct 18, 2025

Bette Ann Peters Racicot, 87, of Valdese, passed away on Saturday October 18, 2025, at Carolina Caring Hospice, Newton, after a period of declining health.

Bette was born July 11, 1938, in Franklin County, Mass. A daughter of the late Edward C. Peters and Marion Louise Guyette Newton. She retired as Receptionist and Admission Clerk from Valdese General Hosp. She was...

Oct 18, 2025

Robert *Wayne* Burns, 58, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Saturday October 18, 2025, at his residence after a brief illness.

Robert was born April 15, 1967, in Burke County, a son of Patsy Bolin Burns and the late Ray Cox. He was employed for 37 years as a weaver at Valdese Weavers. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed many friendships...

Oct 18, 2025

Oct 17, 2025

Marvin Dale Whisenant, 86, of Lenoir, went home to be with his Lord on Friday October 17, 2025, at UNC Caldwell Memorial Hospital, after a period of declining health.

Mr. Whisenant was born November 12, 1938, in Caldwell County, a son of the late Phillip Marvin and Susan Estelle Braswell Whisenant. He was a member of the Calvary Advent Christian Church...

Oct 17, 2025

Betty Gail Deal Gruber, 72, of Drexel, passed away at Grand Strand Medical Center on Friday, October 17, 2025, while visiting Myrtle Beach.

Betty was born March 31, 1953 in Burke County, a daughter of the late Alex Lee Deal and Grace Coleman Deal. She enjoyed listening to music, particularly Christian music. She loved to read, and her home was often...

Oct 17, 2025

Fred Douglas “Freddy” Hawkins, Sr., 78, of Lenoir, NC, answered God’s call on October 17, 2025 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

He was born on October 27, 1946 in Burke County and was one of 7 sons born to the late Elonzo E. Hawkins and Dorothy Kincaid Hawkins. He attended Olive Hill High School, and retired from Harper Furniture...

Oct 16, 2025

Champ Edward Ray, 87, of Valdese, passed away on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Amorem, Hudson, after a period of declining health. He was born July 25, 1938, in Madison County, NC to the late Odus and Dorothy Wallin Ray.

Champ enlisted in the United States Navy at age 17. He served 23 years on active duty as a Navy Corpsman...

Oct 16, 2025

Frances Louise Lowman Lingerfelt, 74, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at her residence following a brief illness.

Frances was born May 26, 1951 in Burke County. A daughter of Doc and Ruth Wiseman. She was a member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church and deeply loved the Lord and reading her bible. She was a very giving...

Oct 15, 2025

Dr. Richard Welser, 76, of Morganton passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at Transylvania Medical Center following a period of declining health.

Richard is honored in memory by his son, Evan Welser, and by family and the many friends he made along the way. Richard had a storied and colorful life, with the analytical mind of Nikola Tesla and the...

Oct 15, 2025

Mrs. Brenda Karen Hudson Stroupe, 59, of Morganton, passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at her residence, following a period of declining health.

Brenda was born on March 13, 1966, in Burke County to the late Cletus Hudson and Vernie Chapman Hudson. She was formerly employed as a CNA for many years.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in...

Oct 14, 2025

Charles “Chuck” Edward Hallyburton, Jr., 61, of Hickory, passed away on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at UNC Health Blue Ridge of Morganton following a period of declining health.

Chuck was born May 13, 1964 in Burke County, a son of the late Charles Hallyburton and Diane Reep Duckworth. He loved racing and football.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in...