Wanda Upchurch Burns
Nov 11, 2025
Wanda Kay Upchurch Burns, 74, of Hickory, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 following a brief illness.
Wanda was born June 4, 1951 in Gaffney, SC, a daughter of the late Floyd and Frances Mullinax Upchurch.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in passing by her husband, Dana Burns, and brother, Arnold Upchurch.
Those left...
Margaret Hendley Stamey
Nov 10, 2025
Mrs. Margaret Anne Hendley Stamey, 80, of Morganton, passed away on Monday, November 10, 2025, at her residence, following a period of declining health.
Margaret was born on May 15, 1945 in McDowell County to the late Roy Hendley and Margaret Oliver Hendley. She was a retired accountant, working for Doblin Fabrics of Morganton, for many years.
Survivors include her beloved husband,...
Fred Owens Berry
Nov 9, 2025
Fred Owens Berry, 93, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Sunday, November 9, 2025 at Frye Regional Hospital following a period of declining health.
Fred was born May 12, 1932 in Burke County to the late Andrew Berry and Bertha Thorne Berry. He served honorably in the United States Army and retired at the age of seventy five from Hickory Hill...
Karter James Hensley
Nov 7, 2025
Karter James Hensley, fourteen months, of Morganton, passed away suddenly at home on November 7, 2025.
Karter was born August 25, 2024 in Burke County, the son of Samuel James Hensley and Gracie Kay Hensley.
He is preceded in passing by a great grandfather, Robert Cook; grandparents, Howard “Meathead” Cook and Mary and Russell Seagle; uncles, Austin David Seagle and Robert Cook,...
Doyle William Johnson
Nov 4, 2025
Doyle William Johnson, 75, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at Duke University Hospital following a period of declining health.
Doyle was born May 21,1950 in Catawba County to the late Hubert Eugene Johnson and Nelma McGuire Johnson. He retired from Hickory Printing after thirty-six years of service. Doyle was an active member of Mt. Hebron Lutheran...
Kenneth Grant Greer
Nov 2, 2025
Kenneth Grant Greer, 86, of Morganton, passed away on Sunday, November 2, 2025 at his residence following a period of declining health.
Kenneth was born June 16, 1939 in Watauga County to the late Jacob R. Greer and Annie Louis Miller Greer. Kenneth, a self-taught machinist, received North Carolina's Governors Award of Excellence for fabricating boiler parts at Broughton Hospital. He...
George Harley Foster
Oct 30, 2025
George Harley Foster, 86, of Hickory passed away on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at his residence, following a period of declining health.
George was born November 17, 1938 to the late John Foster and Rebecca Louvellen Baker. He was retired from Century Furniture, served honorably in the United States Army and was a member of Cub Creek Baptist Church in North...
Ellis Walker Harrison
Oct 30, 2025
Infant Ellis Walker Harrison of Burke County passed away on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at Wake Forest Medical Center.
Ellis was born October 6, 2025 in Catawba County to Christopher and Courtney Harrison.
He is preceded in death by his cousin, Cooper L. Puckett.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his maternal grandparents, Troy and Carol Sudderth; paternal grandfather, Robert...
Barbara Ann Whisnant
Oct 30, 2025
Barbara Ann Whisnant, 83, of Valdese, passed away on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at Magnolia Lane Nursing and Rehab Center following a period of declining health.
Barbara was born November 16, 1941 in Burke County, a daughter of the late Paul and Isabelle Bivens Whisnant. She worked as a teacher’s assistant for nearly thirty years and was very dedicated to the...
Sherrill Dean Buchanan
Oct 29, 2025
Sherrill Dean Buchanan, age 81, of Valdese, NC, passed away on October 29, 2025 at Carolina Caring in Newton, NC.
Sherrill was born July 21, 1944 to the late Ora Buchanan and Nell Ledford Buchanan. He lived most of his life in Buncombe County, but after retirement he found peace living in Rutherfordton. Sherrill was an amazing auto mechanic. He loved...
Ashley Danielle Arnette
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...
Jerry Allen Williams
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...
Dorothy Jean Garnes
Oct 27, 2025
Mrs. Dorthy Jean Garnes, 71, of Lenoir, passed away on Monday, October 27, 2025, at her residence, following a period of declining health.
Jean was born on June 12, 1954, in Caldwell County to the late James William Garnes and Nettie Bell Haney Garnes. She was the longtime owner and operator of Genevieve’s Flowers in Rutherford College and Lenoir and was...
Linda Carswell Auten
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...
Jerry "J.R." Louis Russo, Sr.
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...
William Horace Beal
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...
Larry Stowe Rhoney
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...
Dolly Ann Bradshaw
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,...
Tommy Ray Little
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...
Lenny Arthur Stuart
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...
