Obituaries

Recent Obituaries

Martha Warren Henson

Martha Warren Henson

Jan 12, 2026

Martha Warren Henson, 68, of Morganton, passed away on Monday, January 12, 2026 at Biltmore Haven in Arden following a period of declining health.

Martha was born on September 4, 1957 in Burke County, a daughter of the late James Ray and Rhoda Jane Poe Warren.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Shasta Madden of Augusta, GA; grandson, Brandon...

Elizabeth Hope Goode Butler

Elizabeth Hope Goode Butler

Jan 11, 2026

Elizabeth Hope Goode Butler, 85, of Morganton, passed away peacefully on Sunday January 11, 2026 at Amorem Hospice in Valdese following a brief illness.

Hope was born on July 7, 1940 in McDowell County to the late James Leonard Goode and Mildred Rice Goode. She was a dedicated cosmetic sales representative with Mary Kay Cosmetics for many years, and was a...

Clyde Ray Danner, Jr.

Clyde Ray Danner, Jr.

Jan 10, 2026

Clyde Ray Danner, Jr., 81, of Morganton, passed away on Saturday January 10, 2026, at UNC Healthcare Blue Ridge, Morganton, after a period of declining health.

Mr. Danner was born September 8, 1944, in Burke County, a son of the late Clyde Ray Danner, Sr. and Darlia Lail Danner. He was a jack of all trades in the construction business. He...

Raymond "Bud" Clifford Levan Jr

Raymond "Bud" Clifford Levan Jr

Jan 9, 2026

Raymond Clifford “Bud” Levan, Jr. 66 of Valdese, passed away on Friday January 9, 2026, at his residence.

He was born, September 20, 1959, in Iredell County, a son of the late Raymond Clifford Levan, Sr. and Dorries Ramsey Levan. Bud served his country as a member of the US Marine Corp and retired as a sergeant with the NC Wildlife...

Buford Ray Buff

Buford Ray Buff

Jan 8, 2026



Mr. Buford Ray Buff, 62, of Valdese, passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at Atrium Healthcare Charlotte, following a brief illness.

Ray was born on July 23, 1963 in Burke County to Ernest Alexander Buff and the late Edith Mae Buff. He was a longtime member of North Laurel Baptist Church and was retired from J. Iverson Riddle Center, where...

Lucille Deal Holden

Lucille Deal Holden

Jan 8, 2026

Lucille Deal Holden, 92, of Morganton, passed away peacefully on Thursday January 8, 2026 at UNC Health Blue Ridge, following a period of declining health.

Lucille was born on March 6, 1933 in Burke County, to the late Lawrence Nelson Deal and Myrtle Dallas Settlemyre Deal. Lucille dedicated many years to her work, first as an inspector with Alba-Waldensian, then showcasing...

Robert Lee Jones

Robert Lee Jones

Jan 7, 2026

Robert Lee “Rob” Jones, 93 of Icard, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at Aston Park following a brief illness.

Rob was born April 12, 1932 in Carter County, Tennessee, a son of the late Bobby Taylor and Dorothy Beam Jones. He was a truck driver for Waldensian Bakeries for forty-seven years prior to retirement,...

Earl Edward Clark

Earl Edward Clark

Jan 7, 2026

Mr. Earl Edward Clark, 85, of Morganton, passed away on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at Amorem Hospice of Valdese, following a period of declining health.

Earl was born on June 13, 1940, in Burke County to the late Charlie E. Clark and Ida Chapman Clark. He retired from Drexel Furniture, where he worked in the boiler room and in security for...

Fannie Newton Williams

Fannie Newton Williams

Jan 7, 2026

Fannie Newton Williams, 94, of Valdese, passed away on Wednesday January 7, 2026, at UNC Healthcare, Morganton, after a brief illness.

Mrs. Williams was born April 1, 1931, in Cleveland County, the eighth child of the late William Nolan and Zula Wall Newton. She was a graduate of Lenoir Rhyne College and was retired from the US Government as the distributor...

Dorothy Marie Hembree Benfield

Dorothy Marie Hembree Benfield

Jan 7, 2026

Dorothy Marie Hembree Benfield, 82, of Morganton, passed away on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at Magnolia Lane Nursing and Rehabilitation Center following a period of declining health.

Marie was born May 8, 1943 in Spartanburg County, SC, a daughter of the late Wade and Sally Hembree.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in passing by her husband, Thomas Benfield, and...

Michael Fred Lunsford

Michael Fred Lunsford

Jan 4, 2026

Michael Fred Lunsford, 57, of Granite Falls, passed away on Sunday, January 4, 2026 at his residence, following a period of declining health.

Mike was born August 9, 1968 in Burke County to Beulah Sharpe Lunsford and the late Jackie Fred Lunsford. He was a well known carp fisherman and loved hanging out at Lake Charles with Greg and the gang....

Gail Jeanette King Waycaster

Gail Jeanette King Waycaster

Jan 3, 2026

Ms. Gail Jeanette King Waycaster, 74, of Morganton, passed away peacefully at her home at 300 Williams Rd. on January 3, 2026, surrounded by her loving family, after a period of declining health.

She was born in Buncombe County, NC, on August 31, 1951, a daughter of the late Jay and Harriet King.

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

Alice Hill Nicely

Alice Hill Nicely

Jan 2, 2026

Alice Hill Nicely, 83, of Valdese, passed away on Friday January 2, 2026 at her residence after a period of declining health.

Mrs. Nicely was born February 14, 1942, in Albion, N.Y. a daughter of the late Robert Wilson and Meriam Davis Hill. She was a member of the New Beginnings Baptist Church in Morganton and retired after a long career...

Joey Michael Rhoney

Joey Michael Rhoney

Jan 1, 2026

Joey Michael Rhoney, 65, of Hickory, passed away on Thursday January 1, 2026, at Autumn Care Nursing Center, after a period of declining health.

Joey was born November 20, 1960, in Burke County, a son of Glenda Poteat Rhoney and the late Jerry Rhoney. He served his country as a US Air Force veteran and was formally employed as a Behavior...

Woodrow Wilson Smith, II

Woodrow Wilson Smith, II

Jan 1, 2026

Woodrow Wilson Smith, II, 62, of Morganton, passed away on Thursday, January 1, 2026 at his residence, following a period of declining health.

Woodrow was born on July, 12, 1963 in Sarasota, FL, a son of the late Donald Marcus Smith, Sr., and Marilyn Robbins Smith. He loved NASCAR racing, and he was in attendance as often as he could. He...

Daphne Lynnette Abernathy Mozeley

Daphne Lynnette Abernathy Mozeley

Dec 30, 2025

Daphne Abernathy Mozeley, 42, of Valdese passed away on December 30, 2025 after a 4-year bout with cancer. She took her last breath in this life holding the hands of her closest loved ones and immediately began her new life by taking the hand of Jesus, her savior.

Daphne was born on January 13, 1983 and was a lifelong Burke County...

Terry Lynn Turner

Terry Lynn Turner

Dec 29, 2025

Terry Lynn Turner, 63, of Hildebran, passed away on Monday, December 29, 2025 at Catawba Valley Medical Center following a period of declining health.

Terry was born December 19, 1962 in Burke County to the late Billy Dean Turner and Doris Day Turner. He worked as a plumber and in his spare time loved hunting, fishing, and listening to rock music.

In...

Tina Marie Fox

Tina Marie Fox

Dec 28, 2025

Tina Marie Fox, 60, our sweet sister, passed away on December 28, 2025 unexpectedly at her residence.

Tina was born October 22, 1965 in Burke County to the late Hubert Fox and Gladys Lowman Collins. She was a devoted mother who deeply cherished her grandchildren. Always willing to assist others, she was known for her generosity and kindness. She also enjoyed...

Arther Joe Cannon

Arther Joe Cannon

Dec 28, 2025

Arther Joe Cannon, 81, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2025 at his residence following a period of declining health.

Arther was born March 8, 1944 in Catawba County to the late JC Cannon and Lottie Gilland Cannon. He was passionate about outdoor activities, including riding his four-wheeler, deer hunting, fishing, and camping. Arther also enjoyed watching NASCAR.

In...

Cathy Powell Deal

Cathy Powell Deal

Dec 28, 2025

Cathy Powell Deal, 74, of Valdese, passed away on Sunday December 28, 2025, at UNC Health Care, Morganton, after a period of declining health.

Cathy was born November 15,1950, in Burke County, a daughter of the late Bill and Ethel Hice Powell. She was a member of East Valdese Baptist Church and retired from UPS with over thirty years of dedicated...

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