Margaret Ingle Cook
Mar 8, 2026
Margaret Marie Ingle Cook, 103, of Henry River Road, Hickory, passed away on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Hickory Falls Health and Rehabilitation of Granite Falls after a period of declining health.
Margaret was born on February 23, 1923, in Burke County, NC, a daughter of the late John and Nellie Shuffler Ingle. She was the oldest of eleven children. She...
Leon Lester Ledford
Mar 7, 2026
Leon L. Ledford, 89, of Icard, went to his Heavenly Home on Saturday March 7, 2026, at his home with his loving family by his side.
Mr. Ledford was born January 15, 1937, in Gaston County, a son of the late Rev. A.V. and Ida Sue Faulkner Ledford. Leon was a faithful and active member of First Baptist Church Hildebran, serving...
John Lee Munday
Mar 6, 2026
John Lee Munday, 59, of Hildebran, passed away on Friday March 6, 2026, at his residence, after a period of declining health.
John was born March 4, 1967, in Burke County, a son of the late Cecil J. “Bud” and Rachel Burris Munday. He was formally employed as a machinist in the tool and dye industry. John was a lifelong member...
Fred Alexander Simmons
Mar 5, 2026
Mr. Fred Alexander Simmons, 54, of Valdese, passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at UNC-BR Morganton.
Alex was born on July 7, 1971 in Burke County to Rachel Lucinda Ingle Simmons and the late Jack Horace Simmons. He was previously employed as a cook with several local restaurants, including Fry Daddys, Granny’s Kitchen, and B&B Food Store.
Surviving in addition to...
Wayne Posey Maney
Mar 5, 2026
Wayne Posey Maney, 71, of J. Iverson Riddle Development Center, passed away on Thursday March 5, 2026 after a period of declining health.
Wayne was born October 2, 1954, in Swain County, a son of the late Posey Maney, Jr and Marilyn Lindsey Maney.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, John Henry and Beulah W....
Caroleen Cooke Rhoney
Mar 5, 2026
Martha Caroleen Cooke Rhoney, 77, of Vale, passed away peacefully with her family by her side, on Thursday March 5, 2026, after a period of declining health.
Mrs. Rhoney was born June 5, 1948, in Burke County, a daughter of the late Calvin “Dopey” and Ruby Hoyle Cooke. She was an active member Mull’s Chapel Baptist Church and was a compassionate,...
Blanche Rena Powell
Mar 1, 2026
Mrs. Blanche Rena Sweet Powell, 59, of Morganton, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, in Knoxville, TN.
Rena was born on September 18, 1966, in Catawba County to the late Everette Leroy Sweet and Sarah Bell Breeden Sweet. She was formerly employed as a machine operator in veneer manufacturing. Rena was a loving...
Marvin Douglas Andrews
Mar 1, 2026
Marvin Douglas “Doug” Andrews, age 77, passed away unexpectedly at his home on March 1, 2026.Doug was born on February 28, 1949 in Caldwell County to the late Marvin Pershing Andrews and Mildred Bean Andrews.
He was a husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. Doug spent his working years as a transport driver, a career he took pride in and one...
Thomas Allen Clay
Mar 1, 2026
Thomas Allen Clay, 82, of Hickory, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 1, 2026 at Catawba Valley Medical Center following a period of declining health.
Thomas was born July 3, 1943 in Cleveland County, a son of the late Marshall Haywood and Louise Wilfong Clay. He loved his country and possessed a strong spirit of patriotism. He...
Rebecca Grace Carver Stout
Feb 28, 2026
Mrs. Rebecca “Becky” Grace Carver Stout, 62, of Hickory, went home to be with her Lord on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at Carolina Caring Hospice House following a period of declining health.
Becky was born June 15, 1963 in Caldwell County to the late James A. Carver and Essie Mae Hudson Carver.
Mrs. Stout was a member of Northside Baptist Church in...
Ruth Parker Brittain Fulbright
Feb 26, 2026
Ruth Odell Parker Brittain Fulbright, affectionately known as “Memaw,” went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at her residence following a brief illness.
Ruth was born April 7, 1928 in Lincoln County, a daughter of the late Zebulon Greer and Minnie Lee Hartman Parker. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in passing by her...
Rita Ann Horowitz Granoff
Feb 25, 2026
Mrs. Rita Ann Horowitz Granoff, 78, of Granite Falls, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.
Rita was born on November 23, 1947 in New York, NY to the late Paul David Horowitz and Laura Libin Horowitz. She was a retired public-school teacher, serving in New York for over 40 years. Rita enjoyed...
Johnny D. Ethridge Sr.
Feb 25, 2026
Johnny D. Ethridge Sr., 76, of Valdese, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at UNC Blue Ridge following a brief illness.
Johnny was born July 6, 1949 in Burke County to the late John Ethridge and Eva M. Lowman. He worked as a truck driver and enjoyed fishing, golfing, and watching westerns and baseball.
In addition to his parents, he is...
Randy Dean Mabrey
Feb 24, 2026
Mr. Randy Dean Mabrey, 64, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at his residence, following a period of declining health.
Randy was born on March 27, 1961, in Burke County to Olen Ray Mabrey and Jean Rogers Mabrey. He was a member of Burns Memorial Baptist Church and was formerly employed as a fixer in the hosiery...
Virginia Darlous Franklin Helms
Feb 24, 2026
Virginia Darlous Franklin Helms, 83, of Granite Falls, went home to be with her Lord on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 following a period of declining health.
Virginia was born September 26, 1942 in Avery County, a daughter of the later Zeb Scott and Esta Lena Woodie Franklin.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in passing by two sisters, Lila Jean...
Ruby Arlene Carroll Cook
Feb 22, 2026
Mrs. Ruby Arlene Carroll Cook, 90, of Connelly Springs, went to her Heavenly Home, with her loving family by her side, on Sunday February 22, 2026, at her residence after a period of declining health.
Mrs. Cook was born May 30, 1935, in Yancey County, a daughter of the late John and Mary Westall Carroll. She was active in the Connelly...
Wayne Woodrow Whisenant
Feb 22, 2026
Wayne Woodrow Whisenant, 85, of Morganton, peacefully passed at his home on February 22, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones. Wayne was born in Burke County, a son of the late Iverson “Buddy” and Marie Epley Whisenant.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Eric Whisenant, siblings, Betty Jean Taylor, Doris Hurst, Winford Lee Whisenant,...
James Otho Merritt
Feb 21, 2026
James “Jim” Otho Merritt, age 87, of Morganton, North Carolina, peacefully passed away on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at his home after a period of declining health. His presence in the lives of family and friends will be dearly missed, and his memory cherished by all who knew him.
Jim was born on November 22, 1938, in Fort Mill, South Carolina,...
Clara Jo Dunn Goode
Feb 21, 2026
Clara Jo (Dunn) Goode, 98, passed away at her home in Connelly Springs, North Carolina, on February 21, 2026. She is survived by her daughters, J’Mel Goode, Jane Goode and Meg Goode, as well as their respective husbands/significant others, Alan Thompson, David Hobart and Gary Schreck. She was preceded in death by her husband, William (Bill) Edward Goode.
Jo was born...
Arle Ransom Spann
Feb 20, 2026
Arle Ransom Spann, 63, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Friday, February 20, 2026 at his residence following a period of declining health.
Arle was born September 25, 1962 in Burke County, to the late Dwight Spann and Rebecca Sellers Spann. He was a member of Berea Baptist Church and worked in the textile industry. Arle could work on anything that...
