Obituaries

Jan 25, 2023

Harley Brandon Upton, age 22, of Rutherfordton, passed away Wednesday, January 25, 2023.

Harley was born Sunday, April 9, 2000 in Rutherford County to Sommar Harris Waters and Casey B. Upton.  Harley loved motorcycles, being outdoors, hiking with his fiancé Callie and outings at the beach. But, most of all Harley loved his family, especially Keegan.

Jan 24, 2023

Randy Darrell Burgess, age 65, of 311 Morningstar Lake Road, Forest City, died Tuesday, January 24, 2023.

Randy was a loving husband, devoted father, proud PawPaw, and was considered a friend and brother to many, but above all he was a faithful Christian. Randy loved the Lord and loved everyone in his church family. He had a...

Jan 24, 2023

Barbara Bridges, age 80, of Forest City, passed away, Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.

Barbara was born Saturday, June 20, 1942 in Buncombe County, NC to the late Robert Wilson and Lucille Davis Wilson. She worked as a nurses aide for over thirty years and was of the Baptist faith. Barbara enjoyed...

Jan 21, 2023

Bobby “Eagle” Jones, age 57, of Forest City, passed away  at his residence.

Bobby was born Wednesday, February 10, 1965 in Rutherford County to the late Foy Lee Jones, Sr. and Margaret Epley Jones. He was a graduate of East Rutherford High School, class of 1983 and was a truck driver most of his life. Bobby worked...

Jan 18, 2023

Jody L. Baker, age 58, of Mooresboro, NC, passed away Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville.

Jody was born Thursday, December 17, 1964 in Raleigh, NC to the late Daniel “Dano” Mason and Judy Lee Dedmond Mason. She was a graduate of Chase High School, class of 1984 and a...

Jan 13, 2023

Luis De Leon, age 57, of Forest City, passed away, Friday, January 13, 2023.

Luis was born Tuesday, December 14, 1965 in San Pablo, Guatemala to Gregoria Solis De Leon who resides in Guatemala and the late Fausto Francisco De Leon. He worked in textiles and most recently worked for Parton Lumber Company.  Luis was known for...

Jan 12, 2023

Patricia Gail Nix, age 80, of Mooresboro, NC, passed away Thursday, January 12, 2023 at her residence.

Patricia was born Saturday, October 31, 1942 in Cleveland County to the late James Martin Williams and Ruby Lovelace Williams. She was a graduate of Crest High School, class of 1961. Patricia worked for J.C. Dying and Fiber Industries for...

Jan 11, 2023

Susan K. Senkel, age 56, of Forest City, passed away Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at Accordius Health in Rutherfordton.

Susan was born Saturday, January 29, 1966 in Dallas, Texas to the late Gene Senkel and Kay Houghton Senkel. She worked as a library clerk for several years and was an avid “Little House on the Prairie” fan....

Jan 10, 2023

J B Holland, age 86, of Henrietta, NC, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Atrium Health in Pineville.

J B was born Tuesday, February 4, 1936 in Rutherford County to the late Virgil Holland and Anna Lou Lovelace Holland. He worked for Cone Mills for over forty years and most recently for Allied Security for several...

Jan 9, 2023

Craig Hodge, age 45, of Rutherfordton, passed away Monday, January 9, 2023 at Mission Health in Asheville.

Craig was born Sunday, December 11, 1977 in Rutherford County to Ronnie Hodge and Barbara Byers Hodge who reside in Rutherfordton. He was a graduate of R-S Central High School, class of 1996 and was a graduate of the Isothermal Community...

Jan 9, 2023

Carolyn L. Lowery, age 88, of Union Mills, NC passed away Monday, January 9, 2023 at Autumn Care of Saluda.

Carolyn was born Saturday, March 17, 1934 in Morgan County, NC to the late Vono C. Baker and Emma Louise Clontz Baker.  For many years she and her late husband, Bobby Dean, owned and operated a shrimp...

Jan 8, 2023

Lois Ramsey Payne, age 91, of Mooresboro, passed away Sunday, January 8, 2023 at Fair Haven of Forest City.

Lois was born Sunday, June 21, 1931 in Cherokee County, SC to the late Thomas Lee Ramsey and Idella Wood Ramsey. She was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith.

In addition to her parents, she...

Jan 7, 2023

Jason Bridges, age 43, of Forest City, passed away Saturday, January 7, 2023 at Rutherford Regional Medical Center.

Jason was born Sunday, September 9, 1979 in Cleveland County. He was a graduate of Chase High School, class of 1997 and attended Cleveland Community Technical College. He enjoyed playing football during his high school years and enjoyed fishing,...

Jan 6, 2023

Charles Ray Swink, age 75, of Rutherfordton, passed away Friday, January 6, 2023 at his residence.

Charles was born Tuesday, February 11, 1947 in Rutherford County to the late Grady Swink and Mary Ellen Smith Swink. He was a car dealer who loved everything that had to do with cars. Charles had a big heart and always...

Dec 30, 2022

Opal A. Lowery, age 80, of Ellenboro, peacefully went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Friday, December 30, 2022 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.

Opal was born Saturday, February 28, 1942 in Rutherford County to the late Hoyle Leonard Allred and Fannie Daves Allred. She was a homemaker who loved taking care of her...

Dec 28, 2022

Brian D. Smith, age 63, of Hickory, passed away Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at his residence.

Brian was born Wednesday, April 22, 1959 in Portsmouth, England to Beryl Palmer Smith who lives in Salisbury, NC and the late Reg Smith. He was a graduate of Rowan High School, class of 1977 and earned a bachelor’s degree from...

Dec 28, 2022

Garland “Abe” Adair, age 74, of Forest City, passed away Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.

Garland was born Wednesday, September 1, 1948 in Rutherford County to the late Albert Lee Adair and Geneva Lawson Adair. He served his country honorably in the U.S. Army.  He worked as an auto detailer for many...

Dec 27, 2022

Johnny Crotts, age 60, of Spindale, passed away Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at his residence.

Johnny was born Saturday, July 21, 1962 in Rutherford County to the late Willard Crotts and Ottilee Lewis Crotts. He was a mechanic for most of his life and most recently worked for McKinney Radiator Shop in Forest City for several years. ...

Dec 27, 2022

Frank Weast, age 72, of Rutherfordton, passed away Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at his residence.

Frank was born Thursday, April 27, 1950 in Rutherford County to the late Rex Reece Weast and Mary Ella Greene Weast. He was a mechanic for over thirty-eight years and most recently worked at Weast Transmissions in Forest City. Frank was a...

Dec 26, 2022

Firleen Davis Holt, age 97, of Ellenboro, passed away, Monday, December 26, 2022 at Atrium Health-Cleveland in Shelby.

Firleen was born in Cherokee County, SC on Friday, December 25, 1925 to the late Romeo Davis and Lettie Owens Davis. She worked in textiles for many years and was a member of Campfield Memorial Baptist Church. She enjoyed...