All Obituaries

Vera Catherine Collins Elliott, age 91, of Marion, NC, went to be with the Lord Thursday, April 8, 2021.    Vera was born January 10, 1930 in Burke County, NC to the late Grover Collins and Vinnie Hall Collins.  She was the youngest of eight girls.  She worked at Baxter Healthcare for many years until her retirement in 1998 and was a member of Story Memorial Presbyterian Church for over 60 years.  Vera was a wonderful person with a soft, sweet spirit.  People...

Rev. Sumter West, age 96, of Marion, NC went to be with his Lord and Savior Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at Rosehill Retirement Community.   Rev. West was born March 31, 1925 in Spartanburg, SC to the late Sumpter and Maggie Tolleson West.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Army where he served during WWII.  Rev. West pastored several churches in McDowell, Rutherford and Watauga Counties from 1960 until 2004.    In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by two...

Millie Ada Hakala, age 92, of Marion, NC passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at her home.   Millie was born December 10, 1928 in McDowell County, NC to the late William Edward Tyo and Winnie Mae Price Tyo.  She was the manager of Houseware for Roses and retired after 35 years of service.  Millie was a strong-willed woman.  She never met a stranger and was honest to a fault.   In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by three brothers,...

 Betty Joyce Dennis Stone, 87, of Old Fort, passed into Heaven surrounded by her family with prayers and songs on Easter Sunday April 4, 2021, at Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville after a brief illness.  The daughter of Henry Claymon Dennis and Louise Barnes Dennis, she was born on July 16, 1933, in Rowan County, North Carolina, graduated from Old Fort High in 1951, and King’s Business School in 1953. In addition to homemaker, her careers included work with one of the...

John Edward English of the North Cove Community, died in the early morning hours of Tuesday March 30, 2021 at his home on the family dairy farm where he lived his entire life.  Born on June 24, 1937 in Crossnore NC, he was the son of the late Jay E. and Lorene Jarrett English.  Other than his parents he is preceded in death by his sister, Mary Jane English Street, and two brothers, Frank “Watt” and Joe English.    John grew up on the family dairy farm in...

Darlene Gillespie Ollis, age 80, of Pleasant Gardens, NC passed away peacefully Saturday, March 27, 2021 at Autumn Care of Marion, surrounded by her loving family.   Darlene was born July 2, 1940 in McDowell County, NC to the late Allen “Rabbit” Gillespie and Kathleen Hunter Gillespie.  She was the owner/operator of Cut & Curl hair salon.  After celebrating her retirement in cosmetology, she was able to spend some meaningful time with her family and travel...

Doyle Kelly Edwards, age 91 of Nebo, NC went to be with the Lord Thursday, March 25, 2021 at Mountain Ridge Wellness Center in Black Mountain, NC.   Mr. Edwards was born August 29, 1929 in Rutherford County, NC to the late Ernest and Mary Koon Edwards.  He was a member of Clinchfield United Methodist Church.  He retired from Dana Corporation. After his retirement, some of his hobbies included carpentry, plumbing, appliance work and fishing.  During his stay at Mountain...

Linda McIntosh Truett, age 74, of Burlington, NC formerly of Marion, NC went to be with the Lord Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC.   Linda was born July 4, 1946 in Buncombe County, NC to the late Byrd and Dicie Landers McIntosh.  She loved the beach and dancing and she especially loved her grandchildren.   In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by her beloved husband, Billy Ray Truett and several...

Susan Terrell McElfresh, age 73, of Marion, NC passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at her home, with her loving family at her bedside.   Susan was born June 30, 1947 in Elkin, NC to the late Malvern Hill Terrell and Mary Elizabeth Harris Terrell.  She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Old Fort and worked at Eckerd Drugs until her retirement.  She was also a member of Christian Women’s Club.  Susan was an avid reader and friendly to...

Walter “Jim” Tipton, age 63, of Old Fort, NC passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at his home, surrounded by his loving family.   Jim was born April 22, 1957 in Michigan to the late Ray and Gwen Tipton.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy.  He was an avid Michigan sports fan. He was an amazing baseball player, he played baseball most of his life and was part of his family softball team “The Tipton’s”.  Jim was a private person and...