Obituaries

Mar 26, 2023

Zane Smawley, 86, died 3/26/2023 at his daughters home in Huntingtown, MD. He was born July 23, 1936 in Casar, Cleveland County, North Carolina, to Dewitt Talmadge and Cola Lee Allen Smawley. He was educated in Cleveland County, NC and Wash, DC public schools, and married Rebecca Adaline Bowman October 28, 1994. He worked in fire restoration, home improvements, home...

Mar 26, 2023

Mr. Jerry J.W. Cobb, age 74, of Lenoir passed away on Sunday, March 26, 2023 at Amorem Hospice in Hudson.

Born on February 22, 1949 in Gaston County, Jerry was a son of the late Troy and Mae Griffin Cobb.  Jerry enjoyed being outdoors, especially fishing and swimming.  He loved working on old...

Mar 24, 2023

Mr. Darwin “Duck” Clark Mikeal, age 69, of Lenoir passed away on Friday, March 24, 2023 at Amorem Hospice in Hudson.

Born April 12, 1953 in Caldwell County, Duck was the son of the late Earl and Frances Clark Mikeal.  Duck loved the outdoors.  Especially spending time in the mountains, fishing and camping. ...

Mar 22, 2023

Christine Nelson McCreary passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday March 22, 2023 after a brief illness, with her family by her side.

Christine was born October 17, 1919 (103 years) in rural Caldwell County to the late Rufus and Lillie Craig Nelson.  She was married to the love of her life Coy Lee McCreary for...

Mar 21, 2023

Marzetta Hayes Greer, age 84, gained her wings on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 surrounded by her loved ones.  She was born in Caldwell County on March 31, 1938 to the late Wade and Blanche Adams Hayes.

Marzetta never met a stranger, had a zeal for life that was unmatched and led a very active and independent life...

Mar 20, 2023

Carol Sue Anthony of Hudson, 75, passed away on March 20, 2023. Carol was born in Norfolk, VA on June 9, 1947, the younger daughter of Charles Andrew and Bertha Patterson Anthony. After moving to Lenoir in 2009, Carol worked for Walmart Store 1064 on Blowing Rock Blvd. for 14 years until shortly before her death. She...

Mar 15, 2023

Sylvia Lynn Tolbert, 78, of Sugar Mountain, North Carolina passed away on March 15, 2023 at her residence. Sylvia was born on March 12, 1945 to the late Floyd Smith and Joyce McKinney in Catawba County, North Carolina. Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, David Lee Tolbert; daughters, Sabrina Cannon Tolbert, Julie T. Danner (Darrin Powell), Amy...

Mar 14, 2023

Ned Albert Hollar was born in Caldwell County, North Carolina, to the late Albert Pender Hollar and Carrie Puett Hollar and was preceded in death by a son, James Parris Hollar. Survivors include his two daughters, Robin (Eric) Hollar Loy, and Penelope (Penny) Carmean; two grandchildren, Jonathan (Sally) Medford and Elsa Swenson; two great grandchildren, Carrie and Riley Medford,...

Mar 12, 2023

Shirley Ann Penley, 70, of Lenoir passed away Sunday, March 12, 2023 at Amorem Hospice in Hudson.

Miss Penley was born in Caldwell County to the late Carl Lee Penley and Mary Jo Kincaid Penley. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by partner, Ronald Eugene Griffin; a brother, Robert Lee Penley Sr.; and...

Mar 12, 2023

Mrs. Betty Leona Thomas, age 91, of Lenoir passed away on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at Caldwell UNC Healthcare.

There will be no services held at this time.

Mar 11, 2023

Mr. Ferdinand Isaiah Burleigh, II, age 67, of Lenoir passed away on Saturday, March 11, 2023.

Born March 25, 1955 in Denver, Colorado, Ferdinand was a son of the late Ferdinand Burleigh, Sr. and Donie Blackwell Burleigh.  Ferdinand was an avid fisherman and loved cooking. He will be remembered as a giving man having helped organizations such...

Mar 9, 2023

Cole Blaine Reid

Cole Blaine Reid, 24, from Taylorsville, passed away on March 9, 2023.  He was born November 20, 1998, to Colon and Anita Robertson Reid.

He is preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Iris Greer Reid; paternal grandfather, Larry Blaine Reid; maternal grandmother, Barbara Smith Robertson; maternal grandfather, Jack Benny Robertson and...

Mar 7, 2023

Hazel Marie Purdy Gregory, age 82, of Lenoir, passed away Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at Frye Regional Medical Center.  She was born August 3, 1940 in Beaver Falls, PA.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Gregory.

She is survived by three sons, Michael Gregory and wife Audrey of Warren, OH, Timothy Gregory and wife...

Mar 7, 2023

John “Robin” Fillers, Sr., age 61, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at Caldwell UNC Health. He was born in Caldwell County on December 14, 1961 to the late John Franklin, Sr. and Geneva Jones Fillers.

Robin was a loving father and grandfather. He began his life-long working career as a...

Mar 7, 2023

Mrs. Joan Triplett Houk, age 91 of Hudson, passed away at her home on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.

Born October 5, 1931 in Caldwell County, Joan was a daughter of the late Charles Monroe and Ida Louise Greene Triplett.  Joan was a member of Miller Hill Baptist Church.  She will be remembered as...

Mar 5, 2023

Judith Greene Lefever, age 83, of Lenoir, North Carolina passed away on March 5, 2023.

Judy was born on October 22, 1939 to the late Perry and Archie Greene.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers, Tellas Greene and Rocky Greene.

Those left to cherish her memory...

Mar 4, 2023

Ruth Buckner Hollar of Lenoir, North Carolina went home to be with her Lord on March 4th, 2023.

Ruth was born on October 3rd, 1943 to the late Llyod and Ella Buckner.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers Benny Buckner, Raymond Buckner, Daniel Earl Buckner; her sister Esther...

Mar 4, 2023

Leila Marie Grindstaff Berry, age 92, of Lenoir,  North Carolina passed away on March 4, 2023.

Leila was born on September 12, 1930 to the late Claude and Maggie Sue Grindstaff.

In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her husband, Mack Ray Berry; daughter, Rosa Lee Berry;  sister, Reaney Vance; brother,...

Feb 27, 2023

Mary Oliver Pilkenton, age 78, passed away on Monday, February 27, 2023 at Smoky Ridge Health & Rehab in Burnsville, NC. She was born in Caldwell County on September 15, 1944 to the late Paul H. Oliver and Ruth Hartley Oliver.

Mary began her working career at First Union National Bank and later spent the majority of accounting career at Thompson...

Feb 27, 2023

Mr. John “Sam” Michael Simes, age 45, of Lenoir passed away on Monday, February 27, 2023 at Caldwell UNC Healthcare.

Born September 26, 1977 in Burke County, he was a son of John Michael Cox and the late Donna Watson Cox.  Sam was an avid fisherman and loved being outdoors.  He loved all...