obituaries

Mar 18, 2024

Wanda Lee Ramsey, 93, of Mars Hill, departed this earthly life on March 18, 2024. She was a native of Madison County, predeceased by her loving husband, Robert W. Ramsey, her parents, Euclid and Pearl Cody, and three brothers and two sisters.

Supporting many work-related adventures, Wanda tenderly pampered Robert and her children. She devoted herself to...

Mar 16, 2024

Mary Jo Buckner Smith of Weaverville, age 83, entered into her heavenly home peacefully on March 16, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was born September 3, 1940 to the late Ralph Noah Buckner and Elizabeth Justice Buckner, to whom she was the eldest child. In addition to her parents, Mary Jo is preceded in death by her brother,...

Mar 15, 2024

Stephen (Steve) Blake Bentley of Mars Hill, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his

family. Steve was born on November 22, 1957 to Dr. Fred and Doris Bentley.

Steve took after his father and loved working with his hands, whether it was working with wood or making handmade knives. He was always on the...

Mar 15, 2024

Frances Stockton Fox, 86, of Mars Hill passed away, March 15, 2024, at Mission Hospital while surrounded by her loving family. She was born, October 31, 1937, in Pickens, SC to the late Rev. Charles and Dorothy Clubb Stockton. In addition to her parents she is preceded by her husband, Edwin Fox; sisters, Linda Keever and June Edwards; brothers,...

Mar 14, 2024

Brenda (Abernethy) Taylor, 78, of Marshall, NC left her earthly home to be in eternal peace with Jesus on March 14, 2024. She serenely passed in her sleep in Asheville, NC surrounded by her devoted family after a previously unknown battle with cancer. Although she passed relatively quickly and unexpectedly, the years preceding her transition were filled with joy,...

Mar 13, 2024

Mabrie Dixon Stanton, age 82, of Weaverville, passed away on March 13, 2024. She was born on February 2, 1942, in Madison County, to the late Hobert and Ethel Tweed Dixon. Also preceding her in death was a sister, Bertha Sandlin.

Mabrie is survived by her husband, Edward Stanton; sons, Don and Steve Stanton (Sheila); sister, Lavada...

Mar 10, 2024

Russell Leon Clontz, age 64, passed away Sunday March 10, 2024. He was born on May 21, 1959, in San Antonio, TX.

Russell was preceded in death by his mother, Ruby Waldroup Chandler; a son, Leon Clontz; and his brother, Jackie Lee Chandler.

He is survived by his father, Russell Clontz; his life partner, Robin...

Mar 5, 2024

Ms. Ava Camby Bass, age 95, passed away on March 5, 2024. Ava was born on January 15, 1929, to the late Jane Hollifield Camby and Wilbur Camby.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Howard Bass; and a brother, Calvin Camby.

Ava was a former cook for...

Mar 5, 2024

Barry Alan Loflin, age 61, completed his work on Earth, March 5, 2024. He was born on August 24, 1962, in Stanly County to the late Clarence E. and Connie Loflin.

Barry was a loving partner, father and grandfather.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Sara Loflin; son,...

Mar 3, 2024

Shirley Fore Baldwin, 80, of Mars Hill, passed away Sunday, March 3, 2024. She is the daughter of the late Carlus and Bertie Edwards Fore and lived most of her life in Madison County. Shirley was a member of Old Bull Creek Baptist Church.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Bruce Baldwin; two sisters,...

Mar 2, 2024

Clara Arrington Norton, 91, of Marshall, passed away March 2, 2024. She was the daughter of the late Homer and Maye Harmon Arrington. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Stokley Luke Norton; a daughter, Sharon Norton Ramsey; son-in-law, Kevin Ogle; sisters, Velda Rice, Megget Arrington, and Iva Glen Phillips; brothers, Dedrick, Maynard...

Mar 1, 2024

John Wiley Metcalf, age 80, passed away on March 1, 2024. He was born on October 8, 1943, in Buncombe County, to the late James L. and Lessie King Metcalf.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Susan Allen Metcalf who passed away in 2018; grandsons, Beau Hensley.

...

Mar 1, 2024

John "Dick" Roberts,93, of Marshall went to be with the Lord, March 1, 2024. He was the son of the late John and Ida Hensley Roberts.

He was also preceded in death by his wife, Pansy Cutshaw Roberts; sisters, Versie, Victoria, Sylvia, Helen, & Lorado; brother, Sidney; nephew, Clayton Hensley; grandchildren, Tracy and Johnny Bowens.

...

Feb 28, 2024

Pamela Ledbetter, 54, of Weaverville, passed away peacefully at Care Partners Solace Center on Wednesday, February 28th, 2024. Pam was welcomed home by the Lord, her friends, and loved ones. Pam had been loved dearly. And she was a loving person who made a distinct impact on everyone she met.

Pam was born to Buddy and Sarah...

Feb 27, 2024

Ray Sidney Wheeler, age 76, of Leicester, passed away on February 27, 2024. He was born on March 4, 1947, in Madison County, to the late Robert and Wilma Melton Wheeler.

Ray was a US Army Veteran and served in Vietnam. He was a loving man who was devoted to his family, friends, and country.

...

Feb 26, 2024

Flag Pond, Tennessee

On Monday, February 26, 2024, at his home in Flag Pond, TN, Rev. Billy Joe Ponder, 82, graduated from this life into the arms of his Savior whom he had faithfully served for over 58 years. With his wife and his children by his side, Bro. Bill inherited the promise of 2 Corinthians 5:8...

Feb 25, 2024

Sarrah Jade Lewis, age 12, of Mars Hill, passed away peacefully on February 25, 2024. She was born on July 25, 2011 in Buncombe County.

Sarrah enjoyed writing, drawing, growing flowers, and spending time with all her friends. She was a member of the Madison Middle School Band. She was a beloved daughter and friend, who was...

Feb 17, 2024

Fred Dennis Chandley of Greeneville Tennessee passed away peacefully on February 17th, 2024 at the age of 87. Fred is preceded in death by his mother, Viola Shelton Chandley, his father Thomas C. "Corpal" Chandley and his brother, Alvis Thomas Chandley. He leaves behind his children: Dr. Paul Frederic Shelton Chandley (with Sophia Pavlenko), Kathryn Rena Gemmer (with James...

Feb 16, 2024

Willis Brewer "Bill" Smith, age 87, passed away on February 16, 2024. He was born December 19, 1936, in Albany, GA to the late Ezra Neal and Mary Sue Shirey Smith.

He served in the US Marine Corp, stationed in Japan. After his discharge he worked for the FBI in Washington, DC and the US Postal Service...

Feb 14, 2024

Burlin Norton, age 84, passed away on February 14, 2024. He was born on September 27, 1939, in Madison County, to the late Roscoe and Lois Wilds Norton.

Burlin (Papaw) was a hardworking family man. He was a good husband for Shirley, his wife for 58 years. True, they pushed each other's buttons at times, but forgave,...