All Obituaries

Cecile Cooper Bradford, age 98 of the Little Creek Community in Burnsville, went Home to be with the Lord on March 28, 2023. She was born on October 27, 1924, to the late Dolph and Rachel Fender Cooper. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Clifford Bradford; brothers: John Wes Cooper and Charlie T. Cooper; sisters: Ethel Ledford, Belle Mode, Marie Rabb, and Emma Coggins.   Left to cherish her memory are her stepsons: Daniel Bradford and Dennis...

Mildred Jean Ray, age 89, of Concord, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 26, 2023 at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital. A native of the Windom community, she was born on May 21, 1933 to the late Zebadee and Bertie Jones Hughes, and was raised by the late Robert and Ada Carroll. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her loving husband, Rex Clayton Ray, Sr.; brothers: Scotty (Jewel) Hughes, Vero (Elouise) Hughes, James Donald Hughes, Paul Hughes, and Billy Green...

Joseph Andrew Austin, age 62 of Burnsville, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 26, 2023. A native of Yancey County, he was the son of the late Robert Wade Austin and Johnnie Morrow Austin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Dustin Andrew (Andy) Austin, who passed away in 2010. Joe was a veteran of the United States Navy, a member of the Bald Creek Masonic Lodge, he drove a truck for several years and was employed by Altec Industries. Left to cherish his...

Michael Henry Franklin, age 56 of Connelly Springs, went Home to be with the Lord on March 23, 2023. He was born on May 17, 1966, to Ralph and Alma Carroll Franklin. He was preceded in death by his brother, Timothy Franklin. Mike was dearly loved by his wife Sherry and his family. He had only dear friends and enjoyed time with them all. His laughter and smile were infectious for everyone. He will be missed by everyone, but he is home. Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife, Sherry...

Miriam Ruth Wood, age 75 of Black Mountain, went Home to be with the Lord on March 22, 2023. She was born on July 26, 1947, to the late Howard and Miriam Iliff Wood. Left to cherish her memory is her brother, Howard (Mona) Wood; sister, Donna (Ken) Pittenger; nephews: James Zarges, Luke Zarges, Howard (Michele) Wood Jr., Brian (Bernadette) Wood, Cory (Samantha) VanValen; and great nieces: Juliana Wood and Stephanie VanValen. Services will be held at Magner Funeral Home in Norwalk,...

Sarah Elizabeth Mizell, age 30, of Burnsville, peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. A native of Yancey County, she was the daughter of Karen Ayers Mizell and the late William Frank Mizell. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, James Mizell; maternal grandparents, Leonard Ayers and Shirley Riddle Ayers. Sarah worked in the medical field as an LPN for Elderberry Healthcare. Her last gift to the world was being an...

Ethel Lou Fender Bradford, age 82, of the Little Creek Community, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, March 13, 2023, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was the daughter of the late Howard and Pearl Edwards Fender. Ethel was also preceded in death by her husband, Junior Ray Bradford; identical twin sons, Kelly Joe and Keith Jason Bradford; a son, Patrick Ray Bradford; and her father and mother-in-law, Joe and Nellie Hensley Bradford. She was a longtime member of...

John Joseph Holloway passed away in Burnsville, NC at the age of 61, on March 13, 2023. He was the son of Emma Holloway and the late John Holloway Sr. Born in Detroit, Michigan, his family soon relocated to Florida where he attended school and graduated from the University of Florida and later received an MBA from the University of Miami. When John retired, he was a successful CPA in Palm Beach, Florida. John was a long-time resident of Hypoluxo Island, Florida, East Hampton, New York and...

Brian Morris Silvers, age 41 of Burnsville, passed away Sunday, March 12, 2023. A native of Yancey County, he was the son of Morris and Judy Silvers, and the father of Alex Silvers. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Dewey and Barbara Silvers, and Bobby and Nora Belle Brown. Surviving to cherish his memory are his loving parents and his son, Alex Silvers; brother, Brandon Silvers; as well as his aunts, an uncle, numerous cousins and his sister-in-law, Amanda Silvers. Brian was a...

HP (Budge) Deyton, age 90 of Burnsville, went Home to be with the Lord on March 8, 2023. A native of Yancey County, he was the son of the late Marshall and Carrie Edwards Deyton. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his son, Daryl Deyton; half-brothers: Kenneth Deyton, Wilburn Deyton, and Ronnie Deyton; sisters: Hassie Deyton, Julie McCurry, and Jean Laws; and half-sister, Kathy Deyton. Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife, Ida Biddix Deyton; sons: Mark...