All Obituaries

Thula Jean Hughes, age 90, of Burnsville, went home to be with the Lord on November 28, 2022. A resident of Yancey County, she was the daughter of the late Berlin and Mary Styles Jones. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her loving husband, S.C. Hughes; sister, Jewel Silver; and brothers: Steve Jones and L.C. Jones. Thula was a faithful member of Young’s Chapel Freewill Baptist Church. She retired from American Thread Co. in Woodlawn, N.C. Left to...

Robert Lee Briggs, age 76, of Green Mountain, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 26th, 2022. A native of Yancey County, he was the son of the late George and Dora Beaver Briggs. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Martin Briggs; a daughter, Angela Briggs; brothers: Ralph, Arnold, Rex, and Less; and a grandchild, Aaron Briggs. Left to cherish his loving memory is his wife of 59 years, Mollie Briggs, of the home; son, Jerry Briggs; daughters: Amanda...

Florence Diapo Patriarca, age 68 of Burnsville, went home to be with the Lord on November 25, 2022. A resident of Yancey County, she was the daughter of Dioscoro and Constania Dagudag Diapo. Florence Patriarca was a fiercely loving person with an incredibly generous heart.  She spent her life serving others with her O.R. nursing skills in many hospitals in Florida. While also feeding many with her Filipino cuisine during her catering days. Florence truly loved her family and...

James Thomas Fox, fondly known as “JT,” came into this world on April fool’s Day of 1929, tucked between the mountains of Crabtree, North Carolina, to his parents, Harvey and Zora Brinkley Fox. Alongside JT were his two half-sisters, Clara and Alice, and a half-brother Willard. Throughout James Thomas’ childhood, there were many enjoyable years spent hunting, camping, and fishing while attending school in the Windom area. These years were not put to waste, as JT...

Mabel Pittman, age 96, of Asheville, passed away peacefully at Mountain Ridge Health and Rehab on November 24, 2022. She was born on August 5, 1926, to the late Lonnie and Angie Black Smith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Charles Phillip Pittman. Left to cherish her memory is her sister, Ethel Bolick of Marion; son, Charles Maurice Pittman and wife, Earlene, of Swannanoa; daughter, Barbara Elaine Pittman of Asheville; as well as a multitude...

Evelyn (Evie) Payne Howell, 75 years old and lifetime resident of Yancey County, went home to be with the Lord on November 21st, 2022. Born February 14th, 1947, she was a member of Crabtree Chapel Baptist Church, where she was a member for 19 years. She enjoyed her church family and appreciated all the prayers that were made for her. She was preceded in death by her gracious and wonderful husband, Masel Howell, and parents Oliver and Margie Payne of Bill Allen Branch Road, where Evelyn...

Rickie Lee Riddle, age 62 of Burnsville, went Home to be with the Lord on November 17, 2022. He was the son of the late James Riddle. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Ashley Amanda Riddle. Left to cherish his memory is his mother, Mae Robinson Riddle; son, Andy Thomas Riddle; daughter, Angela Riddle Howell; brother, Ronald Riddle; sister, Lynn Reene Riddle; grandchildren: Canyon Jackson Thomas, Silas LeMeul Floyd, Drayden Landry Thomas, and Bryson James...

Mack Laws, age 79, of Green Mountain, passed away at the John F. Keever Solace Center on Wednesday, November 16th, 2022. A native of Yancey County, he was the son of the late Lester and Rubie Edwards Laws. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Tina Peterson; three brothers, Lee Roy, Homer and Harold Laws; as well as father and mother in law, Charles and Leaman Phillips. Left to cherish his loving memory is his wife, Mary Ann Laws, of the home;...

Dale was born on November 21st, 1967 in Burnsville, North Carolina to the late Vernon M. and Ena Kate Riddle and went home to be with the Lord on November 15th, 2022.  Dale moved to LaPlata, Maryland in 1972 where he lived until the age of 13 when his family moved to the Operating Engineer’s Local 77 School in Accokeek, Maryland. This is where Dale’s love for cranes began. Upon graduating from LaPlata High School, Dale followed in his Dad’s footsteps...

Phillip “Bud” Edwards, age 67, of Burnsville, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, November 15th, 2022. A native of Yancey County and long-term resident of Smoky Ridge, he was the son of the late Bruce and Pauline Edwards. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by two brothers, James and Dwayne Edwards; and a granddaughter, Allison Gabriel Ogle. Left to cherish Bud’s memory are his daughters, Misty (Lawrence) Radford and Anastasia Edwards; son,...