All Obituaries

Daniel Lewis Hicks, age 72 of Micaville, passed away Saturday, March 6th, 2021 at home. A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late Virgil Lee and Dorothy Young Hicks. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Scotty Hicks; and Lynette’s mother, Elaine Hicks. He was an Army veteran. Surviving is his wife, Linda Ray Hicks of the home; daughter, Lynette Hicks of Micaville; brothers: Ken and Dean Hicks of Micaville; step-son, James Ray and wife Mary; step-daughter, Patricia...

Vaughtie Fox Hopson Roberts, age 100 of Green Mountain, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 4th, 2021 at her home. A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late Wash and Esther Laughrun Fox. She was the wife of the late Loss Hopson, who died in 1989. She was also preceded in death by a son, Junior Hopson; daughters, Ethel Miller and Pauline McKinney; two brothers, T.H. Fox and J.D. Fox; a great-great granddaughter, Kristy Elliot; and a grandson, Martin Ricky...

Jewell Thomas Bennett, age 100 of Burnsville, passed away Sunday, February 28th, 2021 at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital. A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late Robert and Mattie McCurry Thomas. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Coy Bennett, in 1993. Jewell was a riveter during WWII, working on aircraft as an electrical assembler. She is survived by her nephews: Emery Thomas and wife Linda of Burnsville, Jean Wilson of Marion, Doc Wilson of Morganton, Mike...

Floyd Pate, age 86 of Burnsville, passed away Sunday, February 28th, 2021 at Smoky Ridge Health and Rehabilitation. A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late Nathan and Hattie Street Pate. He was also preceded in death by his sisters: Hettie P. Smith, Betty Pate, and Pansy Garland; brothers: Naff Pate, Perry Pate, and Rufus Pate. He was a retired employee of Henredon Furniture and The Older American Program. Surviving is a son, Greg Pate of Burnsville; a daughter, Gina Pate;...

Cora Lee Fox Bailey, age 81 of Burnsville, went home to be with the Lord, Saturday, February 20th, 2021 at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital. A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late John Isaac and Lydia Wright Fox. She was also preceded in death by her husband, James Hugh Bailey, in 2003; a son, James Michael Bailey; brothers: Homer Fox, Carmon Fox and Gene Fox; sisters: Juanita Gibbs and Gail Crisp. She was a member of West Burnsville Church of God. Cora Lee enjoyed working in...

Iris Avie Young, age 87 of Asheville, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 16th, 2021 at her home. A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late Hobert and Mae Mathis McPeters. She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Rebecca Pate King; two sons, Gary E. Pate and Michael C. Pate. Iris enjoyed 38 years in the medical profession serving Yancey and Buncombe County. She was a long-time member of Grassy Branch Baptist Church of Asheville. She loved...

Bruce Austin, age 92 of Burnsville, passed away Sunday, February 14th, 2021. He was born July 19th, 1928 to the late Joe and Ella Mae Austin. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife of 74 years, Mildred Austin; grandson, Rodney Brian Hughes; two brothers and seven sisters. He is survived by two daughters: Peggy Hughes and husband Phillip Lloyd of Hickory, Sharon Randolph and husband WB of Burnsville; brother, Ned Austin of Burnsville; grandchildren: Maria...

Anna Lee Huber, age 85 of Burnsville, passed away Sunday, February 14th, 2021 at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital. A native of Miami, Florida, she was a daughter of the late Leo and Ethel Hale Schnupp. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Carl Huber, in 1991. She worked at Schnupp Manufacturing Company alongside her family. Anna Lee had been coming to Cattail Creek since 1946 and was fortunate to retire here in the nineties. She loved living in the mountains and took great joy from...

Calvin Dennis Biddix, age 67 of Kelso, Washington, went home to be with his Savior Saturday, February 13th, 2021.  A native of Yancey County, he was the son of the late Dayton and Evelyn Gouge Biddix. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Betty Lou Biddix Miller. Calvin grew up the second oldest of ten children in the South Toe Community. He and his young family moved to the Pacific Northwest in the late 1970’s, where he worked for several logging...

With great sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Orpha Bryant Woodby, age 91 of Byrd Branch. Orpha went to her heavenly home Thursday, February 4th, 2021. She was born and raised in the Big Creek Community, which always held a special place in her heart. She was a daughter of the late Dave and Mary Phillips Bryant. She was preceded in death by her husband, Claude Woodby; son, James David Woodby; and a special person to the family, Bobby Gunter. Also preceded in death are...