All Obituaries

Bonnie Brown Lawson, age 84, of Old Fort, passed away Sunday, September 16, 2018 at Autumn Care of Marion.  Bonnie was born in McDowell County on July 23, 1934 to the late Arthur “Ott” Brown and Ola McFalls Brown.  She worked for more than 20 years at Ethan Allen and later retired from Columbia Carolina following over 10 years of service with them.  Bonnie had a big heart and showed it in the way she treated not only her own family but all her friends and...

Mr. Mitchell E. Alford, age 91, of Weaverville, passed away peacefully Saturday, September 15, 2018 at the Laurels of Green Tree Ridge in Asheville.  A native of Hot Springs, AR, he was born on October 31, 1926 to the late Maurice D. Alford and Selma Mitchell Alford.  Mr. Alford was a veteran of the U. S. Air Force having served faithfully during WWII.  He was retired from Exxon Mobile where he worked as a Chemical Engineer.  An incredible husband, father and friend, he...

Mrs. Joan Hogan Vess, age 78, of Old Fort, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, September 13, 2018 at the Memorial Campus of Mission Hospitals in Asheville.  Joan was born in McDowell County on November 21, 1939 to the late Guy Hogan and Ethel Lanning Hogan.  She was retired from Baxter Healthcare where she worked for many years.    Those who knew her will remember her zest for life and her self-effacing demeanor.  She was well-known for always having a pound cake...

  Our daughter Makayla passed away on September 12th. In her 13 years of life she impacted many people with her brave, artistic, bright spirit. Over the last 21 months, her courage was inspirational as she underwent cancer treatment. She laughed, smiled and had a crazy sense of humor. She took advantage of any moment to have fun, especially if it meant going to the beach. She always said she loved the smell of the ocean. She never passed up an opportunity to spend time with her family,...

Mrs, Mary Virginia Mace, age 79, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, September 9, 2018 at Mission Health in Asheville.  Mary was born in Mitchell County on July 6, 1939 to the late Will Pitman and Etta Ward Pitman.  She was a charter member of Refuge Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and often sang solo.  Singing was such a big part of her life and she enjoyed it immensely.  Mary worked for many years at Marion Manufacturing but decided to join her husband in...

Vinna Noblitt Rice, age 83, of Marion, passed away Saturday, September 8, 2018 at Autumn Care of Marion.  Vinna was born in Marion on May 14, 1935 to the late Lawrence H. and Cora Poteat Noblitt.  She and her husband Troy owned a restaurant near Burnett’s Landing at the North Fork of the Catawba River.  After he died, she worked at the River Breeze Fish Camp and at 4 Oaks Fish Camp in Old Fort.  Outgoing and feisty, one never had to wonder where one stood with her...

      Mr. James P. “Jim” Eckenrod, age 84, of Parrottsville, TN, passed away Saturday, September 1, 2018 at his home.  A native of McDowell County, he was born on November 26, 1933 to the late Walter B. Eckenrod, Sr. and Hazel Paxton Eckenrod.  He was retired from the U. S. Air Force as a Master Sargeant where he specialized in photography and managed the photo lab.  He resided in Parrottsville, TN for the last 30 years. In...

Betty Marie Highland, age 84, passed away Wednesday, August 29, 2018 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills in Forest City.  A native of McDowell County, she was born on June 29, 1934 to the late Fred Cosby and Pearl Mooney Cosby.  Her husband, Patrick John Highland, to whom she was married for many years, preceded her in death. Surviving are four children, Sandra Meyer and husband Tom of Michigan, Patrick Highland, Jr. and wife Billie of Marion, David Highland of Florida, and...

Mrs. Beatrice Cook Wall, age 92, of Marion, passed away Tuesday, August 28, 2018 at Autumn Care of Marion following several years of declining health.  A native of Mitchell County, she was a daughter of Riley and Laura Cook and was born on December 12, 1925.  She was a homemaker and loved and cared for her family very well.  She dearly loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved spending time with them.  Beatrice enjoyed her flower garden and also made a...

Mr. Alvin B. Foxx, age 86, of Marion, passed away at the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville on Tuesday, August 28, 2018.  Alvin was born in Marion on June 1, 1932 to the late Thomas Monroe Foxx and Lora McMahan Foxx.  He served his country faithfully in the U. S. Army during the Korean War earning the Bronze Star.  Alvin was a home builder and will be best remembered for the high quality of his work, not only in McDowell County, but surrounding counties as...