obituaries

Jul 11, 2025

Kathleen Snelson Edwards, 87, of Mars Hill, passed away on Friday, July 11, 2025. She was a lifelong resident of Madison County and the daughter of the late Morrison and Emma Allen Snelson. In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by her husband, Alvin Vernon Edwards; a son, Michael D. Ledford, six sisters and five...

Jul 10, 2025

Dorsey Lane Baker, 84, of Weaverville, passed away on Thursday, July 10, 2025. He was born on January 6, 1941 in Madison County to the late Dorsey and Beulah Buckner Baker. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia Marcum Baker who died in 1993.

Lane was a member of...

Jul 9, 2025

Don English Briggs, 89, of Mars Hill, passed away on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at his home. He was a native of Unicoi County, TN, having lived most of his life in Madison County. Don retired from French Broad Electric and was a member of Foster's Creek Baptist Church, where he also served as a deacon and song leader....

Jul 9, 2025

Althea Shook Stanley, 85, of Weaverville, went to be with the Lord, Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at the Solace Center surrounded by her family.

Althea was born on April 15, 1940, in Madison County to her late parents Tom Shook and Nell Hensley Shook. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her loving...

Jul 8, 2025

Peggy Jenell Carver Jones, 73, of Candler, passed away July 8, 2025. She was born April 24, 1952 to the late Vance Carver and Gladys Rice Carver.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Lee Jones; son, Daniel Shane Stafford; sister, Veta Ruck; and brother, Calvin Carver.

Peggy...

Jul 6, 2025

Irene Runnion Edwards passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 6, 2025 at Mars Hill Manor in Mars Hill, NC. Born on April 1, 1927 in Madison County, NC, she graduated from Marshall High School, "on the island," and attended Mars Hill College. She was employed as the china, crystal, and wedding consultant for Belk-Penland Department Store in Marshall for...

Jul 6, 2025

Kenneth Edward Thorpe, 85, of Marshall NC went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 6, 2025. He passed away at home after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Kenneth was born October 23, 1939, in Madison County NC to his late parents Nathan "Lee" and Pauline (Plemmons) Thorpe. He was a member of Enon Baptist Church...

Jul 3, 2025

Melba Willis Payne, 92, of Mars Hill, passed away July 3, 2025 peacefully at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Angela and Charles Farmer. She was a daughter of the late CN Willis, Sr. and Minnie Lee Hamlin Willis. She was born March 3, 1933 and was a lifelong resident of Madison County. In addition to her parents,...

Jun 29, 2025

Wilma Jean Robinson, a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and faithful servant of God, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2025. She was a lifelong resident of Madison County and the daughter of the late Lattie and Margaret Shepherd Ballard. Jean was raised with strong values rooted in faith, family and hard work. Jean spent her days as...

Jun 28, 2025

Juanita Metcalf Cisek was born in Madison County, North Carolina, to Pansy Bell (Ramsey) and George Gaither Metcalf. For the past fifty-three years, her home was in Union City, California. She recently moved to be with family and passed away June 28, 2025, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, just after her 93rd birthday. Her love of God, education, and...

Jun 27, 2025

Jim Lynch Wilson, 88, passed away on June 27, 2025. Born on October 12, 1936. He was the son of the late Hobert and Janie (Dotson) Wilson. He retired from Gerber manufacturing.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife; Myrna Rae (Cauble) Wilson.

He is survived by his...

Jun 26, 2025

Kathleen Davis Phillips, 90, of Mars Hill, passed away June 26, 2025. She was the daughter of the late George Washington and Ella Street Davis. Mrs. Phillips loved genealogy and was a member of California Creek Baptist Church. In addition to her parents Kathleen is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Perry Philips.

She is survived...

Jun 20, 2025

Regina Blair Bishop, 41, of Marshall, went to her Heavenly home unexpectedly on Friday, June 20, 2025 at Mission Hospital. She was a bright soul, especially in her job as a nurse at the Madison County Jail where she earned the name "Nurse Gina".

She is preceded in death by her father, James "Freddie" Bishop; grandparents, Ed...

Jun 19, 2025

William M. Craine, 76, of Barnardsville, passed away on Thursday, June 19, 2025. He was born May 15, 1949 to the late Junior and Ruth Ray Craine. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Lawrence Craine.

William was a peaceful family man and a retired concrete finisher.

He is...

Jun 16, 2025

Joseph H. Lisenbee, 83, of Mars Hill, passed away, June 16, 2025. He was the son of the late Robert Lisenbee and Nina Rice Griffee. Mr. Lisenbee was a US Veteran and a retired truck driver. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by brothers, William and James Lisenbee and Larry Griffee.

Joseph was...

Jun 15, 2025

April Agnes Brooks Mace, 55, a resident of Marshall, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 15, 2025. She was born on April 18, 1970, and spent most of her life in Madison County.

April was a standout athlete at Madison High School, participating in basketball, softball, volleyball and track; in 1988 she was named...

Jun 12, 2025

Linda Ann Chandler Maynor, age 78, of Weaverville went home to be with the Lord on June 12, 2025. Born in Madison County on May 4, 1947, Linda was the youngest of 5 children and the daughter of the late William Nelson Chandler and Ollie Jarvis Chandler. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by...

Jun 11, 2025

Barbara Penland Bartlett, 87, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. A native of Yancey County, North Carolina but lived most of her life in Buncombe County. She was the daughter of the late Dennie Penland and Robbie Penland. She was also preceded in death by her husband, William W. Bartlett, and her son...

Jun 11, 2025

Elezene Lois Ballard Brown, 88, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. A native of Yancey County, she was the daughter of the late Lattie and Margaret Shepherd Ballard. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Fairl Brown, and her brother, Bill Ballard.

Elezene was a loving homemaker and a...

Jun 6, 2025

Terry Joseph Shepherd, 61, passed away on Friday June 6, 2025. He was born on July 16, 1963 and was the son of Joseph Shepherd and the late Peggy Haney Shepherd.

Terry was a NASCAR racing, Alabama football, and UNC Tar Heel basketball fan. He loved life and having a good time with family and friends.