Obituaries

Allison Tipton

Allison “Big Al” Tipton, age 82, of the Bald Creek community passed away on Friday, January 20th, 2023 at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC. A native of Yancey County, he was a son to the late Thomas and Martha Fender Tipton.

James Wayne Woody

James Wayne Woody of Micaville, North Carolina, passed away on Thursday, January 5th after a brief illness. Jim, as he was known to friends and family, was 82 years old.                Jim was born on April 5, 1940 to Joe Andrew Woody and Ora B. Woody in Mitchell County.

Tracy Hamilton McAuliffe

A casual gathering celebrating the life of Tracy Hamilton McAuliffe will be held on Saturday, March 4th, 2023, at Higgins Methodist Church Family Life Center in Burnsville, NC from 1-3 pm.    Tracy, 62, passed away on December 21, 2022, at her home after being diagnosed with cancer in mid-October.

Maxi Gouge Buchanan

BURNSVILLE - Maxi Gouge Buchanan, age 88, of Burnsville, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 18th, 2023 at her home.  A native of Mitchell County, she was a daughter of the late W.O. and Fearol Woody Gouge.

George Becker Biddix

SPRUCE PINE - George Becker Biddix, age 68, of Biddix Farm Road in Spruce Pine went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.  Born in Mitchell County, he was a son of the late Robert “June Bug” Biddix and Mattie Carpenter Biddix.

Gladys Sparks

SPRUCE PINE - Gladys Sparks, 95, formerly of Spruce Pine, NC passed away in Beaufort, SC on January 15, 2023. She was predeceased by her husband of 70 years, Bruce Sparks in 2018.

Faye Duncan Caudle

SPRUCE PINE - Faye Duncan Caudle, age 84, of Concord, NC, formerly of the Ledge community in Bakersville, passed away Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at Five Oaks Nursing Home in Concord. Born on February 21, 1938 in Mitchell County, she was the daughter of the late Emmett and Carrie Sparks Duncan.

Luther George "L.G." Thomas

Luther George “L.G.” Thomas, 72, of Johnson City passed away Thursday, December 29, 2022 at his residence. He was a native of Mitchell County, North Carolina and was a son of the late Luther and Pearl Parker Thomas. L.G. was a self-employed carpenter most of his life. He was a U.S.

Frances Marie Hobson McKinney

Frances Marie Hobson McKinney, age 87 of Hwy 261, Bakersville, NC went home to be with the Lord December 29, 2022, with her loving son by her side as he had been for the past several years as her caretaker.

Michael Watson

Michael “Todd” Watson, age 54, of Spruce Pine, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, December 26, 2022 at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital. He is a son of Brenda Tipton Watson and the late James Watson.