Obituaries

Faith Hefner

SPRUCE PINE, N.C.— Faith Hefner, age 89, of Hefner Road in Spruce Pine, passed away on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at the Mitchell House in Spruce Pine. Born on April 28, 1931 in Unicoi County, TN, she was the daughter of the late John Carl and Mary Bailey Letterman.

Johanna Anne Ross

WILLIAMSTOWN, WV— Johanna (Anne) Jacoba Van Laarhoven Ross, 89, of Williamstown, WV formerly of Spruce Pine and Greensboro, NC, died March 11, 2021 in Belpre, Ohio.  She was born May 14, 1931 to the late Hendrikus Van Laarhoven and Maria Van Der Kraan Van Laarhoven in Wateringen, The Netherlands.

Gary Dean Murphy

BURNSVILLE, N.C.— Mr. Gary Dean Murphy, age 71, of Burnsville, North Carolina, made that wonderful cross over into Heaven on the night of Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville with his loved ones at his side.

Becky Biddix Hedrick

SPRUCE PINE, N.C.— Becky Biddix Hedrick, age 71, of Berry Street in Spruce Pine, passed away on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at her home.   Born on December 22, 1949 in McDowell County, she was the daughter of the late Milton and Vonnie Buchanan Duncan.

Shirley Muller

ELKTON, MD— Shirley Fae Ledford Muller of Elkton, MD, age 85, passed away Tuesday, March 9, 2021. She was born in Johnson City, TN on June 1, 1935 to the late Lawrence E. and Verda (Slagle) Ledford. Shirley worked as a teacher’s aide at Gilpin Manor Elementary until her retirement.

Renita Grindstaff Stroup

SPRUCE PINE, N.C.— Renita Grindstaff Stroup, age 64, of Stroup Road in Spruce Pine, passed away peacefully among her family at home on Friday, March 12, 2021  Born on May 22, 1956 in Mitchell County, she was the daughter of the late Charles J.

Karen Wright

BAKERSVILLE, N.C.—Karen Wright age 68, of Mine Creek, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 11th, 2021 at her home surrounded by her loving family. A native of Mitchell County, she was a daughter of the late Phillip and Lucille Buchanan Boone.

Ima Jean Garland

LEXINGTON, N.C.— Ima Jean Garland (English), was born May 30th, 1934 in North Carolina where she remained a long-time resident. Ima, better known as Jean, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family on March 13, 2021at the age of 87.

Donald Whitt

BAKERSVILLE, N.C.— Donald Clyde Whitt, age 75 of Maple Lane Bakersville, NC passed away March 12, 2021. He was a native of East Rainelle, West Virginia and son of the late Clyde and Edna Barker Whitt.  Survivors include his loving wife Sandra Wilson Whitt, of the home, and his loving son Eric T.

Billie Garrett

NEWLAND, N.C.— Billie Everhart Garrett passed at her home on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 after recently being hospitalized for an extended period of time.