Obituaries

George Gouge

BAKERSVILLE, N.C. — Reverend George Lewis Gouge passed away peacefully on July 23rd, 2022. He was born in Bakersville, NC on February 10th, 1934. He was the son of Mack and Virgie Gouge. George graduated from Bowman Highschool and went straight to work at the US Government Mica Company.

Marie Young

SPRUCE PINE, N.C. — Marie Buchanan Hoilman Young, 92, of Spruce Pine passed away on August 14, 2022, at Smoky Ridge Health and Rehabilitation. Marie was born February 12, 1930, to the late Bryson and Edith Woody Buchanan.

Dorothy Crowell

WEAVERVILLE, N.C. — Dorothy Jane “Dot” Lytle Crowell, 92, of Weaverville, NC passed away August 3, 2022, at Smokey Ridge Health and Rehabilitation. Dorothy was born in Buncombe County, she was the daughter of the late, John Lytle, Sr. and the late, Jackie Morris Lytle.

Ronald Hill

BULADEAN, N.C. — Ronald Hill, age 74, of Buladean, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, August 10th, 2022, in the Johnson City Medical Center.  A native of Mitchell County, he was a son of the late Frank and Darlie Street Hill.

Pauline Byrd

BAKERSVILLE, N.C. — Pauline Jones Byrd, age 93, of the Red Hill Community, Bakersville, NC passed away on Thursday, August 11, 2022. She was the daughter of the late Frank and Mable Tipton Jones.

Brittie Duncan

SPRUCE PINE, N.C. — Brittie Lee Cabe Duncan, age 91, of the Altapass Community, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, August 13th, 2022.  A native of Jackson County, she was a daughter of the late Ed and Bertie Rhinehart Cabe.

Brenda Fritz

AKERSVILLE, N.C. — Brenda Sue Fritz, age 65, of Bakersville, NC passed away on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at her home. She was the daughter of the late James and Georgia Benge Fritz.

Betty Boston

SPRUCE PINE, N.C. — Betty Jean Willis Boston, age 89, of Spruce Pine, passed away on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at her home.  A native of Mitchell County, she was a daughter of the late Aude and Viola Boone Willis.

Mark Justus

BAKERSVILLE, N.C. — Mark Earley Justus, May 31, 1965 - July 17, 2022, age 57. Mark was born in Charlotte, NC to the late William Gaston Justus and Florence Boyd Berryhill.  In addition to his father, Mark was preceded in death by his half-brother, Spencer H.

Dr. Randall Ledford

BAKERSVILLE, N.C. —Dr. Randall Delane Ledford, age 72, of 12630 Canyon Oaks Drive, Frisco, Texas, passed away peacefully at his home in Frisco, Texas on July 21, 2022, surrounded by his family.  He was born on January 14, 1950, in Johnson City, Tennessee to Buster and Kate Griffith Ledford.