James L. ‘Buck’ Buchanan
James Lewis Buchanan, 73, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019, at Spartanburg Medical Center.
Born Nov. 11, 1945, in Bakersville, he was a son of the late Earl and Donalene Buchanan. Buck grew up in Bear Creek Baptist Church and still considered it his home church. He was a graduate of the Bowman High School Class of 1963, where he was an outstanding basketball and football player. He attended Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, playing on the basketball squad and attended most of the homecoming and reunion activities.
After living in Charlotte, Asheville and Monroe, Buck settled in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He worked in the insurance industry for 23 years with Pilot Life, Kanawha and Life of Virginia insurance companies. While in Spartanburg, he worked with the youth through Little League at Chapman Elementary and Whitlock Junior High. In 1990, Buck and his wife opened and operated South Pine Antique Mall in Spartanburg for 27 and-a-half years. Some say he enjoyed the friendships and conversations with customers and dealers as much, if not more than, selling antiques, collectibles and his records.
After retirement, you could find him talking with neighbors, watching hummingbirds on the deck in the summer, working out at the YMCA, singing karaoke, reconnecting with friends in the Upstate Shag Club, or his favorite pastime, playing golf. An avid University of North Carolina basketball, Braves baseball and Carolina Panthers fan, he rarely missed watching any televised event.
Buck is survived by his wife, Linda Lowe Buchanan; daughter, Tonya Buchanan Woodward (Allen), of Ocala, Florida; stepsons, Charles M. “Chip” Isetts (Margie Titus), of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, Trevor L. Isetts (Lori K. Garza), of Arvada, Colorado, Aaron Harris (Monika), of Spartanburg, and Travis Harris (Tracy), of Greenville, South Carolina; a brother, the Rev. Vernon Buchanan, of Bakersville; four step-grandchildren; one great-step grandson; two nephews, Allen Buchanan (Sherri) and Chris Buchanan, of Bakersville; and many cousins.
A brother, Roger Buchanan, predeceased him. Sharing in his loss is his best friend, Gary Mains, of Louisville, Kentucky.
A celebration of Buck’s life was 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, at Dunbar Funeral Home, officiated by the Rev. Dr. Jim Jackson.
The family received friends following the service.
Instead of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.JMDunbar.com.
Mitchell News-Journal • Nov. 13, 2019
Ralph Forbes
Ralph Franklin Forbes, 77, of Mulberry Lane, Bakersville, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. He was born in Carter County, Tennessee, to the late Earl and Etta Hoilman Forbes. He was self-employed as a farmer. Ralph was a member of Rockdale Baptist Church.
Survivors include one sister, Mary Forbes Dellinger (Jim), of Bakersville; one brother, Carroll Forbes (Debra), of Bakersville; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death, in addition to his parents, by two sisters, Florence Dowell and Judy Honeycutt, and one brother, Earl Forbes Jr.
Funeral services were 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in the chapel of Henline-Hughes Funeral Home with Kent Murphy officiating. The family received friends one hour before the service. Interment followed the service at Russ Memorial Cemetery.
The family wishes to express a special thanks to Smoky Ridge Health and Rehabilitation and Hospice and Palliative Care of the Blue Ridge.
Henline-Hughes Funeral Home is assisting the Forbes Family.
Mitchell News-Journal • Nov. 13, 2019
Lloyd McKinney
Lloyd Thomas McKinney, 76, of Deer Park Road, Spruce Pine, went home to be with the Lord Monday, Nov. 4, 2019. He was a native of Mitchell County and a son of the late Herbert (Hub) and Biddie Buchanan McKinney. He was retired as a truck driver and mechanic.
He attended McKinney Cove Baptist Church, Roan Mountain Baptist Church and Cane Creek Freewill Baptist Church. Lloyd loved his family, enjoyed driving trucks, watching NASCAR races, and hearing bluegrass and southern gospel music.
Survivors include two sons, Richie McKinney (Stephanie), of Bakersville, and Russell McKinney (Tonya), of Spruce Pine; one sister, Betty Jean Bennett, of Bakersville; one brother, Buddy McKinney, of Bakersville; and three grandchildren, Ryan McKinney, Royce McKinney and Austin Franklin.
He was preceded in death, in addition to his parents, by two sisters, Ruth Greene and Ebbie Wyatt; and two brothers, Erb and Wilkie McKinney.
Funeral services were 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019, in Roan Mountain Baptist Church with Russell McKinney and Tony McKinney officiating, The family received friends two hours before the service. Interment was 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, at Green-Young Cemetery.
Henline-Hughes Funeral Home is assisting the McKinney family.
Mitchell News-Journal • Nov. 13, 2019