Obituaries

On Oct. 27, 2016, Fonda Borders Harris was suddenly called from her earthly home to be with her family in her heavenly home. She was 64 years old.

Fonda was the daughter of the late Rev. Hugh and Dorothy Smith Borders. She graduated from Harris High School with honors, where she was also quite an athlete, receiving numerous awards, including MVP in basketball. Fonda went on to college at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she also graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science Degree in nursing.

SPRUCE PINE -- Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Brannigan, 88, passed away peacefully at her home Monday, Oct. 10, 2016.  Betty was born Feb. 28, 1928, in Mohawk, New York, the daughter of Earl Kenneth and Ethel Marguerite (Schaufler) Palmer.  

On July 18, 1947, she married the love of her life, James Edward Brannigan Sr.  They had six children together, Christina, John, James, Thomas, Robert and Jeff.  Betty was a wonderful wife, devoted mother, and family and friends were her love and joy.   

LITTLE SWITZERLAND -- William Marcus (Bill) Queen Jr., 68, of Little Switzerland, passed away Sept. 29, 2016, at the V.A. Medical Center in Asheville. He was the son of William Marcus Queen Sr. and Betty Jean (Hickey) Queen. He was born on Dec. 8, 1948, in Spruce Pine.

Bill was a highly decorated veteran serving our country in the United States Marine Corps for 23 years. He received the Purple Heart during the Vietnam War as well as the National Defense Service Medal, Rifle Sharpshooter Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and was a distinguished leader of the Marine Expert Sniper Team. 

BAKERSVILLE -- Randy Lee Burleson, 57, of Bakersville, passed away Oct. 7, 2016, at his home. A native of Mitchell County, he was a son of the late Henry and Wilma Gardner Burleson. He attended Roan Mountain Baptist Church and was employed as a millwright worker. 

Survivors include his stepmother, Darlene Burleson; two daughters, Mirana Reneé Boseman, of Morganton, and Margaret Burleson, of Charlotte; two sisters, Deborah Burleson, of Charlotte, and Janet Street, of Bakersville; one brother, Ronnie Burleson, of Bakersville; and one grandson, Latavian Boseman.

BAKERSVILLE -- Robert Wayne Ledford, 94, of NC 261, Bakersville, went home to be with the Lord Oct. 1, 2016. He was a native of Mitchell County and a son of the late Amos Waits and Melissa Edney Ledford. 

Wayne was a member of Roan Valley Baptist Church and was retired from Mitchell County Schools after working 41 years as a custodian and bus driver. Wayne enjoyed going to church, being with friends and playing the guitar. 

SPRUCE PINE -- Martha Lou Snipes passed away the evening of Sept. 23, 2016, at her home following her return from an Outer Banks vacation with her family. She was born Oct. 17, 1947, at William’s Clinic in Spruce Pine to the late Hollis Fred and Lorene Wilkie Snipes.

Martha was educated in the Spruce Pine public school system and Mars Hill College.  She studied music and was proficient in piano, organ, clarinet, flute and accordion.

Charles Richard Davis, 73, of the Buladean community, died Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, at the Select Hospital in Bristol, Tennessee.

A time to support the family was Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016, at Webb Funeral Home. Graveside services with military honors followed in the Bear Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.