Obituaries

Ricky Calloway

Wed, 06/29/2016 - 7:00am

SPRUCE PINE -- Ricky Calloway, 63, of Hefner Road, Spruce Pine, died Sunday, June 19, 2016, at the John F. Keever Solace Center in Asheville.

Born April 7, 1953, in Mitchell County, he was the son of the late Roy and Ruby Hefner Calloway.  

Ricky was a devout University of North Carolina Tar Heel fan. He enjoyed photography, walking in the woods and taking pictures of wild flowers. He was employed by Brad Ragan Inc. and later by Buckstove of Spruce Pine.

Louise Lee Cox Coleman

Wed, 06/29/2016 - 7:00am

SPRUCE PINE -- Louise Lee Cox Coleman (Loui), 79, of Spruce Pine, died June 16, 2016, peacefully in her sleep surrounded by her family. She was predeceased by her parents, Jonathan Elwood and Annie Louise Lee Cox; her husband, William Coleman Jr.; and her brother, Steven T. Cox.

She was a model throughout her young life before developing an extensive business administration career leading to managing the Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California, and later the IMAX Theater at the Grand Canyon before retiring in Spruce Pine.

Jennings Bryan Robinson

Wed, 06/22/2016 - 7:00am

BOONE -- Jennings Bryan Robinson, of Boone, passed away June 13, 2016, at the age of 94. He was born in rural Mitchell County on May 11, 1922, the fifth of eight children born to Grace Hughes Robinson and William Jennings Bryan Robinson.  

In 1938, after graduating from high school in Bakersville, he entered Berea College at the age of 16, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture in 1942. 

Three months after graduation, he entered into active duty in the Army, serving in General Simpsons 9th Army, 44th Cavalry Group. 

Edith Miller Bennett

Wed, 06/22/2016 - 7:00am

GREEN MOUNTAIN -- Edith Miller Bennett, 96, of Flat Branch Road, Green Mountain, passed away, June 18, 2016. She was a native of Mitchell County and a daughter of the late Ed and Sarah Miller. 

She was retired as a machine operator with Detroit Plastic Molding.  

Bill Ollis

Wed, 06/22/2016 - 7:00am

JONAS RIDGE -- Bill Ollis, 89, of Highway 183 in Jonas Ridge, died Wednesday, June 15, 2016, at his home.

A funeral service was Monday, June 20, 2016, in the chapel of Webb Funeral Home in Spruce Pine with Linda Taylor officiating. Interment followed in the Green Valley Baptist Church Cemetery.

Words of comfort may be e-mailed to the family by going to the funeral home’s website, www.webbfh.com., selecting Bill Ollis and then signing his guestbook. 

Ola Mae McKinney

Wed, 06/22/2016 - 7:00am

BAKERSVILLE -- Ola Mae McKinney departed this life Sunday, June 12, 2016, at the age of 102. 

She was predeceased by her husband, Frank L. McKinney; her son, Morris A. McKinney; and her granddaughter, Gina M. Bailey. She was also predeceased by four sisters and two brothers.

 Virgie Estelle Burleson

Wed, 06/15/2016 - 7:00am

BAKERSVILLE -- Virgie Estelle Burleson, 89, of Bakersville, passed away Wednesday, June 8, 2016, at Johnson City Medical Center. She was a native of Salem, Virginia, and a daughter of the late Milton and Alta Pearl Cochran Thomas. She attended Fork Mountain Baptist Church and was a retired bookkeeper for Burleson Shell Station in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Survivors include a grandson, Paul Burleson, of Wilson; a granddaughter, Tammy D’Ambrosio, of Peoria, Arizona; one sister, Mona Turman, of Salem, Virginia; and six great-grandchildren.

 David D. Greene

Wed, 06/15/2016 - 7:00am

SPRUCE PINE -- David D. Greene, 71, of Spruce Pine, passed away Saturday, June 11, 2016, at his home.  

A native of Mitchell County, he was a son of the late Elmer and Lucille Grindstaff Greene.  A US Air Force Veteran, he retired from the US Postal Service; prior to that he was employed by Air Preheater.  

David was very involved in Masonry, a past master of Vesper Lodge No. 554 AF&AM in Spruce Pine, where he was the historian and compiled and printed the history of Vesper Lodge. 

Phillip W. Masters

Wed, 06/15/2016 - 7:00am

BAKERSVILLE -- Phillip W. Masters, 70, of Bakersville, passed away Sunday, June 5, 2016, at his home. 

He was the son of the late Frank and Viola Garland Masters. He was an electrician for Coats America in Marion and a member of the McKinney Cove Baptist Church, where he served as the Sunday School superintendent. 

Joseph Cecil Robinson

Wed, 06/15/2016 - 7:00am

GREEN MOUNTAIN -- Joseph Cecil Robinson, 90, passed away June 9, 2016.

Cecil was one of 12 children born to Jake Robinson and Lizzie Hall in the Green Mountain Community of North Carolina. Cecil served our country in World War II in the U.S. Army where he was stationed in the occupation of Japan in 1945.

 Louise Buff Burleson

Wed, 06/15/2016 - 7:00am

MARION -- Louise Buff Burleson, 86, of Marion, died.

A service was Saturday, June 11, 2016, at Bethel Free Will Baptist Church.

Paul Wayne Duckworth

Wed, 06/08/2016 - 7:00am

SPRUCE PINE -- Paul Wayne Duckworth, 78, of McHone Road, Spruce Pine, went home to be with the Lord Thursday June 2, 2016 at his home.

Born on April 3, 1938, in Avery County, he was the son of the late Gurnie and Brazilla Brasworth Duckworth. Wayne was predeceased by two sons, Jonathan Critcher and Dwayne Duckworth; and a grandson, Shannon Duckworth. 

Wayne served the Lord as a houseparent in three different children’s homes. He also loved to travel and sing with his family. Wayne was a charter member of Temple Baptist Church.

Willis Lavene Saunders Botney

Wed, 06/08/2016 - 7:00am

SPRUCE PINE -- Willis Lavene Saunders Botney, of Spruce Pine, passed away Thursday, Jan. 7, at Brookside Rehabilitation and Care in Burnsville. A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, June 11, 2016, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Spruce Pine.

Rusty “Jacob” Jenkins

Wed, 06/08/2016 - 7:00am

MORGANTON -- Rusty “Jacob” Jenkins, 34, died Thursday, May 19, 2016. The funeral was June 4, 2016, at West Court Baptist Church. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Phillip Ray ‘Phil’ Jordan

Wed, 06/08/2016 - 7:00am

SPRUCE PINE -- Phillip Ray ‘Phil’ Jordan, 50, of Vaughn Road, Spruce Pine, died Sunday, May 29, 2016, at Care Partners in Asheville.

Private graveside services were Thursday, June 2, 2016, at the Pendley Cemetery. Interment was in the Pendley Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the funeral home to assist with funeral expense.

Webb Funeral Home in Spruce Pine is honored to be assisting the Jordan family. Phil’s obituary has also been posted on Facebook for viewing.

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The MItchell News

Mailing Address: PO Box 339 
Spruce Pine, NC 28777 
Phone: 828-765-7169
Fax: 828-765-1616