Obituaries: Dec. 27, 2017

William (Bill) John Cook Jr.

Feb. 14, 1932 – Dec. 20, 2017

William (Bill) John Cook Jr. passed away Wednesday, Dec. 20, at the age of 85. Bill was born Feb. 14, 1932, to the late William Cook Sr. and Edwidge Cook of Uxbridge, Massachusetts.

He attended Notre Dame University and remained a lifelong fan. After leaving university, he was drafted into the United States Army and served during the Korean War. Bill worked for Whitin Machine works as a salesman for more than 20 years. He was just short of retirement when his passion for helping others led him to a new career at the Charlotte Treatment Center, where he developed the Employee Assistance Program for alcoholics. Eventually, Bill retired to Bakersville where the members of the small mountain community became his extended family. Even in retirement, his passion for helping others continued and he stayed involved in recovery programs.

He is survived by his children, Lisa Lane, William Cook III, Terrence Cook and wife, Terri Cook, and Daniel Cook; grandchildren, Shea Lane, Justin Lane, and his wife, Abigail Lane, Marcus Lane, and his wife, Abigail Lane, Aiyana Coward and Mikayla Coward; great-granddaughter, Penelope Lane; brothers, Richard Cook, of New York, and Charles Cook, of Washington. He was preceded in death by his sister, Elaine Fleming.

The family will have a private service to honor his memory.

Doris Evelyn Hobson

Doris Evelyn Hobson, of Marion, went home to be with the Lord Dec. 13, 2017. She was a native of Mitchell County and a daughter of the late Fred and Edith Forbes Harrell. She was retired from Henredon Furniture and attended Vein Mountain Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband, Lewis Dean Hobson, of the home; one son, Timothy Dean Hobson (Ellen), of Nebo; one granddaughter. Ashley Hobson; four sisters; and four brothers.

Funeral services were 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017, in the chapel of Henline-Hughes Funeral Home with Rich Magunson officiating. The family received friends one hour prior to the service. Interment followed at Baxter Hobson Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Rutherfordton, 374 Hudlow Road, Forest City, NC 28043.

Betty Pate Pafford

Betty Pate Pafford, 83, of Spruce Pine, passed away Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, at Mission Hospitals Memorial Campus. A native of Yancey County, she was the daughter of the late Roscoe and Donnie Gardner Pate, and the wife of Ted Pafford, who died in 2015. She was also preceded in death by sisters, Evelyn Bynum and Thelma Ramsey; and brother, Charles Pate. She was a retired employee of Carl’s Men’s Shop in Spruce Pine. Betty was an avid golfer with the Women’s Association at Grassy Creek and loved her girls.

Surviving are a daughter, Lynn Vance Hinshaw, and husband, Larry, of Banner Elk; a son, Doug Vance, of Spruce Pine; a stepdaughter, Dianne Jenkins, and husband, Jim, of Birmingham, Alabama; a stepson, Ron Pafford, and wife, Karen, of Hernando, Florida; and grandchildren, Jake Hinshaw, of Banner Elk, Holly and Abbey Pafford, of Hernando, and Kurt Jenkins, of Birmingham, Alabama; and several nieces, nephews and their spouses.

A gathering of friends was 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, at her residence. Betty was a wonderful cook and loved to feed others. Please honor her by helping others. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mitchell County Shepherd’s Staff, P.O. Box 344, Spruce Pine, NC 28777 or Mitchell-Yancey United Methodist Food Pantry, P.O. Box 164, Bakersville, NC 28705. Checks or donations may be made payable to “My UMC Food Pantry.”

Visit www.holcombebrothers.com to view this obituary online or send a condolence.

Kate Bryant Young

Kate Bryant Young, 89, of George Brown Road, Crouse, died Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017.

Her funeral service was 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, 2017, at Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church with Pastor Eddie Yount and Mr. Bartley Bess officiating. The family received friends from 1:30-2:45 p.m. prior to the service at the church.

Kate was born July 7, 1928, in Mitchell County. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Clayton Young; and a sister, Ruth Grove. She worked for Gaston County Schools.

She is survived by a son, Dale Young, and wife, Becky, of Crouse; a daughter, Kimberly Williams, and husband, Russell, of Marion; four grandchildren, Michael Young, and wife, Tonya, Radley Bess, and wife, Jaclyn, Matthew Young, and wife, Dani, and Bartley Bess, and wife, Krystle; and 10 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church, P.O. Box 441, Lincolnton, NC 28093.

Warlick Funeral Home is serving the family.