: OBITUARIES :
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JUDY LYNN RAY-LACKEY
Judy Lynn Ray-Lackey, 53, of Burnsville, passed away Monday, January 11, 2016, at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine. A native of Yancey County, she was the daughter of Jean Carroll Ray of Burnsville and the late Rex C. Ray, Sr.
Surviving, in addition to her mother, are daughters: Amy George and husband, Rev. Keith George, of Mars Hill, and Katie Lackey and son, Kyle Lackey, both of the home; former husbands and still good friends: Gary Carroll and Scott Lackey; a brother: Rex Ray, Jr. and wife, Eloise; and nephews: Daniel and Josh Ray, all of Burnsville; and, loving grandmother to her granddaughters: Abbey and Ava George.
Funeral services will be held at 7PM Wednesday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. Revs. David Garland and Keith George will officiate. A graveside service will be held at 11AM Thursday in the Rex Ray Family Cemetery on Rayberry Lane at Concord.
The family will receive friends from 5 until 7PM Wednesday prior to the service at the funeral home, and at other times will be at the home of her mother on Rayberry Lane.
VIOLET GRINDSTAFF HOILMAN
Violet Grindstaff Hoilman, 85, of Burnsville, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, January 9, 2016, at her home. A native of Mitchell County, she was a daughter of the late Lucian and Virgie Ledford Grindstaff, and the wife of Leonard “Bea” Hilemon who died in 2003. She was also preceded in death by a brother: Van Grindstaff.
Surviving are her husband: Rob Hoilman; a daughter: Linda Gouge and husband, Keith, of Burnsville; sons: Ward Hilemon and wife, Carole, of Chucky, TN, Tony Hilemon and wife, Ina, of Bakersville, and Roger Hilemon and wife, Denise, of Burnsville; a brother: Rev. Burl Grindstaff of Spruce Pine; 12 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; a great, great grandson; step daughters: Wanda Hoilman of Johnson City, TN and Micki Hoilman of Burnsville; and, a step son: Bobby Hoilman of Burnsville.
Funeral services will be held at 7PM Sunday in Victory Baptist Church. Revs. Scot Garland and Philip Garland will officiate. A graveside service will be held at 11AM Monday in Victory Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5 until 7PM Sunday prior to the service at the church.
JENNIFER LEE KNIGHT
Jennifer Lee Knight, born January 24, 1980, passed away Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at the age of 35. Born and raised in Michigan, Jenny became a resident of North Carolina in 2007. She was preceded in death by her mother, Debra Rudolph of Imlay City, Michigan.
Jenny attended Laurel Branch Baptist Church, loved all animals, especially her cat “Miss Priss” and her Black Lab “Duke”. She enjoyed nature walks, canoeing and camping and will be missed by her many friends.
Jenny leaves behind a family of many sisters and brother and a longtime friend and fiancé, Clint Dowis.
A memorial service will be held at 1 P. M. Saturday, January 9, 2016 in Laurel Branch Baptist Church. Rev. Ray Strickland will officiate.
RUTH WHITSON PETERSON
Ruth Whitson Peterson, age 90, Erwin, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, January 8, 2016 surrounded by her loving daughters. She was born March 18, 1925 in Souix, North Carolina to John and Leona Adkins Whitson. Ruth married John H. Peterson and raised her four children. Ruth loved her church family. She was a happy and social person who loved her friends and adored her family. In addition to her parents, Ruth was also preceded in death by her husband of sixty-four years, John H. Peterson on January 8, 2005; three brothers: Shurl Whitson, Floyd Whitson and Jack Whitson; and two sisters: Trula Banks and Una Randolph.
Her memory and life will be cherished by her three daughters: Betty Peterson, of Erwin; Linda Treadway and husband, John, of Erwin; and Cherie Bowman and husband, Roger, of Johnson City; a son Douglas Peterson and wife, Julia, of Canton, GA; one brother, Brooks Whitson and wife, Janie, of Unicoi; five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Several nieces, nephews and many friends also survive.
Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Sunday, January 10, 2016 in Calvary Baptist Church, of which she was a member. Reverend David Crutchfield will officiate. Burial will follow in the Roselawn Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service at the church.
Music will be provided by Gary Amos and Aaron Bennett. Pallbearers will be Roger Bowman, John Treadway, Steve Treadway, Aaron Bennett, John R. Wright, Jr. and Willis Adkins.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Ruth to the Calvary Baptist Church Life Center Fund, 540 Adams Street, Erwin, TN 37650.
The family appreciates the loving care given by the staff at Sycamore Shoals Hospital, Mountain States Hospice, and Amerigroup Healthcare in the final months.
Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the family through our complimentary, interactive Book of Memories at www.ledfordfuneralhomes.com.
WILMA ROBINSON STREET
Wilma Robinson Street, 80, of the Double Island Community, went home to be with the Lord Thursday, December 31, 2015, at her home. A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late Handy and Lizzie Gardner Robinson. She was the wife of Fred Street who died in 1972. Wilma was also preceded in death by 2 sisters: Lucille Robinson and Willann Hall; and a daughter-in-law: Peggy Street. She enjoyed gardening, her family and her grandchildren.
Surviving are 3 daughters: Melissa Taylor and husband, Marvin, of Burnsville, Kathy Cagle and husband, Kenneth, of Marion, and Brenda Riddle and husband, David, of Green Mountain; 6 sons: Jerry Street of Burnsville, David Street and wife, Anna, Roger Street, Jeff Street and Alan Street, all of Double Island, and Darrell Street and wife, Shannon, of Micaville; 15 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; 2 brothers: Robert Robinson of Double Island and Edd Robinson of Burnsville; and 2 very special friends: Charlotte Bruton and Noah Riddle.
Funeral services will be held at 3PM Sunday in Double Island Baptist Church, of which she was a member. Rev. Ricky Woody will officiate. Burial will be in the Double Island Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6 until 8PM Saturday at Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home, where the body will remain until taken to the church to lie in state 30 minutes prior to the service.
The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to Hospice of Yancey County and to Nurse Anita. They request memorials be made to Hospice of Yancey County, 856 Georges Fork Road, Burnsville, NC 28714.
TED M. PAFFORD, Jr.
Ted M. Pafford, Jr. 86, of Spruce Pine, passed away Monday, December 28, 2015 at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital. A native of Miami, Florida, he was a retired owner/operator of a concrete products business. He had been a resident of Spruce Pine since 1992.
Surviving are his wife: Betty Pate Pafford; a daughter: Diane Jenkins and husband Jim of Birmingham, AL; a son: Ron Pafford and wife Karen of Hernando, FL; a step-daughter: Lynn Hinshaw and husband Larry of Banner Elk; a step-son: Doug Vance of Spruce Pine; and grandchildren: Holly and Abbey Pafford of Hernando, Kurt Jenkins of Chicago, IL and Jake Hinshaw of Banner Elk.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Scholarship Fund at the University of Florida, 1938 West University Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32603.
A drop-in reception will be from 1pm until 4pm, Saturday, January 2, 2016 at their home.
Wade Nathan Angel
Wade"Pops" Nathan Angel, 74, of English Branch, passed away Friday, December 25, 2015, at his home. A native of Yancey County he was a son of the late Pershing Angel and Maude Riddle. He was preceded in death by two sons: Nathan Angel and James Angel.
Surviving are his wife: Christene Higgins Angel; children: Emma Angel of Burnsville, William Angel and wife, Marie, of Erwin, TN, Roger Hilemon of Burnsville and James Chadwick Angel of the home; a granddaughter whom he and Christene raised: Natasha Yelton of Bakersville; brothers: Edgar Anglin and wife, Susan, of Weaverville and Darvi Angel of Union Mills; aisters: Amber Platt and Fontaine Angel of Charleston, SC; a special friend since childhood: Lloyd Silvers of Burnsville; and 14 grandchildren and 33 greatgrandchildren also survive.
Services will be held at 3 PM Sunday December 27, 2015 in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. Revs. Glen Burrell and Junior Honeycutt will officiate. Burial will follow in the Angel Family Cemetery on English Branch. The family will recieve friends one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to the family to assist with funeral expenses.
HARRIOT LEE WALLACE
Harriot Lee Wallace, 77, of Reservoir Road, Burnsville, passed away Friday, December 18, 2015, at her home. A native of Massachusetts, she was a daughter of the late Scott and Mildred Hobbs Emerson. Harriot was an artist.
Surviving are her three daughters: Kimberley Smith of Jersey City, NJ; Elizabeth Smith-Jacobs of Montclair, NJ and Abigail Smith of Oakland, California; three in-laws: John Goodlow, Peter Jacobs and Bethany Dreyfus; five grandchildren: Ian Jacobs, Justin Goodlow, Jared Goodlow, Zoe Jacobs and Isabelle Dreyfus; and, her companion: Ron Roberts.
A memorial service will be held at 2 PM Sunday, January 3, 2016 in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. Hospice Chaplain Joe Bennett will officiate. A reception will follow at the Nu-Wray Inn located on the Town Square in Burnsville.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Yancey County, 856 Georges Fork Road, Burnsville, NC 28714, or it can be completed online: http://www.hospiceofyancey.org/.
GRAYSON LEE 'Pete' RECTOR
Grayson Lee 'Pete' Rector, 83, of Hickory, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, December 17, 2015, at Hickory Falls Health & Rehab. He was born Oct. 20, 1932 in Alexander, Co. to the late Jacob Sidney and Mary Ann Dixon Rector. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his first wife Mary Martha Roland, a brother Jack Rector of Marion, and two stepsons Glen and Charles Roland.
Pete is survived by his loving wife Geraldine “Gerry” Phillips Rector; a stepson Kevin Bryan Norman of Vale, N.C. two step daughters Kerri D. Norman Benfield of Nebo, and Beth Anne Norman Anderson of Vale, and a sister-in-law Pauline Rector of Marion.
Funeral services will be held at 3 PM Saturday in the Chapel of Mackie Funeral Home in Granite Falls. Rev. Edd Warren will officiate. A graveside service will be held at 3 P. M. Sunday, December 20th in the Academy Hill Cemetery in Burnsville. Rev. Perry Norton will officiate.
JENNIFER BRADFORD COLLINS
Jennifer Bradford Collins, 46, of Nebo, passed away Wednesday, December 16, 2015, at St. Josephs Campus of Mission Hospitals in Asheville following a period of declining health. She was a daughter of Eugene Stepp and the late Louise Crain Phillips. Jennifer was co-owner of Collins Reinforcement. She was also preceded in death by a grandson: Colton Clontz; and a brother: Jason Bradford. Jennifer will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend to many and will be dearly missed.
In addition to her father, she leaves behind her beloved husband of 22 years: Dee Collins; 4 children: John Paul Collins and wife, Brandy, of Duncan, SC, Kristen Clontz and husband, Joshua, of Nebo, Sarah Scott and husband, Abram, of Statesboro, GA, and Stephen Collins and wife, Kelsie, of Woodruff, SC; a sister: Gina Wright of Marion; her mother-in-law: Floy Collins of Nebo; 10 grandchildren; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and many cousins.
A service of celebration will be held at 2PM Sunday in Westmoreland Chapel in Marion. Brothers Bill and Don Mitchell will officiate. Burial will follow in the Collins Family Cemetery in Marion.
The family will receive friends from 3 to 5PM on Saturday, December 19, 2015, at Westmoreland Funeral Home.
Flowers are acceptable and appreciated. Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in her memory are encouraged to consider Hospice of McDowell County, 575 Airport Road, Marion, NC 28752.
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