Archives

Moved by reports of a malnourished child collapsing on stage at a local elementary school, Barry Yelton and a group of concerned residents founded Basics Food Pantry in Cliffside in 2015 to address an unknown crisis that was coming to light. After a couple of years in Cliffside, the food pantry finally found its current home in neighboring Henrietta. Once operations were established at the new location, it became apparent that Henrietta has one of the largest concentrations of economically disadvantaged people in Rutherford County, and the food pantry would fill a dire need. Being in the right place at the right time often seems to be a miracle.

Barbara Hodge Haynes age 85 of Rutherfordton, NC went home to be with her Lord September 28, 2026.

Benjamin "Benjy" Lee Sane, Jr. age 56, of Ellenboro, passed away Sunday, September 6, 2026.

Charles E. Smith, age 89, of Ellenboro, passed away Tuesday, September 29, 2026.

Corbit Alan "Chino" Smith, age 60, of Bostic, passed away Friday, September 25, 2026.

Dennis Durand Hampton, 86, passed away Tuesday, September 22, 2026. He was born in Ruth, NC on July 31, 1940. He was the son of Wallace and Velma Whitaker Hampton.

Earline Huntsinger Rhymer, age 87 of Forest City died Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Earline was born in Shelby, NC on May 6, 1939, and was a daughter of the late Robert and Lela Rabb Hnutsinger.

Freddie Conner, age 77, of Union Mills, passed away Monday, September 28, 2026.

Geraldine Waters Harris passed away September 29, 2026.

Our beloved family member, Harold Richard Baker, 83, passed away Thursday, September 24, 2026. He was born in Gaston County, NC to the late Joseph David Baker and Della Randolph Baker on June 17, 1943.

Julia Regina Dover, age 63, of Gastonia, NC, passed away Sunday, September 27, 2026. She was born June 4, 1963.

Mary Wynn Bostic, age 84, of Mooresboro, passed away Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Patricia Geraldine Ford, age 78. She was born in Cleveland County, NC to the late Earnest Nalley and Eula Bell Nalley Jefferies. She is also predeceased by her sister, Savannah Nalley; brothers, Harold, Charlie, Robert, Randall, Samest and John.

Richard Eugene Gantz, Jr., 62 passed away Wednesday, September 16, 2026. He was born in Kane, PA to the late Richard Eugene Gantz and Phyllis Nicklas Gantz. He is also predeceased by his step-father, Jim Irwin.

Sarah Elizabeth Jones, age 30, of Ellenboro, NC, passed away Sunday, September 13, 2026. She was born February 4, 1996, in Cleveland County.