Recent Articles

Kevin Lee Schmersahl passed away Monday, June 29, 2026. Born February 21, 1951 in Baytown, TX to Jacob and Dorothy Schmersahl (deceased).

We are sad to announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter and friend, Trina Dawn Butler Cook, on Sunday, June 14, 2026. She was born in Cleveland County to Brenda Lawson and the late Robert Butler.

Jordan Elaine Wishon, age 30, of Cliffside, passed away Monday, June 22, 2026.

Jettie "Rose" Conner, age 89, of Bostic, passed away Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Andrew "Drew" Wyatt, age 51, of Spindale, passed away Friday, June 26, 202

More than 760 Vietnam veterans, including 25 from North Carolina --three from Rutherford County -- were inducted into the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund's (VVMF) In Memory Program in 2026. VVMF believes all those who served in the Vietnam War should be honored and remembered for their service. The In Memory program enables the families and friends of those who came home and later died, the opportunity to have them be forever memorialized.

Billy Osborne "Bill" Howard passed away May 3, 2026 at the age of 96.

Sally Ann Duncan, age 74 of Forest City died Thursday, June 11, 2026.

James Franklin Barker, age 87 of Forest City died Wednesday, June 24, 2026. James was born September 10, 1938, in Gaston County, NC but was raised in Hickory. He was a son of the late Reginald Clifford Barker and Eubulus Clark Barker.

It is with great sadness we announce that beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, Christopher Eric Toney, 53, passed away Wednesday, June 24, 2026. He was born in Rutherford County, NC to Nancy Hudson Toney and the late Ronnie Toney.

Shirley McKinney Glover, age 85, of Forest City NC, passed away June 23, 2026.

Brenda Kay Martin McFarland, age 76 of Ellenboro died Friday, June 19, 2026.

William Thomas (Bill) Nary, age 88 of Bostic died Sunday, June 21, 2026.

Juneteenth, celebrated as a federal holiday on June 19, marks the day when slavery ended in the United States after the American Civil War. On June 19, 1865, federal officers ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas.

Sara "Nikki" Gordon, 84, of Chimney Rock, passed away Saturday, June 20, 20

Tena Johnson Hernandez, age 64, of Rutherfordton, passed away Thursday, June 18, 2026.

Roger Wayne Dotson, age 83, of Polk County, NC, went home to be with his Lord on June 19, 2026.

It is with heavy hearts and profound gratitude that we announce the passing of David Michael Morrow. He peacefully departed this life June 13, 2026 at the age of 75.

Annette Dalton, a devoted follower of Christ, loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away June 17, 2026. She was the daughter of the late Donald Arrowood and Betty Harris Arrowood.