: OBITUARIES :
_____________________________________________________
RAY J. LAUGHRUN
Ray J. Laughrun, 86, of Augusta GA, passed away Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at his home, after an extended illness. A native of Burnsville, NC, he was the son of the late Luke and Ethel Honeycutt Laughrun. He was also preceded in death by his twin brother MSGT (ret) Roy Laughrun and wife Lucille; his brother: Jack Laughrun; his sisters: Mary L Miner and husband Walter of Smyrna, TN; and Bettie Jo Hatfield of Diana TX; and brother-in-law: A. J. Laws of Morrow, GA. Ray served in the US Air Force during the Korean War and later as a Master Sergeant in the USAF reserves. He attended Blanton's Business College in Asheville and retired as Director of Personnel Development from Overnite Transportation in Richmond VA.
Ray is survived by his wife of 64 years, Doris Styles Laughrun of the home; a daughter: Kay DuPuis and husband Dennis of North Augusta SC; brother: Floyd Laughrun of Burnsville, sisters: Anna Lou Hughes and husband Farrell of Burnsville, and Wanda Hope Laws of Morrow, GA; brother-in-law: Tom Hatfield of Diana, TX; and sister-in-law: Hettie Laughrun of Hendersonville, NC; grandchildren: Amy and Jeff Stembridge, and April and John Konter; great grandchildren: Davis, Jackson and Amelia Stembridge and many nieces and nephews.
The funeral services will be 2:00 pm Saturday, May 21, 2016 in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home, his nephew Rev. Randy Laws will officiate. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery at Horton Hill, with military graverites.
The family will receive friends from 12 noon until 2PM, prior to the service at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to Heartland Hospice, 153 Davis Rd, Augusta, GA 30907. Donations are used for Hospice patients and families in dire need of financial assistance.
THELMA HENSLEY
Thelma Hensley, 70, of Simms Fork, passed away Saturday May 14, 2016 in the Blue Ridge Regional Hospital. A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late John Henry and Belle Edwards Hensley. She was preceded in death by seven brothers and sisters.
Surviving are two brothers; Conno Hensley of Marion and Willard Hensley of Burnsville. Several neices and nephews also survive.
Graveside services will be held at 2 P.M. Tuesday May 17, 2016 in the Hensley Cemetery on Simms Fork. Rev Andy Edwards will officiate.
Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home is assisting the Hensley Family.
BILLIE JEAN THOMPSON
Billie Jean Thompson, 82, of Burnsville, went home to be with the Lord, Monday, May 9, 2016 at Mission Hospital Memorial Campus. A native of Yancey County, she was the daughter of the late William Penland Price and Eula Leora Harris Price. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her brother: Homer T. Price. Billie Jean was a lifelong member of Young’s Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, where she served as Church Clerk and Treasurer for many years.
Surviving are her husband of 59 years: James Lee Thompson; children: Michael Tim Thompson, and wife Deanna, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Sherry Lee Dale, and husband Paul; Jennifer Lynn Laws, and husband Bruce; and Rev. Roger Lee Thompson, and wife Patricia, all of Burnsville; grandchildren: Jessica Duncan, and husband Justin; Jonathan Dale and wife Nicole; Erin Hughes and husband Jeremy; Lauren Ball, and husband John David; Ethan Thompson, Ashleigh Jones, and husband Christian; Kiersten Thompson, Levi Bradford, and Caleb Thompson; 5 great grandchildren: Breanna, Landon, Aiden, Jackson and William.
Funeral services will be held at 7PM Friday, May 13, 2016 in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. Revs. Bobby Revis, Bernie Jones and her son Roger Thompson will officiate. A graveside service will be held at 11 AM Saturday, May 14, 2016 in Young’s Chapel Free Will Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 PM Friday, prior to the service at the funeral home.
LUCILLE BUCKNER CHANDLER
"My Mama”
Lucille Buckner Chandler, age 90, of Bald Creek, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 8, 2016, at Madison Manor Nursing Facility. A native of Yancey County, she was born July 26, 1925, to the late Clyde Buckner and Pansy Hamlin Buckner. She was preceded in death by her husband: Robert Lee Chandler, who died February 11, 1995, and a son: Frank Chandler who died on October 14, 2014. She was also preceded in death by four sisters: Rose Drake of Asheville, Lena King of Hendersonville, and Edna Ingle and Ruth Pate of Burnsville; three brothers: Horace, who died while serving in the Army, and James and Ernest Buckner, both of Burnsville, and two infant sisters. Left to cherish her memory are six daughters: Alma Ball (Robert) of Forest City, Grace Whitson (Blaine), Joyce Hensley (Bill), Peggy Fox (Harley), and Shirley Chandler all of Burnsville, Lynn Killian (John) of Asheville, and daughter-in-law: Joanne Mathis Chandler of Burnsville; thirteen grandchildren, twenty one great-grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
She attended Bald Creek High School where she graduated in 1942. She was a member of Ivy Gap Baptist Church where she attended. She loved the Lord and was a devoted Christian. She loved traveling, growing flowers, embroidering, giving her work to her family and friends, making hooked rugs, quilting, and cooking for her family and large crowds. She will always be remembered for saying, “Now you come back and see me”. She will be missed dearly by her family, church family, many friends and care-givers.
She worked many years in Asheville as a seamstress, but retired after 13 years from Yancey County Board of Education where she worked as a cook at Bald Creek Elementary School.
Funeral services will be held at 8PM Thursday, May 12, 2016 in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. Revs. Blaine Whitson, Adam Brewer and Denver Styles will officiate. A graveside service will be held at 11AM Friday in the Chandler Cemetery at Ivy Gap. Grandsons and grandsons-in-law will serve as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends from 6 until 8PM prior to the service at the funeral home.
DOUGLAS WAYNE CHANDLER
Doug Wayne Chandler, 56, of White Oak, passed away unexpectedly at his home Saturday, May 7, 2016. A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late Gordon Alfred and Pauline Murphy Chandler. Doug was a nature loving person.
Surviving are a brother: Eddie Chandler of White Oak; sisters: Jeannie Swann and Peggy Thomas of Morganton, and Teresa Teseniar of Marion; 3 nieces and a nephew; 2 great nieces and a great nephew.
A graveside service will be held at 11AM Tuesday in the Goode Cemetery. Rev. Kent Murphy will officiate.
Memorials may be made to assist the family with funeral expenses.
LYNN MICHAEL ROBINSON
Lynn Michael Robinson, 58, of Green Mountain, passed away on Friday, May 6, 2016, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. A native of Macomb County, Michigan, he was the son of the late Rex and Helen Honeycutt Robinson. Lynn was a US Army Veteran. He was also preceded in death by brothers: Dennis and Chuck Robinson. Lynn loved the great outdoors and never knew a stranger. He loved his God, was a loving father and was always willing to help someone. Lynn was a large supporter of the Yancey County 4-H Program.
Surviving are his wife: Debby Robinson; daughters: Hope and Nichole Robinson; son: Lynn Michael “Buddy” Robinson; sisters: Lorainne Allison and Debra Miller, all of Burnsville. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
A memorial service will be held at 1PM Thursday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. Rev. Junior Honeycutt will officiate.
The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
TRENA PRESNELL FOX
Trena Presnell Fox, 99, of Burnsville passed away Thursday, May 5, 2016, at her home. A native of Yancey County, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Clara Young Presnell. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Arney Fox who died in 1985, a brother, Clarence Presnell and his wife, Irene Buchanan Presnell, and, an infant brother Robert, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Trena is survived by daughters: Sandra Fox Orr and husband Mike, and Lisa Fox Davis and husband, Gordon, all of Burnsville; grandchildren: Matthew Orr and partner, Seth Sherman, of Venice, CA, Megan Orr Murphy and husband, Dan of Cornelius, NC and Seth Davis of Eugene, OR; greatgrandchildren: Donovan and Ryan Murphy of Cornelius, and a sister, Betty Helms and husband Alexander of Salem, VA.
A memorial service will be held at 11 A.M. Monday, May 9, 2016, in the First Baptist Church of Burnsville, of which she was a member for over 70 years. Rev. Tommy James will officiate. The family will receive friends following the service.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Yancey County, 856 Georges Fork Road, Burnsville, NC or to the First Baptist Church of Burnsville.
Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home is assisting the Fox family.
IRENE HENSLEY SOUTHER
Irene Hensley Souther, 91, of Mountain Village Apartments, went home to be with the Lord Friday, April 29, 2016, at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine. She was a lifelong resident of Burnsville. Irene was a daughter of the late Carl H. and Stella Wright Hensley, and the wife of Carrol H. Souther who died in 2005. She was also preceded in death by a granddaughter: Sheba Dawn Souther; and, sisters: Lucille Harris and Virginia Griggs. Irene was a member of Green Mountain Free Will Baptist Church. She loved to cook, sew, quilt and serve others. The joys of her life were her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Surviving are her children: Steven Souther and wife, Joan, Barbara Austin and husband, Bobby, and Marie Thomas and husband, Mark, all of Burnsville; Julia Hardie and husband, Don, of Spruce Pine, and Susan Allen and husband, William, of Nebo; grandchildren: Bradley and Bryan Hardie, Tamara Austin, Julie Miller and Melanie Hughes; great grandchildren: Megan, Austin, Aaron, Madison, Tucker, Max, Everett and Violet; and a special friend: Barbara Bolick.
Funeral services will be held at 7PM Sunday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. Rev. Denny Wilson will officiate. A graveside service will be held at 11AM Monday in the McCracken Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5:30 until 7PM Sunday, prior to the service at the funeral home.
PAULINE LEDFORD
Pauline Ledford, 86, of Indian Creek, passed away Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at Brookside Rehabilitation and Care. A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late Arthur and Minerva Hensley Ledford. She was also preceded in death by sisters: Malley Ledford Holcombe and Mollie Ledford. Pauline was a member of Cane River Baptist Church, and loved to garden and grow flowers.
Survivors include a brother: Porter Ledford and wife Robema of Burnsville; nieces: Barbara Holcombe Robinson and husband Steve, Regina Holcombe Arnette and Brenda Ledford Honeycutt and husband Darren; and nephews: Larry and Randy Ledford, all of Burnsville; great nephews: Julian Robinson and wife Lynn of Concord and Cody Honeycutt and wife Cecila, of Burnsville; 2 great-great nieces: Ashley and Julie Robinson and a great-great nephew: Brandon Robinson, all of Concord.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 PM Sunday, in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. The Rev. Ted Richardson will officiate. Burial will be in the Cane River Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
WESLEY MCKINNEY
Wesley McKinney, 78, of Green Mountain, went home to be with the Lord, Monday April 18, 2016 at his home. A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late Rama and Stella McCourry McKinney. Wesley was also preceded in death by a granddaughter: Kristy Elliott, and two brothers: James and Jack McKinney.
He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years: Pauline Hopson McKinney; three children: Debbie McKinney Wilson and husband, Randall, of Burnsville, Robert McKinney and wife, Leslie, of Green Mountain and Della McKinney of Green Mountain; grandchildren: Aaron McKinney and wife, Amber, Kelsey McKinney, Shannon Burleson, Mikhalya Letterman, Hunter Letterman and Abigail McKinney; great grandchildren: Jade and Lawson Burleson and Laylan McKinney; brothers: Wayne McKinney and Eugene McKinney of Green Mountain, Royce McKinney of Peach Bottom, PA, and Samuel McKinney of Virginia; and, sisters: Mary Dale of Burnsville and Helen Murphy of Green Mountain. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
Private family graveside services were held in the Loss Hopson family cemetery on Smith Johnson Road. Rev. Tommy Murphy officiated.
Family and friends may visit with the family at his home on Smith Johnson Road in Green Mountain.
Memorial donations may be made to the family to assist with funeral expenses.
Page Number: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121