Vivian Smith Blackshear
Mar 3, 2026
Vivian “Vee Vee” Hoke Smith Luke Blackshear, 88, passed away on March 3 peacefully at her home in Saluda, NC with her daughters present, following a prolonged illness. She is predeceased by her husband, Dr. Stuart Grady Blackshear, her parents, Vivian Hoke Smith and Dr. Keitt Hane Smith of Greenville, SC and her brother, Keitt Hane Smith, Jr. Vee Vee...
Robin Julian
Mar 1, 2026
Robin Julian, 73, of Columbus, North Carolina, passed away on March 1, 2026.
Robin was born in Montclair, New Jersey, the daughter of Gerald and Thelma Van Blarcom.
Robin was a devoted wife, loving mother, and cherished grandmother. She lived a vibrant, joy‑filled life traveling widely, embracing new experiences, and collecting stories from every corner she visited. She never met a stranger;...
Keith Gordon
Feb 28, 2026
Max Keith Gordon, 56, of Rutherfordton, North Carolina, passed away unexpectedly, Saturday morning, February 28, 2026.
Born in Henderson County, North Carolina, he was the son of Dorothy Carswell Gordon of Columbus, North Carolina and the late Albert Max Gordon. Keith was a graduate of East Henderson High School. He was employed at Allstar Automotive in East Flat Rock, North Carolina.
When...
Commander Tyrone Martin
Feb 26, 2026
CDR Tyrone G Martin, USN, Ret. passed away at White Oak of Tryon on February 26, 2026, at the age of 95.
He was born in Greenwich, CT on June 5, 1930 to Gladys (Alsop) and Gabriel Martin, a French-Canadian immigrant. He grew up on the 200-acre Gimbel Estate where his father was the chauffeur and later estate manager. When he...
Barry Cleveland Thompson
Feb 24, 2026
Barry Cleveland Thompson, born March 16, 1961, in Tryon, North Carolina, passed away on February 24, 2026.
Barry was known for his quick wit and love of laughter. He had a personality that filled a room and a deep love for riding motorcycles, finding freedom on the open road.
He is survived by his daughters, Kelia Thompson Maner and Katie Thompson Hawks;...
Rick Campbell
Feb 17, 2026
Richard “Rick” Gene Campbell, 68, passed away on February 17, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Spartanburg, SC, he was the son of the late Carroll and Betty Jean Reid Campbell. Rick was a master carpenter and worked for Edney Construction for many years. He was incredibly talented in his craft, taking great pride in his work and leaving...
Frances Margaret Bevans
Feb 15, 2026
Frances Margaret Bevans, 88, a resident of Columbus, NC died at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills Hospice House on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
Mrs. Bevans was born in Burma and was the daughter of Stanley Norcliffe Graham and Frances Coutts Graham.
Survivors include two daughters, Laurie Dessau of Orlando, FL and Tracey Mellett of Trophy Club, TX; a son Gary Kennard of...
Pantha Jackson Bridgeman
Feb 14, 2026
Pantha Jackson Bridgeman, 90, of Columbus, NC went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
Born in Polk County, NC she was the daughter of the late Furman and Ollie Biddy Jackson. Her most important job in life was being a loving wife and mother to her five children, but she also was able to fulfill...
Catherine Odom Nelon
Feb 13, 2026
Sunny View, NC-Catherine Odom Nelon, 85, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, February 13, 2026.
Born in Rutherfordton, NC she was the daughter of the late Chivis and Rosie Blackwell Odom. During her working years, she worked at Hatch Plant-Miliken, where many of her coworkers knew her as “Ma”. Her greatest joy in life was being a...
Bob Costello
Feb 11, 2026
Bob Costello, 72, of Mill Spring, North Carolina, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on February 11th, 2026. He transitioned from this earth way too soon, but we rejoice in knowing that we will see him again one day in heaven.
Bob, Robert Michael Anthony, Costello was born on June 15, 1953, in Colorado Springs, Colorado...
Harriett Beeler Sams
Feb 9, 2026
Harriett Beeler Sams, 95, of Hendersonville, N.C. transitioned into her heavenly home on February 9, 2026.
She was born in Columbus, Ohio to the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Pentrack. Harriett was a graduate of Central High School in Knoxville, Tennessee and Indiana University where she received a B.S. in Education and a M.A. in English. Her teaching career included: Arlington...
Patricia Lester Baker
Feb 8, 2026
Patricia Lester Baker, fondly known as Patsy, died February 8, 2026, at home in Tryon, NC, surrounded by her loving family. She was the daughter of Jewell Thomas Lester and Murray Oliver Lester. She is survived by three children: Joy T. Baker, DVM, of Tryon; Murray Lester Baker, MD (Virginia, deceased), of Blountstown, FL; and Daryl Baker Nelms, PT (David...
Leonard Culbreth
Feb 5, 2026
LANDRUM – Leonard Culbreth, 91, of Landrum, South Carolina, passed away, February 5, 2026, at home surrounded by family.
Born in Landrum, South Carolina, he was the son of the late Cursey and Bessie Gibbs Culbreth. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Ola Mae Pritchard Culbreth. He was the last...
Clark David Benson
Jan 31, 2026
Clark David Benson of Tryon, NC passed away Saturday, January 31st at Polk Advent Hospital in Columbus, NC. He was born October 8, 1947, in Chicago, IL to Clarence and Dorothy Benson. Clark and his wife, Martha, moved to Tryon from Washington D.C. in 1994 after his retirement from the U.S. Secret Service.
Clark was a devoted husband to the love...
Patty Brady
Jan 27, 2026
Patricia Lynn Brady, 74, of Mill Spring, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
Patty was born in Hilliard, Ohio, and was the beloved daughter of the late Patrick Zimmer and Helen Sannizarro. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother, and proud great-grandmother whose joy and love of life touched everyone who knew her. She especially...
Brenda Ann Rhodes
Jan 24, 2026
Brenda Ann Guice Rhodes of Saluda, passed away, January 24, 2026 at her home.
Private services were held.
Emily Lyle Edwards
Jan 23, 2026
Emily Lyle Edwards, 74 of Greenville, SC passed away Friday, January 23, 2026. Born and raised in Tryon, NC, she was the daughter of the late John and Alice Edwards. She is pre-deceased by her brother, Dan, and survived by her sister-in-law, Carolyn Edwards of San Antonio, Texas and friends that she called family.
After graduating from Tryon High School in...
Martha Hall Davis
Jan 23, 2026
INMAN – Martha Hall Davis, 95, of Inman, went home to be with the Lord, Friday morning, January 23, 2026, at her home.
Born in Landrum, she was the daughter of the late Lonnie Eugene Hall, Sr. and Lillian Kelly Hall. Martha was a graduate of Landrum High School and went on to work and retire from Milliken and Company in...
Judy Hartman Ratcliffe
Jan 21, 2026
Judy Hartman Ratcliffe of Tryon Estates, Columbus, North Carolina passed away on January 21, 2026 at the age of 78.
Judy was born in Harrisonburg, Virginia and was the daughter of Elmer Hartman and Shirley Marie Judy Hartman. She grew up in Franklin, WV and attended the public schools of Pendleton County, WV where she graduated in the class of 1965....
Georgia Huntsinger Pace
Jan 21, 2026
Georgia Huntsinger Pace entered this world on February 4th, 1934, to her parents Thomas and Mae Huntsinger and began her eternal life on January 21, 2026, forever leaving behind a trail of kindness. She is predeceased by her sister, Emily Camp, and her brother, Bosey Huntsinger. She spent 69 years married to the love of her life, Nelson “Bud” Pace,...
