Preston Lewis White
Jan 15, 2026
Preston Lewis White passed away on January 15, 2026 in Tryon, N.C. at the age of 80.
Preston was born on August 9, 1945 in Rutherfordton, N.C. to Bill and Bernice White.
He worked as a lineman for BellSouth/AT&T for 26 years. During that time, he served as a union representative for the Communications Workers of America and was a president of...
Leanda Stepp Maillard
Jan 14, 2026
RUTHERFORDTON – Leanda Kaye Stepp Maillard, 46, of Rutherfordton, passed away, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at Rutherford Hospital.
Born in Henderson County, she was the daughter of Roger Major Stepp and the late Margaret Young Stepp. Leanda was a graduate of West Henderson High School. For the last nine years, she worked at Seasons Restaurant at Highland Lake Resort in Flat...
Ned Frybarger
Jan 12, 2026
Tryon, NC- Ned Frybarger, 96, died on Monday, January 12, 2026 in Tryon, North Carolina.
He was born in Hot Springs, South Dakota and he was the son of Clyde Calvin Frybarger and Dorothy Thomsen Frybarger. He served in the US Air Force and was employed by IBM for over 40 years. He was an active member of the Carolina Carriage...
Harriette Splawn Blanton
Jan 12, 2026
Harriette Splawn Blanton, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, went to be with her Lord and Savior on January 12, 2026. She was born on December 18, 1944, to Preston and Mary Lou Splawn and resided in Columbus, North Carolina.
Harriette was a warm light to her family and all who knew her. Her doors were always open, welcoming...
Harriet Spratt Spencer
Jan 7, 2026
COLUMBUS – Harriet Leigh Spratt Spencer, 84, of Columbus, passed away, January 7, 2026, at White Oak Manor of Tryon.
Born in Lenoir, North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Ralph Spratt, Sr. and Elizabeth Harris Spratt and wife of the late William “Billy” C. Spencer, III who passed away in in 1993. Mrs. Spencer was a graduate...
Brian Kenneth Miller
Jan 4, 2026
SUNNY VIEW – Brian Kenneth Miller, 53, of Sunny View, went home to be with the Lord, Sunday, January 4, 2026.
Born in Rutherford County, he was the son of David Miller and Anita Lynch Miller of Sunny View. Brian was a 1991 graduate of Polk Central High School and went on to service his country in the United States Marine...
Ellis LaRue Miller
Jan 4, 2026
Ellis LaRue Miller, age 12, met Jesus face to face on Sunday, January 4, 2026. She was the daughter of Brian and Fonda Miller, of Mill Spring, NC. She accomplished much in her 12 years of life. She had a love of reading, volunteered at the Foothills Humane Society, sold her specialty soaps at the Landrum Farmer’s Market, ran on...
Dorothy Moffat Eargle
Jan 1, 2026
Dorothy Moffat Eargle, 90, passed away on January 1, 2026. She is proceeded in death by Roy Eargle, her husband of over 60 years, daughter Ruchia Moran, and son Grier Eargle.
Dotty's passions were gardening, cooking, traveling, music and her beloved family. She trained in Opera in Germany for five years. After her studies the family moved to Alexandria, VA. They...
Herbert Grant Gelhardt III
Dec 21, 2025
Herbert G Gelhardt III, 96, of Tryon passed away peacefully on December 21, 2025. Known as Herb to his friends, he was born in Queens, New York on January 7, 1929 to Herbert and Mildred Gelhardt. Herb attended the Riverside Military School in Gainesville, Georgia as a young boy, and later went to Storm King Military School, near West Point,...
Dr. Kenneth "Kenny" Cochran
Dec 21, 2025
Dr Kenneth "Kenny" Cochran passed away on December 21st, 2025.
Born in Tryon, NC he was a graduate of Polk Central High School ('71), Isothermal Community College and Sherman College of Chiropractic. He loved softball, waterfalls, nature, concerts, UNC Basketball and most of all, spending time with his family. He will be fondly remembered by his family, friends, and patients.
He was...
Charles Kenneth Covil Sr.
Dec 17, 2025
Charles Kenneth Covil, Sr., 89, of Columbus, NC went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 17, 2025.
Born in Polk County, Nc he was the son of the late Earl and Orphia Robinson Covil. He served in the US Navy for 8 years and then later served in the National Guard. During his working years, Charles owned multiple businesses....
Judy Ashmore Edney
Dec 16, 2025
Judith “Judy” Ashmore Edney, 82, of Columbus, passed away, Tuesday afternoon, December 16, 2025, at White Oak Manor of Tryon.
Born in Spartanburg County, she was the daughter of the late Freeman Ashmore and Christine Griffin Ashmore. Judy was a graduate of Landrum High School and went on to marry William “Bill” Edney. She was best known for her love of...
Raymond Arledge McLees, III
Dec 15, 2025
Tryon, NC – Raymond Arledge McLees, III, 83, of Tryon NC passed away Monday morning, December 15, at White Oak of Tryon. Born in Anderson, SC, he was the son of the late Raymond A. McLees, Jr. and Martha Prince McLees. Ray was a proud graduate of Wofford College where he was a brother in the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity....
Dawn Pearson Pitcock
Dec 15, 2025
Dawn Pearson Pitcock, 56, of Hendersonville, North Carolina passed away peacefully on December 15, 2025 surrounded by family. She was a wonderful “Mama” but she loved nothing more than her title of “Granny”. She will be remembered for her boundless generosity, beautiful smile, and warm caring soul.
Dawn was the daughter of Adeline Pearson and the late Danny Pearson. She leaves...
Michael "Wayne" Searcy
Dec 13, 2025
Michael “Wayne” Searcy, 66, of Sunny View, NC went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 13, 2025.
Born in Polk County, NC he was the son of Walter Ben and Cordelia Sain Searcy. He served the local community as an electrician for many years. He was an avid fan of NASCAR, gameshows and golf. He enjoyed collecting coins and...
Margie Staton Smith
Dec 12, 2025
Margie Staton Smith, 89, of the Fork Creek Community of Saluda, went home to be with the Lord, Friday morning, December 12, 2025, at the Elizabeth House.
Born in Greenville County, South Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Bunyan Staton and Gladys Morgan Staton. Margie was a Saluda High School graduate and went on to work for General Electric...
Fredia Porter Morse
Dec 10, 2025
Fredia Porter Morse, 82, of Tryon, NC went home to be with the Lord on December 10, 2025 at White Oak of Tryon.
She was the daughter of the late Fred and Mae Owens Porter. Fredia was a devoted mother to her children. She retired from Mohawk Industries after 42 years of service. Fredia previously volunteered for the American Red Cross....
Mary Frances Story Duncan
Dec 9, 2025
Mary Frances Story Duncan of Lynn, North Carolina, known as Mary Frances to those who knew and loved her, passed away Tuesday, December 9, 2025.
She was born in and was a lifelong resident of Lynn, North Carolina. She was the daughter of the late Carl “CO” Story and Edna Hood Cannon.
She was also proceeded in death by her husband of...
William Zack Sain
Dec 7, 2025
William Zack Sain, of Moore, South Carolina, passed away on December 7, 2025, at the Spartanburg Medical Center. Born on May 2, 1941, in Polk County, North Carolina.
William enjoyed a successful career as a retail store manager and served as a golf and tennis professional at several country clubs, where he shared his passion for sports with many. His commitment...
