Area Obituaries

Stephen Wayne Winkler, 71, of Hickory, passed away at his residence on May 5, 2020 following a period of declining health. Stephen was born August 7, 1948, in Catawba County, to Catherine Killian Winkler and the late Theodore Winkler. He was a member of Winkler’s Grove Baptist Church and worked as a Rural Mail Carrier…

Johnson L. Ritchie (Chief Ritchie), 92, of the Bethlehem Community in Taylorsville, went peacefully to be with his heavenly father on Saturday, May 2, 2020 at his residence. He was born December 6, 1927, in Alexander County, the son of the late Plumer (P.L.) and Ida Veola Yount Ritchie. He was an active member of…

Carolyn Morash-Mix, 89, of Taylorsville, passed away on Friday, May 1, 2020 at her residence. Carolyn was born October 3, 1930, in Livingston County, Nunda, New York, the daughter of the late Charles Werner and Susan Durfee Werner. Including her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, David B. Morash, Jr. and Thomas…

Bobby Ray Smith, 78, of Taylorsville, passed away Friday, May 1, 2020 at Frye Regional Medical Center. Bobby was born February 21, 1942, in Alexander County, the son of the late Leonard Smith and Cleo Bowman Smith Bowman. He had worked in the furniture industry most of his working career. He was an avid NASCAR…

Brenda Sexton Wike, 67, of Taylorsville, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at Catawba Valley Medical Center. Brenda was born on Monday, December 1, 1952, in Smyth County, Virginia. She was the daughter of the late Walter Washington Sexton and Edna Blevins Sexton. She was a member of Rocky Face Baptist Church. Brenda…

Billie Ann Shook Sheets of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, passed away peacefully at home on April 30, 2020. Billie Ann enjoyed sewing, crocheting, and reading. She was preceded in death by her parents, William Transeau and Bertha (Bunton) Lowder; her daughter, Amy Jay Shook and Scott (Fuzzy) Long; and granddaughter, Erin Ashton Meagan Kilgore. Billie Ann…