Alyssa "Poody" Tuggle
Aug 23, 2026
Alyssa “Poody” Tuggle, age 26, of Spindale, passed away Sunday, August 23, 2026 at her residence.
Alyssa was born Wednesday, December 1, 1999 in Williamsburg, Virginia to Carol Ann Stevenson Rhodes who resides in Spindale. In spite of her learning disabilities and autism, she became a bright beam of light to all who knew her. She was affectionately known as “Poody”...
Ronnie Lee Evans
Aug 22, 2026
Ronnie Lee Evans, age 50, of Cliffside, passed away Saturday, August 22, 2026 at Sapphire Ridge Health and Rehabilitation in Brevard, NC.
Ronnie was born Thursday, June 3, 1976 in Rutherford County. He worked as a volunteer fireman and an EMS Technician for many years. Ronnie also repaired small engines and did auto body repair work. He was a member of...
Phillip Melton
Aug 18, 2026
Phillip Melton, age 65, of Forest City, passed away Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC.
Phillip was born Wednesday, August 24, 1960 in Rutherford County to the late Bobby Melton and Willie Faye Hutchins Melton. He was veteran of the U.S. Army and served in the 82nd Airborne Division. Phillip worked for Stonecutter Mill for many years....
Julie Scruggs
Aug 18, 2026
Julie Scruggs, age 68, of Ellenboro, passed away Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at her home.
Julie was born Thursday, September 19, 1957 in Rutherford County to the late Molt Edwards and Mafra Silvers Edwards. She was the co-owner and operator of Scruggs Body Shop and worked for Munsey Homes in construction. Julie attended Homeward Bound Baptist Church and enjoyed photography, arts...
Phyllis "Punkin" Blanton Norman
Aug 11, 2026
Phyllis Blanton Norman, affectionately known as “Punkin,” of Rutherford County, North Carolina, passed away on August 12, 2026, at the age of 57.
Punkin was truly one of a kind. She was funny, strong-willed, and wonderfully stubborn, with a personality that could fill a room. She loved dogs and especially enjoyed spending time with her friends and family. She could make...
Wayne D. Mitchem
Aug 10, 2026
Wayne D. Mitchem, age 75, of Forest City, passed away Monday, August 10, 2026 at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.
Wayne was born Thursday, February 15, 1951 in Rutherford County to the late Earl C. Mitchem and Lottie Mae Carswell Mitchem. Wayne was a graduate of Chase High School Class of 1971. He worked as a machinist for Timken for over thirty...
Howard Louie Patterson
Aug 10, 2026
Howard Louie Patterson, age 88, of Rutherfordton, passed away Monday, August 10, 2026 at Rutherford Regional Medical Center.
Howard was born Thursday, March 10, 1938 in Rutherford Cunty to the late Ernest Hugh Patterson and Frances Fowler Patterson. Howard loved horses, tractors, and wearing a cowboy hat. He also loved his family. Howard will be missed by all who knew him.
In...
Susan H. Goode
Aug 7, 2026
Susan H. Goode, age 60, of Forest City, passed away Friday, August 7, 2026 at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC.
Susan was born Friday, December 3, 1965 in Rutherford County. She worked in textiles for several years and later for Walmart. Susan enjoyed reading the Bible and loved her family above everything else.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Clayton...
Jane E. Ayres
Aug 6, 2026
Jane E. Ayres, age 85, of Ellenboro, passed away Thursday, August 6, 2026 at her home.
Jane was born Monday, June 9, 1941 in Rutherford County to the late Pete Burgess and Nellie Crow Burgess. She was a graduate of Tri-High School, class of 1959. She worked for the Fairfax County Police Department in administration and communications for thirty-six years before...
Patricia Ann Mathis
Aug 6, 2026
Patricia Ann Mathis, age 73, of Forest City, passed away Thursday, August 6, 2026 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills in Forest City.
Patricia was born Friday, March 27, 1953 in Gaston County, NC to the late Fred Lineberger and Ruby Stroupe Lineberger. She was a graduate of Dallas High School, class of 1971. Patricia worked many years in the textile...