All Obituaries

     Rev. Johnny Jerry Hopkins Sr., 78, of Franklin, NC, passed away on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at the Franklin House. He was born on February 15, 1939 in Macon County, NC to the late R. L. Hopkins and Grace Jones Hopkins. Johnny was a church minister who was of the Christian faith. He also worked as a stone and brick mason. Along with his parents, Johnny was preceded in death by his daughter,...

     Edward John Stipek, 95, of York County, SC, passed away on Monday, June 18, 2018 at his home in Lake Wylie, SC. He was born on January 7, 1923 in Chicago, IL to the late John Edward Stipek and Emma Brocker Stipek. Edward was a United States Navy Veteran and also worked as a general laborer for a boat marina. He was a member of Mother of God Russian Orthodox Church in Charlotte, NC. Edward is...

     Agafia Leontievna Stepanova, 87, of Asheville, NC, passed away on Sunday, June 17, 2018 at the JFK Solace Center. She was born on February 5, 1931 in Taraclia, Moldova to the late Leonte Gamagii and Anna Gamagii. Agafia was a homemaker for her family. Along with her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Alexander Stepanov. She is survived by her sons, Sergey Stepanov...

     Ronnie Ray Riddle, 72, of Marion, NC, passed away on Friday, June 15, 2018 at Mountain View Assisted Living in Hendersonville. He was born on March 11, 1946 to the late Rosco Charlie Riddle and Ruth Wyatt Riddle in Mitchell County, NC. Ronnie worked as an equipment operator for a lumber yard and was of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by seven brothers and three sisters. Ronnie is...

     Christopher J. Thaxton, 55, passed away on June 11 at Memorial Mission Hospital. He was born in Asheville, NC in 1963 at St. Joseph's Hospital. Chris graduated from AC Reynolds High School in 1984, where he was an honor student and athlete. He continued his education at the University of NC Chapel Hill, earning a BA in Political Science. After graduation, Chris worked as a paralegal in...

     Barry W. Tomlinson, 66, a resident of Buncombe County, NC, went to be with the Lord on Monday, June 11, 2018. He worked in the automotive industry in the Asheville area for many years. Barry was known for his generosity and had a genuine desire to help those in need. His passion for flying and automobiles was evident to all. Barry was preceded in death by his parents, Elmo (Tommy) Tomlinson...

     Earl Christopher Penland, 60, of Black Mountain, passed away peacefully into the presence of His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Monday, June 11, 2018 at Asheville Health Care Center after a long and courageous battle with painful chronic health issues. He was born on August 10, 1957 in Buncombe County to the late Walter Calvin Penland who passed on June 26, 2012 and Kathryn Crabtree...

     Rev. Kent Lee Smith, 73, of Montreat, NC, passed away on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at Mission Hospital in Asheville. He was born on May 17, 1945 in Schenectady, NY to the late Orville Lee Smith and Sibyl Green Smith. He was the minister of West Asheville Presbyterian Church and is survived by his wife, Margo Kenady Smith. ...

     Charles Baron Taylor, 63, of Asheville, passed away on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at Mission Hospital. He was born on October 17, 1954 in Buncombe County, to the late Edward B. Taylor and Esther Jane Fisher Taylor. Charles worked as a truck driver for the City of Asheville. Charles is survived by his son, Charles Faron Taylor (Karen) of Asheville; daughter, Glenda Barnes of Asheville; and...

     Mildred "Doodle" Fowler McClellan went to her Heavenly home on June 6, 2018. Born October 28, 1927 to the late Cora Lee Sumeral Fowler and Arizona Utah Fowler in Spartanburg, SC. She was also preceded in death by her beloved husband, Acton McClellan; brothers, Alfred Fowler and Harold Fowler; and sister, Evelyn Harrison.  Doodle lived most of her life in Beaumont and was a...