Obituaries
Local Obituaries
Local obituaries for our Badger Funeral Home & Ashelawn Memorial Chapel with funeral services throughout North Carolina, including West Jefferson, Jefferson and adjoining counties.
Sally Richards
Aug 29, 2024
Sally Richards, age 76 passed away on August 29, 2024 in Jefferson, North Carolina. She was born on December 25, 1947, in Pearl River, New York.
Sally was a member of the China Grove First Methodist Church, where she found solace and among her fellow churchgoers. Her faith played a vital role in her life, guiding her actions and nurturing her relationships.
Known...
Victoria “Vickie” Lynn Russell Cooper
Aug 28, 2024
Victoria Lynn Russell Cooper, affectionately known as Vickie, passed away peacefully on August 28 2024, in Watauga County, North Carolina. Born on September 10, 1969, in Ashe County, she was the beloved daughter of Mervyn Odell Russell and Becky Graybeal Russell. Vickie's life was a testament to her loving spirit and vibrant personality, which touched the hearts of those who...
Thomas “Tom” W. Efford
Aug 26, 2024
Tom grew up in Connecticut and graduated from Stratford High School. After graduation, his family moved to South Georgia where he entered the Army. Tom was stationed in Washington, D.C., with the 3rd infantry, the “Old Guard,” serving as part of the presidential honor guard. He also spent significant time with the All-Army Rifle Team, setting two national records and...
Mervyn Odell Russell
Aug 25, 2024
Mervyn Odell Russell, born on June 20, 1945, in Pope Arkansas, passed away peacefully on August 25,2024, at Ashe Memorial Hospital. He was a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather and godfather whose legacy will continue to resonate in the hearts of those who knew him.
Raised in a modest farming community in Arkansas, Mervyn was the oldest of seven children. From...
David "Cotton" Allen Howell
Aug 22, 2024
David "Cotton" Allen Howell, passed away peacefully on August 22, 2024, in Dobson, North Carolina. He was born on October 19, 1957, in Jefferson, North Carolina, to Loyd Joe and Martha Owen Howell. He was preceded in death by his father. He was a man of great character and kindness, leaving behind a legacy that will be fondly remembered by...
Jerry Allen Sutherland
Aug 20, 2024
Mr. Jerry Allen Sutherland, age 77, of Laurel Springs, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Tuesday, August 20, 2024, in The Woltz Hospice Center in Dobson, NC. Born May 10, 1947, in Galax, Virginia, he was a son of the late Helen Rupard Herne.
Jerry loved the outdoors. His favorite days were spent baiting hooks and seeing kids catch...
Frank Robert Perri
Aug 19, 2024
Frank Robert Perri (Spike), age 85, passed away peacefully at his home in North Carolina on August 19, 2024 surrounded by his family. Born in 1938 in Groveland, Massachusetts, Frank lived a life full of love, passion, and dedication.
A man of many talents, Frank had a lifelong passion for refurbishing old cars, a hobby that brought him great joy and...
Sun Chin Adolph
Aug 17, 2024
Sun Chin Adolph, born on November 30, 1941, in Chonnam, Korea, passed away on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at High Point Medical Center. She was the cherished daughter of the late Tae Hyon and Pok Su Choe Kim. In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by her husband, William Keith Adolph, brother, Kim Ha Yon and sister,...
Dawn Elizabeth Ashley Zachary
Aug 15, 2024
Dawn Elizabeth Zachary, age 60, of Warrensville, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at Watauga Medical Center. She was born in Ashe County on Monday, January 13, 1964 to John Cicero "J.C." & Mary Jane Miller Ashley. She was preceded in death by her father, maternal grandparents, Joe C. and Dillie Davis Miller and paternal grandparents, Rev. R.C. and...
Connie Ann Stuart
Aug 12, 2024
Connie Ann Stuart, known for her gentle spirit and warm, peacefully passed away on August 12 2024, at Ashe Memorial Hospital in Jefferson, NC. She was born on June 3, 1956, in Jefferson, NC, to the late Delmer and Dell Adams Stuart. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by sisters, Eva Jean Baldwin and Betty...
Robert Maxwell "Max" Darnell
Aug 10, 2024
Robert Maxwell Darnell, better known as Max, age 70, of Jefferson, passed away on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Max was born on March 3, 1954, to Ford and Tressie Mae Calhoun Darnell, Max lived a life rooted in faith, love, and generosity. He was preceded in death by his father, his daughter, Kansas Genora...
Evelyn "Evie" Osborne Darnell
Aug 10, 2024
Evelyn Osborne Darnell, better known as Evie, age 93, of Lansing, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Born on July 15, 1931, in Ashe County to George Dewey Osborne and Emma Sapp Osborne, Evie’s life was a testament to her unwavering love for her family and her community.
Evie was preceded in death...
Lucy Ruth McGhee
Aug 10, 2024
Lucy Ruth McGhee, age 95 of Cary, NC passed away on Saturday, August 10th, 2024. Lucy was born on June 24, 1929, in Glade Springs, VA to Harvey and Nellie Sullins. She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband Wayne Testerman, her second husband Mack McGhee, two children, Dean Testerman and Berniece Osborne, and 8 brothers and...
Trey Alan Williams
Aug 5, 2024
Trey Alan Williams, a beloved brother and friend, passed away on August 5, 2024, at the age of 47. Born on July 19, 1977, in Ashe County, North Carolina, Trey was the son of the late Wesley "Wes" Johnson Williams and Terri Ray Williams. His passing leaves a void that will be felt by all who had the privilege of...
Jonathan Ross Kemp "Jon"
Aug 4, 2024
Jonathan Ross Kemp, better known as Jon, age 68 of Lansing passed away on Sunday, August 4, 2024. He was born on December 19, 1955 in Red Bank, New Jersey to the late Clark Plumber and Irene Mae Robinson Kemp.
Mr. Kemp is survived by his wife of 47 years, Beverly, two sons, Clark and Cris, grandchildren, Kadin, Malan, Margaret and...
IvaDean Roark Smith Fox
Aug 4, 2024
IvaDean Roark Smith Fox, age 73, of West Jefferson, passed away Sunday, August 4, 2024 at her home. Mrs. Smith was born May 24, 1951 in Ashe County to Edward Lee and Blanche Roark. She was a member of Round Knob Baptist Church in Ashe County and enjoyed gardening and going to Cherry Grove beach in South Carolina. IvaDean was...
Carrol Dean Hall
Aug 4, 2024
Carrol Dean Hall, better known as Dean, age 77 of Jefferson passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 4, 2024 at Watauga Medical Center.
Mr. Hall was born on January 22, 1947 in Ashe County to John T. Hall and Maudie Allen Gilley Hall. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Mr. Hall is survived by: his wife, Joann Tedder Hall; son,...
Lisa Michelle Miller
Aug 2, 2024
Lisa Michelle Miller, age 54, of Todd, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 2, 2024 after a hard battle with cancer. Lisa was born in Chester County, PA, to David Arlin Miller and the late Cynthia Joyce Ham Miller. She was also preceded in death by her beloved sister, Jennifer “Jenny” Marie Miller.
Lisa was a woman of many passions and...
Roger Dale Mullis, Sr.
Jul 31, 2024
Roger Dale Mullis, Sr., age 74 of Sparta, passed away on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Mr. Mullis was born on October 15, 1949 in Ashe County to the late Paul William and Carry Hamm Mullis. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, John Wayne Mullis, Sr., two daughters, Elizabeth Mullis Adams and Amy Mullis Perry, a grandson,...
Roger Lee Irelan
Jul 31, 2024
Roger Lee Irelan, born on January 14, 1961, in Peru, Indiana, bid farewell to this world on July 31, 2024, at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston Salem, NC. He was a loving son to his late parents, Donald and Florence Holman Irelan.
Roger's life was filled with a deep passion for the outdoors and all it had to offer. His hobbies...

