Rutherford Weekly

Seth Wesley Hamrick age 76, went home to be with his Lord on July 7, 2026. Wesley was the son of the late Jack Thomas Hamrick and Ruby Weaver Hamrick. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Apryl Hines Hamrick. Left to cherish his memory are his brothers JT Hamrick, Larry Hamrick, Fred Hamrick, and Tim Hamrick. Serviceswere held July 10 at Crowe's Mortuary. Online condolences may be made at www.crowemortuary.com.

Little Miss June Everly Pearson, age 5 of Spindale passed away Thursday, July 9, 2026. Little Miss June was born August 19, 2020, in Cleveland County and lived her entire life in Rutherford County. She attended with her family at both Southern Baptist Church and Crestview Baptist Church.June was also a student at Spindale Elementary School having completed Kindergarten this spring. She was a sweet and courageous little girl that brought so much joy and love into the lives of her family and others.

Top: Kiwanis Park in Rutherfordton is among the open public spaces that draws visitors to Rutherford County. (MyRutherfordton Photo) Bottom: Forest City's Pavilion on Park Square (POPS) is a popular venue for concerts and other events. (Forest City Events Local business people and tourism leaders are once again encouraged as more and more people are visiting the small towns of Rutherford County. Record-setting numbers of visitors were coming to Rutherford County through summer of 2024.

Claude Glen Bailey, age 82 of Forest City died Monday, July 6, 2026. Glen was born August 15, 1943, in Rutherford County and was a son of the late Farris and Ruth Harrill Bailey. He worked for Community Cash Grocery and later Harris-Teeter before starting his own business.Glen was the owner of Bailey Car Sales in Forest City. He was a member of Concord Baptist Church and a United States Army Veteran.Glen was a member of Forest City Masonic Lodge No. 381.

Michael Jaynes age 50 of Spindale, NC passed away July 3, 2026. Michael was the son of the late Howard and Mary Lou Rumfelt Jaynes. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings CJ Jaynes, and Joey Jaynes.

We are sad to announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter and friend, Trina Dawn Butler Cook, on Sunday, June 14, 2026. She was born in Cleveland County to Brenda Lawson and the late Robert Butler. Left behind to cherish her memory are her spouse of 24 years, Jimmy Cook; sons, Michael Sisk and wife, Jessica and Brandon Lawson, wife, Rachel; grandson, Xander Sisk; granddaughter, Daphne Lawson; mother, Brenda Lawson and husband, Thomas.

This poster tells it all -- an ever smiling Steven Camp wins a Bronze. (Contributed photo) When Steven Camp, 35, of Forest City returned home recently from the Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota, Minneapolis, he brought home his ever present smile along with a bronze medal, a silver medal and a fourth place ribbon for his bowling skills. He bowled individually and also on a team. "He was beyond excited," said his mother Thelma Twitty.

Billy Osborne "Bill" Howard passed away May 3, 2026 at the age of 96. Bill resided in Tarpon Springs, FL. Bill was born in Mooresville, NC in 1930 and moved to Spindale in 1935 with his parents, Ollie and Ray Howard and sister Doris Howard Cole (all deceased). Bill was a member of Spindale United Methodist Church. Bill graduated from R.S. Central High School. In 1950 he married his high school sweetheart, Ann Blanton. They remained married for 72 years until she passed in 2021.

Brenda Kay Martin McFarland, age 76 of Ellenboro died Friday, June 19, 2026. Brenda was born October 30, 1949, in Rutherford County and was the daughter of the late Hubert and Florence Lewis Martin. She worked for Street's Insurance Agency in the office where she retired. She was a graduate of East Rutherford High School and was a member of M&T Ministries. She recently had been attending Temple of Victory.

Melissa LeRoy of Forest City places a card at the memorial plaque. Each card has a message from a friend or family member. These will be kept along with all the items left at the wall. Nothing is thrown away. More than 760 Vietnam veterans, including 25 from North Carolina --three from Rutherford County -- were inducted into the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund's (VVMF) In Memory Program in 2026. VVMF believes all those who served in the Vietnam War should be honored and remembered for their service.