The community turned out for the 42nd annual Black History Festival on Saturday, Feb. 22. The event is hosted by the Burke County Branch NAACP.
Obituaries
Paolo Sacchetti
Paolo Sacchetti
Paolo Sacchetti, 84, of Morganton, formerly of Landisville, N.J., and Bologna, Italy, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025.
Born in Bologna, Italy, on Aug. 27, 1940, he was the son of the late Mario Sacchetti and Luisa Mazzanti Sacchetti. He was the youngest of seven children. He met and married the love of his life, Marina, in Italy.
Paolo graduated with a doctorate from the University of Bologna in Italy. He worked in the toy industry there until he moved to the United States with his wife, son, and Dora, his dog, in 1978 following the death of his parents.
The remainder of his career he served as the comptroller for Falasca Mechanical in Vineland, N.J., a position that he took great pride in. Upon retirement, he spent most of his time in Morganton, N.C., with his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. He was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.
In Paolo’s free time, he enjoyed shooting sporting clays, often winning awards despite only having the use of one arm. He also enjoyed target shooting, bird hunting, and his daily skype calls with his siblings and friends in Italy. Ironically, watching the three bird feeders outside his living room window was a large part of his daily routine.
He raised Italian Spinone bird dogs and was even featured in Gun Dog magazine. He was instrumental in importing this breed of dogs into the United States. He would say, however, that his biggest accomplishment was marrying his wife, Marina, and raising their son Mario. His pride and joy would always be his grandchildren, and he played an instrumental part in their lives. Following their academic successes as well as watching their soccer games and swim meets from the front row was his favorite thing to do.
Those left to cherish his memory include his son, Dr. Mario Sacchetti (Megan); grandson, Mario; granddaughters, Emma and Ellie; brothers, Angelo (Isabella) and Francesco (Rafaella); sisters, Vittoria and Anna; sister-in-law, Margaret; and numerous nieces, nephews, and close friends.
In addition to his parents, Paolo was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Marina Eleanor (Mattioli) Sacchetti; and two sisters, Agata and Francesca.
Services will be held at a later date.
Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Mrs. Frances Lynam Huffman, 95, passed away at home on Feb. 24, 2025. Frances was born Sept. 21, 1929, to Frances Margaret Draper Lynam and Michael Joseph Lynam in Asheville, but grew up in Robbinsville and Morganton.
Frances received her Bachelor’s in Chemistry from Women’s College (UNCG) and her Master’s of Library Science from the University of California at Berkley. She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society. She worked as a chemist for Eastman Kodak in Kingsport, Tenn., and as a Research Librarian for RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company in Winston-Salem.
After taking a career break to raise three children she returned to work at Piedmont Craftsmen and a local Attorney’s office and volunteered as a docent at Reynolda House. She was an active member of Rufty-Holmes Senior Center until the end. Frances loved travel, science, Hershey’s chocolates, cats, the outdoors, gardening, books, wine, trying new recipes, NPR radio, PBS television, murder mysteries, and being surrounded by family. Frances was preceded in death by her husband, John Caldwell Huffman; and her brother, Thomas Lynam.
Surviving are three children and their spouses, Eleanor Huffman and Manolis Zervakis of Mochlos, Crete, Greece, John Huffman and Celeste Chambers of Charlotte, and Morgan and Kimber Huffman of Salisbury; four grandchildren, Emily, Giorgos, Zara, and Sage; and many nieces and nephews. Frances will be remembered for her kindness, generosity to organizations that support human and animal welfare and the arts, and the sparkle that she brought to all she met.
The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Reynolda House. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.
Obituaries
Ella Summey
Ella Summey
Mrs. Ella Elizabeth “Lib” Branch Summey, 91, of Valdese, gained her Heavenly wings and went home to her Lord and Savior, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, at Conover Rehab & Nursing Center, following a period of declining health.
Lib was born on Oct. 8, 1933, in Burke County, to the late George Branch and Pauline Franklin Branch. She was a member of Morganton First Church of God, and was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and homemaker.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lowell Charles Summey Sr.; a daughter, Darlene Lewis; a brother, George Branch Jr.; and a sister, Maxine Hart.
Survivors include her son, Lowell Summey and wife, Lisa, of Morganton; and a daughter, Cheryl Stilley of Connelly Springs.
Also surviving are seven grandchildren: Shannon Griffiths and husband, Matt, Brooke Suttles and wife, Harley, Danielle Lewis, Weston Foy and wife, Kayla, Lauren Foy, Conetha Ramsey and husband, Jason, and Vance Stilley; 13 great-grandchildren: Henleigh Coffey, Alayna, Rosie and Iverson Foy, Grayson Ramsey, Kyler Ramsey, Zach Martin, Harper and Grant Griffiths, Waylon and Cadence Comer, Liam Suttles and Emmitt Comer; and lifelong friends, Rocky McLean, and Fred and Martha Cook.
A graveside service will be held on Monday, March 3, 2025, at 11 a.m., in the Drexel First Church of God Cemetery, with the Rev. Jon McDivitt and Falls Price officiating.
At other times the family will gather at the home of Lowell and Lisa Summey.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Morganton First Church of God, c/o the Young at Heart Class, 675 Summers Road, Morganton, N.C. 28655.
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