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Notable Births & Deaths for Poplar Grove ...

Below is our list of notable people who were born, died or were buried in the area surrounding Poplar Grove. Please note that while we are collecting data on an ongoing basis, it's a big task and it's unlikely that our list will ever be more than a sample.

  • Harry Anderson     (Actor, comedian, magician)
    • Full name: Harry Laverne Anderson
    • Find-A-Grave Memorial for Harry Anderson<1>
    • He was born in Newport (RI) on October 14, 1952 (a Tuesday) and died in Asheville (NC) on April 16, 2018 (a Monday).
    • Newport is located in Newport County, Rhode Island.
    • Asheville is located in Buncombe County and is 27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest of Poplar Grove (which is located in Polk County).
    • At the time of his death, he was 65.
    • The body was cremated.
  • Paul Michael 'Oz' Bach     (Musician, arranger)
  • Forrest Harrill 'Smoky' Burgess     (Major League Baseball)
    • Find-A-Grave Memorial for Forrest Harrill 'Smoky' Burgess<1>
    • He was born in Caroleen (NC) on February 6, 1927 (a Sunday) and died in Rutherfordton (NC) on September 15, 1991 (a Sunday).
    • Caroleen is located in Rutherford County and is 20 miles [32.2 km] to the east of Poplar Grove (which is located in Polk County).
    • Rutherfordton is located in Rutherford County and is 9 miles [14.5 km] to the east of Poplar Grove (which is located in Polk County).
    • At the time of his death, he was 64.
    • He is buried at Sunset Memorial Park, located 13 miles [20.9 km] to the east southeast of Poplar Grove. The cemetery is located in Rutherford County, North Carolina.
    • The Find-A-Grave entry for Sunset Memorial Park<1>
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Sunset Memorial Park (Patience, this may take a moment).
    • From Poplar Grove to Sunset Memorial Park
  • Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald     (Author, artist)
  • Roberta Flack     (Singer, pianist)
    • Born: Rubina Flake
    • Find-A-Grave Memorial for Roberta Flack<1>
    • She was born in Black Mountain (NC) on February 10, 1937 (a Wednesday) and died in New York (NY) on February 24, 2025 (a Monday).
    • Black Mountain is located in Buncombe County and is 19 miles [30.6 km] to the northwest of Poplar Grove (which is located in Polk County).
    • New York is located in Kings County, New York.
    • At the time of her death, she was 88.
    • We don't have any burial details.
  • George Guy Gray     (Actor)
  • Dorothy Hart     (Actress)
    • Find-A-Grave Memorial for Dorothy Hart<1>
    • She was born in Cleveland (OH) on April 4, 1922 (a Tuesday) and died in Asheville (NC) on July 11, 2004 (a Sunday).
    • Cleveland is located in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
    • Asheville is located in Buncombe County and is 27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest of Poplar Grove (which is located in Polk County).
    • At the time of her death, she was 82.
  • Eddie Jackson     (Singer)
  • Rex Lloyd Nelon     (Singer)
  • Earl Scruggs     (Musician)
  • Nina Simone     (Singer, songwriter, musician, activist)
    • Born: Eunice Kathleen Simone
    • Find-A-Grave Memorial for Nina Simone<1>
    • She was born in Tryon (NC) on February 21, 1933 (a Tuesday) and died in Carry-le-Rouet (France) on April 21, 2003 (a Monday).
    • Tryon is located 13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest of Poplar Grove. Both communities are located in Polk County.
    • At the time of her death, she was 70.
    • The body was cremated.
  • Patrick Sky     (Singer, songwriter, musician, producer)
    • Born: Patrick Linch
    • He was born in College Park (GA) on October 2, 1940 (a Wednesday) and died in Asheville (NC) on May 26, 2021 (a Wednesday).
    • College Park is located in Fulton County, Georgia.
    • Asheville is located in Buncombe County and is 27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest of Poplar Grove (which is located in Polk County).
    • At the time of his death, he was 80.
    • We don't have any burial details.
  • Robert 'Buffalo Bob' Smith     (Actor, TV Host)
    • Born: Robert Emil Schmidt
    • Find-A-Grave Memorial for Robert 'Buffalo Bob' Smith<1>
    • He was born in Buffalo (NY) on November 27, 1917 (a Tuesday) and died in Hendersonville (NC) on July 30, 1998 (a Thursday).
    • Buffalo is located in Erie County, New York.
    • Hendersonville is located in Henderson County and is 19 miles [30.6 km] to the west of Poplar Grove (which is located in Polk County).
    • At the time of his death, he was 80.
    • The body was cremated.

Footnotes ...

<1>The Find-a-Grave website is an excellent research tool with information about a cemetery's location and interments. They also offer a forum for their members which can provide additional help. More information about Find-a-Grave can be found on their website: findagrave.com.