Stearns (Polk County, NC)

Notable Births & Deaths for Stearns ...

Below is our list of notable people who were born, died or were buried in the area surrounding Stearns. 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
- 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 29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest of Stearns (which is located in Polk County).
- At the time of his death, he was 65.
- The body was cremated.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Harry Anderson<1>
Pinkne 'Pink' Anderson (Musician)
- He was born in Laurens (SC) on February 12, 1900 (a Monday) and died in Spartanburg (SC) on October 12, 1974 (a Saturday).
- Laurens is located in Laurens County, South Carolina.
- Spartanburg is located in Spartanburg County and is 27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast of Stearns (which is located in Polk County).
- At the time of his death, he was 74.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Pinkne 'Pink' Anderson<1>
Paul Michael 'Oz' Bach (Musician, arranger)
- He was born in Paw Paw (WV) on June 24, 1939 (a Saturday) and died in Asheville (NC) on September 21, 1998 (a Monday).
- Paw Paw is located in Morgan County, West Virginia.
- Asheville is located in Buncombe County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest of Stearns (which is located in Polk County).
- At the time of his death, he was 59.
- He is buried at Blue Ridge Gardens of Memory Cemetery, located 26 miles [41.8 km] to the west of Stearns. The cemetery is located in Transylvania County, North Carolina.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Paul Michael 'Oz' Bach<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Blue Ridge Gardens of Memory Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Blue Ridge Gardens of Memory Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Stearns to Blue Ridge Gardens of Memory Cemetery
Edward Jones Borom (Major League Baseball)
- He was born in Spartanburg (SC) on October 30, 1914 (a Friday) and died in Dallas (TX) on January 7, 2011 (a Friday).
- Spartanburg is located in Spartanburg County and is 27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast of Stearns (which is located in Polk County).
- Dallas is located in Dallas County, Texas.
- At the time of his death, he was 96.
- He is buried at Laurel Land Memorial Park, which is located in Dallas County, Texas.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Edward Jones Borom<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Laurel Land Memorial Park
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Laurel Land Memorial Park (TX) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Stearns to Laurel Land Memorial Park
Forrest Harrill 'Smoky' Burgess (Major League Baseball)
- 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 23 miles [37 km] to the east of Stearns (which is located in Polk County).
- Rutherfordton is located in Rutherford County and is 16 miles [25.7 km] to the northeast of Stearns (which is located in Polk County).
- At the time of his death, he was 64.
- He is buried at Sunset Memorial Park, located 17 miles [27.4 km] to the east of Stearns. The cemetery is located in Rutherford County, North Carolina.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Forrest Harrill 'Smoky' Burgess<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Sunset Memorial Park
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Sunset Memorial Park (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Stearns to Sunset Memorial Park
Tommy Caldwell (Musician)
- Full name: Thomas Michael Caldwell
- He was born in Spartanburg (SC) on November 9, 1949 (a Wednesday) and died in Spartanburg (SC) on April 28, 1980 (a Monday).
- Spartanburg is located in Spartanburg County and is 27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast of Stearns (which is located in Polk County).
- Spartanburg is located in Spartanburg County and is 27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast of Stearns (which is located in Polk County).
- At the time of his death, he was 30.
- He is buried at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, located 28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast of Stearns. The cemetery is located in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Tommy Caldwell<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Greenlawn Memorial Gardens
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Greenlawn Memorial Gardens (SC) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Stearns to Greenlawn Memorial Gardens
Toy Caldwell (Musician, songwriter)
- Full name: Toy Talmadge Caldwell, Jr.
- He was born in Spartanburg (SC) on November 13, 1947 (a Thursday) and died in Moore (SC) on February 25, 1993 (a Thursday).
- Spartanburg is located in Spartanburg County and is 27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast of Stearns (which is located in Polk County).
- Moore is located in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.
- At the time of his death, he was 45.
- He is buried at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, located 28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast of Stearns. The cemetery is located in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Toy Caldwell<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Greenlawn Memorial Gardens
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Greenlawn Memorial Gardens (SC) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Stearns to Greenlawn Memorial Gardens
Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald (Author, artist)
- She was born in Montgomery (AL) on July 24, 1900 (a Tuesday) and died in Asheville (NC) on March 10, 1948 (a Wednesday).
- Montgomery is located in Montgomery County, Alabama.
- Asheville is located in Buncombe County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest of Stearns (which is located in Polk County).
- At the time of her death, she was 47.
- She is buried at St. Mary's Cemetery, which is located in Montgomery County, Maryland.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for St. Mary's Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to St. Mary's Cemetery (MD) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Stearns to St. Mary's Cemetery
Roberta Flack (Singer, pianist)
- Born: Rubina Flake
- 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 24 miles [38.6 km] to the north of Stearns (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.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Roberta Flack<1>
Art Fowler (Professional baseball)
- He was born in Converse (SC) on July 3, 1922 (a Monday) and died in Spartanburg (SC) on January 29, 2007 (a Monday).
- Converse is located in Spartanburg County and is 28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast of Stearns (which is located in Polk County).
- Spartanburg is located in Spartanburg County and is 27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast of Stearns (which is located in Polk County).
- At the time of his death, he was 84.
- He is buried at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, located 28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast of Stearns. The cemetery is located in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Art Fowler<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Greenlawn Memorial Gardens
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Greenlawn Memorial Gardens (SC) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Stearns to Greenlawn Memorial Gardens
George Guy Gray (Actor)
- He was born in Oakland (CA) on October 30, 1893 (a Monday) and died in Asheville (NC) on September 8, 1967 (a Friday).
- Oakland is located in Alameda County, California.
- Asheville is located in Buncombe County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest of Stearns (which is located in Polk County).
- At the time of his death, he was 73.
- He is buried at Oakwood Memorial Park, which is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for George Guy Gray<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Oakwood Memorial Park
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Oakwood Memorial Park (CA) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Stearns to Oakwood Memorial Park
Dorothy Hart (Actress)
- 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 29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest of Stearns (which is located in Polk County).
- At the time of her death, she was 82.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Dorothy Hart<1>
Walter Hyatt (Singer, songwriter)
- He was born in Spartanburg (SC) on October 25, 1949 (a Tuesday) and died somewhere in Miami-Dade County (SC) on May 11, 1996 (a Saturday).
- Spartanburg is located in Spartanburg County and is 27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast of Stearns (which is located in Polk County).
- At the time of his death, he was 46.
- He is buried at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, located 28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast of Stearns. The cemetery is located in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Walter Hyatt<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Greenlawn Memorial Gardens
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Greenlawn Memorial Gardens (SC) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Stearns to Greenlawn Memorial Gardens
Eddie Jackson (Singer)
- He was born in Forest City (NC) on September 4, 1946 (a Wednesday) and died in Philadelphia (PA) on May 3, 2010 (a Monday).
- Forest City is located in Rutherford County and is 20 miles [32.2 km] to the east of Stearns (which is located in Polk County).
- Philadelphia is located in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.
- At the time of his death, he was 63.
- He is buried at Mt. Peace Cemetery, which is located in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Eddie Jackson<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Mt. Peace Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Mt. Peace Cemetery (PA) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Stearns to Mt. Peace Cemetery
Randy Johnson (Professional football)
- Full name: Randolph Klaus Johnson
- He was born in San Antonio (TX) on June 17, 1944 (a Saturday) and died in Brevard (NC) on September 17, 2009 (a Thursday).
- San Antonio is located in Bexar County, Texas.
- Brevard is located in Transylvania County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the west of Stearns (which is located in Polk County).
- At the time of his death, he was 65.
- He is buried at Hillside Cemetery, which is located in DeWitt County, Texas.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Randy Johnson<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Hillside Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Hillside Cemetery (TX) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Stearns to Hillside Cemetery
Jackie 'Moms' Mabley (Comedian)
- Born: Loretta Mary Aiken
- She was born in Brevard (NC) on March 19, 1899 (a Sunday) and died in White Plains (NY) on May 23, 1975 (a Friday).
- Brevard is located in Transylvania County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the west of Stearns (which is located in Polk County).
- White Plains is located in Westchester County, New York.
- At the time of her death, she was 76.
- She is buried at Ferncliff Cemetery, which is located in Westchester County, New York.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Jackie 'Moms' Mabley<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Ferncliff Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Ferncliff Cemetery (NY) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Stearns to Ferncliff Cemetery
George Mathews (Actor)
- Full name: George Joseph Mathews
- He was born in New York (NY) on October 10, 1911 (a Tuesday) and died in Caesars Head (SC) on November 7, 1984 (a Wednesday).
- New York is located in Kings County, New York.
- Caesars Head is located in Greenville County and is 25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest of Stearns (which is located in Polk County).
- At the time of his death, he was 73.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for George Mathews<1>
Rex Lloyd Nelon (Singer)
- He was born in Asheville (NC) on January 19, 1932 (a Tuesday) and died in London (England) on January 23, 2000 (a Sunday).
- Asheville is located in Buncombe County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest of Stearns (which is located in Polk County).
- At the time of his death, he was 68.
- He is buried at Georgia Memorial Park, which is located in Cobb County, Georgia.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Rex Lloyd Nelon<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Georgia Memorial Park
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Georgia Memorial Park (GA) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Stearns to Georgia Memorial Park
Frances Nero (Singer)
- Born: Willie Frances Peak
- She was born in Asheville (NC) on March 13, 1943 (a Saturday) and died in Detroit (MI) on November 29, 2014 (a Saturday).
- Asheville is located in Buncombe County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest of Stearns (which is located in Polk County).
- Detroit is located in Wayne County, Michigan.
- At the time of her death, she was 71.
- She is buried at Acacia Park Cemetery, which is located in Oakland County, Michigan.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Frances Nero<1>
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Acacia Park Cemetery (MI) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Stearns to Acacia Park Cemetery
James R. Packard (Professional auto racing)
- He was born in Spartanburg (SC) on September 23, 1931 (a Wednesday) and died in Fairfield (IL) on October 1, 1960 (a Saturday).
- Spartanburg is located in Spartanburg County and is 27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast of Stearns (which is located in Polk County).
- Fairfield is located in Wayne County, Illinois.
- At the time of his death, he was 29.
- He is buried at Floral Park Cemetery, which is located in Marion County, Indiana.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for James R. Packard<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Floral Park Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Floral Park Cemetery (IN) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Stearns to Floral Park Cemetery
David Gene Pearson (Race car driver)
- He was born in Whitney (SC) on December 22, 1934 (a Saturday) and died in Spartanburg (SC) on November 12, 2018 (a Monday).
- Whitney is located in Spartanburg County and is 25 miles [40.2 km] to the southeast of Stearns (which is located in Polk County).
- Spartanburg is located in Spartanburg County and is 27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast of Stearns (which is located in Polk County).
- At the time of his death, he was 83.
- He is buried at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, located 28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast of Stearns. The cemetery is located in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for David Gene Pearson<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Greenlawn Memorial Gardens
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Greenlawn Memorial Gardens (SC) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Stearns to Greenlawn Memorial Gardens

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.