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Tina Anne Leopard
Nov 22, 2025
Sylva - Tina Anne Leopard, 53, passed away on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at Swain Community Hospital.
Tina was a native and lifelong resident of Jackson County and a daughter of John Leopard and the late Freda Mae Messer Leopard.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 28, 2025 in the Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Services with the...
Jacob Lee Sutton
Nov 20, 2025
Jacob Lee Sutton was born on August 6, 1983, to Ronnie Sutton and Linda Goldsmith in Sylva, NC.
He dedicated his life to the United States Air Force, beginning his service in October 2001 and working alongside his “fAMMOly.” After 22 years of dedicated service, he retired on October 31, 2022. Following his military career, Jake was proud to continue serving...
Candace LaRue Thayer Meyers
Oct 14, 2025
Candace LaRue Thayer Meyers went home to Jesus on October 14, 2025.
She died peacefully in her sleep at a hospice center in Asheville, NC. She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and LaRue Thayer, and her husband, Steven Meyers.
She is survived by her sister, Cheryl Tryon; her loving in-laws, Joan and James Wagner; and her beloved nieces and...
Don Allen Stephens
Nov 22, 2025
Don Allen Stephens, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully in Sylva, North Carolina on Nov 22, 2025 at the age of 81. Don was a man deeply rooted in the mountains he loved and lived a life marked by loyalty, curiosity, and unwavering devotion to his family.
Born in Sylva in 1944, Don graduated from Cullowhee...
Marjo Phillips
Nov 24, 2025
In Loving Memory
A Life Remembered and Cherished
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Marjo Phillips, who departed this life on November 24th , 2025, at the age of 79. Marjo was a cherished mother and grandmother, remembered for her kindness, generosity, and unwavering love for family and friends.
Born on October 10th, 1946, in West...
Steve Gary Hardin
Nov 22, 2025
Steve Gary Hardin, 76, of Sylva, was serenaded into the presence of Jesus on Saturday, November 22, 2025, surrounded by his loving family, friends, and dog Jetter.
He was born December 30, 1948, in Andrews, NC, to the late Gay and Lola Joe Hardin. In addition to his parents, Steve is preceded in death by two sisters, three brothers, grandparents, aunts,...
Scott Anthony Fisher
Nov 23, 2025
Scott Anthony Fisher, 56, of Sylva, went to be with the Lord after a courageous eight month battle with cancer.
He was a lifelong resident of Jackson County and was a son of the late Larry and Ella Mae Fisher. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Grover and AvaNell Fisher and Odell and Effie...
Gene Roger Reece
Nov 19, 2025
Gene Roger Reece, 85, of Balsam, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. He was born on December 14, 1939 in Balsam to the late Elbert and Bonnie Barnes Reece.
Gene was a faithful member of Balsam Baptist Church. He retired from Lea Industries Furniture Company.
In addition to his parents, Gene is...
Bubbie Hoxit
Nov 19, 2025
Bubbie Hoxit, 53, of the Little Canada Community, passed away on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at his home. He was born on November 19, 1972 to the late Leeward and Juanita Hoxit.
Bubbie enjoyed the outdoors and being Paw to his three grandchildren; Alithyia (Two Fingers), Ethan (Couge), and Hannah (Beercap).
Bubbie is survived is survived by his wife of thirty years,...
Barbara Curl Fulmer
Nov 7, 2025
Barbara (Jean) Curl Fulmer, age 86, went to be with the Lord Friday, November 7, 2025, peacefully in her home, in Cullowhee, NC. Barbara was born on July 17, 1939, at home, in Littleton, NC. She is the daughter of the late John William Curl and the late (Mable) Virginia Bobbitt Curl, of Littleton, NC. In addition to her parents,...
Grayson Eberly Walls
Oct 24, 2025
Our son, the brightest star.
Our beautiful son, Grayson Eberly Walls, passed away on October 24, 2025, at the age of 24.
Grayson filled our lives with love, laughter, sweetness, and entertainment. He spread a tremendous amount of love and kindness to everyone he met and to every animal he came across, saving many. Our greatest joy was the compassion he had...
Steven Clayton Staffelbach
Nov 15, 2025
Steven "Staff" Clayton Staffelbach, 64, passed away on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at his residence.
He was born on February 10, 1961 to Linda Clayton Staffelbach and the late Jackie H Staffelbach. Steven enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, playing corn hole, and watching college football. He loved spending time with his family and friends, especially his wife.
In addition to his mother, Steven...
Madelyn Franks Robinson
Nov 14, 2025
Madelyn Franks Robinson, 69 of Sylva, passed away Friday, November 14, 2025. She was born on December 6, 1955, in Jackson County to the late Clinton and Evelyn Young Franks. Madelyn enjoyed gardening, going to yard sales, reading, and spending time with family.
Madelyn is survived by her husband, Samuel Robinson; sons, Clint Steven Cosgrove, Nicky Cornette, Chris Rackley; 11 grandchildren;...
George Warner Brown
Nov 3, 2025
George “Warner” Brown, 85, of Franklin, passed away on Monday, November 3, 2025.
Born on September 3, 1940, in Tuckasegee, North Carolina, he was the son of the late George Griffin Brown and Olia York Brown.
Warner honorably served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He enjoyed watching westerns and NASCAR, drinking coffee, and spending time with...
Ellen Murphy Brown
Nov 8, 2025
Ellen Murphy Brown, 80, of Franklin, passed away on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
Born on April 19, 1945, she was the daughter of the late James Arthur Murphy and Anna Lee Frazier Murphy.
Ellen was a life-long homemaker who enjoyed gardening, getting lost in a good book and above all else her family.
She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia “Cindy” Brown; six...
George William Woodard
Nov 10, 2025
George William Woodard, 67, of the Pumpkintown community of Jackson County went HOME to be with Jesus on Monday November 10. A lifelong resident of Jackson County, and Member of Zion Hill Baptist Church. He was the son of the late Verley and Christine Burnette Woodard. In addition to his parents, George is proceeded in death by a brother Lewis...
Jeanne Henson Bumgarner
Nov 11, 2025
Jeanne Henson Bumgarner, age 88, passed away Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at her home on Fairview Road in Sylva, NC. Jeanne was born in Buncombe County on October 10, 1937. At the age of 2, she came to live with her adoptive parents Ila and Grady Henson, in the Fairview Community in Jackson County. Jeanne attended elementary school at the...
Paul Ray Bowers
Nov 11, 2025
Paul Ray Bowers, 68, of Sylva, passed away on Tuesday November 11, 2025. He was born on September 17, 1957 in Florida to the late Floyd and Reva Kinsland Bowers.
Paul enjoyed fishing, gardening, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
Paul is survived by his wife of 49 years, Michelle Bowers; daughters, Nicole Welch (June), Danielle McKenzie (Sani); grandchildren,...
John Brandon Carter
Nov 6, 2025
In Loving Memory of Brandon Carter
Mr. John Brandon Carter was called home to be with the Lord on November 6th, 2025, in Waynesville, North Carolina, at the age of 34.
Brandon is survived by his parents, his mother, Judy Aiken, of Waynesville, and his father, Ronnie Carter, of Sylva. He is also survived by his little sister Madison Brooks and by...
Dean Alan Kool
Nov 9, 2025
Dean Alan Kool, 93 died November 9, 2025. He was the only child of Abram and Mabel Fudge Kool of Monroe, Iowa where he graduated Salutatorian from high school in 1950 receiving awards in music, football, basketball, and track. Notably, as a teenager, he played marimba in performances throughout the region and actually inspired the Evangelist Billy Graham--who saw him...
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