Obituaries
Search Obituaries
Billy Ray Jones
Jun 12, 2025
Billy Ray Jones, 89, of Sylva, North Carolina was called home on June 12th, 2025. Born in Sylva, North Carolina, on March 30th, 1936, he was the son of the late Maudie Wykle and Aude Jones. He was the third oldest of nine brothers.
Billy Ray enjoyed bowling, fishing, drag racing, hunting ginseng, and spending time with his family and friends....
Sheila Walker Shields
Jun 10, 2025
Sheila Shields passed away unexpectedly on June 10th. Sheila was at her home in Cullowhee when she simply lost consciousness and never woke up.
Sheila graduated from Western Carolina University in 1980 with a BS in Psychology and worked as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for many years then began a house cleaning service where she was known for her thoroughness and...
Shirley Ann Bauknecht
May 12, 2025
Shirley Ann Bauknecht, 87, passed away peacefully in her Cullowhee home on May 12, 2025. She was born on June 5, 1937, in Philadelphia, PA to the late John and Pearl (Boston) Wright. Shirley was married 56 years to Frederick G. Bauknecht until his passing in 2013. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Virginia Hause.
Shirley raised two...
William Monroe Lindsey
Jun 9, 2025
William Monroe Lindsey, Sr., 86, passed away Monday, June 9, 2025. He was born November 24, 1938 in Wilson County. William retired from the NCDOT after 30 years of Service. He loved spending time with his family, traveling to the mountains, fishing and “old cars”. William was a loving husband, brother, father, grandfather “Pa”. He was a member of Barnes...
Peggy Ann Rhymer
Jun 7, 2025
Peggy Ann Rhymer (Carroll, 69, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 7, 2025 after a long battle with cancer.
Born on April 20, 1956 in Yancey County, she settled in McDowell County where she raised her family. She was a caregiver for her mother whom she cherished, Mrs. Alma Ruth Carroll Yule, who preceded her in death. She worked for many...
Lillie Marie Cabe
Jun 4, 2025
Lillie Marie Cabe, 95, of the Greens Creek Community went home to be with the Lord on June 4, 2025. She was the daughter of the late Dewey and Gracie Green.
She loved her family and enjoyed being around friends and family. Before her health declined, she loved working in her garden, flower garden, canning and cooking. She worked for several...
Melba Jean Richards
Jun 5, 2025
Melba Jean Richards, 92, of Cullowhee, went home to be with the Lord on June 5, 2025.
Born in Nashville, Tennessee on February 19, 1933, she later attended Ward-Belmont Preparatory School.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Jennie Porter Hunter and Charles Richard Marshall; her stepfather, Tull Edward Akin; and her daughter, Pamela Dianne Richards.
Melba was a gifted watercolorist and...
Lloyd Ray Green
Jun 4, 2025
Lloyd Ray Green, 71, of Sylva, passed away Wednesday, June 4,2025. He was born in Gaston County, NC, and moved to Sylva at the age of 3. He was the son of Henry Floyd Green and Eva Mae Alexander Green.
Lloyd retired from the North Carolina Forest Service as a County Ranger here in Jackson County. H was also a member...
Daryl Denver Rice
Jun 4, 2025
Daryl Denver Rice 33, of Cashiers North Carolina passed away suddenly on June 4, 2025.
Daryl was born on August 19, 1991in Sylva NC to Mitchell and Susan Rice lived a wonderful life. He loved his nieces and nephews more than words! He enjoyed rock hunting, fishing, deer hunting and exploring the outdoors. He was a graduate of Blue Ridge High.
He...
Ronnie Maurice Stewart
Jun 3, 2025
Ronald, (Ron) better known as Ronnie Maurice Stewart, 69, of Asheville, North Carolina passed away at Emerald Ridge Rehabilitation and Care Center after an extended illness.
Originally a resident of Robbinsville North Carolina, Ronnie spent a lot of time traveling and moving around in his college days and in later years. He spent several years in Florida, North Carolina and before...
Patsy Jo Ward Karkosky
Jun 4, 2025
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Patsy Jo Ward Karkosky, lovingly known as Pat, on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, surrounded with love at her family's home in Greer, South Carolina. Born and raised in Sylva, Pat was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, admired for her unwavering strength, grace, and the warmth she...
Jolene Greene Buchanan
Jun 3, 2025
Sylva, NC – Jolene Buchanan, a cherished member of the Sylva community, passed away peacefully on June 3, 2025, at the age of 84. Born on April 5, 1941, Jolene lived a life full of love, dedication, and community spirit.
Jolene is survived by her loving children, Randy Buchanan (Tera) of Arden, NC, and John Buchanan (Brenda) of Crawfordville, FL. She...
David Lee Matheson
May 30, 2025
In the quiet hours of May 30, 2025, David Lee Matheson, age 83, passed away in Sylva, North Carolina, concluding a decade-long battle with dementia — a journey his family remembers as a “long goodbye.” Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Elaine Matheson, and his brother, Richard. He is survived by his wife, Christina Buchanan Matheson;...
Beverly Harris Cochran
May 31, 2025
Beverly Harris Cochran, age 61, passed away peacefully on May 31, 2025 at Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina. Born on July 12, 1963 in Longview, Washington, she was the daughter of the late Luther and Edith Harris.
Beverly is survived by her husband of 35 years, Lynn Cochran along with their daughter Venora Cochran (Chris). She additionally is survived by...
Cindy Ledford Justice
May 30, 2025
Cindy Ledford Justice, lovingly known as "Cinny", passed away peacefully on Friday, May 30th, 2025, at her home in Sylva, NC. She was born in Washington DC on September 2, 1956, to the late Donald and Mamie Dean Ledford.
Cindy was known for her deep love of animals, her fondness for movies, and most importantly, her dedication to spending quality time...
Joyce Brown Shuler
May 30, 2025
Joyce Brown Shuler, 72 of Sylva, passed away Friday, May 30, 2025. She was born on July 5, 1952, to the late Melvin and Esther Sullivan Brown. Joyce enjoyed flowers, bird watching, and spending time with her family.
Joyce is survived by her husband of 39 years, Ronnie Shuler; daughters, Regina Cope (Tony), Ronda Moore; son, Josh Brown; step daughters, Misty...
DeeAnn Brooks
May 26, 2025
DeeAnn Franklin Brooks, a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2025 at the age of 69.
Born in Sylva, NC on May 2, 1956, she was a lifelong resident of Jackson County and a 1974 graduate of Sylva-Webster High School. She retired after serving in many different support staff roles within the Jackson County Public School...
Winona Cotter Eye
May 21, 2025
Winona Cotter Eye, 95, passed away peacefully at her home on May 21, 2025, after an 8-year journey with dementia. A proud descendent of the Rogers family of Cullowhee, Winnie was a 1950 graduate of Western Carolina Teachers College (now WCU), a dedicated army wife, and loving mother to six children and seven grandchildren.
Funeral services for Winnie will be held...
Floyd Lee Ruff
May 25, 2025
Floyd (Lloyd) Lee Ruff, 92, of Whittier, NC, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 25th at Mission Hospital after a short illness. Floyd, or Papaw Ruffie, as he was most recently known, was born on November 1,1933 in Whittier, NC. He is preceded in death by his mother, Julia Ann Watson Ruff, brothers, Jim Ruff, George Ruff, Frances Ruff, Mary...
Michael "Mike" Broom
May 20, 2025
Michael "Mike" Broom May 20, 2025
Mike Broom, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend passed away on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in hospice care at CarePartners Asheville.
Born on September 15, 1950, to Frank and Beulah Broom, Mike was the devoted husband of Anita Blanton Broom, with whom he shared 34 wonderful years of marriage since 1990.
A skilled craftsman by trade, Mike...
Subscribe
Get alerts when new obituaries are posted
