Obituaries
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Denton Eugene Mathis
Jun 15, 2026
Denton Eugene Mathis of Griffin, Georgia, formerly of Sylva passed away on June 15, 2026. Denton was born in Jackson County on January 25, 1969. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and a brother. Denton was 57. He worked in construction most of his life. He loved the outdoors. Hunting and fishing were two of his...
Linda Lou McMahan Phillips
Jun 24, 2026
Linda Lou McMahan Phillips, 81, of Sylva, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.
Born on July 30, 1944, in Sylva, North Carolina, Linda was the daughter of the late James Adam McMahan and Leona Cabe McMahan. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Clyde...
Ronald Oteloh Dennis
Jun 23, 2026
Ronald Oteloh Dennis, 91 of Sylva, North Carolina passed away on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Linda Hollifield Dennis, son Stephen Ronald Dennis(Beth), daughters Debra Spinks(Steven), Donna Lundien(Edward) and Dawn Christensen(Dan) grandchildren Bradley Lundien(April) and Chelsea Dennis Prindiville(Mickey) Also sister Annette Krasky of Columbia, South Carolina, Charlton Dennis of Turbeville, South Carolina and...
Robert (Kip) Wilke III
Jun 21, 2026
Robert (Kip) Wilke III peacefully passed away on Sunday, June 21, 2026 at his home in Balsam surrounded by family and friends.Kip was born in Marlborough, Connecticut on June 26, 1944. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Jane Wilke; brother, Steven Wilke; and children, Davetta Brooks and Donald Malamphy.Kip was a helicopter mechanic in the U.S....
Kent (Coach) Briggs
Jun 19, 2026
With strong roots and deep love for Western North Carolina communities coach leaves behind a legacy in resilience, strength, kindness and loyalty.
Even up to his final days, Kent lived by Rocky’s quote… “it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward.”
Coach...
Ada "Sue" Cogdill Caldwell
Jun 6, 2026
Ada “Sue” Cogdill Caldwell, 89, of Sylva, was welcomed into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, 6 June 2026. Sue was born in Sylva, NC on 22 January 1937 to the late John Willie Cogdill and Ada Adams Cogdill.
Sue was preceded in death by her loving husband of 56 years, Reverend Jack Wayne Caldwell, Sr....
Betty Jacobi Becker
Jun 16, 2026
Betty’s children and friends often jokingly called her the Energizer Bunny because she was always on the go or working on something. She lived a very full and active 94 years before passing on June 16, 2026, in Sylva, NC.
Born on May 12, 1932, Betty was the daughter of Joseph and Eileen (Woodin) Jacobi. She grew up in St. Louis,...
James "Max" Blanton
Jun 9, 2026
James "Max" Blanton, 95, of Sylva, North Carolina, passed away on June 9, 2026, after a courageous journey with Alzheimer's dementia. Born on March 18, 1931, in Sylva, to James Roy Blanton and Cora Parris Blanton, Max lived a full and vibrant life rooted in the mountains of Jackson County, surrounded by the people and places he loved most.
Max was...
JoAnn Buchanan Garner
Jun 7, 2026
JoAnn Buchanan Garner, 85 of Greens Creek Community passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2026. She was born in Jackson County on February 15, 1941 to the late Edd Buchanan and Clearsie McMahan Buchanan.
JoAnn enjoyed reading, cooking, working in her flowers and arranging events for the Greens Creek Baptist Church. Jo Ann loved her family, especially her grandchildren, who she...
Sally Mae Campbell
Jun 5, 2026
Sally Campbell, age 108, a Jackson County high school English and Journalism teacher for 34 years died at her home on Friday, June 5th. A native and lifelong resident of Sylva, she was the daughter of the late Sam and Ida Monteith and the wife of Claude E. Campbell, who died in 1984.
Sally attended Sylva Collegiate Institute and Sylva High...
Thomas "Tommy" Wiley Nicholson Jr.
Jun 3, 2026
Thomas(Tommy) Wiley Nicholson, Jr. of Buchanan Loop Road in Webster passed away on June 3rd, 2026 at the age of 96. He was the son of Thomas Wiley Nicholson and Velma Henderson Nicholson. Tommy was born in Webster on April 22nd, 1930 and grew up in the house his family bought in the early 1900’s from Captain James Terrell- a...
Ann Higdon
Jun 5, 2026
Ann Stuart Muhlheizler Higdon, age 86, passed away peacefully on June 5th surrounded by the love of her family. Born on May 19, 1940, in Somerset, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late John and Martha Muhlheizler.
As a young girl, Ann moved with her family from Pennsylvania to Western North Carolina when her father came to work on the...
Gladys Luker
Jun 2, 2026
Gladys Luker, 69 of Tuckasegee, passed away Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026. She was born in Jackson County, NC on March 26, 1957 to the late Jesse and Florence Hoxit. Gladys enjoyed fishing, cooking, canning, and most of all spending time with her family.
Gladys is survived by her husband of 53 years, Daniel Luker; daughters, Denise Luker, Deana Ashe (Chris), and...
LV Mathis
May 29, 2026
It is with deep respect and heartfelt sorrow that we announce the passing of LV Mathis, who departed this life peacefully on May 29, 2026, at his home in Tuckasegee, North Carolina. Born on May 24, 1936, in Jackson County, LV lived a life marked by unwavering faith, devotion to family, and a love for the outdoors.
Throughout his 90 years,...
Allen Mathis
May 30, 2026
Allen Mathis, 65 of the Caney Fork Community, passed away Saturday, May 30, 2026. He was born in Jackson County, NC on December 18, 1960. Allen enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and most of all spending time with his family.
Allen is survived by his wife of 40 years, Patty Mathis; sons, Josh Mathis (Nicole), Jake Mathis (Rachel); grandchildren, Colton and Gracelyn....
Mary Annette Hornsby
May 26, 2026
Mary Annette Hornsby, 78, of Sylva, passed away on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. She was born on September 14, 1947, in Greensboro, North Carolina, to the late George Denny and Evelyn (née Murray) Denny.
Annette was a retired educator who taught at both the elementary and college levels. She enjoyed reading, sewing, and spending time at the beach and in the...
Mildred Joyce Pangle
May 18, 2026
Mildred Joyce Pangle passed peacefully on May 18, 2026. Mildred was a lifetime resident of Jackson County, born on April 8, 1940 to the late Oscar and Bessie Woodard.
In addition to her parents, Mildred is preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Shirley Youngbird; her sisters, Margie Rhinehart Bradley, Evelyn Wilson, Myra Wilson, Annie Louise Woodard, Earlene Shook; brothers, Oscar Woodard,...
Melanie Ann Brown
Apr 23, 2026
Melanie sadly passed away on April 23, 2026 at the age of 66. She was born in Columbus Ohio on October 5, 1959. Melanie was the loving daughter of Margaret and Timothy Blake.
Melanie will be deeply missed by her children, Joshua Russell Hicks, Courtney Margaret Lipps, Zachary Paul Brown and her daughter-in-law Bronwyn Brown. She will also be missed by...
Charles Curtis Fisher
May 18, 2026
Charles Fisher, age 85, passed away peacefully at home in Sylva, North Carolina on May 18, 2026. He was a member of Scotts Creek Baptist Church. He was the son of the late Roy and Leona Fisher. He was preceded in death by his brothers Jimmy, Buddy, and Carroll Fisher.
He is survived by his wife, Nell Ensley Fisher, daughter, Suzanne...
Carroll Lee Setzer
May 17, 2026
Carroll “Lee” Setzer, 77, went home to be with his Lord and Saviour on May 17, 2026, at his residence in Johnson City, TN.
Lee was born on April 28 ,1949 in Sylva, NC, to the late Willard “Rufus” Setzer and Zenia Mae (Carroll) Setzer, and later made his home with his loving wife, Rhonda Hendrix Trivette Setzer, in Johnson City,...
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