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John Vinton Dyer
Oct 17, 2025
John Vinton Dyer, 50, of Bryson City, passed away Friday, October 17, 2025. He was born in Swain County on October 27, 1974, to Kenneth Dyer and Judy Conley.
John was artistic, loved antiques and collecting. He loved spending time with his three daughters and grandson.
John is survived by his parents, Kenneth Dyer (Joyce) and Judy Conley (Bobby); daughters, Bethany Bryson...
Michael William Rhinehart
Oct 14, 2025
Michael William Rhinehart was born on December 14, 1971, He passed away on October 14, 2025, surrounded by his family. Michael was the son of Joseph Bill and Rosemary Rhinehart. He had one brother, Joseph Alan Rhinehart (Jennifer). Michael has two children, Angel, ( Allen Love) and Brandon, (Melanie). Three grandchildren-Mason and Justin Love, and Amelia Rhinehart. Michael was loved...
Betty Ann Dean
Oct 10, 2025
Sylva - Betty Ann McMahan Dean, 62, passed away on Friday, October 10, 2025, at her residence.
Betty was a native and lifelong resident of Jackson County and a daughter of the late Merckie Brooks McMahan. In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by her husband, Keith Daniel Dean, whom she was married to for 34 years.
She is...
June Phillips Cabe
Oct 10, 2025
It is with great sadness that we announce our beloved mother, June P. Cabe, 87, of the Savannah community, passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on October 10, 2025.
She was a native and lifelong resident of Jackson County, born at home and raised in Cullowhee at the head of the Caney Fork community, known as Beech Flats. She was...
Sharon Haggard Myers
Oct 6, 2025
Sharon Haggard Myers
August 3, 1947 – October 6, 2025
Sharon Haggard Myers passed away on October 6, 2025, at the age of 78. Born in Miami, Florida, she spent over 60 years residing in Sylva, North Carolina.
Professionally, Sharon worked as a real estate agent, property manager and paralegal, contributing to all fields with consistency and dedication. She was preceded in death...
Raymond Lee Farmer
Oct 1, 2025
Raymond Lee Farmer 66 of Sylva went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday October 1, 2025. Raymond was born on September 26, 1959 to the late James W. Farmer and Mary H. Farmer.
Raymond is survived by the love of his life, Jenny Bean. Also surviving are two sons, Ray (Michelle) Farmer of Whittier, and Jeff Bean of Sylva;...
Marvetta Parker Gentry
Oct 5, 2025
Marvetta Parker Gentry, 81, of Tuckasegee, North Carolina went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 5, 2025 after an extended illness. The daughter of the late Charlie Parker and Charlotte Rigdon, Marvetta enjoyed her time living in the Tuckasegee Community of Jackson County.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Tom McCall,...
Harold Dean Smith
Oct 4, 2025
Harold Dean Smith, 95, of Cullowhee, passed away Saturday, October 4, 2025. He was the son of John Wood Smith and Juanita Wilson Smith. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Shirley Bryson and two sisters, Ola Belle York and Shirley Ann Daniel.
He is survived by his three children; Janice (Fred)...
Virginia Hampton Jackson
Oct 1, 2025
Virginia “Tootie” Jackson was born on October 23, 1949, in Sylva North Carolina. She passed away peacefully on October 1, 2025, in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. She was a dedicated 25- year employee of Contel until her retirement in 1999.
She was preceded in death by her father Andrew Hampton; mother Thelma Hampton Bennett; brothers, Johnny Hampson and Jimmy Hampton.
Tootie leaves...
John Henry Druffel III
Sep 26, 2025
John Henry Druffel, III, (84) of Franklin was called home to be with his Heavenly Father on Friday, September 26, 2025.
John was preceded in death by both of his parents, John H. Druffel, Jr and Elaine Pund Druffel; his second wife, Dianne (Foster) Druffel; and his brother, Frank X. Druffel.
John is survived by his wife, Lorraine R. Druffel (Ros), along...
Jacqueline Burgin Painter
Sep 25, 2025
Jacqueline (Jackie) Burgin Painter, age 90, of Sylva, passed away peacefully at her home on September 25, 2025, surrounded by her family.
Born in Hot Springs, North Carolina, Jackie was a longtime resident of Sylva. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Burke Painter. She is survived by her sister, Linda Burgin; her children, Debby Painter Cowan (Kim), Randall...
Kenneth Gentry Gunter
Sep 23, 2025
Whittier – Kenneth Gentry Gunter, 83, passed away on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at Tsali Care Center.
A native of Jackson County, he was a son of the late Gentry and Esther Bryson Gunter. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Linda Louise Gunter and an infant daughter, Lisa Gunter. Kenneth loved...
Harold Dean Parks
Sep 18, 2025
Harold Dean Parks, age 86, of Sylva went home to Heaven on Thursday, September 18, 2025. Harold Dean was born on July 8, 1939 to CY and Wilena Parks in Haywood County, NC. He graduated from Crabtree Iron Duff High School in 1958.
Following High School Harold went to work with his father building houses including his own. In 1963 he...
Pierre Van Burke
Sep 8, 2025
Pierre Van Burke, 82, passed away on September 8, 2025, in Sylva, North Carolina. Born on March 13, 1943, in Vincennes, Indiana, he lived a life marked by intellectual pursuit, professional achievement, and a deep appreciation for adventure.
Pierre earned his master's degree from Indiana State University. His academic journey led him to a fulfilling career in education and athletics. He...
Anna Marie Olsen
Aug 2, 2025
Anna Marie Olsen, 59 of Cullowhee, North Carolina formerly of Grand Haven, MI., passed away peacefully at her home on August 02, 2025.
Anna was born in Grand Haven, MI to Jack and Anielia McCarthy on August 12, 1965. Anna loved to listen to music, work on jigsaw puzzles like her mom, write poetry, and watch the hummingbirds outside her bedroom...
Leon Faraoanu
Sep 14, 2025
Born November 17, 1935 – Buruienesti, Romania
Leon Faraoanu, beloved father, grandfather, and man of faith, passed away leaving behind a legacy of love, sacrifice, and steadfast devotion to family.
Born in Buruienesti, Romania, as the youngest of six siblings, Leon’s early years were marked by a strong work ethic and academic talent. His dedication earned him a full scholarship to study...
Verna Bryson
Sep 13, 2025
Verna Bryson of Balsam, NC, gained her heavenly home on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the age of 89. Verna was born on February 15th, 1936, to the late Thad and Letha Buchanan of the Greens Creek Community, Sylva, NC. She graduated in 1954 from Webster High School ( The Hilltoppers). Growing up, Verna learned love, warmth, and kindness from...
Linda R. Lane
Sep 11, 2025
With heavy hearts and full glasses, we announce the passing of Linda R. Lane, who left us on September 11, 2025, at the age of 79. Born on July 27, 1946 in Manhattan New York, Linda lived her life with a rare blend of grit, warmth, and generosity that made her unforgettable to everyone lucky enough to know her. Linda...
Billy Ray "Bill" Buchanan
Sep 9, 2025
Billy Ray "Bill" Buchanan passed peacefully from this world on Tuesday September 9th, just one week before his 95th birthday. Born on September 16, 1930, to Tom and Carrie Buchanan, Bill was a devoted husband to Jackie for 53 years, and a loving father to Jim (Ann) and Kim (Eddie) Marrocco. A few years after Jackie's passing, Bill married Evelyn,...
Tracy Fuqua Torres
Sep 5, 2025
Tracy Renee Fuqua Torres, 56, of Sylva, North Carolina, passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 5, 2025, from heart complications.
Born on October 25, 1968, in Bartow, Florida, Tracy was the beloved daughter of the late Linda Braswell Fuqua and Bobby Fuqua Sr. She grew up with a deep sense of love for her family, a trait that would...
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