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Charles "Dynamite" Whitney Massingale
May 7, 2026
Known to many as “Dynamite”, Charles Whitney Massingale born September 4,1944 passed away at his home on May 7, 2026.
Dynamite was born in the Little Canada Community of Jackson County to the late Whitney and Mary Broom Massingale. He is also preceded in death by his wife of 37 years, Audrey Waters Massingale, his son Jeffrey “Jeff” Massingale, four brothers,...
Homer Prelo Shuler
May 7, 2026
Homer Prelo Shuler, 86, passed away on May 7, 2026.
Born April 14, 1940 on Caney Fork, Prelo was an outdoorsman who loved being outside in the woods. He was a logger his entire life. Prelo was a man who loved his family and loved being outdoors with them, able to do it his whole life. He got to do what...
Michael Duane Hall
May 5, 2026
Michael “Duane” Hall, 71, of Sylva, born July 28, 1954, died peacefully at home on May 5, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
Duane was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Dolores Allison Hall and brother Danny Hall (Wanda). He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Robin Frye Hall, his daughter Heather Hall Wright (Chris) and his...
L.C. McMahan
May 7, 2026
LC McMahan, 92, passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus on May 7, 2026.
Born on August 22, 1933, at the head of Cany Fork to the late Lawrence and Susie Cook McMahan, LC lived a life rooted in faith, family, hard work, and a deep love for the mountains and outdoors he called home.
LC was the oldest member of...
Mary Ellen Beck Moody
May 2, 2026
Mary Ellen Beck Moody, 82, of Sylva, NC, passed away peacefully on May 2,, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.
Mary was born on January 27, 1944, in Qualla, NC, to the late Thad and Edna Beck.
Mary loved her family and community. She was active in the First Methodist Church, Garden Club, and Downtown Sylva Association. She was a devoted wife,...
Jacob Wade Henry
Apr 27, 2026
Jacob (Jake) Henry of Addie community went to see Jesus and his wife on his 88th birthday, April 27, 2026.
Jacob was born on April 27, 1938, to Canton and Lillian Henry. He was one of 8 siblings.
He celebrated 65 years of marriage to Shirley Henry on January 20, 2026.
He is survived by his son Wallace (Janet) of Yadkinville, NC, son...
Oliver Edward Smith
Apr 24, 2026
Oliver Edward Smith, known fondly by family and friends as "Ed", entered into his Heavenly home on April 24, 2026. He was born on March 4, 1945 to Oliver and Dorcas Smith.
On May 3, 1968, Ed married Margie (Buchanan) Smith, and they had almost 58 beautiful years together. During that time they had five children, which then led to them...
Adolph Christopher Bakken III
Apr 16, 2026
Chris Bakken, 65, of Madison, MS, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on April 16th, 2026, at his family’s lake house in North Carolina. His wife, Katie, was by his side to comfort him as he left this earth; he did not suffer. In his final hours, he was doing what he loved and was the happiest his family had ever...
Velda Rivers Summers
Apr 18, 2026
Velda Rivers Summers, born on August 1, 1954, in Mobile, Alabama, passed away on April 18, 2026, in Maryville, Tennessee.
Velda was the beloved daughter of Ira and Emma Dell Rivers. She was in her 50th year of marriage to her soulmate, Robert Lee Summers, at the time of his passing last September. She was a proud mother to Brooke (Carl)...
Charles Lenn Wilkes
Apr 18, 2026
Charles “Lenn” Wilkes, age 76 of Cullowhee, gained his heavenly healing on the morning of April 18, 2026 after a nine month courageous battle with cancer. He was born on August 18, 1949, in Jackson County to the belated the belated Charles Alden and Ida Mae Fox Wilkes. He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and his wife...
Raymond Francis Connor Jr.
Apr 15, 2026
Raymond Francis Connor Jr. of Jamestown Tennessee passed away on April 15, 2026. Born on April 12, 1957, in Athol Massachusetts to Raymond G. Connor Sr. and Barbara Flagg.
Raymond was known and loved for is reliability, dependability, fairness, Love of family and his outgoing personality. Ramond loved to visit beautiful places, experience anything with historical significance, wood working and spending...
Ben Odom
Apr 9, 2026
Ben Odom
William Bennett (Ben) Odom born November 9, 1956 passed peacefully at home and was promoted to heaven April 9, 2026.
A kind and caring soul. Born 69 years ago in Greensboro NC, son of the late Henry and Mary Odom, brother to three sisters; Janice, Susan and Christine. Later, fell in love and married Carol, his forever partner.
Ben was a...
James Edward Searcy
Apr 14, 2026
James Edward Searcy, of Sylva, NC, passed away at Mission Hospital in Asheville on the evening of April 14, 2026, one day before taxes were due. He was 87.
Jim, as his friends and family knew him, was the youngest of seven children born to Jeter Pritchard and Pauline Searcy of Hendersonville, NC. He was preceded in death by his three...
Richard Neal Alexander
Apr 8, 2026
Richard Neal Alexander of Sylva, North Carolina, passed away on April 8, 2026, at the age of 62. Rick was born in Savannah, Georgia, on July 11, 1963, to the late Rev. Bruce B. Alexander and Joyce Lawson Alexander.
He is survived by his Mother, Joyce, his son, Brandon Kyle Alexander (Sylva), Daughter, Kayce Lynn Alexander (Dallas, Texas) and 3 grandchildren,...
Barbara Ward
Mar 26, 2026
Barbara Ward, 64, of Sarasota, Florida, passed away unexpectedly on March 26, 2026, peacefully at home.
She was born on August 1, 1961, in Sleep Hollow, NY to Janet Sloan Steele and she was predeceased by her father Robert Sloan. Barbara was known for her kindness, humor, generosity, and strength. She lived her life guided by faith and touched the lives...
Kimberly Deitz Edwards
Mar 19, 2026
Kimberly Deitz Edwards, a longtime resident of Jackson County, passed away in Mars Hill on March 19, 2026 after battling cancer. During her years in Jackson county she was employed at Eastgate Pharmacy, NCDOT, WCU, and Sylva Bakery Outlet. Born February 10, 1971, she was the daughter of Mary Cabe Murray of Mars Hill and the late Raymond Deitz. Kimberly...
Travis Isreal Cook
Mar 31, 2026
Travis Isreal Cook, 47, passed away on March 31,2026. Born March 27, 1979 in Jackson county NC, Travis lived a life marked by his presence, his experiences, and the connections he made with those around him.
He will be remembered for the selfless act of organ donation, he saved three lives. Travis' life, though cut short, was one that touched many....
Patsy Powell Ammons
Apr 1, 2026
Patsy Powell Ammons, 77 of Webster, passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Patsy was born on 04/04/1948 in Jackson County to the late Harvey & Ellen Jones Powell. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. First and foremost, she loved the Lord. She also loved cardinals and other birds. Patsy loved working in her garden and collecting...
Brona Stewart
Mar 22, 2026
Brona Middleton Stewart, born on October 26, 1933, in Jackson County, North Carolina, peacefully passed away on March 22, 2026, in Michigan. Brona's life was a testament to love, warmth, and devotion — qualities she poured into her home and family each day.
A true homemaker, Brona took immense pride in managing her household with grace and care. Those fortunate enough...
Douglas "Doug" Lee Southers
Mar 14, 2026
Douglas Lee Southers (“Doug”), born October 2, 1962, passed away on March 14, 2026. He was a devoted father, grandfather, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Doug is survived by his children, David (Brenda), Erica, and Amber (Carl). He was a proud grandfather to Elijah, Trey, Liberty, Abby, Kelsey, Nate, Kaiti, Hayleann, CJ,...
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