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Sheila Joyce Hooper
Dec 7, 2025
My beloved sister, Sheila Joyce Hooper, 71, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, December 7th at Mission Hospital, with family by her side.
Born on February 19, 1954, in Sylva, NC, Sheila made her home for many years in the Big Ridge community of Glenville.
Sheila was dedicated and hard-working. She spent several years with Lea Industries before beginning a 40-year career at...
Shirley R. Moses
Dec 12, 2025
Shirley R. Moses, 88, of Sylva passed away Friday, December 12, 2025.
A full obituary will be posted when it becomes available. Please Check back.
Services for Shirley will take place on Monday, December 15th, 2025 at 11:00am at East Sylva Baptist Church in Sylva. The family will receive friends from 10:00am-11:00am prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow...
Nancy Nations Rhodes
Dec 11, 2025
Nancy Nations Rhodes of Nations Creek Road Whittier, NC went home to be with her Lord after a period of declining health.
Nancy was born to Seab and Gertrude Nations on October 13, 1952.
She was preceded in death by her father Seab Nations, her mother Gertrude Davis Nations and her brother Kenny Nations.
She is survived by her siblings Judy Wilkey (Dennis)...
Dennis Graziosi
Nov 30, 2025
Dennis Dean Graziosi was born in Jackson County, NC on December 19th, 1955. Dennis was a hard-working man that supported his family by working at Dayco for many years, until they closed. He was raised by the wonderful Alvin and Fern Watson. He was the most amazing father to his three children, sons Brandon Shane Graziosi (wife Jackie and 3...
Dora Watson Rigdon
Dec 1, 2025
Dora W. Rigdon
Dora Watson Rigdon, 102, of 69 Phoenix Road, Tuckasegee, passed away on Monday, December 1, 2025 at Haywood Regional Medical Center.
A native and lifelong resident of Jackson County, she was born on June 2, 1923, to the late John R and Mary M Alexander Watson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving...
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...
Pauline Smathers
Nov 29, 2025
Pauline Smathers, 85, born February 4, 1940 went home to be with the Lord November 29, 2025 in her born county, Jackson.
She is preceded in death by husband Bobby Smathers and son Tim, along with mother Lorise Long and three brothers and one sister.
She is survived by sisters Phyllis Kisser and Rachel Oliver(Coleman). Children Kathy, Bobby (Myra), Kevin (April). Grandchildren...
Mildred Bryce Mitchum
Nov 25, 2025
Mildred Bryce Mitchum, 89, passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
She was a native of South Carolina and a daughter of the late John and Ollie Madden Bryce. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Mitchum; a daughter, Brenda Marks; son-in-law, Tilman Price; and a step-son, Willard Bryson (Betty).
Mildred is survived by her...
Jean Bryant Plank
Nov 25, 2025
Jean Bryant Plank, 81, of Sylva, passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
She was born on June 23, 1944 in Jackson County to thelate George and Lelloween Jones Bryant. Jean enjoyed gardening, reading, cooking and spending time with her family. She was a member of Old Savannah Baptist Church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two...
Rita Ann McMichael
Nov 21, 2025
Rita Hooper McMichael,75, of Sylva passed away Friday, November 21,2025.
Rita was a native of Jackson County and the daughter of the late Duane Hooper and Billie Rae Carver Hooper both from the Big Ridge Community in Glenville,NC .
Rita graduated from Brevard High School class of 1968. She received a full nursing scholarship to N.C. Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem,N.C. She was...
Tina Anne Leopard
Nov 22, 2025
Tina Anne Leopard, 53, passed away on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at Swain Community Hospital.
Tina Anne Leopard, 53, of Tuckasegee, passed away on Saturday, November 22, 2025.
Tina was a native and lifelong resident of Jackson County and a daughter of John Leopard and the late Freda Mae Messer Leopard.
Tina was a beloved daughter. She loved and cared for her parents...
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,...
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