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Ellen Murphy Brown
Nov 8, 2025
Ellen Murphy Brown, 80, of Franklin, passed away on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
Born on April 19, 1945, she was the daughter of the late James Arthur Murphy and Anna Lee Frazier Murphy.
Ellen was a life-long homemaker who enjoyed gardening, getting lost in a good book and above all else her family.
She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia “Cindy” Brown; six...
George William Woodard
Nov 10, 2025
George William Woodard , 67 went to eternal HOME to be with Jesus and family members on Monday November 10, 2025. He was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church.
Born in Jackson County son of the late Verley and Christine Burnette Woodard. He was preceded in death by Lewis Woodard(brother) Sandra Bradley (sister) nephews Jamie, Cody and Joseph.
George loved his...
Jeanne Henson Bumgarner
Nov 11, 2025
Jeanne Henson Bumgarner, age 88, passed away Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at her home on Fairview Road in Sylva, NC. Jeanne was born in Buncombe County on October 10, 1937. At the age of 2, she came to live with her adoptive parents Ila and Grady Henson, in the Fairview Community in Jackson County. Jeanne attended elementary school at the...
Paul Ray Bowers
Nov 11, 2025
Paul Ray Bowers, 68, of Sylva, passed away on Tuesday November 11, 2025. He was born on September 17, 1957 in Florida to the late Floyd and Reva Kinsland Bowers.
Paul enjoyed fishing, gardening, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
Paul is survived by his wife of 49 years, Michelle Bowers; daughters, Nicole Welch (June), Danielle McKenzie (Sani); grandchildren,...
John Brandon Carter
Nov 6, 2025
In Loving Memory of Brandon Carter
Mr. John Brandon Carter was called home to be with the Lord on November 6th, 2025, in Waynesville, North Carolina, at the age of 34.
Brandon is survived by his parents, his mother, Judy Aiken, of Waynesville, and his father, Ronnie Carter, of Sylva. He is also survived by his little sister Madison Brooks and by...
Dean Alan Kool
Nov 9, 2025
Dean Alan Kool, 93 died November 9, 2025. He was the only child of Abram and Mabel Fudge Kool of Monroe, Iowa where he graduated Salutatorian from high school in 1950 receiving awards in music, football, basketball, and track. Notably, as a teenager, he played marimba in performances throughout the region and actually inspired the Evangelist Billy Graham--who saw him...
Dennis Dale Sturgis
Oct 30, 2025
Dennis Dale Sturgis, 67, of Sylva, North Carolina, passed away on October 30, 2025. He was born on November 8, 1959, in Kansas City, Kansas. A proud veteran, he was a torpedo man in the Navy and a huge Chiefs fan. He knew every word to all the episodes of the Andy Griffith show. He loved his Harley Davidson and...
Charles R Tolley Jr.
Nov 4, 2025
Charles Ray Tolley, Jr., 51, of Sylva, passed away November 4, 2025. Charles was born on March 23, 1974, in Haywood County. Charles loved traveling and spending time with his family and his dog, Moonshine.
Charles is survived by his mother Elsie Burns Tolley, son, Blake (Madison Cooper), daughter, Megan Stephens (Kaleb), and grandson, Waylon James Tolley. Charles was preceded in...
Daniel Robert Gonnella
Oct 29, 2025
Daniel Robert Gonnella, 83, of Sylva, passed away on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. He was born on May 30, 1942, to the late Thomas and Mary Hunt Gonnella.
Daniel is survived by his wife, Patricia Gonnella; three surviving children; son-in-law, Robert Wagner (Lynn Chow); four stepchildren; fifteen grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; and ten siblings.
Daniel is preceded in death by his daughter,...
George Warner Brown
Nov 3, 2025
George “Warner” Brown, 85, of Franklin, passed away on Monday, November 3, 2025.
Born on September 3, 1940, in Tuckasegee, North Carolina, he was the son of the late George Griffin Brown and Olia York Brown.
Warner honorably served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He enjoyed watching westerns and NASCAR, drinking coffee, and spending time with...
James E. Lupo
Nov 3, 2025
James Erwin Lupo, 87, of Skyland Drive in Sylva, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 3rd at Skyland Care Center.
James was the son of the late Floyd Lupo and Edna Ensley. He loved the Lord and daily showed his love to others. James was a shining example of what a Christian should be.
James was a long standing member of Mt....
Johnny Ray Lovedahl
Oct 30, 2025
Johnny Ray Lovedahl, 80, of Cullowhee, passed away Thursday, October 30, 2025. He was born on July 17, 1945, to the late Jeff and Verlie Parker Lovedahl.
Johnny enjoyed country music, going out to eat, watching TV, and spending time with his family. He served in the US Army and was dedicated to Tuckasegee Baptist Church.
Johnny Ray is survived by his...
James F. Cabe
Oct 29, 2025
James Fred Cabe, went home to be with the Lord on October 29th 2025. He was 90 years old.
James is survived by, Daughter, Sharon Denise Gunter, (Bobby), 5 Grandchildren, Aaron Buchanan, (Kristen), Michelle Wood, (Mel), Daniel Wheatley, (Amber), Rebekah Robertson, (Steven), Andrew Wheatley, (Shelby). 10 Great Grandchildren, Bethany, Cayden, Tucker, Eydin, Deklan, Liam, James, Jenna, Cali, & Zoey. 3 Sisters,...
Donald R. Keaton
Oct 28, 2025
Sylva - Donald Richard Keaton, 63, passed away on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at Mission Hospital.
Donald was a native of Burke County but had lived in Jackson County for a number of years and was a son of the late Carl and Elsie Bandy Keaton. In addition to his parents, he was a preceded in death by two brothers, Robert...
Heather Elizabeth Mathis
Oct 25, 2025
Heather Elizabeth Mathis, 32, passed away surrounded by family and friends at Mission Hospital on October 25, 2025.
Heather is survived by her mother and father, Trudi and Danny Mathis; her brother, Josh Mathis; her paternal grandparents, Theodore Mathis of Sylva, NC and Gladys Wood of Barnwell, SC; maternal grandfather, Howard Bateman of Franklin; her best friend, Brittany Buttery; many aunts,...
Doris "Tilly" Franks
Oct 25, 2025
Doris “Tilly” Franks passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 48, surrounded by family at Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva, NC on October 25, 2025.
Tilly is survived by her partner Jim, her mother Doris P. Franks of Tuckasegee, NC, her children, Bubba Queen of Balsam Grove, NC, Twyla Kappler (Logan) of Brevard, NC, her four grandchildren, Kobe,...
Stephen Reed Lott
Oct 23, 2025
Steve Reed Lott
Steve “Stephe” Lott, 71, of Cullowhee passed away after a brief and brave fight. He is survived by his best friend and the love of his life, spouse Micky Randolph and beloved pup Bentlee; mother Shirley Reed Lott, of Hilton Head Island, SC; niece Tatum (Jefferson) Sturkey of Simpsonville, SC; nephew Blake Lott; sister-in-law Linda (Dennis Eidson) Randolph,...
Judith "Judy" Ann McConnell
Oct 23, 2025
Judith (Judy) McConnell died October 23, 2025 at Harris Regional Hospital at the age of 79.
Judy is survived by her brother Gene (Kathy), sister-in-law Ruth, nephews Gregg McConnell, Jeff McConnell (Michelle) and niece Kristy Bullock (Troy). She is also survived by 6 great nieces and nephews, Julie, Garrison, Gavin, Kaylie, Jake and Lilly. She was preceded in death by her...
Jim "JB" Bradley
Oct 21, 2025
Mr. Jim “JB” Bradley passed away peacefully surrounded by family on October 21, 2025 in Cashiers, NC at the age of 77.
Jim is survived by his wife, Debbie Bradley; his daughter, Carey (Chaz) Hall; and his grandchildren Kahne Bradley and Emmersyn Britt. He is preceded in death by his son Michael Bradley of Cashiers (Wilmington), NC and his parents Carey...
Debra Smith Queen
Oct 15, 2025
Debra Smith Queen, 63 of Sylva, North Carolina, passed away on October 15, 2025. She was born in Cherokee, North Carolina. She is preceded in death by her mother, Ethel Cunningham, stepfather, Leroy Cunningham, her grandmother, Cecelia Smith, and her brother, David Smith.
Surviving is her partner, Corey Meeks, one brother Bobby Smith of SC, aunts, Lucille Winchester and Ruby Dobbings....
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