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James Ray Conner
Dec 19, 2025
James Ray Conner of Glenville, NC passed away at his home on December 19, 2025.
A full obituary is forthcoming.
A funeral service for James will be held at Hamburg Baptist Church in Glenville, NC on Monday, December 22, 2025 at 2pm with Pastor Jeremy Queen officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral service from 1pm-2pm. Burial...
Ronald Eugene Queen
Dec 17, 2025
Ronald Eugene “Ronnie” Queen, passed away after a period of declining health on December 17, 2025. Ronnie was born on March 5, 1960 in Sylva, North Carolina and was raised in Cullowhee, North Carolina.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Mackie Queen, and his brother, Roger Queen.
Ronnie spent many years working as a heavy equipment operator, a trade that...
Edna Saunooke Goshorn
Dec 12, 2025
Edna Vera Saunooke Goshorn, 96, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 12, 2025, in Cherokee, North Carolina. She was born in Cherokee, NC, on July 18, 1929, to the late Stacey Powell Saunooke and the late Anderson Saunooke.
Edna graduated from Cherokee High School in 1947. She attended Western Carolina for two years and then transferred to Missions Nursing program in...
Mary Christine Childers
Dec 17, 2025
A Glorious Homecoming
Mary Christine Childers passed away peacefully in her sleep December 17, 2025 and woke up in glory.
Christine was born December 8, 1940 in Jackson County, North Carolina to the late Manley and Lillie Coggins. She was one of three surviving children.
No words can describe the joy and love Mrs. Christine brought to her family, and friends. Christine was...
Edna Leona Mathis
Dec 15, 2026
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Edna Leona Mathis, a cherished soul, who passed away on Monday, December 15, 2025, at the age of 84. Edna was a long-time resident of Jackson County, North Carolina, where her warmth and kindness touched the lives of many.Edna was born on Thursday, January 2, 1941. She devoted her...
Gary Crawford Smith
Dec 14, 2025
Gary Crawford Smith, age 68, passed away unexpectedly on December 14, 2025. Gary was born on August 30, 1957, in Newport News, Virginia. His family later moved to Cullowhee, North Carolina, where he grew up after relocating there in the sixth grade.
Gary was preceded in death by his father, James Andrew “Jimmy” Smith, and his mother, Helen Crawford Smith.
He leaves...
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 Revis Moses passed away peacefully on December 12, 2025. She was born on March 29, 1937 in Whittier, North Carolina to loving parents Robert and Amy Revis. She grew up as the 11th of 12 children in a large bustling family.
She was the cherished sister of the late Howard Revis, Paul Revis, Georgie Revis Coltrane, Inez Revis Bradsher, Bruce...
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...
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