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Ellavee Ruby Gordon
Sep 3, 2025
Ellavee Ruby Gordon, beloved sister, aunt, and friend, passed away on Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025, at the age of 80. Born on Monday, September 18th, 1944, in Clay County, North Carolina, Ellavee lived 25 years in New Mexico with her late husband before residing in Sylva, NC, where her warmth and kindness touched many.
Ellavee's enduring commitment to her family and...
Karen Guin Ritenour
Sep 2, 2025
Karen Guin Ritenour of Sylva, NC, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born to the late Patty Smith Petigo and Gary Slick Guin on October 22, 1975.
She is survived by her loving husband, Andy Ritenour; her daughter, Mackenzie Carnathan of Asheville, NC; and her daddy, Dewey Petigo of Columbus,...
Robert "Bob" Homer Parker
Sep 1, 2025
Robert "Bob" Homer Parker, born February 23, 1938, died peacefully at his mountain home surrounded by his wife and family on September 1, 2025 at the age of 87.
Bob had a passion for music and had a lifetime career with Gretsch & Baldwin. Bob and his wife Pam owned & operated "Parker Music" based in Sylva and Asheville, NC as...
Della Mae Fox
Sep 1, 2025
Della Mae Bumgarner Fox, 98 passed away on Monday September 1. She was the daughter of the late Nathan and Elzie Shuler Bumgarner. In addition to her parents, Della Mae was preceded in death by her husband of seventy years, Claude Edison Fox and a daughter, Claudine Mace; a sister, Louise Norman; grandsons, Mickey and Anthony Mace; granddaughter, Delana Guffey;...
Michael Ray Brown
Aug 31, 2025
Michael Ray Brown, 57, of Sylva NC, died August 31st 2025.
He is survived by his wife, Pam Brown and four children; a son, Michael Stephen Brown of Sylva, and three daughters, Michelle Gibson, April Brown, also of Sylva and Cassandra Carter of Waynesville; a sister, Sharon Montague of Sylva; and one nephew, Brodi Montague also of Sylva.
He is preceeded in...
Allen Riffle
Aug 25, 2025
Alan Riffle
Dr. Alan E. Riffle, 84, passed away on Monday, August 25, 2025, in Ormond Beach, FL.
He was born in Ohio on March, 12, 1941 to the late Ivadel and Stuart Riffle.
He grew up in DeLand, FL, graduating from DeLand High School. He attended and graduated from Stetson University, with a major in Biology. Continuing his love for baseball he...
William "Bill" Thomas Nations
Aug 29, 2025
William "Bill" Thomas Nations, cherished husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully at his residence in Whittier, NC, on Friday, August 29th, 2025, at the age of 79. Born on July 19th, 1946, in Jackson County, William led a life rich with stories, service, and love.
Bill is lovingly remembered by his devoted wife of 55 years, Sheila Frizzell Nations....
Nikki Cheryl Henke
Aug 28, 2025
Nikki Cheryl Smith Henke 80 of Sylva passed away on Thursday August 28th. Nikki was born on December 9, 1945 to the late Aldine Cash Smith and Frances Louise Staton.
Nikki was a member of Lakeview Church of the Nazarene in Waynesville where she had been choir director for more than thirty-five years. She was also a Sunday School Teacher and...
Ricky "Rip" Moore
Aug 20, 2025
Ricky Moore, known by some as “Rip”, passed away on Wednesday, August 20th, 2025, at the age of 68. Born on February 10th, 1957, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Bernice Broom Moore and Lamar Joseph Moore. He will be remembered for his skill as a craftsman and for the kindness and humor he shared so freely.
Ricky built his life around the...
James Lee Woodard
Aug 25, 2025
James Lee Woodard, 68 of Spartanburg, SC, formerly of Sylva, NC, passed away Monday, August 25, 2025. He was born in Jackson Co., NC on March 5, 1957, to the late James and Gladys Dunning Woodard. James loved watching wrestling and working on small engines with his brother Jimmy.
James is survived by his partner, Elizabeth Cope; brother, Vernon Woodard; nieces,...
Ray Hampton Buchanan
Aug 20, 2025
Ray Hampton Buchanan, age 92, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva. He was born on April 16, 1933, to the late Edd Buchanan and Clearsie McMahan Buchanan. Ray served in the United States Air Force for 21 years. Upon retirement from military service, he was Postmaster at the Dillsboro Post Office for...
Deborah Louise Anders
Aug 22, 2025
Deborah (Debi) Louise Anders, 67, of Bryson City, passed away Friday, August 22nd, 2025, in her home surrounded by loved ones.
She was born on September 17th, 1957, in Ann Arbor, MI to the late WIlliam Harold and Gracie Queen Anders. In addition to her parents, Debi was preceded in death by her sister, Nancy Anderson, and brothers, David Anders and...
Rosalyn Savage
Aug 9, 2025
Rosalyn Savage, 82, of Sylva, North Carolina went home to be with her Lord and Savior on August 9, 2025 after a long journey with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Ros as she was affectionally known was born on March 2, 1943 in Auburndale, Florida. Ros was the daughter of William Lester and Rubye M. Sheffield.
Ros worked as a Social Worker in both Florida...
Nellie "Clara" Williamson
Aug 21, 2025
Nellie “Clara” Franks Williamson, 82 of Sylva, passed away Thursday, August 21, 2025. She was born in Jackson County, NC, on September 26, 1942, to the late Fred and Viola Pressley Franks. Clara enjoyed shopping, traveling, going out with friends, and spending time with her family. She worked as a cosmetologist where she met many of her friends. Clara was...
Bill Madison Bishop
Aug 16, 2025
Bill Madison Bishop Sr., 90, went to be with the Lord on the afternoon of August 16, at home, surrounded by family.
Bill lived his entire life in Jackson County, except for his enlistment in the US Navy. He quit high school, proudly served on the USS Midway during Midway's World Cruise in 1955, returned to high school and graduated.
Bill was...
Melvin Lewis Bradley
Aug 18, 2025
Melvin Lewis Bradley Jr passed away peacefully at home on August 18th, 2025. He was born on September 24th, 1944 in Jackson Co. Melvin was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend to everyone.He retired from Harrah’s Casino after 20 years of service. He loved fishing and spending his time with family and friends.He is survived by his loving wife,...
Jennifer Sue Lorenzen
Aug 11, 2025
Jennifer Sue Lorenzen, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2025, at the age of 74. Born on February 21, 1951, Jennifer lived a life overflowing with love, creativity, and compassion for everyone she met.
On April 24, 1971, Jennifer married the love of her life, Gerald Allen Lorenzen. Together, they shared more than five decades...
Judy Norton Hale
Aug 16, 2025
Judy Norton Hale, 78, of Cullowhee, NC, went home to be with the Lord on August 16, 2025, surrounded by her daughter and grandchildren, after a hard-fought battle of chronic illness.
Judy was born in March of 1947 in Fairmont, West Virginia, the daughter of late Lena “Lorraine” Norton and Roy Lem Norton. Judy was raised in Cullowhee North Carolina and...
Kenneth Eldon Ashe
Aug 17, 2025
Kenneth Eldon Ashe (Ken) 59 of Cullowhee, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 17, 2025 at Memorial Mission Hospital.
Ken was born in Jackson County on November 24, 1964 to the late Eldon Bartley and Daisy Amarie Mull Ashe. In addition to his parents, Ken was preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Ruby Bennett of Cullowhee and Wanda Jean Carter...
Anthony Andrew Hickey
Jul 26, 2025
Dr. Anthony Andrew Hickey
Tony is gone from our sight, but never from our hearts. He lived most of his life in Sylva, North Carolina. Tony was preceded in death by his father and mother, Dr. Thomas and Ruth Hickey; his three sisters Kathy, Laura, and Damian; and two brothers Matt and Joseph.
Tony is survived by his wife Sharon Hickey(Sylva ,North...
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