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Beverly Harris Cochran
May 31, 2025
Beverly Harris Cochran, age 61, passed away peacefully on May 31, 2025 at Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina. Born on July 12, 1963 in Longview, Washington, she was the daughter of the late Luther and Edith Harris.
Beverly is survived by her husband of 35 years, Lynn Cochran along with their daughter Venora Cochran (Chris). She additionally is survived by...
Cindy Ledford Justice
May 30, 2025
Cindy Ledford Justice, lovingly known as "Cinny", passed away peacefully on Friday, May 30th, 2025, at her home in Sylva, NC. She was born in Washington DC on September 2, 1956, to the late Donald and Mamie Dean Ledford.
Cindy was known for her deep love of animals, her fondness for movies, and most importantly, her dedication to spending quality time...
Joyce Brown Shuler
May 30, 2025
Joyce Brown Shuler, 72 of Sylva, passed away Friday, May 30, 2025. She was born on July 5, 1952, to the late Melvin and Esther Sullivan Brown. Joyce enjoyed flowers, bird watching, and spending time with her family.
Joyce is survived by her husband of 39 years, Ronnie Shuler; daughters, Regina Cope (Tony), Ronda Moore; son, Josh Brown; step daughters, Misty...
DeeAnn Brooks
May 26, 2025
DeeAnn Franklin Brooks, a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2025 at the age of 69.
Born in Sylva, NC on May 2, 1956, she was a lifelong resident of Jackson County and a 1974 graduate of Sylva-Webster High School. She retired after serving in many different support staff roles within the Jackson County Public School...
Winona Cotter Eye
May 21, 2025
Winona Cotter Eye, 95, passed away peacefully at her home on May 21, 2025, after an 8-year journey with dementia. A proud descendent of the Rogers family of Cullowhee, Winnie was a 1950 graduate of Western Carolina Teachers College (now WCU), a dedicated army wife, and loving mother to six children and seven grandchildren.
Funeral services for Winnie will be held...
Floyd Lee Ruff
May 25, 2025
Floyd (Lloyd) Lee Ruff, 92, of Whittier, NC, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 25th at Mission Hospital after a short illness. Floyd, or Papaw Ruffie, as he was most recently known, was born on November 1,1933 in Whittier, NC. He is preceded in death by his mother, Julia Ann Watson Ruff, brothers, Jim Ruff, George Ruff, Frances Ruff, Mary...
Michael "Mike" Broom
May 20, 2025
Michael "Mike" Broom May 20, 2025
Mike Broom, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend passed away on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in hospice care at CarePartners Asheville.
Born on September 15, 1950, to Frank and Beulah Broom, Mike was the devoted husband of Anita Blanton Broom, with whom he shared 34 wonderful years of marriage since 1990.
A skilled craftsman by trade, Mike...
James Homer Ashe
May 22, 2025
James Homer Ashe, 73, of the Wilmot Community went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at his residence. Homer, as most knew him, was a loving husband, father, grandpa, brother, son, uncle, and loyal friend to so many. He was born in Jackson County to the late Cornelious and Ethel Ashe. Homer was raised in...
Basil Joseph Doyle
May 17, 2025
Basil Joseph Doyle, known affectionately as Joe or Butch to those who loved him, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Born in Detroit, Michigan on Wednesday, September 20, 1944, Joe spent the last years of his vibrant life in Sylva, North Carolina.
Joe is survived by his devoted wife, Linda Doyle, with whom he shared a wonderful life filled...
Jack Robert Shields
May 20, 2025
Jack Robert Shields, 81, of Sylva, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at the Skyland Care Center after experiencing a period of declining health. Born on April 3, 1944, in Waynesville, North Carolina, Jack was a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and a devoted public servant.
A man of many talents, Jack explored numerous professions throughout...
Connie Sue Newman
May 19, 2025
Connie Sue Newman went home to Jesus May 19, 2025, at the age of 66. Connie was born to James Barnett and Sue Heard on January 26, 1959. She spent her years being a homemaker helping others and loved animals, especially her fur baby Tara.
She enjoyed her home and life in the mountains. Spending time with her grandchildren brought her...
James Michael Novitske
2025
James Michael Novitske, 88, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2025 in Sylva, North Carolina.
Born in Johnson City, NY he eventually retired in Myrtle Beach, SC to pursue his love of golf.
He served honorably in the United States Air Force, where he was a member of the distinguished Drum and Bugle Corps. His time in service deepened his already strong...
Lee Palmer Budahl
2025
Lee Palmer Budahl, 91, died in Sylva, North Carolina, on May 16, 2025.
He was born in September 1933 in Wisconsin, where he also met his wife, MaryAnn Guenther. They were married for 67 years and raised three children. Lee served in the U.S. Army, attended Universities in California and Wisconsin before completing his PhD in Art Education at the University...
Boyce "Bo" Hensley
May 12, 2025
Sylva - Boyce "Bo" Hensley, 60, passed away on Monday, May 12, 2025.
Boyce was born in Buncombe County but had resided in Jackson County for most of his life. He was a son of Mary DeHart and the late Wade Ervin Hensley. Boyce was the owner/operator of Hensley Well Pump and loved to fish and deer hunt. Most of all,...
Connie Lee Hawkins
May 11, 2025
Connie Lee Bumgarner Hawkins 84 of Cashiers, North Carolina died peacefully on Sunday, May 11 while in hospice care, after a period of declining health.
Connie was born on October 1, 1940 to the late Clyde Bumgarner and Alean Bryson Bumgarner. She married Thomas Blane Hawkins in January of 1960. They were married for fifty-one years.
Connie is survived by one son,...
Peggy Cabe Fouts
May 11, 2025
Peggy C. Fouts
Sylva - Peggy Jo Cabe Fouts, 83, passed away on Sunday, May 11, 2025 at her residence.
A native and lifelong resident of Jackson County, she was a daughter of the late Robert Lee and Mary Delsia Cochran Cabe. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Mose Fouts, who died...
Lawrence "Larry" Pilarski
May 5, 2025
Lawrence "Larry" Pilarski, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on May 5, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family. He was 65 years old. Born on August 8, 1959, in Detroit, Michigan, Larry lived a full and vibrant life grounded in love, loyalty, and laughter.
Larry proudly served in the United States Army...
Elaine J Bixby
Apr 24, 2025
Elaine “Laney” Jones Bixby, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully in her home on April 24, 2025, at the age of 87.
Born on November 30, 1937, in Savannah, Georgia, Laney spent her life sharing kindness, strength, and laughter with everyone she met. She married the love of her life, Lawrence Henry Bixby II, and together they built...
Elizabeth "Betty" Tweedy
Apr 29, 2025
Elizabeth (Betty) Tweedy passed away peacefully at her home in Cullowhee on April 29th after a short period of declining health. Betty was born on June 14th, 1933 to the late Eugene and Katherine McDermott of Lynchburg Virginia. Betty was preceded in death by her husband Eugene Tweedy and grandson Timor Tweedy. She is survived by her children, Teresa Tweedy...
William "Joe" Frizzell
May 2, 2025
William “Joe” Frizzell, 78 of Sylva, passed away Friday, May 2, 2025. He was born on March 17, 1947, to the late William and Ruby White Frizzell.
Joe enjoyed playing the guitar, singing, being outdoors, and spending time with his family. He will be missed by many.
Joe is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mable Frizzell; daughter, Beverly Kimsey; sisters,...
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