Obituaries
Search Obituaries
Blanch Mathis Allen
Jun 29, 2026
Blanch Mathis Harris Allen, 95, of Sylva, passed away on Monday, June 29, 2026.
She was born on October 30, 1930 in Jackson County to the late Bowden and Myrtle Robinson Mathis. In addition to her parents, Blanch was preceded in death by her first husband, Dave Harris and her second husband, Ed Allen; daughters, Judy Carroll, Debbie Harris, and Angie...
John Thomas Bennett, Jr.
Jun 22, 2026
John Thomas Bennett, Jr. passed away unexpectedly on Monday, June 22, 2026.
Tommy was born February 20, 1964 and was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ruby Bennett of Cullowhee.
He was a devoted father and an awesome bass guitar player. Tommy worked at Cullowhee Automotive for many years, helped start a trash business with his oldest son, owned and...
Donna Maria Franks Browning
Jun 26, 2026
Donna Maria Franks Browning, 60, passed away on Friday, June 26, 2026, in Columbia, South Carolina after an extended illness.
Donna loved Christopher and all of her fur babies. They provided her with life purpose.
She is survived by her sister, Janet "Jan" Staffelbach; brother, Paul Funderburk (Heidi); nieces, Shanna (Rob), and Stephanie (Dan), several great-nieces & nephews; and an uncle, Clyde...
Billy David Parker
Jun 29, 2026
Billy David Parker, 88, of the Barkers Creek Community, entered the presence of his Savior, whom he loved so dearly, in the early morning hours on Monday, June 29, 2026.
He was born on May 7, 1938 to the late David and Frances McCracken Parker.
Billy owned Blue Ribbon Shoe Store on Main Street in Sylva for many years. He was a...
AuBree LaRae Shelton (Boog)
Jun 22, 2026
AuBree LaRae touched the lives of so many people. She will never be forgotten and will ALWAYS be loved beyond compare. Her beautiful face, sweet smile, loving nature and spunky attitude will live on with all of us. She went through so many things no one should ever experience and never once stopped fighting to stay here with us; the...
Denton Eugene Mathis
Jun 15, 2026
Denton Eugene Mathis of Griffin, Georgia, formerly of Sylva passed away on June 15, 2026. Denton was born in Jackson County on January 25, 1969. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and a brother. Denton was 57. He worked in construction most of his life. He loved the outdoors. Hunting and fishing were two of his...
Linda Lou McMahan Phillips
Jun 24, 2026
Linda Lou McMahan Phillips, 81, of Sylva, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.
Born on July 30, 1944, in Sylva, North Carolina, Linda was the daughter of the late James Adam McMahan and Leona Cabe McMahan. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Clyde...
Ronald Oteloh Dennis
Jun 23, 2026
Ronald Oteloh Dennis, 91 of Sylva, passed away on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Linda Hollifield Dennis; a son, Stephen Ronald Dennis (Beth); daughters Debra Spinks (Steven), Donna Lundien (Edward) and Dawn Christensen (Dan) grandchildren Bradley Lundien (April) and Chelsea Dennis Prindiville (Mickey). Also surviving are a sister Annette Krasky of Columbia, South...
Robert (Kip) Wilke III
Jun 21, 2026
Robert (Kip) Wilke III peacefully passed away on Sunday, June 21, 2026 at his home in Balsam surrounded by family and friends.Kip was born in Marlborough, Connecticut on June 26, 1944. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Jane Wilke; brother, Steven Wilke; and children, Davetta Brooks and Donald Malamphy.Kip was a helicopter mechanic in the U.S....
Kent (Coach) Briggs
Jun 19, 2026
With strong roots and deep love for Western North Carolina communities coach leaves behind a legacy in resilience, strength, kindness and loyalty.
Even up to his final days, Kent lived by Rocky’s quote… “it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward.”
Coach...
Ada "Sue" Cogdill Caldwell
Jun 6, 2026
Ada “Sue” Cogdill Caldwell, 89, of Sylva, was welcomed into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, 6 June 2026. Sue was born in Sylva, NC on 22 January 1937 to the late John Willie Cogdill and Ada Adams Cogdill.
Sue was preceded in death by her loving husband of 56 years, Reverend Jack Wayne Caldwell, Sr....
Betty Jacobi Becker
Jun 16, 2026
Betty’s children and friends often jokingly called her the Energizer Bunny because she was always on the go or working on something. She lived a very full and active 94 years before passing on June 16, 2026, in Sylva, NC.
Born on May 12, 1932, Betty was the daughter of Joseph and Eileen (Woodin) Jacobi. She grew up in St. Louis,...
James "Max" Blanton
Jun 9, 2026
James "Max" Blanton, 95, of Sylva, North Carolina, passed away on June 9, 2026, after a courageous journey with Alzheimer's dementia. Born on March 18, 1931, in Sylva, to James Roy Blanton and Cora Parris Blanton, Max lived a full and vibrant life rooted in the mountains of Jackson County, surrounded by the people and places he loved most.
Max was...
JoAnn Buchanan Garner
Jun 7, 2026
JoAnn Buchanan Garner, 85 of Greens Creek Community passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2026. She was born in Jackson County on February 15, 1941 to the late Edd Buchanan and Clearsie McMahan Buchanan.
JoAnn enjoyed reading, cooking, working in her flowers and arranging events for the Greens Creek Baptist Church. Jo Ann loved her family, especially her grandchildren, who she...
Sally Mae Campbell
Jun 5, 2026
Sally Campbell, age 108, a Jackson County high school English and Journalism teacher for 34 years died at her home on Friday, June 5th. A native and lifelong resident of Sylva, she was the daughter of the late Sam and Ida Monteith and the wife of Claude E. Campbell, who died in 1984.
Sally attended Sylva Collegiate Institute and Sylva High...
Thomas "Tommy" Wiley Nicholson Jr.
Jun 3, 2026
Thomas(Tommy) Wiley Nicholson, Jr. of Buchanan Loop Road in Webster passed away on June 3rd, 2026 at the age of 96. He was the son of Thomas Wiley Nicholson and Velma Henderson Nicholson. Tommy was born in Webster on April 22nd, 1930 and grew up in the house his family bought in the early 1900’s from Captain James Terrell- a...
Ann Higdon
Jun 5, 2026
Ann Stuart Muhlheizler Higdon, age 86, passed away peacefully on June 5th surrounded by the love of her family. Born on May 19, 1940, in Somerset, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late John and Martha Muhlheizler.
As a young girl, Ann moved with her family from Pennsylvania to Western North Carolina when her father came to work on the...
Gladys Luker
Jun 2, 2026
Gladys Luker, 69 of Tuckasegee, passed away Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026. She was born in Jackson County, NC on March 26, 1957 to the late Jesse and Florence Hoxit. Gladys enjoyed fishing, cooking, canning, and most of all spending time with her family.
Gladys is survived by her husband of 53 years, Daniel Luker; daughters, Denise Luker, Deana Ashe (Chris), and...
LV Mathis
May 29, 2026
It is with deep respect and heartfelt sorrow that we announce the passing of LV Mathis, who departed this life peacefully on May 29, 2026, at his home in Tuckasegee, North Carolina. Born on May 24, 1936, in Jackson County, LV lived a life marked by unwavering faith, devotion to family, and a love for the outdoors.
Throughout his 90 years,...
Allen Mathis
May 30, 2026
Allen Mathis, 65 of the Caney Fork Community, passed away Saturday, May 30, 2026. He was born in Jackson County, NC on December 18, 1960. Allen enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and most of all spending time with his family.
Allen is survived by his wife of 40 years, Patty Mathis; sons, Josh Mathis (Nicole), Jake Mathis (Rachel); grandchildren, Colton and Gracelyn....
Subscribe
Get alerts when new obituaries are posted
