Obituaries
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Denise Diane Martinez
Dec 3, 2023
Denise Diane Martinez, 68, of Tuckasegee, passed away December3, 2023, after a brave battle with cancer.
Denise was born in Trinidad, Colorado, to Nick and Lucia Saiz on January 22, 1955. She grew up, lived, and worked in the Denver area until she moved to Tuckasegee in 1995.
Denise was very creative and loved to paint, but her real...
Janie Ruth Hornaday
Dec 28, 2023
Janie Ruth Hornaday, 93, passed away on Thursday, December 28, 2023. Janie was born on October 14, 1930 to the late John and Bessie Crawford Moses. She enjoyed spending time with her family, swimming, and reading The Jack Tales. Janie was a member of Mount Hebron Wesleyan Church.
Janie is survived by her daughters, Vicki Lewis and...
Shirley DeHart Summey
Dec 26, 2023
Shirley D. Summey
Bryson City - Shirley Jean DeHart Summey, 70, passed away on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at CarePartners Solace Center.
Shirley was a native of Buncombe County and a daughter of the late Wade and Alice Lillard DeHart. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William John Summey, who died in...
Stella Kansas Watson
Dec 26, 2023
Stella Kansas Watson 80 of Cullowhee passed away on Tuesday December 26, 2023. She was born on September 27, 1943 to the late John Robert and Mary Lee Hooper Watson.
Stella was a caregiver.
Stella is survived by three brothers; Thomas N. Watson of Cullowhee, Robert T. Watson of Midway, Tennessee, and John R. Watson of Baltimore, Maryland; one sister,...
Shirley R. Pressley
Dec 27, 2023
Shirley Rae Seago Pressley left this earth to be with God and many loved ones on December 27, 2023.
Born in Jackson County in 1935, Shirley was the youngest daughter of the late Royal Seago and Rhoda Bryson Seago. She survived both parents as well as all of her five brothers and four sisters. She was married for 57 years...
Lois Cowan Ensley
Dec 25, 2023
Lois C. Ensley
Sylva - Lois Cowan Ensley, 86, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on December 25, 2023. BornLois Marie Cowan on March 31, 1937, to Cicero Cowan and Alice Deitz Cowan, she was a lifelong resident of Jackson County, NC. Lois was preceded in death by two siblings; HaroldCowan and Mildred Cowan Shuler.
Lois...
Dan Franklin Buchanan
Dec 24, 2023
Dan Franklin Buchanan, age 85, of the Sutton Branch Community, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 24th. He was the son of the late Thad and Letha McMahan Buchanan, and was a faithful and devoted member of Old Savannah Baptist Church. He willingly served in the United States Army, with a great love for his country. He retired after...
Mark Elliott Trull
Dec 12, 2023
We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our father, Mark E. Trull. He was in a motorcycle accident on 12/12/23, and sadly did not survive. He will be greatly missed and will always hold a special place in our hearts. He is survived by his 3 daughters and their families. Brittany [Robert] Taylor of Cartersville GA., Christie Goddard also...
Jerry Lee McMahan
Dec 23, 2023
Jerry Lee McMahan, age 66, passed away December 23, 2023. He was born July 6, 1957, to the late Daniel Carlin and Louise Wikle McMahan.
Jerry worked for 25 years at Cashiers Plastics. He enjoyed working on vehicles and talking on HAM radios.
Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Linda (Donaldson). He had one beloved son, Scotty who passed...
Carroll Joe Seay
Dec 18, 2023
Carroll Joe Seay, 80, passed away on Monday, December 18, 2023 at his residence.
Carroll was a native and lifelong resident of Jackson County and a son of the late Thomas Joseph and Edith Reed Seay. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Thomas E. and Robert P. Seay. Carroll worked in construction for...
Connie McCready Hooper
Dec 16, 2023
Connie McCready Hooper was born and raised on the small island of Tangier, Virginia, known as the “soft-shell crab capital of the world.” She was one of four children born to the late James and Mina (Crockett) McCready. Connie was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Hooper.
Connie was a woman of many talents and accomplishments. She was a business...
Lisa Gaye Chastain
Dec 18, 2023
Lisa Gaye Chastain, born on August 19, 1966, in Jackson County, was a remarkable woman who touched the lives of many. On December 18, 2023, Lisa passed away in Sylva, NC, leaving behind a legacy of love and cherished memories. She was known for her warmth, kindness, and adventurous spirit.Lisa led a life filled with joy and passion. She found...
Charles Wilson Queen
Dec 15, 2023
Charles Wilson Queen, an 82-year-old lifelong resident of Sylva, NC sadly passed away on December 15, 2023, following a brief illness. Charles, a proud native of Jackson County, was the beloved son of the late Earlie and Essie Queen. He was a member of East Sylva Baptist Church, he had a passion for deer hunting on his Elberton, Georgia...
Jay Lee Potts
Dec 13, 2023
Jay Lee Potts, 86, passed away on Wednesday the 13th day of December 2023. He was born on April 12,1937 to Julie Bell Messer Potts and Wilkes Potts. Jay Married Dorothy Bryson Potts on the 15th of February 1967. Lee was a very hard worker who had many jobs hi-lighted by his trucking and coal mining careers. Although his life started...
Paula Dowdle
Dec 14, 2023
Paula Stillwell Dowdle, 66 of Sylva passed away on December 14, 2023 at Mission Hospital after a period of declining health surrounded by her loving family. She was a native and lifelong resident of Jackson County. She was the youngest child of the late Frederick and Anne Stillwell, of Glenville and had seven brothers and sisters.
Paula worked at Hooper’s...
Irene Wike
Dec 13, 2023
Irene Wike 84 of Cullowhee went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday December 13, 2023. She was born on November 17, 1939 in Jackson County to the late Hayes and Lonella Hooper Wike. Irene loved sitting on her porch, her pets, family photos, flowers, and her dolls. She loved spending time with family.
Irene is survived by...
Ray Marcus Blanton
Dec 10, 2023
Ray Marcus Blanton, age 84, of Sylva, NC passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 10 th . He wasborn on January 9th, 1939 to the late Vester Guy and Edith Hensley Blanton. He was preceded in death byhis siblings, Vester Guy Blanton, Jr. and Wanda Blanton Phillips.
Ray was employed at the Mead Corporation for over a decade and was...
Rena Ammons Wikle
Dec 12, 2023
Otto – Rena Eileen Ammons Wikle, 74, passed away on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at her residence.
Rena was a native of Jackson County and a daughter of the late Bryson Lewis and Rena Coggins Ammons. She worked at Western Carolina University as a housekeeper and was a member of Tilly Creek Baptist Church. Rena loved gardening and working...
Kelly Dora Spencer
Dec 10, 2023
Kelly Dora Spencer, age 65 of Sylva NC, passed away on Sunday December 10, 2023. She was born on September 9, 1958, in Baltimore MD, to the late Claude & Evelyn Herron Spencer.
Kelly loved everybody she ever met. She also tried to get a dollar from every stranger she met 😊. She enjoyed gospel music and Elvis (especially his version...
Geraldine Dockins
Dec 9, 2023
Geraldine Dockins (Gregory), age 80 of Sylva NC, passed away on Saturday December 9, 2023. She was born on April 11, 1943, in Jackson County, to the late Henry & Lorraine Messer Gregory.
Geraldine lived her life as a hard worker who loved Jesus and her church.
She will be dearly missed by her loving son, James “Jimmy” Dockins and...