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Harold Dean Smith
Oct 4, 2025
Harold Dean Smith, 95, of Cullowhee, passed away Saturday, October 4, 2025. He was the son of John Wood Smith and Juanita Wilson Smith. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Shirley Bryson and two sisters, Ola Belle York and Shirley Ann Daniel.
He is survived by his three children; Janice (Fred)...
Virginia Hampton Jackson
Oct 1, 2025
Virginia “Tootie” Jackson was born on October 23, 1949, in Sylva North Carolina. She passed away peacefully on October 1, 2025, in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. She was a dedicated 25- year employee of Contel until her retirement in 1999.
She was preceded in death by her father Andrew Hampton; mother Thelma Hampton Bennett; brothers, Johnny Hampson and Jimmy Hampton.
Tootie leaves...
John Henry Druffel III
Sep 26, 2025
John Henry Druffel, III, (84) of Franklin was called home to be with his Heavenly Father on Friday, September 26, 2025.
John was preceded in death by both of his parents, John H. Druffel, Jr and Elaine Pund Druffel; his second wife, Dianne (Foster) Druffel; and his brother, Frank X. Druffel.
John is survived by his wife, Lorraine R. Druffel (Ros), along...
Jacqueline Burgin Painter
Sep 25, 2025
Jacqueline (Jackie) Burgin Painter, age 90, of Sylva, passed away peacefully at her home on September 25, 2025, surrounded by her family.
Born in Hot Springs, North Carolina, Jackie was a longtime resident of Sylva. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Burke Painter. She is survived by her sister, Linda Burgin; her children, Debby Painter Cowan (Kim), Randall...
Kenneth Gentry Gunter
Sep 23, 2025
Whittier – Kenneth Gentry Gunter, 83, passed away on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at Tsali Care Center.
A native of Jackson County, he was a son of the late Gentry and Esther Bryson Gunter. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Linda Louise Gunter and an infant daughter, Lisa Gunter. Kenneth loved...
Harold Dean Parks
Sep 18, 2025
Harold Dean Parks, age 86, of Sylva went home to Heaven on Thursday, September 18, 2025. Harold Dean was born on July 8, 1939 to CY and Wilena Parks in Haywood County, NC. He graduated from Crabtree Iron Duff High School in 1958.
Following High School Harold went to work with his father building houses including his own. In 1963 he...
Pierre Van Burke
Sep 8, 2025
Pierre Van Burke, 82, passed away on September 8, 2025, in Sylva, North Carolina. Born on March 13, 1943, in Vincennes, Indiana, he lived a life marked by intellectual pursuit, professional achievement, and a deep appreciation for adventure.
Pierre earned his master's degree from Indiana State University. His academic journey led him to a fulfilling career in education and athletics. He...
Anna Marie Olsen
Aug 2, 2025
Anna Marie Olsen, 59 of Cullowhee, North Carolina formerly of Grand Haven, MI., passed away peacefully at her home on August 02, 2025.
Anna was born in Grand Haven, MI to Jack and Anielia McCarthy on August 12, 1965. Anna loved to listen to music, work on jigsaw puzzles like her mom, write poetry, and watch the hummingbirds outside her bedroom...
Leon Faraoanu
Sep 14, 2025
Born November 17, 1935 – Buruienesti, Romania
Leon Faraoanu, beloved father, grandfather, and man of faith, passed away leaving behind a legacy of love, sacrifice, and steadfast devotion to family.
Born in Buruienesti, Romania, as the youngest of six siblings, Leon’s early years were marked by a strong work ethic and academic talent. His dedication earned him a full scholarship to study...
Verna Bryson
Sep 13, 2025
Verna Bryson of Balsam, NC, gained her heavenly home on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the age of 89. Verna was born on February 15th, 1936, to the late Thad and Letha Buchanan of the Greens Creek Community, Sylva, NC. She graduated in 1954 from Webster High School ( The Hilltoppers). Growing up, Verna learned love, warmth, and kindness from...
Linda R. Lane
Sep 11, 2025
With heavy hearts and full glasses, we announce the passing of Linda R. Lane, who left us on September 11, 2025, at the age of 79. Born on July 27, 1946 in Manhattan New York, Linda lived her life with a rare blend of grit, warmth, and generosity that made her unforgettable to everyone lucky enough to know her. Linda...
Billy Ray "Bill" Buchanan
Sep 9, 2025
Billy Ray "Bill" Buchanan passed peacefully from this world on Tuesday September 9th, just one week before his 95th birthday. Born on September 16, 1930, to Tom and Carrie Buchanan, Bill was a devoted husband to Jackie for 53 years, and a loving father to Jim (Ann) and Kim (Eddie) Marrocco. A few years after Jackie's passing, Bill married Evelyn,...
Tracy Fuqua Torres
Sep 5, 2025
Tracy Renee Fuqua Torres, 56, of Sylva, North Carolina, passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 5, 2025, from heart complications.
Born on October 25, 1968, in Bartow, Florida, Tracy was the beloved daughter of the late Linda Braswell Fuqua and Bobby Fuqua Sr. She grew up with a deep sense of love for her family, a trait that would...
Robert Lee Summers
Sep 5, 2025
Robert Lee Summers, Age 72
Robert Lee Summers, born on February 16, 1953, in Glendale, California, passed away on September 5, 2025, in Maryville, Tennessee.
Robert was the beloved son of Cliff and Bo Summers. He was in his 50th year of marriage to his soulmate, Velda Rivers Summers and was a proud father to Brooke (Carl) Frizzell and Heather Stacey Summers,...
James Baxter Breedlove
Sep 6, 2025
James "Jimmy" Baxter Breedlove went home to his Lord and Savior on Saturday, September 6, 2025. He was born in Transylvania County, NC on July 4, 1939 to Jesse Franklin and Lola Vera Owen Breedlove. He was preceded in death by both parents, brothers Joe and Owen Breedlove, his sister Hazel Breedlove and his beloved son, Shannon Eugene Breedlove. Only...
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...
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