Obituaries

Mar 10, 2023

 

Donny Jack Howell, 72, of Waynesville, NC, passed away Friday March 10, 2023.He was born to the late Stella Sue Sutton. Donny attended Sylva Webster High School and worked in heating and air for many years before retiring. He loved spending time with his family, riding his motorcycle, going to drag races and his 1970 Boss 302 !He will...

Mar 8, 2023

Jacob Wyatt Bauknecht, 26, of Cullowhee, went home to be with The Lord Wednesday morning Match 8, 2023A Native and a lifelong resident of Jackson County, Jacob was always smiling.  Whether he was traveling or going somewhere with his family, they would go everywhere together, or if he was just spending time alone with his family, whom he loved dearly,...

Mar 3, 2023

James Ned “Sweat Bee” Clayton, age 73 of Sylva NC, passed away on Friday March 3, 2023, after several months of declining health. He was born on June 11, 1949, in Jackson County, to the late Terrell & Gertrude Blanton, Clayton. 

Sweat Bee was a graduate of Sylva Webster High School.  He was a native and lifelong resident who enjoyed...

Mar 4, 2023

Winifred Brown Dills, 79, of Sylva, NC transitioned to heaven on March 4th, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband Jerry Dills.

Winnie was a native of Jackson County most of her life. She was born in Buncombe County in 1943 to her parents Kenneth and Ethel Brown. Winnie and Jerry had three daughters, Lisa and Sean Barr...

Mar 3, 2023

Richard Reed Heatherly, age 68, of Sylva, went to his heavenly home on Friday, March 3, 2023.

Reed was born on May 17, 1954, in Haywood County. He was a 1972 graduate of Pisgah High School. Reed was an avid farmer who loved animals and the outdoors. He married the love of his life, Sandra Wike, in 1975. They were...

Mar 2, 2023

 

Traci Jean Dellinger (Settlemyre), age 55 of Sylva NC, passed away on Thursday March 2, 2023.   She was born on November 7, 1967, in Jackson County, to Jimmie Eugene & Ruth Sneed Settlemyre.

She will be dearly missed by her loving husband, Jaime; children, Kalin (Karson) Haskett, Derek Dellinger, Jessica (David) Swanger; siblings, Terry (Michelle) Settlemyre, Connie (Robert)...

Mar 3, 2023

 

Harry David Howell, age 85 of Cullowhee NC, passed away on Friday March 3, 2023.   He was born on June 21, 1937, in Jackson County, to the late David & Janie Mae Norman Howell.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 – 1:00PM on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at Appalachian Funeral Services, Sylva NC, with a Funeral Service...

Mar 1, 2023

John Winfred Ashe, age 91 of Cullowhee NC, passed away on Wednesday, March 1, 2023.   He was born on September 18, 1931, in Swain County, to the late J. Walter Ashe and Vola Bryant Ashe. 

A Graveside Service will take place at 2:00PM on Sunday, March 5, 2023, at Fairview Memorial Gardens, Sylva, NC.  Reverend Kevin Brooks, officiating.  PLEASE...

Feb 28, 2023

 

Mrs. Faye Buckner Taylor, age 89, passed away Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at her home in Elkin.

Mrs. Taylor was born March 7, 1933 in Transylvania County to Esby Buckner and Beulah Galloway Buckner.

Mrs. Taylor was a member of New Hope Baptist Church and  retired from Western Carolina University.

In addition to her parents Mrs. Taylor was preceded...

Feb 21, 2023

 

Annie Ruth Mathis

Ruth Mathis, 82, of Franklin, passed away February 21, 2023Ruth was born February 12, 1941 in Greenville, North Carolina and was the daughter of the late William and Martha Braxton. She moved to Jackson County in June of 1977 with her late husband Carl Mathis, and that's where she resided till 2022 when she moved to...

Feb 26, 2023

Bobby Mills, 72, of Sylva, passed away Sunday morning, February 26, 2023A native and a lifelong resident of Jackson County, he was the son of Opal Estes Mills of Sylva and the late Herbert Mills. Bobby retired from TWSA and had previously worked at several of Jackson County textile industries.He enjoyed hunting and fishing and just loved spending times outdoors.In addition...

Feb 24, 2023

 

Betty Fox Young, 81, of Cullowhee went home to be with the Lord on Friday, February 24th, 2023. Betty was born on June 28, 1941 to the late Roy and Midia Norman Fox.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Rita Dyer; two brothers, Dennis and Eddie (Bonita) Fox; and sister, Janette Fox. Also surviving are her granddaughter, Diann Barker...

Feb 23, 2023

 

Bobby Ray Sorrells, 59, of the Pumpkintown Community passed away Thursday February 23, 2023.A native and a lifelong resident of Jackson County, Bobby was the son of the late James Pete and Alberta Melton Sorrells. He was a Member of Zion Hill Baptist Church and he enjoyed fishing, camping or racing RC Trucks. In addition to his parents he was also...

Dec 15, 2024

Reverend Lyndon Joseph Biddix Reverend Lyndon Joseph Biddix, 78, of Sylva entered the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, December 15, 2024, surrounded by his children and many loving grandchildren. He was born in Jackson County, N.C. on December 6, 1946, to the late Lebron Biddix and Ollie Shular Biddix. He was a loyal and faithful...

Oct 29, 2024

Emerson Carroll Blanton

It is with saddened hearts we announce the home going of Emerson Carroll Blanton lovingly known as Pete. He closed his eyes and opened them in the arms of Jesus his savior on October 29, 2024.

Pete had many pleasures in his life besides his family, one being a member of Ochre Hill Baptist church. He loved to sing...

Sep 25, 2024

Sep 8, 2024

On Sunday, September 8, Patricia S. Jones passed away peacefully in her sleep at home. Known as Patti to her many friends in Sylva and elsewhere, she was a bright light to anyone who met her.

Patti grew up in Savannah, Georgia and attended Georgia Southern University where it's rumored she majored in bridge. In later life she attended UNC Greensboro...

Jun 12, 2024

Robert Lee Lanning 74 of Haywood County passed away on Wednesday June 12, 2024. He lived most of his life in Cullowhee. Robert was born in Buncombe County on December 5, 1949 to Carl Lee Lanning and Macney Jane Maynor. Robert is survived by his son, Shannon Lanning; daughter, Deborah Lanning; four grandchildren; and many great grandchildren. Several nieces also...

Jun 9, 2024

A full obituary for Harold will be forthcoming. Please check back.

May 23, 2024

Michael Robert Sheets, 84 of Balsam, NC, passed away peacefully Thursday, May 23, 2024. Mike was born on January 3, 1940, in Jacksonville, FL, to the late Paul Grimes and Charlotte Pauline Denke Sheets. Mike lived most of his life in Daytona Beach, FL, before moving to his beloved mountain home in Balsam, NC. Mike and his “Child Bride” Susan...