Obituaries

Nov 8, 2022

 Harold Wilkey, age 96, of Sylva, NC, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Just before God called him home, his wish was to sing “I Want to Stroll Over Heaven With You.” He was the husband of Ruth Wilkey and the son of the late George and Elsie Wilkey.Harold...

Nov 6, 2022

Mary Totten Barnes of Sylva, North Carolina died Sunday, November 6, 2022, in Sylva NC, two weeks short of her 94th birthday. She was born November 18th, 1928, in Fort Pierce, Florida. She was a retired schoolteacher.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Leo D. Barnes. She is survived by a son, Barry Barnes, of Sylva.

A...

Nov 5, 2022

Louise Paxton Ashe, 95 of Sylva, passed away on Saturday, November 5, 2022. She was born on September 23, 1927, in Swain County to the late William “Bill” and Myrtle Crisp Paxton. Louise worked as a Hairdresser at Tuckasegee Beauty Shop, later running her own shop from home. After retirement from hairdressing, she went back to work as a Reading...

Nov 3, 2022

Thomas Nelson Rodgers of Cullowhee passed away at the age of 78 on Thursday, November 3, 2022.

Tom was born on April 15th, 1944, in Huntsville Alabama, the son of Thomas and Vivian Rodgers. He graduated from Sidney Lanier High School (Montgomery, Alabama) in 1962, Auburn University in 1966 (Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering), and the University of...

Nov 2, 2022

Nov 2, 2022

Louise Hendrix, 88 of Sapphire, NC/Vero Beach, FL passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Nov 2, 2022.

 Louise was born the fourth of six siblings in Bernsdorf, Germany in 1934 and spent most of her childhood and school days in Gera, Germany. She grew up with Christian values that her parents have conveyed to her. In February 1945 Louise stayed with...

Nov 2, 2022

Lula Belle Rochester, age 86 and a life-long resident of Jackson County, passed away in her home surrounded by family on November 2, 2022. She was born on October 15, 1936, to the late, Elizabeth "Lizzy" Cabe Frady and William Thad Frady Sr.

Belle married Alvin "Junior" Rochester and they were happily married for many wonderful years. She enjoyed participating...

Nov 1, 2022

William “Bill” Oscar Ashe, 72 of Whittier, passed away Tuesday, November 1, 2022. Bill was born on February 23, 1950, in Jackson County to the late Wade and Abbie Dockery Ashe. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, cooking, and camping. Bill loved spending time with his family. He will be missed by many.

 

Bill is survived by his daughters, Becky...

Oct 30, 2022

Tracy Jean Whitaker of Webster, NC passed away on October 30, 2022, after a period of declining health. She was born on Apr. 12, 1956 in Monroe, NC. Tracy was part of a military family and had gotten to travel the globe from a young age, including to Turkey and Morocco and even lived in Alaska. She was a 1973...

Oct 27, 2022

Roger Queen, age 54, of Cullowhee, NC, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 27, 2022. He was the son of Mack Queen and the late Mackie Queen. 

He was self-employed in the construction industry. Roger loved to hunt, especially bear hunting. He dearly loved his family. 

Roger is survived by one daughter, Jessica Queen; one son,...

Oct 27, 2022

Bonnie Cope Carnes, 68, of Whittier, went home to be with the Lord, Thursday evening October 27, 2022A native a lifelong resident of Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late Claude and Charlotte Cope.Bonnie was a Member of Hyatts Chapel Baptist Church and had a very close community of friends at Church and also at the Jackson County...

Oct 26, 2022

Shelbia Jean Jacobs, 81, of Morristown, TN., formerly of Sylva, passed away Wednesday morning October 26, 2022.Born and raised in Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Lora Justice.A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, she enjoyed more than anything else spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a Member of Grace Point Baptist...

Oct 26, 2022

Rita Saunders McGraw, age 53, passed away peacefully at home on October 26, 2022. Born in Jackson County, she was the daughter of Harley and Dallie Saunders. 

She loved taking care of flowers and spending time with her grandkids.

Survivors in addition to her husband, James McGraw, are four daughters, Heather, Felicia, Nicole, and Trista; one son, Colby and ten...

Oct 24, 2022

Robert “Bob” Ray Taylor, age 69 of Sylva NC, passed away on Monday October 24, 2022.   He was born on June 23, 1953, in Jackson County, to the late John and Gladys (Gragg) Taylor. 

Bob worked as a carpenter for most of his life.  He was involved in the construction of many homes in Jackson County.  Bob's passion was...

Oct 21, 2022

Greta Jane Davis, 81, of Sylva, passed away peacefully Friday October 21, 2022A native of Macon County she was the daughter of the late John and Lucy HigdonShe was a Member of East Fork Baptist Church and retired from Jackson County Social Services. She loved spending time with her family and with her friends, she never met a stranger !In...

Oct 20, 2022

Kevin “Boo” Scott Watson, 30 of Sylva, passed away on Thursday, October 20, 2022. He was born in Jackson County on July 15, 1992, to Mark Watson and Brenda Hoyle Newcomb. Kevin enjoyed the outdoors, skateboarding, and spending time with his daughters.

 

In addition to his parents, Kevin is survived by his daughters, Hadlee, Hazel, and Haylee; brother,...

Oct 20, 2022

Jesse Wilson MacWatt of Sylva, NC died on Wednesday, October 20, 2022 of natural causes. Jesse was a retired Gunnery Sergeant in the Marine Corps and true hero. He was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal in 1987 for the role he played in saving the lives of three people from a fire in Jacksonville, NC. (The Navy Marine...

Oct 20, 2022

Arthur Pilch, aged 89, passed away at Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville on Thursday, October 20, 2022, after a lengthy illness. Art was married to Judith Pilch for 67 years and had lived in Sylva since 1970. He was born in Bloomfield, NJ to Frederic and Dorothy Pilch. His mother, Dorothy Rees Pilch, was originally from Wales.

 

In addition...

Oct 19, 2022

Melodi Layne Roddenberry Standingdeer, age 63, of Sylva, NC, passed away peacefully on October 19, 2022. 

She was born in Vero Beach, FL and was a longtime resident of Jackson County, NC. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, David and Ruth Roddenberry.  

She was loved by her partner in life, Ben Fuller; her daughters, Shannon Chickie Trejo...

Oct 18, 2022

Rev. Robert L. "Bob" Moore, age 87, of Sylva, NC, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October, 18, 2022. He was the son of the late Richard and Hazel Moore. 

Bob was a retired Methodist minister and was a graduate of Duke Divinity School. He pastored multiple churches all around North Carolina.

In addition to his parents,...