Obituaries

Feb 4, 2022

Margie Deitz Buchanan passed into another life on Friday, February 4, 2022, after a brief period of declining health.  She was born in Sylva NC, on September 3, 1924, to Hanley and Mary Etta Morgan Deitz. 

She was a devoted and beloved wife, mother, grandmother and aunt, but also had a special relationship with almost everyone who knew her.  She especially...

Feb 4, 2022

Ronnie Steven Swisher passed away on Friday February 4th.

He was preceeded in death by his mother Lori Swisher. 

Survived by his children Aliyah and Kaitlynn Swisher and their mother Carolyn Reed. 

His father Steven Swisher. Brothers Chris Bright (Rachel) Cori Green (Gabrielle) and Tristan Swisher. Nephews Devlin Bright, Kayson Bright, Scott Bright, and Malakai Green. 

Paternal grandmother Jean Swisher...

Jan 28, 2022

 

Billy Joe Bradley, age 57 of Jackson County NC, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, January 28th, 2022. He was the son of the late Kenneth and Nelta Bradley. He was a member of Piney Mountain Baptist Church.

 He is survived by his son, Brandon Bradley; brothers, Dennis (Regina), Jerry (Donna) and Michael (Barbara); sisters, Gail...

Jan 27, 2022

Hazel Gunter Young, 87, of Whittier, passed away Thursday January 27, 2022.

Born November 7, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Oscar Gunter and Florence Phillips. 

Hazel was the former owner and operator of several gift shops in Cherokee. She enjoyed reading, collecting handmade silver jewelry and loved her flowers.

In addition to her parents she was also...

Jan 26, 2022

Presentacion Araneta Raby, 92, of Whitter, passed away Wednesday January 26, 2022.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday February 4, 2022 at St Josephs Catholic Church in Bryson City, NC at 12 Noon. 

Jan 26, 2022

Judy Kaye Bowen, age 63, of Sylva, NC, passed away on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 after an extended illness. She was the daughter of the late Bernice Broom Moore of Jackson County, NC and the late Lamar Joseph Moore of Atlanta, GA. 

She loved to read and enjoyed writing and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. 

In addition...

Jan 26, 2022

Katherine Corbin Monteith, 92, of Cashiers, NC passed away on Wednesday, January 26, 2022. She was born on July 16, 1929, to the late Preaulo and Alda Pressly Corbin. She was a lifelong resident of Southern Jackson County.

A Funeral Service for Katherine will be held at 1:00pm in the chapel of Appalachian Funeral Services on Tuesday, February 1, 2022....

Jan 23, 2022

Jimmy Tolley 62 of Sylva passed away on Sunday, January 23, 2022. He was born on August 12, 1959 in Jackson County to the late Jack and Laverne Tolley.

Jimmy is survived by his wife, Lois Tolley; a brother, John Tolley and several nieces and nephews.

No services are planned.

Jan 22, 2022

Mary Pearle Ensley Adams, age 77, of Cullowhee, passed away on Saturday, January 22, 2022. She was a lifelong resident of Jackson County and attended Balsam Grove Baptist Church.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Ervin and Amanda; brothers, Carroll, Blaine, Bobby, and Clifton; a sister, Betty; a grandson, Ty; nephews, Eddie, Dale, and Jay; and a great niece,...

Jan 21, 2022

Jan 21, 2022

Alvin Norton Kinkaid Jr., age 66, of Sylva, NC, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, January 21st, 2022. He was born on July 30th, 1955, in Dade County (Miami), Florida, to the late Alvin N. Kinkaid Sr. and Virginia (Albert) Kinkaid. Al was a graduate of Miami Central High School and Florida International University. He began his...

Jan 19, 2022

Reverend William Junior Eastridge Jr, age 75 of Sylva NC, passed away Wednesday, January 19, 2022. He was born December 11, 1946, in Fries, VA, to the late William Sr and Edna (Arnold) Eastridge.William, affectionately known as “Jay”, highly regarded the military and the fact that he had served his Country. He was always thanking other people for their service....

Jan 17, 2022

William C. “Bill” Dills, 78, of Cullowhee, NC went home to be with the Lord on January 17, 2022. He was a life-long resident of Jackson County.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Zelda Dills, a brother Jim Dills, and two grandchildren, Kayla and Cody Clements. Bill is survived by his wife Inez, the love of...

Jan 15, 2022

Jerry Alan Coffey, PhD, 77, of Webster and Biltmore Lake, NC passed away peacefully at Haywood Medical Center on Saturday, January 15, 2022. Jerry was born on June 4, 1944, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his parents Oscar and Katie Coffey, and his wife of 54 years, Laura Lee Denton.

Jerry is survived by his family,...

Jan 14, 2022

Marcus Barker, 87, of Sylva went home to be with the Lord on Friday, January 14, 2022. Marcus was born on July 18, 1934 in Jackson County to the late Ottis and Virginia Barker.

Marcus enjoyed going to church, gardening, and sitting on his front porch waving at everyone that passed by. He loved his family especially his grandchildren and...

Jan 13, 2022

William "Bill" DeHart, 74, of Webster, passed away Wednesday January 13, 2022.

A native born and raised in North Carolina, he was the son of the late Winfred and Grace DeHart.Bill was a proud US Air Force Veteran having served in Viet Nam and earned a Bronze Star. He then became a US Park Ranger serving in the following locations; Smoky...

Jan 10, 2022

William "Will" Victor Bullock, 77, of Sylva went home to be with the Lord on Monday January 10. He was born on December 31, 1944 in St. Louis, Illinois to the late William and Dorothy Bullock. He was married for eighteen years to Cathy Bullock and was in law enforcement for thirty years. He attended Living Water Church.

Will loved camping...

Jan 10, 2022

Jean Williams Robinson, 85, of Cullowhee, passed away Monday January 10, 2022.

Born February 26, 1936 in Haywood County, she enjoyed sewing, cooking and spending time at the beach. She retired from The Office of Development and Special Services as an Administrative Assistant at Western Carolina University. She was preceded in death by her parents, James Everett Hardin and Elizabeth Williams,...

Jan 8, 2022

William Wilkey, 89, of Dillsboro NC, went home to be with the Lord, Saturday January 8, 2022. A native and lifelong resident of Jackson County, he was the son of the late Charlie and Myrtle (Elders) Wilkey. William was a member of Dicks Creek Baptist Church. He had a passion and talent for playing the guitar, mandolin, bass, and fiddle....

Jan 6, 2022

Mary Louise Deitz (Crawford), age 93 of Sylva NC, passed away on Thursday January 6, 2022. She was born on January 9, 1928, in Jackson County, to the late Wiley Cornelius and Irene (Shepherd) Crawford.Mary was a dear wife, daughter, mother, Granma, Mimi, and friend. She loved the Lord and loved being a Pastor’s wife and prayer warrior. She was...