Obituaries

May 20, 2021

May 19, 2021

Betty Ashe Gentry Luker

March 21, 1935 – May 19, 2021

Betty Ashe Gentry Luker, 86 went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, surrounded by her family. Betty was born in Jackson County to the late Joe Marion and Bessie Locust Ashe and was preceded in death by her sons; Joe Gentry and David Gentry, and also Robert Gentry...

May 18, 2021

Cecil Kyle Cosper, age 67, passed away at home on May 18, 2021, following a period of declining health.  He was the son of the late Cecil “Pete” and Wilma Cosper.

Kyle received his Bachelors degree from Western Carolina University.  After graduation, he began a career in the restaurant field.  He eventually went back to Western to get his MBA.  In...

May 17, 2021

Abbiedale McCall Carter, age 80, of Sylva, NC, passed away at her home following a period of extended illness. She was the wife of the late James William Carter and the daughter of the late Albert and Ethel McCall. 

No services are planned at this time per her wishes. 

Appalachian Funeral Services of Sylva, NC is serving the family. 

May 15, 2021

Lana Ann Collier, 65, passed away on May 15, 2021. She was born to Albert F. Turner Sr. and Dorothy R. Parrish in Takoma Park, Maryland on February 20, 1956.

She will be greatly missed and leaves behind 3 children: Michael and his wife Amber, Matthew, and Melissa and her husband John. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren: Madelyn, Aria,...

May 14, 2021

James Claude Queen Jr., 82, of Brevard, passed away May 14, 2021 at Pisgah Manor after a period of declining health. 

Junior was born November 14, 1938 in Jackson County, NC, to the late Claude H. Queen and Mary Jane Prince Queen. He was also preceded in death by one sister Carolyn Queen Young and by one brother Henry Queen. 

He is...

May 14, 2021

Richard Edwin Austin, age 56 of Sylva NC, passed away suddenly on Friday, May 14, 2021.   He was born on June 3, 1964, in Haywood County, to the Harold and Elizabeth Louise (Thompson) Austin.

Edwin, also affectionately known as “Bones” or “High Pockets”, was an avid outdoorsman.  He enjoyed bear hunting, fishing, and cooking.  He was a highly intelligent man who loved...

May 9, 2021

Lois Bonner Smith, age 79, of Glenville, NC, passed away on Sunday, May 9, 2021. She was the daughter of Ray and Neva Green Bonner. 

No services are planned at this time per Lois's wishes. 

Appalachian Funeral Services of Sylva, NC is serving the family. 

May 6, 2021

Max K. Holland, Jr. (Kerry Holland), passed away on May 6, 2021. He was born in Chapel Hill, NC (henceforth a lifelong “Tarheel”). In the wake of Max's life he leaves his beloved children: Paige, a golden girl with a kind and golden heart. She and her dad loved each other fiercely; and Drew, his deeply loved son who was...

May 6, 2021

Francis Hebel, age 94, of Sylva, NC, passed away on Thursday, May 6, 2021. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 3, 1926 and was retired as a Resort Manager in the Rental Properties Industry. 

No services are planned at this time per his wishes. 

Appalachian Funeral Services of Sylva, NC is serving the family. 

May 5, 2021

Lillie Mae Seagle, age 47, of Sylva, NC, passed away on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 following an extended illness. She was the daughter of Phillip Gerald Seagle and Ella Mae Owle.

She is survived by one son; Benito Ray Mendia and her significant other; Benito Mendia. 

No services are planned at this time per Lillie's wishes. 

Appalachian Funeral Services of Sylva, NC is serving...

Apr 28, 2021

Dottie Franco, age 51, passed away on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 after an extended illness. She was the daughter of the late Terry and Joy Timmons. 

She was disability retired. Dottie was a real family person who dearly loved each member of her family. 

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by one son; Senovio Maldonado, one brother;...

Apr 28, 2021

J.D. Pruitt, 86, of Sylva, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, April 28, 2021.

J.D. was born in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana on May 3, 1934, to the late Adam Pruitt and Margie Etta (Marcantel) Pruitt.

He enjoyed growing a garden, cooking his famous Gumbo, and pickin’ and grinnin’. But he treasured most of all sitting on the front porch...

Apr 26, 2021

Corey Patrick Gruver, age 44 of Sapphire NC, passed away Monday, April 26, 2021.   He was born on January 31, 1977, in Palm Beach, FL, to Lloyd and Patricia (Killough) Gruver.

Corey worked as an electrician and had many interests: sports, playing golf, Nascar, shooting guns, and hunting.  He enjoyed unique antique items and hard-to-find novelties.  Corey loved to laugh and...

Apr 23, 2021

James Baxter Wood, 88, of Cullowhee passed away, April 23, 2021, after a brief illness.  Born May 15, 1932, he was the son of the late Dillard and Agatha Wood.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Sue Wood, to whom he was married for 58 years.  He was a member of a large family and was preceded in...

Apr 22, 2021

Bessie McMahan Brooks of the Barkers Creek Community went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 22, 2021. She was born December 31, 1938 to the late Adam and Emma Lee McMahan of the Greens Creek Community and was the wife of the late Eulas Brooks who passed away on June 16, 1989. 

She was a member of Rockdale...

Apr 22, 2021

Gerald “Jerry” Lee Fisher, 72, of Watson Branch, Cullowhee, passed away Thursday, April 22, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family and loved ones after a long illness. He was born January 6, 1949 in Macon County and was the youngest of nine children born to the late Robert H. and Margaret Mills Fisher, and was the husband of...

Apr 21, 2021

Clara Lynn Green Martin, 73, of Sylva, went to be with her Heavenly Father on Tuesday April 21, 2021.

Clara Lynn was born in Sylva to George M. and the late Aileen B. Green. She was preceded in death by her brother Stanley Green.

She was a member of Green's Creek Baptist Church, where she was active as a pianist and choir...

Apr 20, 2021

Aria Reign Savage-Snead of Cherokee, NC was born sleeping on Tuesday, April 20,2021. She is the daughter of Alex Thigpen and Richard Sneed. 

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 6:00 pm in the chapel at Appalachian Funeral Services in Sylva, NC with Richard Read officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service...

Apr 19, 2021

Ronnie Allen Thomas, 69, of Franklin, NC, passed away Monday morning April 19, 2021. A native of Chesterland, Ohio, he was the son of the late Marvin and Pauline Thomas. 

Ronnie was an US Air Force Veteran and a member of American Legion Post 108 in Franklin, NC. He was an avid sports fan who enjoyed learning and reading about history....