Obituaries

Oct 15, 2021

Dorothy Ruth Parrish, 90, of Cullowhee, NC, passed away Friday, October 15, 2021. She was born on August 8, 1931, to the late William and Lola DeLong. Dorothy loved spending time with her family. She was a member of Sylva Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Dorothy is survived by daughters, Margie Fore, Debbie Marraffa, and Mary Jane Turner; sons, Bobby Turner, Bubby...

Oct 11, 2021

On October 11, 2021, Dr. Ronald L. Servoss, husband of Linda (Jiles) Servoss, passed away after a lengthy illness. Dr. Servoss was born in Flint, Michigan and raised in Florida. He was the first in his family to pursue higher education. However, Dr. Servoss’s path to Loma Linda University School of Medicine in California was not direct. There were journeys...

Oct 8, 2021

Gail Ann (Minnick) Szugda, 76, of Sylva, NC passed away on Friday, October 8, 2021. She was a mother/grandmother and had a career for 30+ years in the medical field.

She was born in New Hampshire but lived in Orlando, Florida for several years spending the last 12 years living in Sylva, NC.

She is survived by her four children: Janet O’Kelley,...

Oct 6, 2021

James C. Myers III, of Webster NC, passed peacefully on October 6, 2021, with his wife of 56 years, Sharon Ann Myers beside him. 

Jim was an avid fisherman and loved to fish with his best friends on his boat. Jim was a licensed building contractor and built hundreds of houses and apartments in Jackson County for 49 years. He was...

Oct 5, 2021

Oct 5, 2021

Julia Lee Queen (Buckmaster), died on Tuesday October 5, 2021, in Sylva NC, at the age of 85.

Julia Lee Buckmaster married Cecil Doc Queen in 1955. They met on a blind date. They welcomed Cecil Ray Queen in 1956 and Timothy Lee Queen in 1959 and Steven Ellen Queen in 1961 and Julia Ann Queen in 1964. Julia was a...

Oct 3, 2021

Betty J. Painter, 86, passed away Sunday, October 3, 2021. Mrs. Painter was a kind and passionate woman who loved her family and friends dearly. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Eldridge Painter.

Mrs. Painter attended the First Presbyterian Church of Sylva where she had been a member since 1949. She retired from Wachovia Bank, having served as...

Sep 30, 2021

Shirley Irene Clawson Mace, 73, of Sylva, passed away Thursday, September 30, 2021. Shirley was born on February 18, 1948 in Jackson County to the late Jim and Lillian Clawson.

Shirley enjoyed crocheting, and listening to country and gospel music. She loved spending time with her family and friends. Shirley was a member of Laurel Branch Baptist Church in Sylva, NC.

Shirley...

Sep 29, 2021

           Growing up in Baltimore, Maryland, Kathleen “Kathy” Martin Nicholl drew pictures of horses, read about horses, and hoped one day to have a horse.  She began to fulfill that dream when she and her husband started Fern Hill Farm near Cullowhee, North Carolina, in 1974.  First came a barn, and over the years they bought...

Sep 29, 2021

Robert Tyrone “Ty” Chastain was born on February 24, 1985, he was 36 years old. A lifelong resident of Jackson County. He was the husband of Brandy Chastain, the father of Chase Chastain.

Ty loved to spend time with his wife and son, enjoyed riding his motorcycles at the Dragon with his friends and liked watching MotoGP on Sundays.

In addition to...

Sep 29, 2021

Brenda Gail Marks, 65, of Sylva, passed away Wednesday evening September 29, 2021. A native and a lifelong resident of Jackson County she was the daughter of Mildred Mitchum of Robbinsville and the late Bud Bryson. 

Brenda enjoyed working in her garden, flowers and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

In additon to her father she was also preceded in death...

Sep 25, 2021

Bette Lain, age 93, of Sylva, NC (formerly of Gibson City, IL) passed away at home on Sept. 25, 2021 of a heart condition complicated by a fall and small stroke.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Gene Lain, parents Art and Hattie VanBlaracum, brother Bud VanBlaracum (Toots), sisters Bea Ashmore (Sandy), Opal Jordan (Virgil), Nadyne...

Sep 20, 2021

Theresa Fiore Freer Brown, Sylva, NC, passed away peacefully on September 20, 2021. She was born in Millbrook, NY to the late Filomena and Joseph Fiore.

Theresa was previously married to the late Neil A. Freer of Santa Fe, NM, and the late Anthony E. Brown, Cullowhee, NC. She leaves five children: Joseph Freer and wife Susanne, Bermuda Run, NC; Monica...

Sep 19, 2021

Jason Navarro, 47, of Whittier, passed away Sunday September 19, 2021.

A native of Texas, Jason had resided in Jackson County for the past 7 years and was the son of the late Diana Bradley.

He enjoyed playing video games and legos but he loved just spending time with his family and friends.

He is survived by his life partner of 14 years...

Sep 18, 2021

Sep 17, 2021

Terry Lynn Sams, 72 of Whittier, passed away on Friday, September 17, 2021. Terry was born on March 29, 1949 in Buncombe County. He was the son of the late Jim Hendrix and Neta Sams Hendrix.

Terry enjoyed going fishing, hunting, and camping. He loved mowing his yard and cooking for his family. His specialty was Mexican cornbread. Terry loved his family especially...

Sep 17, 2021

Betty Elliott, age 72, of Cullowhee, passed away on Friday, September 17, 2021. She was the daughter of the late Guy Seagle and the late Cora Lee Ray. 

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her son; Mickey Woodring; brothers; Phillip Seagle, Fred Thomas Seagle; and grandchildren, Johnie Holden, Ralph Golden, and Casey Nicholson.

Betty is...

Sep 17, 2021

Carolyn Irene Frisbee Beasley, 78, of Sylva, passed away Friday, September 17, 2021, after a long illness.  She was born in Macon County on January 12, 1943, to the late Bessie Cagle Buchanan and William Glenn Frisbee.  She resided in Sylva all her life.

Carolyn was a member of East Sylva Baptist Church. She loved her family and loved to travel,...

Sep 17, 2021

Terry Lynn Sams, 72 of Whittier, passed away on Friday, September 17, 2021. Terry was born on March 29, 1949, in Buncombe County. He was the son of the late Jim Hendrix and Neta Sams Hendrix.

Terry enjoyed going fishing, hunting, and camping. He loved mowing his yard and cooking for his family. His specialty was Mexican cornbread. Terry loved...

Sep 16, 2021

Barbara “Louise” Leopard, 83 of Cullowhee, passed away Thursday, September 16, 2021. Louise was born on January 23, 1938, to the late Eugene and Octavia Watson in Jackson County.

Louise loved working in her flowers and her garden. She enjoyed listening to gospel music, going on scenic drives, and taking pictures. Louise loved her family and friends, but most of...