Obituaries

Dec 9, 2020

Darlous Deitz Buchanan, 75, of the Savannah Community in Sylva, NC passed peacefully away on December 9, 2020. Darlous was a devoted wife of 49 years to Early L. Buchanan and the beloved daughter of Jesse and Ollie Deitz, all of whom preceded Darlous in death. Darlous is survived by one daughter, Donna (Daren) Carley and special nephew, Mike (Billie)...

Dec 5, 2020

Lettie Jane Roper, age 47 of Sylva, NC. passed away Saturday, December 5, 2020.   She was born on June 13, 1973, in Sylva, to Grady Paul and Barbara Ann (Queen) Lewis.

Lettie worked as a CNA and loved helping people.  She enjoyed the outdoors, bird watching and animals.  She loved to laugh and smile while enjoying time spent with her family. 

Lettie...

Dec 5, 2020

Larry Allan Phillips, 78, went to be with his Lord and Savior December 5, 2020 after a brief illness.  He was the son of Marion and Margaret Phillips of Las Cruces, NM.  Larry was preceded in death by his sister, June Phillips Butler, and his daughter, Kelli Kristine Cota.  He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Susan Phillips;...

Dec 3, 2020

Dorothy W. Hooper, age 91, of Tuckasegee, passed away December 3, 2020 after a period of declining health. Dot was born in Tuckasegee to Alvin and Fern Watson and lived most of her life in the valley she loved so much. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother to her family and enjoyed the summer time working in her flowers....

Dec 2, 2020

Jane Bennett Bridgers-Carlos, 54, entered the gates of larger life on Wednesday, December 2, 2020. She was born at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, on April 5, 1966, to Sue Ellen and Ben Bridgers and spent her early childhood in Chapel Hill, N.C., before moving to Sylva in 1971. She grew up in St. John's Episcopal Church.

She attended Fairview...

Nov 29, 2020

Carter Lee Harris, age 69 of Sylva, NC. died Sunday, November 29, 2020.   He was born on March 1, 1951 in Fyffe, AL to the late Carter Helton and Emma Lee (nee Hannah) Harris.

He was a U.S. Army Veteran who served in Vietnam.

Private cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Appalachian Funeral Services of Sylva, NC

Nov 28, 2020

Michael "Mike" Stanley Russell Jr., 56, of Whittier, NC, passed away Saturday November 28, 2020. 

Mike was the son of Judy Russell (Ron Massey) of Florida and the late Michael Stanley Russell Sr. 

Mike loved to fish and loved being in the mountains of Western North Carolina, his Christian faith was most important to him. 

In addition to his mother he is also survived...

Nov 28, 2020

James Carroll Tatham, age 86, of Sylva passed away Saturday, November 28, 2020.  He was the son of the late Ralph Tatham and Eula McLean.  He was married to his wife Pat for 36 years.

Nov 27, 2020

Hung Kim Dang, age 52, of Lawrenceville, GA passed away unexpectedly on November 27, 2020 in Cherokee, NC. 

Born in Vietnam, he was the son of Lien Thi Nguyen and is survived by one son; Albert Dang of San Jose, CA. 

No services are planned at this time. 

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

Nov 25, 2020

Bette Jeanne Reagan, age 88, of Sylva, passed away November 25, 2020. A native of Whittier, Bette Jeanne taught seventh and eighth grade in North Carolina State Schools for over 30 years, during which time she was an accomplished artist and also ran her own business. Bette Jeanne was a dedicated animal lover and a member of First United Church of Sylva.

She...

Nov 25, 2020

Opal L. Franks Bryson, age 88, of Glenville, passed away November 25, 2020 after suffering from the effects of dementia the past couple of years.  Our sweet little mama’s body gave out and the Lord took her home on Thanksgiving Eve to be with him and the mother she missed so much. She was a strong-willed, strong-minded woman who never met a...

Nov 24, 2020

Mr. Olin R. Buchanan, age 82, of Sylva, passed away November 24, 2020. A native of Jackson County, Olin was a devoted member of East Fork Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School and Wednesday night Bible Study. In addition to his late parents, Allen Buchanan and Alice Green Buchanan, he is preceded in death by one sister and three...

Nov 23, 2020

Mary Jo Aiken, 78, of the Caney Fork Community, passed away Monday November 23, 2020. A native and a life long resident of Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late Zebulon and Sally Mathis. 

Mary Jo enjoyed gardening, working with her flowers and especially spending time with her grandsons and family. She was a member of Balsam Grove Baptist...

Nov 23, 2020

J.C. "Pajay" Cagle, 72, of Sylva, passed away peacefully Monday evening November 23, 2020 after complications from a heart disorder. 

A native of Jackson County he was the son of the late Carmel and Almarie Cagle.

After retiring in 2009 in Oklahoma, J.C. returned to the family and mountains he loved so much in Western North Carolina. He loved spending time with...

Nov 22, 2020

Michael Bryan Stout, age 54, of Townsend, DE, passed away suddenly on Sunday, November 22, 2020, in Cherokee, NC, while on vacation with his wife Susan.

Mike was born in Wilmington, DE, on July 18, 1966.  He was predeceased by his parents, Arthur Bryan Stout and Joyce Hicks Stout.  Mike was also predeceased by his brother Timothy, who passed away prior...

Nov 20, 2020

Charles (Charlie) Alvis Guthrie, age 78 of Cashiers, NC, passed from this earthly home to his heavenly home on Friday, November 20, 2020.   He was born on June 12, 1942, in Graham, NC, to the late Scott and Sarah (Parker) Guthrie.

Charlie will always be remembered for his quick wit and numerous stories (that he sometimes repeated over and over).  He...

Nov 17, 2020

Larry Lee Fisher, age 73 of Sylva, NC. passed away Tuesday, November 17, 2020.   He was born on November 21, 1946, in Jackson County to the late Grover Lee and Avainell Horsley Fisher.

He retired from Jackson Paper Mill after many years as a Boiler Operator. Larry enjoyed farming and gospel/bluegrass music.

Larry will be dearly missed by his loving children,...

Nov 15, 2020

Mary Williams Garland, 89, of Waynesville, formerly of Sylva, passed away Sunday November 15, 2020. Born and raised in Jackson County, Mary was the daughter of the late Robert and Ada Leatherman Williams. Mary loved word search puzzles and had a large collection of cows and salt and pepper shakers. She would enjoy doing her Hearts for Seniors, corresponding with...

Nov 15, 2020

Nov 14, 2020