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Thomas W. Jones
Jan 7, 2024
Thomas William Jones passed away peacefully at home on January 7, 2024, surrounded by family.
He was born in Sylva on August 29, 1943, to Claude Monteith Jones and Coral Lee Picklesimer Jones. Tom was a graduate of Mars Hill College and Wake Forest University School of Law and was active in the Sylva community his entire life. He...
James Hogg Paul
Jan 5, 2024
Mr. James Paul, age 78, of Glenville NC was unexpectantly taken on Friday January 5, 2024. He was born on August 11, 1945, in Binghamton NY, to the late Kenneth Paul and Nellie (Johnson) Paul.
Jim was a graduate of Fairport High School, Alfred State College, Rochester Institute of Technology, and the Graduate School of Masters of Business Administration at...
Brian Wesley Fox
Jan 7, 2024
Brian Wesley Fox, age 19, was born in Sylva NC on November 16, 2004. He passed away unexpectedly on January 7, 2024, at Mission Hospital. He was the son of Tabitha Massey (Clifford Massey) of Cullowhee NC. He lived with his grandparents, Bonita Fox and Eddie Fox of Sylva NC for most of his 19 years, so he referred...
Bobby Joe Crew
Jan 3, 2024
Bobby Joe Crew, a beloved soul who touched the lives of many, passed away on January 3, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, resilience, and unwavering dedication. Born on October 13, 1950, in Jefferson County, Alabama, Bobby Joe's journey was marked by a commitment to helping others and spreading love in every corner he ventured.One of Bobby Joe's proudest...
Paul Hampton Bennett
Jan 5, 2024
Paul Hampton Bennett, age 92, of Balsam, NC, died on January 5, 2024. He was born in Zion, IL in 1931 to Roland O. Bennett and Ruth S. Voliva.Paul was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, and is survived by his wife Barbara and his daughters, Brenda, Teresa and Paulette, his six grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, and two...
Muriel Ann Whisnant Smith
Jan 3, 2024
Muriel Ann Whisnant Smith, age 91, passed away January 3, 2024. She was born September 11, 1932, in Morganton, NC to the late John Lloyd and Ellie Mae Smith Whisnant.
Muriel graduated from Shelby Beauty College in 1952 and received her stylist degree from the American Hair Design Institute in New York. She was the former owner of Artistic Hair...
Julia Ardell Biddix
Dec 30, 2023
Julia A. Biddix
Sylva - Julia Ardell Biddix, 88, passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2023 at Cherokee Hospital.
Julia was a native of Swain County but had resided in Jackson County for most of her life and was a daughter of the late John William and Margaret Violet George Biddix. In addition to her parents, she was preceded...
Boyce Turhan Deitz
Dec 30, 2023
Boyce T. Deitz
Sylva - Boyce Turhan Deitz, known to many as coach, passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2023 after a period of declining health.
He was born in Jackson County on February 10, 1949, to Katie Pannell Deitz and the late Carroll Clayton Deitz.
Boyce was a graduate of Western Carolina University and began his teaching/coaching career...
Helen Welch Bottchenbaugh
Dec 30, 2023
Helen Sue Wahnetta Bottchenbaugh passed on December 30, 2023. Helen was a proud respected Cherokee woman, who took great pride in being called Mom, Grandma, Lala, and Grandma Helen. Helen had four children, five generations of grandchildren. She lived in the Big Cove Community for 30+ years. Helen loved being around family and friends making beautiful memories and watching all...
Melissa Tucker Arneach
Dec 30, 2023
Melissa Tucker Arneach, 69 of Sylva, passed away Saturday, December 30, 2023. Melissa was born May 4, 1954 to the late James Aaron and Jemima Shook Tucker. She enjoyed playing bingo, fishing, cooking, and going to the flea market.
In addition to her parents, Melissa is preceded in death by her grandson, Andrew Tyler Williamson; brother, Daniel...
Lorraine Masters Williams
Dec 30, 2023
Lorraine Masters Williams, 88 of Sylva, passed away on December 30, 2023. She was born November 25, 1935 to the late William Lewis and Maddie White Masters. Lorraine enjoyed gardening, cooking, and playing with her dogs.
In addition to her parents, Lorraine is preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Glen Williams.
Lorraine is...
Freda Messer Leopard
Dec 26, 2023
Freda M. Leopard
Freda Messer Leopard, 80 of Tuckasegee, passed away Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at Skyland Care Center surrounded by her family, following an extended illness. Freda was born June 9, 1943 in Jackson County to the late William Lewis and Marie Chastain Messer. Freda a devoted wife and mother enjoyed working in her flowers and spending time...
Doris Painter Monteith
Dec 29, 2023
Doris Painter Monteith, 89, of the Rolling Green Community, went home to be with her Lord on Friday, December 29, 2023.
A native of Jackson County, she was born July 7, 1934, to Burke Painter and Annie Frizzell Painter. Doris was preceded in death by her loving husband of 53 years, Denver H. Monteith; grandson, Jordan Monteith; sisters, Ruth Snyder,...
Denise Diane Martinez
Dec 3, 2023
Denise Diane Martinez, 68, of Tuckasegee, passed away December3, 2023, after a brave battle with cancer.
Denise was born in Trinidad, Colorado, to Nick and Lucia Saiz on January 22, 1955. She grew up, lived, and worked in the Denver area until she moved to Tuckasegee in 1995.
Denise was very creative and loved to paint, but her real...
Janie Ruth Hornaday
Dec 28, 2023
Janie Ruth Hornaday, 93, passed away on Thursday, December 28, 2023. Janie was born on October 14, 1930 to the late John and Bessie Crawford Moses. She enjoyed spending time with her family, swimming, and reading The Jack Tales. Janie was a member of Mount Hebron Wesleyan Church.
Janie is survived by her daughters, Vicki Lewis and...
Shirley DeHart Summey
Dec 26, 2023
Shirley D. Summey
Bryson City - Shirley Jean DeHart Summey, 70, passed away on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at CarePartners Solace Center.
Shirley was a native of Buncombe County and a daughter of the late Wade and Alice Lillard DeHart. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William John Summey, who died in...
Stella Kansas Watson
Dec 26, 2023
Stella Kansas Watson 80 of Cullowhee passed away on Tuesday December 26, 2023. She was born on September 27, 1943 to the late John Robert and Mary Lee Hooper Watson.
Stella was a caregiver.
Stella is survived by three brothers; Thomas N. Watson of Cullowhee, Robert T. Watson of Midway, Tennessee, and John R. Watson of Baltimore, Maryland; one sister,...
Shirley R. Pressley
Dec 27, 2023
Shirley Rae Seago Pressley left this earth to be with God and many loved ones on December 27, 2023.
Born in Jackson County in 1935, Shirley was the youngest daughter of the late Royal Seago and Rhoda Bryson Seago. She survived both parents as well as all of her five brothers and four sisters. She was married for 57 years...
Lois Cowan Ensley
Dec 25, 2023
Lois C. Ensley
Sylva - Lois Cowan Ensley, 86, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on December 25, 2023. BornLois Marie Cowan on March 31, 1937, to Cicero Cowan and Alice Deitz Cowan, she was a lifelong resident of Jackson County, NC. Lois was preceded in death by two siblings; HaroldCowan and Mildred Cowan Shuler.
Lois...
Dan Franklin Buchanan
Dec 24, 2023
Dan Franklin Buchanan, age 85, of the Sutton Branch Community, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 24th. He was the son of the late Thad and Letha McMahan Buchanan, and was a faithful and devoted member of Old Savannah Baptist Church. He willingly served in the United States Army, with a great love for his country. He retired after...
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