Obituaries

Jan 1, 2021

Irene Beck, 88, of Sylva, went home to be with the Lord January 1, 2021. A native and lifelong resident of Jackson County, she was born February 28, 1932,  and was the daughter of the late Rev. Osborne and Ella Angel. 

In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by husband Johnny Ray Beck, six of her brothers and two of her...

Dec 31, 2020

Bonnie Jean Varner, 78, passed away Thursday December 31, 2020.

Born April 9, 1941 in Columbia, Pennsylvania to the late Amos and Thelma Diffender Groom.

In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by her husband of 35 years Clair L Varner Jr. of York, Pennsylvania

Bonnie retired from Boscov's Department Store in York, PA. 

She was a Member of East Sylva...

Dec 31, 2020

Rhonda Stephens Lockman passed away Thursday, December 31 after a brief but difficult battle with cancer. She was the daughter of J.D. and Barbara Stephens.

Rhonda is survived by her husband, Bill Lockman of Sylva, her father, J.D. Stephens of Sylva, one brother, Kirk of Webster, and her devoted dog, Latte.

Rhonda was a graduate of Sylva-Webster High School, Southwestern Community College,...

Dec 30, 2020

Shirley A. Crisp, born December 29, 1939, passed away December 30, 2020 after an extended stay at Skyland Care Center. She was a longtime member of Longbranch Baptist Church, active in Prison Ministry, and volunteered for Crisis Hotline and R.E.A.C.H. Shirley was known and loved by the community through her work at the Parkway Restaurant for many years, and was...

Dec 30, 2020

Roger Eugene Parris, age 68 of Sylva NC, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 30, 2020.   He was the son of the late Jeter and Mary (Jones) Parris and was born July 29, 1952. 

Roger was a lifelong resident of Jackson County and loved the mountains in which he was born and raised.  He was a graduate...

Dec 29, 2020

Shirley Cox, 85, of Sylva, went home to be with the Lord, Tuesday December 29, 2020. A resident of Jackson County for most of her life she was the daughter of the late Frank and Nadine Skinner. She was born on July 23, 1935, in Mecklenburg County, NC. Shirley met William Durwood (Dag) Cox in high school. They married on...

Dec 29, 2020

Darrell Wayne Woodard, 66, of Sylva, went home to be with the Lord. Tuesday December 29, 2020. A native and lifelong resident of Jackson County, he was the son of the late Alonzo and Cecile Woodard. 

A Member of Victory Baptist Church and former Member of Zion Hill Baptist Church, Darrell was the Chief of the Savannah Fire Department since 1984...

Dec 28, 2020

To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

Nancy Ferdie (Passmore) Rice, age 76 of Sylva NC, ran to Jesus on Monday, December 28, 2020.   She was born on September 18, 1944, in Franklin NC, to the late Dewey and Mae (nee Alexander) Passmore.

She loved the Lord and was active at the church in every community...

Dec 28, 2020

Peggy Faye Rigdon, age 83, of Sylva passed away on Monday, December 28, 2020. She was the wife of Franklin Rigdon and the daughter of the late Jewel and Gertie Revis.

She was a faithful member of Faith Baptist Church and dearly loved her church family and friends. Peggy loved keeping children, dearly loved her family, and loved to cook.

In addition...

Dec 27, 2020

William "Buddy" Bryson, 64, of Cashiers, passed away Sunday December 27, 2020 after a lengthy illness. 

Buddy enjoyed hunting and fishing and was a collector of knives, guns and coins. He was a loving son, father, brother and will be missed by all that knew him.

He was preceded in death by his father William Bryson

He is survived by his mother; Univee...

Dec 27, 2020

Dec 26, 2020

David Keith Cirka, Sr., age 76 of Sylva, passed away Saturday, December 26, 2020. 

He will be dearly missed by his loving wife of 38 years, Gail; son, Keith; grandchildren, Bruce and Krystal; and many neighbors and clients.

God has certainly blessed us all with knowing David.  He was the owner of Your Herbalist for 10 great years, providing custom formulas for...

Dec 26, 2020

Myrtle Williams Burns, 88, Passed away Saturday evening December 26, 2020. A native of Graham County, NC, she was the daughter of the late Goldman and Miranda Williams.

A Devout Christian, Mrytle enjoyed reading her Bible and attending Bible study. She also enjoyed singing and in her younger days sang with the Williams Trio. She loved all animals especially birds, and loved...

Dec 23, 2020

William (Doug) Smith, age 76 of Sylva, passed away December 23, 2020,  He was the son of the late R. D. Smith and Hazel Middleton Smith.

Doug enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and gardening in the outdoors.  He worked as a store clerk locally for 35 years with A&P.

He is survived by his wife of over 54 years, Judy Smith; son,...

Dec 23, 2020

Margaret Emma Atkins Steele Fry died December 23, 2020, quietly in her sleep while taking an afternoon nap at an assisted living facility in Sylva, NC.  She was born August 26, 1921 in Norfolk, VA.  She is survived by her two devoted daughters, Sharon Steele Williams and her husband, John Williams, from Statesville, NC, and Jane Steele Warshaw and her...

Dec 20, 2020

Marilyn Legrande Parris Henry, age 84 of Sylva NC, passed away Sunday, December 20, 2020.   She was born on October 19, 1936 in Jackson County, to the late Glenn and Alma (nee Foster) Parris.

She was a member of East Sylva Baptist Church and a resident at Skyland Care Center. She was Vice President of the Residence Council and a member...

Dec 20, 2020

Nancy S. Danner, of Sylva, left for her heavenly home on Sunday, December 20, 2020. At work and traveling, she never knew  a stranger and enjoyed life to the fullest. Upon retiring from the Jackson Savings Bank, she embarked on enjoying her family and traveling. She also worked tirelessly for various committees at East Sylva Baptist Church. Nancy was the daughter...

Dec 20, 2020

Dec 19, 2020

Charles Guy Wilson, 80, of Sylva, passed away unexpectedly Saturday December 19, 2020 at Morning Star Assisted Living Center. A native of Jackson County, he was born April 16, 1940 to the late Lawrence and Bessie Ashe Wilson. He was also preceded in death by his brothers; Bobby Ray Wilson, Billy Wilson, Herbert Wilson and Howard Wilson, his sisters; Janice...

Dec 19, 2020

On Saturday, December 19, 2020, Ira Gerald Jones, Sr. went home to be with the Lord. He is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Jones, his parents, Ira Glenn and Viola Bradley Jones, and a younger brother, Billy Ray Jones.

Gerald was a lifelong resident of the Barkers Creek Community and loved the mountains in which he was born and...