Obituaries

Jul 31, 2020

Becky Ann Walker transitioned from this life on July 31st, 2020 at the age of 47.

Becky was born the Deer Clan July 9th 1973 in Cherokee NC (of Eastern and Western Cherokee and Lakota Sioux ancestry).

Her spiritual beliefs followed traditional Cherokee and Lakota values.  Becky had a deep love for not only her people, but all people.  Becky’s children Cameron...

Jul 29, 2020

Ronald Wesley Stillwachs, age 74 of Alpharetta, GA passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at his daughter’s home in Sylva, NC. He was born on December 18, 1945 in Paterson, NJ, to the late Otto and Alice (nee Shatwell) Stillwachs. 

He was a US Army Veteran that served our country during the Vietnam War. His brilliant mind led him...

Jul 22, 2020

 "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord".

Joyce Mae Barrett was born on August 9,1933 in the parish of St. Ann, Jamaica West Indies. She was the 4th of 10 children born to Norman and Beatrice Barrett. Joyce received her early education at Keith All Age School in the same parish.

Joyce worked as a housekeeper and cook at various...

Jul 22, 2020

Dr. Clifton Dillard Alexander, age 84, passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2020 in Cashiers, NC.  He was born on June 26, 1936 to the late Mildred Dillard Alexander Sanders and Rufus Clifton Alexander in Six Mile, SC.  A graduate of Furman University and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, he served as minister to Southern Baptist churches in South Carolina...

Jul 21, 2020

John Alexander Frizzell, born December 28, 1934, unexpectedly passed away July 21, 2020. He was 85 years old.

John served four years in the US Navy. He retired from Dayco after 34 years. He loved the outdoors, bee keeping, bear hunting, and fishing.

He leaves behind his wife of 62 years; Kathleen Frizzell, one daughter; Kathy Frizzell of Sylva, NC, and one...

Jul 19, 2020

Alfred Douglas “Doug” Reed, one of Western North Carolina’s most respected journalists and community advocates and a key leader through 10 administrations 

at Western Carolina University, died Sunday, July 19, at his home in Cullowhee at age 92.

Sought after for his exquisite writing, keen intellect, wise counsel, and gentle and kind manner, Reed touched the lives of hundreds of colleagues, students...

Jul 17, 2020

Marian Rebecca (Walker) Donaldson, 73, of Sylva, passed away on July 17th, 2020 with her husband and son by her side, after a two year battle with cancer.

A native of Haywood County, “Becky” graduated from Pisgah High School and raised her family in Canton. She was a dedicated employee at The American Enka Company, where she later retired and made...

Jul 15, 2020

James Edwin Sutton, age 66, of Sylva passed away Wednesday July 15, 2020. James was preceded in death by his parents; William “Penn” Sutton and Reba Marie Mathis and a brother Eddie Sutton. He is survived by sisters; Linda Forehand and husband Mark of Sherrills Ford NC, Lisa (Alesia) Calhoun, husband Jim of Zebulon NC and Teresa Brown of Clayton,...

Jul 15, 2020

Stanley Wyatt Forsyth of Cullowhee, age 73, passed away due to complications of congestive heart failure on July 15, 2020 with his daughters by his side. He was born in Columbus, Ohio on November 23,1946 to Albert and Oma (Salyards) Forsyth. He was a loving, thoughtful, and generous father, grandfather and friend to all who knew him. Following in his...

Jul 10, 2020

“Donk” Swartz, age 73, of Whittier, NC, passed away on Friday, July 10, 2020 surrounded by his loved ones. He was the husband of Tammy Swartz and the son of the late Issabelle Maye Warren.

He was the maintenance man at Uncle Bill’s Flea Market in Whittier, NC. He loved riding motorcycles, fixing things, hot dogs, Bud Light and spending time...

Jul 9, 2020

Thomas (Tom) Oliver Bommer, 71, of Sylva passed away on July 9, 2020, at Solace Hospice House in Asheville.

He leaves behind his wife of 50 years, Donna Harris Bommer, and twin daughters: Daisy Talbert of the home, and Annie Scott (Charles) of Canton; 3 grandchildren, Jacob Talbert, James Talbert, and Rylee Scott; three siblings, Linda Neumann (Ronnie), Steve Bommer (Sally)...

Jul 9, 2020

Barbara "Bobbie" Ann Mills, 73, of Cullowhee, NC passed away Thursday, July 9, 2020. She is the daughter of the late Oscar and Bertha Ashe. 

Bobbie was a member of Speedwell Baptist Church. She loved cooking, her flowers and gardening and most of all she loved her family. 

She is survived by one sister, Hazel Ashe; one brother Johnny Ashe and several...

Jul 9, 2020

Roy "Rat" Bumgarner, age 62, of Webster, NC passed away on Thursday, July 9, 2020 at his home surrounded by his loving family. 

He was the son of the late Eulas and Lucille Bumgarner. 

An oudoor memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 12, 2020 at 11:00 am at Unity Baptist Church in Cullowhee, NC. 

Rev. Craig Tucker and Rev. Robert Blanton...

Jul 5, 2020

John Pelham Thomas, 98 passed away on July 5, 2020 at Skyland Care Center in Sylva, NC from complications from pneumonia and as he would say, TMDB (Too Many Darned Birthdays). He was a retired Professor of Mathematics at Western Carolina University and owned and operated Thomas Berry Farm in Cullowhee. He was an active member of Cullowhee Baptist Church,...

Jul 5, 2020

Pearl Cogdill 57 of the Whittier community passed away on Sunday July 5th. She was the daughter of the late Robert and Joann Patterson Cogdill.

She is survived by her sister, Ceretta and her husband, Johnny Ray Davis. Also surviving are two nieces; Jessica Steele (Harry Steele) and Stephanie Davis (Dustin Ashe); and a nephew by marriage, Bradford Burns.

Also surviving are...

Jul 2, 2020

Mike “MADDOG” Martin was a family man, a community man and a man of God. He lived his life helping all who crossed his path. He had a great sense of humor and sarcasm even in the most troubling times. He will be loved and remembered by all who touched his life.

Mike is survived by his wife Shirley Louise; three children...

Jul 2, 2020

Kimberly Scott Maxwell, age 51, of Cullowhee, NC passed away on July 2, 2020 as the result of an accident. She was the daughter of the late Fred Scott Maxwell and Frances Ticheli Maxwell. 

She is survived by ;

Sister- Debra Adams

Children-  Jeff Westbrook, Raven Westbrook, Summer Maxwell and Mixy Maxwell.

Kimbely will be laid to rest with her father Scotty Maxwell in Monroe Louisiana. 

Appalachian...

Jun 28, 2020

Jun 27, 2020

Patricia Dills Mason, 87, of Sylva, NC passed away Friday, June 26, 2020. She is the daughter of the late Ralph and Anne Dills. She was preceded in death by her husband James Mason Jr.

She is survived by three children, Libby Mason Ramsey and husband JD, James Mason III and wife Frankie and Laura Mason Garmon; five grandchildren, John Ramsey...

Jun 26, 2020

Paul Austin Davis, age 66, of Sylva, NC, passed away on Friday, June 26, 2020 at his home. He was the son of the late Charles Paul Davis and Eileen Sullivan Davis.

He is survived by his wife of 26 years; Susan A. Davis, two sons; Joshua Daniel Conger of Eustis, FL, and Jerry Junior McAllister II (Don Clute) of Knoxville,...