Obituaries

Apr 8, 2019

NAME OF DECEASED: Richard Ford AGE: 92 With great sorrow, the family of Richard Ford of Cullowhee announce that he went home to be with the Lord on April 8th, 2019. He proudly served his country as a WWII and Korean War veteran. He is survived by his loving wife, Emily of 66 years, and daughters Diana Taylor of North...

Apr 8, 2019

Elaine R. Case, 69 of Sylva, N.C., formerly of Ft. Myers, Fl., born in Defiance, Ohio, went to be with Jesus on Monday, April 8, 2019. Elaine was a very gifted lady with her own writings of poetry. She always made it so personal and meaningful because she wrote from her heart. She adored her children, Tom & Angie; her...

Apr 7, 2019

“I must have been special to be given 65 roses”

Delana Sue Guffey, 23, of Sylva, NC passed away Sunday April 7, 2019 after a lifelong battle with Cystic Fibrosis.  She is the Daughter of Mike Guffey and Delisa (David) Pressley.

Delana loved to be outdoors fishing and also enjoyed photography. She loved dogs especially her own baby Athena. She was a...

Apr 6, 2019

Mrs.Ollie Estes Cabe, 90, of Sylva, passed away peacefully with her family by her side, Saturday April 6, 2019. Ollie Mae graduated from Sylva High School in 1946, where she loved playing sports and was in the local beauty pageant. She worked at Chasam and Sylco until her retirement. After she retired she volunteered for the Ladies Hospital Auxiliary where...

Apr 6, 2019

Earl O. Feilner, 93, of Cullowhee, passed away surrounded by his family Saturday April 6, 2019. A native of St. Charles, Missouri, he was the son of the late Harry and Vida Feilner. A U.S.Navy Veteran of WWII, serving with the Seabees, he loved to garden, fish and go hunting with his son. He loved his family and grandchildren. In...

Apr 5, 2019

John H. Moss, 74, of Yellow Mountain, passed away Friday April 5, 2019. A native and lifelong resident of Jackson County, he was a member of Yellow Mountain Baptist Church. John had the biggest heart; he loved his family and home, just as much as he loved being outdoors fishing to just sitting on his porch listening to the radio....

Apr 3, 2019

Bruce Roger Van Etten “Van” passed away on Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at the Valor Hospice Center in Asheville, NC.

Van was born in Corning, New York on June 15, 1947 to the late Bernard Van Etten and Doreen Van Etten. 

He is survived by his wife Diana and two daughters; Tammy Van Etten from Knoxville, TN and Tina Farmer (Doug) from...

Mar 31, 2019

William Lyle Shafer (Bill) 71, of Sylva, passed after a short illness at Mission Memorial on March 31. 

Bill was born and raised in Warren Pennsylvania where he met his wife of 49 years, Peg. They moved to Orlando Florida, and lived there for 15 years. While there, Bill was an engineer technician with Florida Power before moving to Sylva, where...

Mar 31, 2019

Jose Morales Rivera, 86, passed away Sunday, March 31, 2019. A native of Puerto Rico, he was the son of the late Gildo Morales and Carmen Rivera. He was a U.S.Army Veteran having served in Korea during the war. He loved going to Church with his wife and cherished spending time with his family. He also enjoyed playing softball and...

Mar 31, 2019

Willard Eugene “Gene” Gregory, age 87, of Sylva went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 31, 2019 at his home. He was the son of the late Ed and Ellie Gregory and the husband of the late Margaret Ann Gregory.

He was a member and deacon at East Sylva Baptist Church. He worked as a stocker at Sav-Mor...

Mar 30, 2019

Betty Rand Coward Stillwell of Six Mile SC passed away peacefully on March 30, 2019 surrounded by her family. She was born in Raleigh, North Carolina on January 8, 1934, to William Roscoe and Elizabeth Purnell Rand. She was preceded in death by her sister, Billie Frances, her parents, and her first husband, James Kent Coward, Sr.

Betty grew up in...

Mar 28, 2019

Jeffrey Alan Coates, 69, of Tuckasegee, passed away peacefully at his home, Thursday morning March 28, 2019. A native of Pennsylvania, he had resided in Jackson County for over 21 years. He was the son of the late Gerald and Mary Coates. A U.S. Air Force Veteran, he served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He loved the outdoors, working...

Mar 26, 2019

Gregory Scott Mace, 52, passed away Tuesday morning, March 26, 2019. Greg or Mouse to all those who knew him was born in Jackson County on December 12, 1966. He was a graduate of Camp Lab in Cullowhee, NC. Greg was a beloved brother and father, and was known by his friends as someone who loved life. Greg was preceded...

Mar 22, 2019

Cindy Revis Rigdon, 77, of Sylva, passed peacefully on Friday, March 22, 2019.

A native and life-long resident of Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late Jewel and Gertie Revis of the Barker’s Creek community. Cindy was a member of Faith Baptist Church. She worked in banking many years, retiring from Wachovia Bank, and later from United Community Bank....

Mar 21, 2019

Ingrid Sutton, 72, of Tuckasegee, passed away Thursday morning, March 21, 2019 Services will be held at a later date . .

Mar 21, 2019

Lester Lee Franks, age 84, of Sylva passed away Thursday, March 21, 2019.  Lester was born October 13, 1934 in Sylva, NC. He is the son of the late Robert Lee and the late Louetta (Mashburn) Franks. 

He is survived by one Brother Raymond (Joanne) Franks; one niece Larue Franks; one sister in law Barbara Franks; and several nieces and nephews...

Mar 20, 2019

Mary Ensley, age 95, of Sylva passed away Wednesday, March 20, 2019. She was the daughter of the late Wesley and Bessie Queen. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Ensley; one grandson, Christopher Ray Ensley; and one daughter in law, Judy Lee Ensley.

Mary was survived by one son Ray Ensley Jr; and several nieces and nephews.

A graveside...

Mar 18, 2019

Mar 15, 2019

Robert Morris England, age 94, passed away at his home in Sylva, North Carolina on March 15, 2019.  Mr. England served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.  He graduated from Westminster College and worked for Westinghouse Electric for thirty years.  He was an active Masonic member and belonged to the Syria Temple Shrine in Pittsburgh.  He was an...

Mar 12, 2019

Arilla M. Jones, 83, of Sylva, passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2019. A native and lifelong resident of Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late Lawrence and Susie Cook McMahan. Arilla was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church and she enjoyed gardening, cooking and helping her neighbors and she loved her grandkids dearly. In addition to her...