Obituaries

Sep 24, 2017

Sep 24, 2017

Vengia Preece Thacker, 73, of Sylva, formerly of Pikeville KY, passed away Sunday, September 24, 2017. She was the wife of the late Otis Thacker. In addition to her husband, she was also preceded in death by her parents; James H. and Olive Cline Preece, one brother; James Preece and two sisters; Olive Jean Cook and Dona Salley. She is...

Sep 24, 2017

Mirl Jean Withers Rice was born May 13, 1943, in Shreveport, Louisiana, and she went to be with Our Lord on September 24, 2017, after a valiant struggle with illness. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, her older sister, her younger sister, her younger brother, and her husband. She is survived by her daughter, Cecelia, and son-in-law, Jeff...

Sep 23, 2017

Minnie Jo Jackson, age 89, of Sylva passed away Saturday, September 23, 2017. Minnie was born January 12, 1928 in Sylva, NC. She is the daughter of the late Odell and the late Grace (Dorsey) Bryson. She was preceded in death by her husband Leroy Jackson. She was a lifelong member at Liberty Baptist Church where she served many years...

Sep 22, 2017

Lisa Diane Slusher, age 63, of Sunshine Acres, passed away Friday, September 22, 2017. A native of Pineville, KY, she resided there through high school graduation, before coming to Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, where she received two undergraduate degrees. She received a BS in Parks and Recreation Management followed by a BSBA in Accounting. After graduation, Lisa resided in...

Sep 21, 2017

Thomas Edwin "Ed" Stephens, age 83, of Sylva began his eternal life on Thursday, September 21, 2017. He was the husband of the late June Cooper Stephens and was the son of the late Charles Harrison and Estella (Phillips) Stephens. Ed was a member of Cullowhee Baptist Church. He was self-employed for most of his life in the development and...

Sep 19, 2017

George Alan Yates, 65, of Cullowhee, NC, passed away on Tuesday, September 19th, 2017 at his home. George was born in South Georgia to Winford and Ruth Yates on February 9th, 1952. He received a B.A. in Music Theory and Composition from the University of West Georgia and later received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He worked as a high...

Sep 16, 2017

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Sep 15, 2017

Ovid Ray Jones, 93, of Easley, SC, died peacefully at home with his family on Friday, September 15, 2017.

A native of Sylva, NC, he was the son of the late Frank B. and Nina Parris Jones. He retired from Duke Power Company after many years as a heavy-equipment operator.

Ray was a member of First Baptist Church of Easley where he...

Sep 13, 2017

Steven  Van Cabe, age 65, of LaFayette, Georgia formerly of Sylva, N.C. passed away Wednesday, September 13, 2017. He was a member of First Baptist Church of LaFayette. Steve co-owned the Western Sizzlin in LaFayette in the early ‘90s with his wife. He had a love for UNC basketball the North Carolina Tar Heels and his special pet friend, Hank.

He...

Sep 11, 2017

Carol Kestenbaum, age 75, of Clayton, GA died Monday, September 11, 2017. There are no services planned at this time. Appalachian Funeral Services is serving the family. .

Sep 11, 2017

David Rex Gater, Sr., 80, passed away on Monday, September 11, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was born in Fort Wayne, IN to Alf and Grace Gater. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, horseback riding and country music. Mr. Gater was a mechanic, long-haul truck driver, and heavy equipment operator in Arizona and Indiana until becoming the owner of Creekside...

Sep 9, 2017

Olivia Jane York was born on Wednesday, April 12, 2017, to parents Eric York and Valerie Frizzell of Sylva. Olivia's family was blessed with 4 months and 28 days before she went to her heavenly home in the early morning hours of Friday September 9th. Olivia experienced, hugs and kisses from her family, listening to the laughter and happiness she...

Sep 8, 2017

Baxter Grant Allen 67, passed away unexpectedly on September 8, 2017 at his home in Glenville, NC. Baxter was born in Asheville, NC to William and Sarah Grant Allen. He is survived by his best friend and wife of 27 years Diane; one brother Turner Allen of Cashiers; two daughters Ashley and husband Patrick Reams of Bay City, TX and...

Sep 4, 2017

Bobby H. McConnell, 78, of Sylva, passed away Monday September 4, 2017. A native and lifelong resident of Jackson County, he was the son of the late Fred M. and Ila Mae Hoxit McConnell. Bobby was a member of Webster Baptist Church and had retired from the NCDOT. In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by...

Sep 4, 2017

Newton Lumus Metz was born in Miami Fl on October 15, 1937 of Helen Jeanette Lumus Metz and James Walter Metz Sr. He was the last grandchild of J.N. Lumus, the first mayor of Miami Beach and great nephew to James Edgar Lumus, the second Mayor of the City of Miami. He attended Miami-Jackson High School Graduating in 1956. He...

Aug 29, 2017

Chris E. Burrell, retired farmer, went home to be with the Lord and his wife of 65 years, Emma Lou Fowler Burrell (deceased) on August 29, 2017. Chris was born on December 5, 1921 to Lunie Burrell and Susan Nicholson Burrell of Village Creek community near Mountain Rest, South Carolina; he was 95 years old at the time of his...

Aug 28, 2017

Nina Lynn Townsend, age 54, of Sylva passed Monday, August 28, 2017. Ms. Townsend was born July 26, 1963 in El Paso, TX. She is the daughter of the late Robert and the late Wilma Jean (Zook) Kleinfelter. She was married to her husband James Townsend for 27 years. Nina grew up in Indiana and moved to Sylva in August...

Aug 27, 2017

Clyde R. Allison went to be with the Lord Jesus on Sunday August 27, 2017. He was born September 8, 1947, a native of Jackson County, Clyde was the son of the late Frank and Charlotte Queen Allison. He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Katherine Wilson Allison and a son Stacey Allison (Jennifer) of Soddy Daisy,...

Aug 25, 2017

Rev. Cyritha Ann "Rea" West of Franklin, NC passed away Friday, August 25, 2017. She was a native of Jackson County and raised in Cullowhee, NC. She was the daughter of the late William and Ella Mae Rogers. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister; Patricia Rogers. She was an associate Minister at God's...