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Loretta Dillard Smith
Feb 18, 2026
Loretta Dillard Smith, age 77, passed away on Wednesday, February 18th after a brief period of declining health. She was preceded in death by her two husbands, Phillip Edward Dills and Jot Amon Smith; her mother and father, Annie Sue and Harry Dillard; and a brother, Raymond (Ray) Dillard.
Loretta is survived by a nephew, Adam Dillard of Cincinnati, Ohio; two...
Grayson Eberly Walls
Oct 24, 2025
Our son, the brightest star.
Our beautiful son, Grayson Eberly Walls, passed away on October 24, 2025, at the age of 24.
Grayson filled our lives with love, laughter, sweetness, and entertainment. He spread a tremendous amount of love and kindness to everyone he met and to every animal he came across, saving many. Our greatest joy was the compassion he had...
Selma Diane Mathis
Mar 17, 2026
Selma Diane Mathis 68 of Tuckasegee passed away peacefully March 17, 2026 surrounded by family and friends.
Diane was born in Tuckasegee, NC to Pete and Jean Jones. She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Doug Mathis and her children, Kenny Mathis (Brittany) and Karie Mathis; and her two grandchildren Hunter and Jessie Mathis , who brought her great...
Darryl "Rusty" Hambrick
Mar 2, 2026
Darryl "Rusty" Hambrick
Rusty Hambrick went to be with the Lord on March 2, 2026, after a time of declining health.
He was born on June 30, 1961, to his father, Melvin Daryl 'Lefty' Hambrick and mother, Dorris Hambrick and was partly raised by his grandmother, Margie Roberts Hambrick.
He was a surveyor for 30+ years working beside a life-long best friend, Danny...
Ralph "Joel" Johnson
Mar 12, 2026
Ralph Joel Johnson, 71, of Sylva, died peacefully at home March 12, 2026 surrounded by his loving family. He was born January 17, 1955 in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.He was preceded in death by his parents, Anna Lee Haga Johnson and Ralph Duncan Johnson, Jr.. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Marcia Boyd Johnson, and two daughters...
Carolyn "Susie" Ball Stewart
Mar 10, 2026
Carolyn Ball Stewart—Susie—passed away in her home on March 10, 2026, surrounded by her loving husband and family. She was the devoted daughter of Benjamin Franklin Ball and Merle Flynn Ball.
Susie is survived by her husband Tom Stewart, her best friend and life companion, with whom she shared careers in education and built loving lives together in both Sylva, North...
Lee Roy Long
Mar 11, 2026
Lee Roy Long, 79 of Sylva, passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Lee was born on May 30, 1946 in Jackson County, to the late Grinnell and Louise Long. Lee enjoyed reading, traveling and spending time with his family. He served Honorably in the Vietnam war in the United States Marines, 1963-1967.
Lee is survived by his wife of 51...
Kellie Ann Bridgeman
Mar 8, 2026
Kellie Ann Bridgeman, born on September 7, 1976, in Haywood County, North Carolina, passed away on March 8, 2026. Kellie's life was defined by her deep love for her family, friends, and the animals she cherished. Kellie's passions included camping, immersing herself in music, embarking on road trips filled with adventure, unleashing her creativity through crafts, and losing herself in...
Brian Kent Moore
Feb 20, 2026
Brian Kent Moore
November 29, 1961- February 20, 2026
Brian Kent Moore went home to be with his Lord and savior on February 20, 2026 at his home in Cashiers, NC.
Burial will be held at Houston National Cemetery on March 31st at 10:50AM, followed by a celebration of life at The Woodlands First- North Campus at 12PM.
Brian was born in Louisville, KY....
Garry E. Beck
Mar 7, 2026
Garry Edward Beck, 64, of Whittier, NC, went to his heavenly home on March 7, 2026, after a period of declining health.
Garry was preceded in death by his wife, Janet Bradley Beck and his parents, Jim and Lorraine Beck.
He retired from Cherokee Mechanical, as an electrician after 40 years of service.
In his earlier years, he enjoyed playing basketball, baseball, softball,...
Debbie Jean Owen
Mar 5, 2026
Debbie Jean Owen, 63, went into the Lords loving arms Thursday, March 5, 2026, with her loving husband of 37 years, Doug Owen, by her side.
She was born and raised in Jackson County. Debbie worked in the medical field for over thirty years; she loved helping people. She also loved growing flowers, gardening and had a green thumb that grew...
Troy Allen McMahan
Mar 1, 2026
Troy Allen McMahan, 88, passed into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Sunday, March 1, 2026 with his loving family by his side. He was a native and lifelong resident of Jackson County, the tenth of eleven children born to Lawrence and Susie Cook McMahan. In addition to his parents, eight of his siblings preceded him in death.
Troy...
Shirley C. Henry
Mar 2, 2026
Shirley Henry of Addie community went into the hands of Jesus on March 2, 2026.
Shirley was born on July 17, 1938 to parents Fred and Ella Nora Houston. She was one of 7 siblings.
She celebrated 65 years of marriage to Jake Henry on January 20, 2026.
She is survived by her husband Jake, son Wallace (Janet) of Yadkinville, NC, son Keith...
Ernestine B Young
Feb 23, 2026
Ernestine B. Young (Marion to her friends) was born in the city of Brno in what was, at the time, Czechoslovakia.
As a young person she performed in the Czech National Ballet and Opera. He father was a butcher and her grandmother had a vegetable stand in the central market that still operates in Brno today. Marion’s family was ethnically German....
Robert "Bob" Gagne
Feb 15, 2026
Robert "Bob" Gagne, age 65, of Bryson City, NC went to meet his maker on Sunday, February 15, 2026, surrounded by his family. Bob was born April 17, 1960 to his father, Norman Gagne.
Bob is survived by his wife, Emily Gagne; step-son, Richard Lightsey.
No Services are planned at this time.
Mary Sue Casey
Feb 21, 2026
Mary Sue Casey was born on April 18, 1952 to the late Lyndon Casey and Minnie Worley Casey. She passed away on Feb. 21, 2026.
Known for her independence, generosity, optimism, enthusiasm, and courage, Mary Sue excelled academically and personally from an early age. She enjoyed reading and playing board games during childhood. Educated in Jackson County, North Carolina public schools,...
Peggy Blanton McMahan
Feb 23, 2026
With loving hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, wife, grandmother, and friend, Peggy Blanton McMahan, who departed this life on Monday, February 23, 2026, at the age of 91.
A devoted Christian, she lived her life grounded in faith and guided by love. She found great joy in gospel music and hymns, often filling her home with song....
Joseph Bridgers Cowan
Feb 20, 2026
Joseph Bridgers Cowan of Webster, age 56, died on February 20, 2026. He was born January 12, 1970 in Atlanta, GA. Joe was a 1988 graduate of Sylva-Webster High School and went on to earn degrees from Brevard College and UNC Asheville.
He was preceded in death by his father, William. He was a beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend....
Nancy Jane Perry
Feb 13, 2026
Nancy Jane Norris Perry of Sylva, NC
Nancy “Jane” Perry, age 91, passed peacefully at Silver Bluff Village on February 13, 2026.
A native of Watauga County, she was the daughter of the late Cloyd Norris and Blanche Miller Norris. She was also preceded in death by her husband, John Kenneth (Ken) Perry who died in 1981.
She is survived by her daughters,...
Travis Shaun Shepherd
Feb 10, 2026
Travis Shaun Shepherd, 43 of Sylva, passed away on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 following a brief illness. He was born on March 9, 1982 to Joan Poindexter Shepherd and Vaughn Shepherd.Travis was an Eagle Scout and a Cub Scout leader. He worked at Food Lion for twelve years and Davita Dialysis for twelve years and at Western Carolina University for...
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