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Ruby Hensley Herron

Ruby Hensley Herron

Nov 21, 2024

Ruby Hensley Herron, a beloved figure in her family and community, passed away peacefully at home on November 21, 2024 at the age of 70. Born on December 21, 1953, in Jackson County, Ruby devoted many years of her life to serving others as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Skyland Care Center, a role she cherished until her retirement in...

Dr. Harold "Catman" Walter Sims Jr.

Dr. Harold "Catman" Walter Sims Jr.

Nov 17, 2024

 Dr. Harold “Catman” Walter Sims Jr. passed away on November 17, 2024 at age 89. He was born on April 8, 1935 in Mount Vernon, NY and his early years were spent working on dairy farms and being involved in the 4-H Club. When he left home at age 18, he had the clothes on his back and in...

William Arnold Price

William Arnold Price

Nov 15, 2024

William Arnold Price, 100 years old, passed away peacefully in Mountain View Manor in Bryson City, NC on Friday, November 15, 2024.

Arnold was born in Scott, Georgia on May 4, 1924 to the late Roosevelt Martin Price and Nanny Smith Price. In addition to his parents, Arnold was preceded in death by his wife of 74 years, Nezzie Lee Fountain...

Dr. Lois Slagle DeWeese

Dr. Lois Slagle DeWeese

Nov 15, 2024

Dr. Lois Slagle DeWeese of Sylva, NC passed away peacefully on November 15, 2024. She was the daughter of Dr. Dick Slagle and Helen Field Slagle of Sylva.

Lois was an educator at heart, earning her Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, her Master’s degree from Western Carolina University, and her Doctorate in Education from the University...

Lucille Hensley Mathis

Lucille Hensley Mathis

Nov 11, 2024

Lucille Hensley Mathis, 85, left this world peacefully and entered her Heavenly home on November 11, 2024, surrounded by family. She was born on December 23, 1938, to the late L.J. and Lonie (Sitton) Hensley of the Caney Fork Community in Cullowhee, N.C.

She is survived by her children: Louise (Jackie) Biddix of Dillsboro, N.C., Charlie (Pat) Mathis of Caney Fork,...

Kelly Lisa Duncan

Kelly Lisa Duncan

Nov 4, 2024

Kelly Lisa Bisner Duncan, daughter of Edward and Joyce Castleberry Bisner, was born on August 26, 1963, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she was raised alongside her sister, Kim. On November 4, 2024, Kelly passed away at home in Glenville, North Carolina, following complications from type 1 diabetes and heart disease.

She is survived by her aunt Dr. Barbara Carlton and...

Bonita Jean Alderman

Bonita Jean Alderman

Nov 8, 2024

Bonita Jean Alderman passed away on November 8, 2024. 

A Celebration of Life for Bonita J. Alderman will be held  at 2:30pm, Sunday, November 10th, 2024, at Shoal Creek Baptist Church; with a visitation held thirty minutes prior. 

Richard Lewis Bradley

Richard Lewis Bradley

Nov 4, 2024

Richard Lewis Bradley, 55 of Sylva, passed away, after a period of declining health, on Monday November 4, 2024. He was born on September 3, 1969 to Melvin Lewis and Patricia Hall Bradley.

Richard enjoyed spending time with family and friends and going fishing and deer hunting He loved watching football and was the Pittsburgh Steelers biggest fan. 

He will be dearly...

Wanda Buchanan Brooks

Wanda Buchanan Brooks

Nov 1, 2024

On November 1st, 2024, a mountain soul and a true legacy of a woman, Wanda Lou Brooks affectionally known as “Nanny” gained her heavenly angel wings surrounded by her family. Nanny was born April 3rd, 1946. She was a lifetime resident of Sylva, North Carolina. She is preceded in death by her Husband, Allen Brooks, her parents Emma Viola Buchanan...

Inez Brooks Ledford

Inez Brooks Ledford

Nov 1, 2024

Inez Brooks Ledford, 88 of Otto, passed away Friday, November 1, 2024. She was born March 9, 1936, in Swain County, NC to the late Robert and Sara Brooks. Inez enjoyed cooking, fishing, and spending time with her grandchildren. She worked for 30 years at The Jarrett House and The Parkway.

 Inez is survived by her daughters, Linda Painter (Paul), Betty...

Dana Blanchard Wilkes

Dana Blanchard Wilkes

Oct 31, 2024

Dana K. Blanchard Wilkes gained her heavenly healing on the morning of October 31st, 2024 after an extended period of declining health. She was Born March 9th, 1957 to Leslie L. and Bessie Pressley Blanchard in Jackson County NC. A graduate of Cullowhee High School, she worked for Contel and GTE phone company for at least 18yrs, and then did...

Linda Jo Buchanan

Linda Jo Buchanan

Oct 29, 2024

Linda Jo Buchanan, 83, of Arden, NC, passed away on October 29, 2024, and was reunited in Heaven with her beloved husband of fifty-five years Harold Dempsey Buchanan. 

In addition, Linda was also reunited in Heaven with her parents Robert Grady Buchanan and Flora S. Buchanan, brother Neil Buchanan and an infant sister Lilly Buchanan. 

Linda was a woman of unwavering faith....

Erik Joseph Finley

Erik Joseph Finley

Oct 28, 2024

Erik Joseph Finley, 51, of Waynesville, NC, went home to his Lord and Savior from Mission Hospital of Asheville, NC, after a courageous battle with Type 2 Refractory Celiac disease.

Erik was reunited in Heaven with his maternal grandparents Herb and Virginia Houghton, paternal grandparents Joe and Lorraine Finley, parents Paula Houghton Johnson and Gary Finley, sister Leola Williams, and nephew...

Paul Richard Rebinskas, Sr.

Paul Richard Rebinskas, Sr.

Oct 21, 2024

Paul R. Rebinskas, Sr., found eternal peace in the great, big mountains in the sky on October 21, 2024, at Mission Hospital of Asheville, North Carolina. 

Born June 29, 1938, in Everette, MA, to the late Vincent V. Rebinskas and Clara M. P. Rebinskas, but had grown up in Billerica, MA, with his siblings, Pat, Bill, Carol and Ann. 

Paul had served...

Edward Paul Vozzella

Edward Paul Vozzella

Oct 25, 2024

Edward Paul Vozzella, age 71, of Sylva, NC, passed away on Friday, October 25, 2024, in Charlotte, NC. Born on October 18, 1953, in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, he was the husband of Sara Ross Vozzella and the son of the late James Michael and Eleanor Thomas Vozzella.

Edward worked extensively throughout the nation as a renowned chef in the hospitality industry....

Shirley A. Bumgarner

Shirley A. Bumgarner

Oct 27, 2024

Shirley A. Bumgarner

Whittier - Shirley Ashe Kilby Bumgarner, 80, passed away on Sunday, October 27, 2024 at Morning Star Assisted Living.

She was born in Jackson County and a daughter of the late Cornelious and Ethel King Ashe. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by first husband, Vernell Kilby; second husband, Ray Bumgarner; one son, Steve Kilby;...

James Ricky "Yogi Bear" Buchanan

James Ricky "Yogi Bear" Buchanan

Oct 24, 2024

James Ricky “Yogi Bear” Buchanan, 69, of Sylva, NC, peacefully passed away Thursday, October 24, 2024. He was reunited in Heaven with his parents James D. Buchanan and Mary Ruth C. Buchanan, and brother Ronnie Buchanan. 

Lovingly known as Yogi Bear, he was an outdoors enthusiast; every year he looked forward to the camping trip to Standing Indian with his brothers,...

Ben Ray Watson, Jr.

Ben Ray Watson, Jr.

Oct 21, 2024

Ben Ray Watson, Jr. "Ben" of Troutman, North Carolina, formerly of Mooresville and Charlotte went to live the eternal dream on October 21, 2024.

 Ben was recently inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame highlighting his three decades of coaching. While earning over 600 career wins, two team state championships, and sponsoring Fellowship of Christian Athletes he was a mentor...

Brenda Denise Dries

Brenda Denise Dries

Oct 19, 2024

Brenda Denise Dries, 70 of Sylva, passed away on October 19, 2024. She was born on May 30, 1954 in Starke, Florida to the late Cline Deitz and the late Jewel Deitz Crawford. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a sister, Diane Deitz Roten; a brother, Daniel Cline Deitz; and paternal grandparents, Danah and Alvin...

Amy Leona Block

Amy Leona Block

Oct 17, 2024

Amy Leona Block, 68, peacefully entered eternal rest on Thursday, October 17, 2024, after a courageous five-year battle with late-stage ovarian cancer. She is now reunited in Heaven with her beloved parents, Raymond and Leona Mall, her brother-in-law, James Bandy, and her cherished in-laws, John and Mary Block.

Described as beautiful, spiritual, kind, generous, funny, and loving, Amy had a vibrant...

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