Obituaries

Jun 14, 2023

 

Robert Louis “RL” Ammons, 79 of Sylva, passed away peacefully Wednesday evening, June 14th at Skyland Care Center after a long, but strong, battle with heart disease and Alzheimer's. He was a lifelong resident of Jackson County, and the son of the late Henry and Nora Claybo Ammons.

RL was preceded in death by two brothers; Wade (Dot), Jimmy...

Jun 11, 2023

Mary B Ashe Lominac ( Billie) July, 1934 – June 10th, 2023 Mary Ashe Lominac passed away peacefully on June 10th . Billie was born July 29th, 1934 in Tuckasegee, NC. She was the daughter of the late Alvin Jesse Ashe and Ella Mae Potts Ashe. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Gene, son; Tory Lee, brothers...

Jun 10, 2023

 

Johnny Alvin Burrell, age 75 of Sylva NC, passed away on Saturday, June 10, 2023.   He was born on February 18, 1948, in Jackson County, to the late Alvin Early and Lillian Virginia (Crisp) Burrell. 

Johnny was a great sports fan.  Whether playing or watching. He enjoyed golf, bowling, softball, basketball & pool.  

He will be dearly...

May 31, 2023

John Henry Norman, 73, of Sylva, died suddenly at his home on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. He was the son of the late Charles William and Lillie Mae Jackson Norman.

 

John was a Sylva- Webster High Basketball standout in the sixties.  He was inducted into the Jackson County Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015.

 

In addition to his...

Jun 2, 2023

 

Mercedes Agripina Fernández Horne, age 83, of Sylva, NC, passed away on June 2, 2023.  Mercedes was born in A Coruňa, Spain, and moved to the US when she was 19 years old.  She is survived by two children:  Deborah (Andrew) Cowdery and Thomas Kwiatkowski.  She has one grandson, Christopher Cowdery.

 

Living in Florida, Mercedes enjoyed the ocean...

May 31, 2023

Jun 5, 2023

Eugene "Gene" Brown, 84 of the East Cope Creek Community, passed away on Monday morning, June 5th at Haywood Regional Medical Center after a brief illness. He was a lifelong resident of Jackson County and the son of the late Jess and Guscelia Morgan Brown. 

Gene was preceded in death by six brothers; Hugh Robert, Fred (Leola), George (Helen), Delos...

May 31, 2023

Shawn Michael Savage was born May 1st, 1977 at the Alice Hyde Hospital, located in Malone N.Y. He and his family relocated to WNC where he remained until his death on May 31st 2023.

 

During his time in WNC he made many friends, especially in his 23 years working for Harrah's Casino in Cherokee N.C. He shared many happy stories with family...

May 31, 2023

 

Oscar Olguin Gomez, age 17 of Cullowhee NC, passed away on Wednesday May 31, 2023.   He was born on October 4, 2005, in Hildago, Mexico. 

 

Oscar was the oldest son of Isabel. He was a student at Cullowhee Elementary for three years and moved to Smoky Mountain High School to complete his studies.  He was in the...

May 30, 2023

3 1/2 years on this Earth was not long enough ! But in those short years the amount of lives Junior touched and the love he gave was endless. Junior enjoys camping anywhere with his family no matter the location just as long as he was in the camper. He loves swimming, riding his bike and 4-wheeler, playing with his...

Jun 1, 2023

Thomas Daniel Childers, 69, of Salem, SC, passed away Thursday June 1, 2023. A native of Jackson County he was the son of the late Duane and Evelyn Childers.Tom worked for 34 years at Wade Hampton Golf Course in Cashiers and was a huge Carolina Panther fan.He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.In addition to his parents he was...

May 31, 2023

Thomas L. Cunningham, 76, of Sylva, NC and Dillsboro, NC, passed away on Wednesday May 31, 2023 after a long battle with cancer. He was able to "Go Home" where he died among friends and family. He was an "avid" fan of the Kansas City Chiefs football team for over 50 years. He loved watching TV sports, news and nature shows....

May 31, 2023

Johnnie Dee Painter Sr., 94, passed away early Wednesday morning May 31, 2023A native of Jackson County, Johnnie was the son of the late Walter Burke Painter Sr and Annie Lee Frizzell PainterHe was a graduate of Webster High School and was a Member of Lovedale Baptist Church where he was a Trustee and served on various other committees. He...

May 30, 2023

Carroll Franks, 76, passed away Tuesday May 30, 2023 after a period of declining health.A native and a lifelong resident of the Pumpkintown Community in Jackson County, he was the son of the late Manuel and Bertha Frady Franks.Carroll was a Member of Zion Hill Baptist Church. He was the assistant manager at Harold's Supermarket and then he went on...

May 29, 2023

James Edward Lewis, 69, passed away Monday May 29, 2023A native of McDowell County he had resided in Jackson County most of his lifeHe was the son of Louise Taylor of Marion and the late Ray LewisHe is survived by his wife of 50 years Vicki Lewis3 Sons; Jamie Lewis of Canton, NC             John Lewis...

May 27, 2023

 

Walter Wade Wilson Jr, 68, of Dillsboro, passed away peacefully at home early Saturday morning May 27, 2023 after a period of declining health.A native and a lifelong resident of Jackson County, he was the son of the late Walter Wade Sr. and Rebecca Cannon Wilson. Walter was a member of Sylva First United Methodist Church. He graduated from Sylva-Webster...

May 27, 2023

 

Jeremy Ryan Moore, 46, of Sylva passed away on Saturday, May 27th, 2023.  He was born November 8th, 1976, in Waynesville, NC.  He was preceded in death by an uncle, Roger Burchfield.  He is survived by his father James Robert Moore of Waynesville, mother Joan Burchfield and stepfather Rick Hooper of Sylva.  One son, Caleb Ryan Moore and one...

May 12, 2023

 

George Benjamin Keener Jr., age 62 of Sylva NC, passed away on Friday May 12, 2023.   He was born on June 8, 1960, in Jackson County, to the late George Benjamin, Sr. & Jessie Farmer Keener.

 

He will be dearly missed by his loving twenty-one cousins.

 

A Graveside Service for George will take place at 11:00AM,...

May 24, 2023

L.C. Bumgarner, 88, of Sylva, NC, passed away Wednesday May 24, 2023He was the husband of the late Opal Bumgarner and will be dearly missed by his children, Edward and Linda Bumgarner. Many nieces, nephews, other relatives and good friends will mourn his passing. L.C. was preceded in death by his late parents; Charlie and Lennis Bumgarner, his sisters Helen Johnson...

May 23, 2023

Peggy Lee Queen, 76, of Sylva, passed away on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, after a period of declining health. Peggy was the beloved daughter of the late Ernest and Edith Jones. She was preceded in death by her brother Billy Jones and her precious son Brandon Queen, who we are sure greeted her with the sweetest smile and hug at Heaven’s...