Obituaries

Nov 2, 2022

Nov 1, 2022

William “Bill” Oscar Ashe, 72 of Whittier, passed away Tuesday, November 1, 2022. Bill was born on February 23, 1950, in Jackson County to the late Wade and Abbie Dockery Ashe. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, cooking, and camping. Bill loved spending time with his family. He will be missed by many.

 

Bill is survived by his daughters, Becky...

Oct 30, 2022

Tracy Jean Whitaker of Webster, NC passed away on October 30, 2022, after a period of declining health. She was born on Apr. 12, 1956 in Monroe, NC. Tracy was part of a military family and had gotten to travel the globe from a young age, including to Turkey and Morocco and even lived in Alaska. She was a 1973...

Oct 27, 2022

Roger Queen, age 54, of Cullowhee, NC, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 27, 2022. He was the son of Mack Queen and the late Mackie Queen. 

He was self-employed in the construction industry. Roger loved to hunt, especially bear hunting. He dearly loved his family. 

Roger is survived by one daughter, Jessica Queen; one son,...

Oct 27, 2022

Bonnie Cope Carnes, 68, of Whittier, went home to be with the Lord, Thursday evening October 27, 2022A native a lifelong resident of Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late Claude and Charlotte Cope.Bonnie was a Member of Hyatts Chapel Baptist Church and had a very close community of friends at Church and also at the Jackson County...

Oct 26, 2022

Shelbia Jean Jacobs, 81, of Morristown, TN., formerly of Sylva, passed away Wednesday morning October 26, 2022.Born and raised in Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Lora Justice.A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, she enjoyed more than anything else spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a Member of Grace Point Baptist...

Oct 26, 2022

Rita Saunders McGraw, age 53, passed away peacefully at home on October 26, 2022. Born in Jackson County, she was the daughter of Harley and Dallie Saunders. 

She loved taking care of flowers and spending time with her grandkids.

Survivors in addition to her husband, James McGraw, are four daughters, Heather, Felicia, Nicole, and Trista; one son, Colby and ten...

Oct 24, 2022

Robert “Bob” Ray Taylor, age 69 of Sylva NC, passed away on Monday October 24, 2022.   He was born on June 23, 1953, in Jackson County, to the late John and Gladys (Gragg) Taylor. 

Bob worked as a carpenter for most of his life.  He was involved in the construction of many homes in Jackson County.  Bob's passion was...

Oct 21, 2022

Greta Jane Davis, 81, of Sylva, passed away peacefully Friday October 21, 2022A native of Macon County she was the daughter of the late John and Lucy HigdonShe was a Member of East Fork Baptist Church and retired from Jackson County Social Services. She loved spending time with her family and with her friends, she never met a stranger !In...

Oct 20, 2022

Jesse Wilson MacWatt of Sylva, NC died on Wednesday, October 20, 2022 of natural causes. Jesse was a retired Gunnery Sergeant in the Marine Corps and true hero. He was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal in 1987 for the role he played in saving the lives of three people from a fire in Jacksonville, NC. (The Navy Marine...

Oct 20, 2022

Kevin “Boo” Scott Watson, 30 of Sylva, passed away on Thursday, October 20, 2022. He was born in Jackson County on July 15, 1992, to Mark Watson and Brenda Hoyle Newcomb. Kevin enjoyed the outdoors, skateboarding, and spending time with his daughters.

 

In addition to his parents, Kevin is survived by his daughters, Hadlee, Hazel, and Haylee; brother,...

Oct 20, 2022

Arthur Pilch, aged 89, passed away at Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville on Thursday, October 20, 2022, after a lengthy illness. Art was married to Judith Pilch for 67 years and had lived in Sylva since 1970. He was born in Bloomfield, NJ to Frederic and Dorothy Pilch. His mother, Dorothy Rees Pilch, was originally from Wales.

 

In addition...

Oct 19, 2022

Melodi Layne Roddenberry Standingdeer, age 63, of Sylva, NC, passed away peacefully on October 19, 2022. 

She was born in Vero Beach, FL and was a longtime resident of Jackson County, NC. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, David and Ruth Roddenberry.  

She was loved by her partner in life, Ben Fuller; her daughters, Shannon Chickie Trejo...

Oct 18, 2022

Rev. Robert L. "Bob" Moore, age 87, of Sylva, NC, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October, 18, 2022. He was the son of the late Richard and Hazel Moore. 

Bob was a retired Methodist minister and was a graduate of Duke Divinity School. He pastored multiple churches all around North Carolina.

In addition to his parents,...

Oct 17, 2022

On October 17, 2022, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease, Jeanne Needham quietly passed away at the age of 89. Jeanne was born on August 7, 1933, in Waukon, Iowa, the 6th of 7 children to Leo and Florence Burns. She is preceded in death by her husband, Leonard; daughter, Kim; and son, Lyle, as well as her siblings...

Oct 17, 2022

Fred Nations, age 78, of the Barkers Creek Community, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, October 17, 2022. He was the husband of the late Judy Nations and the son of the late Odell and Lottie Nations.

He served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher at Rockdale Baptist Church for many years. He was retired from...

Oct 16, 2022

Robert Coleman "Coles" Leitch, age 52 of Cullowhee NC, passed away on Sunday, October 16, 2022.   He was born on October 23, 1969, in Baltimore MD, to Richard John Leitch and Deborah Jones Underwood.

Coles had many pleasures in life. He loved music, wine, food, kayaking, and Christmas.  Coles was full of life.  He was the consummate “party planner”....

Oct 15, 2022

Thomas Hampton Garrett passed away Thursday, October 13, 2022. Hewas a loving son and friend to many. He was born January 13, 1993, inAsheville, NC and grew up in Sylva, NC.Hampton is survived by his parents, Kole & Kim Clapsaddle; grandmother, Agnes Grasty; stepsiblings, Nikole Jasso, Nathan Clapsaddle; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.He was a graduate of Smoky Mountain...

Oct 12, 2022

Joe L. Messer, age 92 of Sylva, passed away on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. He was born in Jackson County, May 18, 1930, to the late Joe E. and Fannie Brooks Messer.

Joe loved spending time with his friends and family. He also loved to mow, hunt, and watch sporting events.  

He will be dearly missed by his nephews,...

Oct 12, 2022

On Wednesday morning, October 12, 2022, Dixie Irene Blanton left this earth to meet her Savior and be reunited with beloved family. 

Dixie was born February 5, 1931 to Albert and Eva Mathis Frady. She was preceded in death by her husband Emmitt Blanton, brothers Sydney, Dave, and  Annis  "Buck" Frady,  a daughter Dinah Blanton Mathis, a grandson, Phillip Bodford,...