Obituaries

Aug 23, 2021

Cathryn Griffin, age 66,  of Waynesville, NC, passed away on Monday, August 23, 2021. She was the daughter of the late Bernard and Lillian Griffin. 

Cathryn was a Photography Professor at Western Carolyn University in Cullowhee, NC

Due to issues related to the Covid virus, a Celebration of Life Service will be held on a later date and will publicized at that time. 

Appalachian Funeral...

Aug 23, 2021

James Edward Townsend III, age 52, of Sylva passed Monday, August 23, 2021. Mr. Townsend was born November 06, 1968, in Clearwater Florida. He is the son of the late James and Christine Townsend. He was married to his wife Nina for 27 years. James grew up in Florida where after High School he joined the Navy, James continued his...

Aug 23, 2021

James Edward Townsend III, age 52, of Sylva passed Monday, August 23, 2021. Mr. Townsend was born November 06, 1968 in Clearwater Florida. He is the son of the late James and Christine Townsend. He was married to his wife Nina for 27 years. James grew up in Florida where after High School he joined the Navy, James continued his military service in...

Aug 20, 2021

Freddie Jo McConnell, age 86, of Sylva, NC, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, August 20, 2021 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was the daughter of the late Fred and Ila Hoxit McConnell. 

She was a member of Webster Baptist Church and was a retired cosmetologist.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded...

Aug 20, 2021

Grace Calhoun, age 96, of Sylva, NC, passed away on Friday, August 20, 2021. She was the wife of the late Miles Calhoun and the daughter of the late William Sanders and Margie Mills Calhoun. 

Grace was a member of First Baptist Church in Sylva. She is survived by two daughters; Carolyn (Steve) Stephenson and Judy (Neal) Clayton and one son;...

Aug 19, 2021

On August 19th at 2:30 a.m., Julie Ann Deeds slipped away from her battle with cancer, and into the arms of the Lord. One of her final requests was no memorial but she wanted people to rejoice in her life. She is a very special person and has gone to a better place, with no more pain and suffering. 

Julie is...

Aug 17, 2021

Richard R. Beauchemin, Jr., MD of Sylva NC, passed into eternal life on August 17, 2021, at Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva, a victim of Covid-19. 

Dr. Beauchemin, born August 11, 1956, was preceded in death by his parents, Richard R. Beauchemin, Sr. and Rita Lorraine Barron Beauchemin, also of Sylva. He is survived by his beloved wife, Sandra Martin Beauchemin;...

Aug 17, 2021

Richard R. Beauchemin, Jr., MD of Sylva NC, passed into eternal life on August 17, 2021, at Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva, a victim of Covid-19.

Dr. Beauchemin, born August 11, 1956, was preceded in death by his parents, Richard R. Beauchemin, Sr. and Rita Lorraine Barron Beauchemin, also of Sylva. He is survived by his beloved wife, Sandra...

Aug 15, 2021

Margaret "Peggy" Fuller, 97, formerly of South Boston, VA, died August 15, 2021 in Sylva, NC, where she was in the care of Morningstar Assisted Living. 

Peggy was married for 51 years to Irving M. "Dale" Fuller who preceded her in death on January 10, 2007. They were wed October 1, 1955 at First Presbyterian Church in South Boston, VA where...

Aug 9, 2021

Richard Louis Littrell went home to be with the Lord on Monday, August 8, 2021 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. 

Mr. Littrell was a Mason in the East LaPorte Lodge, No. 358. He was a member and a deacon at Black Mountain Baptist Church in Cullowhee. He loved carpentry work and did a lot of work for the...

Aug 6, 2021

Patsy Ann Blanton, age 68, of Sylva, NC passed away on Friday, August 6, 2021. She was the wife of the late Olin Blanton and the daughter of the late Frank James and Jessie Warren Allison. She was an Insurance Representative for AFLAC. 

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at Pleasant Balsam Baptist Church at 2:00 pm....

Aug 6, 2021

Jerry Dills, 79, of Sylva, NC transitioned to heaven on August 6, 2021 with his loving wife and daughters by his side. Jerry was the husband of Winifred Brown Dills and the son of the late Charles Ernest Dills and Mattie Jacobs Dills of Dillsboro, NC. Jerry had three daughters, Lisa and Sean Barr of Gainesville, GA, Stephanie and Todd...

Aug 5, 2021

Eddie Queen was born July 6th 1951 to Lawrence “Cot” and Mamie Queen. He was an avid outdoorsman, hiking, hunting and fishing. He spent his whole life building. He spent his first job phase running equipment and crushing stone.  He spent many years farming Christmas trees. He was blessed to find a position midlife bringing him close to home sawmilling and developing...

Aug 5, 2021

Frank Moody Crawford, Jr – Obituary

Sylva, NC – Frank Moody Crawford Jr., 89, passed away on August 5 at Care Partners in Asheville after a period of declining health.  Frank was born April 7, 1932, to the late Frank Moody Crawford Sr. and Edith Sherrill Crawford.  Frank is survived by his wife of 62 years, Frances “Othello” Haskett Crawford; their...

Aug 4, 2021

William H. Lewman, 67, of Bryson City, died August 4, 2021, after a two week illness. 

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Sandi, 6 children and multiple grand and great grandchildren.

He was loved, and will be missed, by all who knew him.

               2-11-54     /      8-4-21 

Aug 3, 2021

Dennis James Owen, 63 of Blairs, VA, died Tuesday, August 3, 2021. He was born September 30, 1957, in Danville VA.,  to the late Elizabeth Easley Owen and Aron Owen.

Dennis served his country as a U.S. Marine.  He was outgoing, friendly, and enjoyed spending time talking your leg off. He also enjoyed fishing.

He is survived by wife, Darla Cloud-Owen; sons...

Jul 30, 2021

Jul 27, 2021

Christa Melton, age 87, of Alpine Road, Sylva, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 27th, 2021.

Christa was born in Germany where she met her husband of 53 years, Coy Melton while he was serving in the US Army Special Forces. Theirs was a love story.  When returning to the US they owned and operated Smoky Mountain Nursery and Garden Center.

Christa...

Jul 26, 2021

Jeffrey Lee Ray 61, of Sylva, NC passed away on July 26, 2021.

Jeff grew up outside of Nashville, TN and earned a Journeyman Industrial Electrician license while working at R.R. Donnelley & Sons in Gallatin TN.  He then earned his Bachelors and Master degrees in Mechanical Engineering at Tennessee Technological University, and completed his Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering at Vanderbilt...

Jul 25, 2021

Irene Gibson Hodgins 80, of Sylva, passed away on Sunday July 25th, after a period of declining health. A native of Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late Howard and Maybelle Gibson.

Surviving are her husband of 48 years, Jimmy Hodgins; children, Paula (Kenny) Robinson of Sylva and Jeff (Sharon) Carnes of Monroe; two sisters, Annie Jo Jones and...