Obituaries

Sep 17, 2021

Terry Lynn Sams, 72 of Whittier, passed away on Friday, September 17, 2021. Terry was born on March 29, 1949 in Buncombe County. He was the son of the late Jim Hendrix and Neta Sams Hendrix.

Terry enjoyed going fishing, hunting, and camping. He loved mowing his yard and cooking for his family. His specialty was Mexican cornbread. Terry loved his family especially...

Sep 17, 2021

Betty Elliott, age 72, of Cullowhee, passed away on Friday, September 17, 2021. She was the daughter of the late Guy Seagle and the late Cora Lee Ray. 

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her son; Mickey Woodring; brothers; Phillip Seagle, Fred Thomas Seagle; and grandchildren, Johnie Holden, Ralph Golden, and Casey Nicholson.

Betty is...

Sep 17, 2021

Carolyn Irene Frisbee Beasley, 78, of Sylva, passed away Friday, September 17, 2021, after a long illness.  She was born in Macon County on January 12, 1943, to the late Bessie Cagle Buchanan and William Glenn Frisbee.  She resided in Sylva all her life.

Carolyn was a member of East Sylva Baptist Church. She loved her family and loved to travel,...

Sep 17, 2021

Terry Lynn Sams, 72 of Whittier, passed away on Friday, September 17, 2021. Terry was born on March 29, 1949, in Buncombe County. He was the son of the late Jim Hendrix and Neta Sams Hendrix.

Terry enjoyed going fishing, hunting, and camping. He loved mowing his yard and cooking for his family. His specialty was Mexican cornbread. Terry loved...

Sep 16, 2021

Barbara “Louise” Leopard, 83 of Cullowhee, passed away Thursday, September 16, 2021. Louise was born on January 23, 1938, to the late Eugene and Octavia Watson in Jackson County.

Louise loved working in her flowers and her garden. She enjoyed listening to gospel music, going on scenic drives, and taking pictures. Louise loved her family and friends, but most of...

Sep 16, 2021

Barbara “Louise” Leopard, 83 of Cullowhee, passed away Thursday, September 16, 2021. Louise was born on January 23, 1938 to the late Eugene and Octavia Watson in Jackson County.

Louise loved working in her flowers and her garden. She enjoyed listening to gospel music, going on scenic drives, and taking pictures. Louise loved her family and friends, but most of all...

Sep 16, 2021

Barbara J. Queen Cabe, “Bobbie”, age 87 of Dillsboro, NC, passed away Thursday, September 16, 2021. Bobbie was born on September 26, 1933, to the late Claude B. and Polly Queen in Dillsboro.  She loved her family very much.

She is survived by her daughter, Gina Stripling and son, Jimmy Cabe;  sisters, Jannette Beasley and Peggy Mason; and several nieces, nephews,...

Sep 15, 2021

Dorothy Anderson 71 passed away on 09/15/2021 in Harris Regional Hospital. Memorial services will be performed at Lighthouse Baptist Church on 10/02/2021. There will be a viewing from 12PM-1PM followed by a service. A small grave side ceremony will be held for anyone who wishes to attend following the church service. Appalachian Funeral Services of Sylva, NC is serving the...

Sep 13, 2021

Sep 13, 2021

John Russell Cagle, “Russ”, age 63, of Hiawassee, Georgia passed away on September 13, 2021 due to complications from Covid-19. Russ was a native of Jackson County, born in Sylva, NC on July 1, 1958.  For the past 25 years, he resided in Hiawassee enjoying the beautiful North Georgia area.

Russ was preceded in death by his father, William “Baldy” Cagle and...

Sep 12, 2021

Dennis Hal Burnette, age 70 of Cashiers NC, passed away on Sunday, September 12, 2021.   He was born on June 22, 1951, in Clayton GA, to the late James Wade and Estelle Houston Burnette.

He was a member of Flats of Middle Creek Baptist Church in Scaly Mountain NC.   Hal enjoyed working for 11 years at Highlands Falls Country Club.  He...

Sep 11, 2021

Blanche "Lucy" Messer 82 of Sylva passed away on Saturday, September 11th. She was born December 15, 1938, to the late Osborne and Ella Angel. She is survived by her husband, Joe L. Messer.

Blanche loved spending time with her nieces and nephews. She enjoyed working in her garden, traveling and cooking. Blanche was a member of New Hope Baptist Church...

Sep 11, 2021

James “Smiley” Luker, 81 of Tuckasegee, passed away on Saturday, September 11, 2021. Smiley was born on April 15, 1940 to the late Allen and Lillie Luker in Jackson County.

Smiley enjoyed working with cattle, farming, and eating out at the local restaurants. He had a strong faith in God. Smiley loved his family, but most of all he loved...

Sep 11, 2021

James “Smiley” Luker, 81 of Tuckasegee, passed away on Saturday, September 11, 2021. Smiley was born on April 15, 1940 to the late Allen and Lillie Luker in Jackson County.

Smiley enjoyed working with cattle, farming, and eating out at the local restaurants. He had a strong faith in God. Smiley loved his family, but most of all he loved spending...

Sep 11, 2021

Blanche "Lucy" Messer 82 of Sylva passed away on Saturday September 11th. She was born December 15, 1938 to the late Osborne and Ella Angel . She is survived by her husband, Joe L. Messer.

Blanche loved spending time with her nieces and nephews. She enjoyed working in her garden, traveling and cooking. Blanche was a member of New Hope Baptist Church and was overseer of...

Sep 11, 2021

Tommy Alvin Burrell, 52, of Sylva, passed away Saturday evening September 11, 2021. A native and a lifelong resident of Jackson County he was the son of the late Alvin and Lillian Burrell.

Tommy loved to go bowling, playing softball and just spending time with his family and friends. 

He is survived by his Mom and Dad; Johnny and Wanda Burrell of...

Sep 6, 2021

Shirley “Dean” Bentley, 69 of Greer, SC, passed away on Monday, September 6, 2021. Dean was born on August 7, 1952, to the late Georgette Henriette Felicie Gilbert and James Edwin Bentley in Macon County, GA.

Dean enjoyed fishing, karaoke, and taking trips out west with his brothers on ATVs. He was a member of Motlow Creek Baptist Church in...

Sep 6, 2021

Shirley “Dean” Bentley, 69 of Greer, SC, passed away on Monday, September 6, 2021. Dean was born on August 7, 1952, to the late Georgette Henriette Felicie Gilbert and James Edwin Bentley in Macon County, GA.

Dean enjoyed fishing, karaoke, and taking trips out west with his brothers on ATVs. He was a member of Motlow Creek Baptist Church in Campobello,...

Sep 5, 2021

Jesse Morris 66 resident of Sylva, NC passed in August. 2021 in his home.

Jesse was born on September 11, 1954, in Beacon New York to the late Roger Eugene Morris and Barbara Jean Lewis.. and stepmother Virginia E Morris.

Jesse moved from. New York to Martin County FL. And after that resided in Sylva, NCHe was an avid fisherman...

Sep 5, 2021

Jesse Morris 66 resident of Sylva, NC passed August.   2021 in his home. 

Jesse was born on September 11,1954 in Beacon New York to the late Roger Eugene Morris and Barbara Jean Lewis.. and step mother Virginia E Morris. 

Jesse moved from.  New York to Martin County FL. And after that resided in Sylva, NC

He was an avid fisherman with his son...