Obituaries

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 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 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

Phyliss Louise Ramsey Queen, 85, of Cherokee, NC, passed away at her home on Sunday July 25, 2021. She was born on May 19, 1936 in Jackson County and was the daughter of the late Milburn and Elizabeth Ramsey. She was also preceded in death by two sisters; Verna Bradley and Sally Hooper, a daughter; Wilma Jean, and by her...

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...

Jul 21, 2021

Jul 21, 2021

Aileen Galloway Owen, 87 of Tuckasegee, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 21, 2021. Aileen was born in Jackson County on July 10, 1934, to the late Cos and Bessie Owen Galloway.

Aileen enjoyed fishing, gardening, and traveling out West with her family. She also loved feeding and taking care of her animals. Aileen was a faithful pastor’s wife....

Jul 20, 2021

Joel Franklin Adcock of Sylva passed away on July 20th, 2021 at the age of 63. He was born in Dayton, Ohio and the adopted son of the late Eva and Howard Adcock Jr.

Joel was a great athlete.  He played baseball, football, and basketball at Cullowhee High School as well as being a member of the chorus and the clogging...

Jul 19, 2021

Linda Nations Kilpatrick, age 75 of Whittier NC, passed away on Monday July 19, 2021.   She was born on September 23, 1945, in Jackson County, to the late Ralph and Vinnie Jones Nations.

Linda was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister.  She dearly loved her family and loved to spend her time with them.  Linda loved to work and...

Jul 16, 2021

William “Glenn” Prewitt, 63, of Sylva passed away on Friday, July 16, 2021 at Duke University Hospital. Glenn was born on August 29, 1957 in Williamsburg, KY to the late Raymond and Joyce Prewitt. Glenn enjoyed shooting guns and fishing. He loved being on social media keeping in touch with his family and friends. Glenn worked as a school bus...

Jul 16, 2021

Gregory Mark Angel, 70, of Sylva, passed away on Saturday, July 16th. Greg was born in Germany to the late Ralph William and Gertrude (Rowe) Angel.

Greg loved art, helping people, riding horses, and music. He was a very spiritual person and was of the Catholic faith. Greg also loved fixing bicycles for the homeless. He was a graphic artist for...

Jul 16, 2021

Betty Grace Awtrey, age 88, of Bryson City, NC went home to be with the Lord on Friday, July 16, 2021 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late John Grover Awtrey and the daughter of the late Rolf and Martha Lucinda Bostick. 

Additional obituary information will be published as it becomes available. 

Appalachian Funeral...

Jul 15, 2021

Peggy Jo Frady, 76, of Sylva, passed away on Thursday July 15, 2021, at The Hermitage in Dillsboro. Peggy was the daughter of the late Jeston Beck Frady. She enjoyed flowers, gardening, art, and creating photo albums.

In addition to her mother, Peggy was preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers; Betty Jean Webb, Margaret Tippett, Harold Frady and...

Jul 14, 2021

JoAnn Stokes (Jones), age 82 of Sylva NC, passed away on Wednesday July 14, 2021.   She was born on March 6, 1939, in Graham County, to the late Albert and Emma Jones.

She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. JoAnn loved the outdoors. She enjoyed spending time in her flower and vegetable gardens.

She will be dearly missed by her loving...