Obituaries

Aug 21, 2020

Andrew Stephen White went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 21, 2020.  He was born March 6 1952, a native and lifelong resident of Jackson County.  His parents Earnest and Rosie White and one brother Jim White precede him in death.  He leaves behind a wife of 47 years, Nell Williamson White of the...

Aug 20, 2020

Aug 19, 2020

Joyce Fisher Lovin, 88, of Sylva, passed away Wednesday August 19, 2020.  A native and a lifelong resident of Jackson County she was the daughter of the late Don and Dallie Fisher. 

Joyce was a member of the First Baptist Church in Sylva and she enjoyed crocheting, needlepoint and playing bridge several times a week. She also loved to travel when...

Aug 17, 2020

Kathy Cross, 69 of Sylva, passed away on Monday, August 17, 2020. She is the daughter of the late Dee and Jessielee Coggins. Preceding her in death were one brother, Lester, and two sisters: Jean and Carolyn Coggins.

She is survived by her husband, Chuck of twenty-five years; brother, Harold (Jan) Coggins; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and loving her dogs,...

Aug 17, 2020

Marta Cecilia Conway, 63, of Sylva, NC passed away on Monday August 17th, 2020 after a long illness.

Marta was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a faithful daughter and sister.  Her family was a constant source of pride, especially when it came to her nine grandchildren.  They adored their “Yaya”, and she returned their affection tenfold.   

Marta relished opening her...

Aug 15, 2020

Eloise Wykle Baldwin, 79, of Whittier, passed away Saturday August 15, 2020. A lifelong resident of Jackson County she was the daughter of the late Person and Martha Wykle. She was a member of Wilmont Baptist Church and she loved her grandbabies and great grandbabies but her passion was talking about the Lord. In addition to her parents she was...

Aug 13, 2020

Timothy Ray Shuler, 48, of Sylva, passed away August 13, 2020. A native and lifelong resident of Jackson County, he was the son of the late Frances Shuler Frizzell. Tim enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and spending time with his grandbabies and his family. He was employed with Con-Met for 20 years. He was preceded in death by his mother, and...

Aug 12, 2020

Eliseo Saul Oviedo, infant son of Joe and Yesenia Oviedo, went home to rest in the arms of Jesus on August 12, 2020.

He is survived by one sister; Emery and three brothers; Levi, Elias, and Alfonso.

A funeral service will be held on August 19, 2020 at 11:00 am in the chapel of Appalachian Funeral Services. Rev. John Parks will officiate....

Aug 10, 2020

Charles Edward Brown, age 88, of Loxahatchee, FL, passed away on Monday, August 10, 2020. He was the son of the late Charles E. Brown and Naomi Bonar Brown.

He is survived by two daughters; Martha (Marty) Crompton and Michelle Mercer and two brothers; Martin Brown of Wichita, KS and Kent Brown of Bella Vista, ARK.

No services are planned at this...

Aug 9, 2020

Richard Allen Guenther, 59, of Tuckasegee, NC passed away August 9, 2020. He was born February 4, 1961 in San Diego, CA to the late Charles Guenther and Lauretta (Puckett) Guenther. He graduated from Cullowhee High School and was a member of Shepherd Of The Hills Lutheran Church, Sylva, NC.

He is survived by his daughter, Lauretta Rose Guenther of Tuckasegee;...

Aug 8, 2020

James Edward (Jim) Turpin passed away August 8, 2020. He was born May 29, 1939 in Canaan, Connecticut to the late James Edgar and Dolly Hoyle Turpin. He was a graduate of Sylva High School and retired from A & P in 1998. Jim was a member of East Sylva Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife of 61...

Aug 8, 2020

John Woody Middleton, Sr. 80 of Sylva passed away on Saturday August 8, 2020. He was the son of the late Ransom and Edna Ledford Middleton. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by six siblings.

He is survived by his wife Jean; one daughter, Pamela Gribble (Craig); one son, John Woody Middleton, Jr.; two brothers, Melvin Middleton...

Aug 8, 2020

Ruby Lucile Dills, 94 years old, claimed her Angel Wings and flew home on August 8th, 2020. Ruby passed peacefully at her home, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born on December 10, 1925 to the late Henry Massey and Maude Payne Massey. Ruby was a life long resident of Jackson County and loved spending time with her family...

Aug 6, 2020

Carol Cabe, 83, of Franklin, NC, passed away Thursday August 6, 2020. A native of Douglas, Georgia and longtime resident of Brunswick, Georgia, she was the daughter of the late Malcolm and Naomie Newbarn. She was a member of Rose Creek Baptist Church and also attended Riverside Church in Franklin. She was an avid gardner who loved the outdoors. She...

Aug 4, 2020

Vanessa Jodale McDowell, 58, of Sylva, passed away Tuesday August 4, 2020. A native and lifelong resident of Jackson County, she was the daughter of Yvonne Bryson McDowell of Sylva and the late Joe Louis McDowell. She was a member of Liberty Baptist Church  and in addition to her father was also preceded in death by a son Devin McDowell. 

She...

Aug 3, 2020

Mary Lynn Jocoy (nee Griffin), age 77, of Tuckasegee, NC, passed away on Monday, August 3, 2020 at Mission Hospital, Asheville.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Appalachian Funeral Services and Crematorium.

Aug 2, 2020

Michael I. Draughon, Jr., age 67, passed away on the evening of Sunday, August 2, 2020, in Sylva, North Carolina.

A native of New Orleans, Mike was born on May 17, 1953, to the late Audrey (Foruria) & Michael I. Draughon, Sr.

For over 30 years, Mike was a dedicated automotive mechanic and weapons enthusiast before retiring to North Carolina with his...

Jul 31, 2020

Becky Ann Walker transitioned from this life on July 31st, 2020 at the age of 47.

Becky was born the Deer Clan July 9th 1973 in Cherokee NC (of Eastern and Western Cherokee and Lakota Sioux ancestry).

Her spiritual beliefs followed traditional Cherokee and Lakota values.  Becky had a deep love for not only her people, but all people.  Becky’s children Cameron...

Jul 29, 2020

Ronald Wesley Stillwachs, age 74 of Alpharetta, GA passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at his daughter’s home in Sylva, NC. He was born on December 18, 1945 in Paterson, NJ, to the late Otto and Alice (nee Shatwell) Stillwachs. 

He was a US Army Veteran that served our country during the Vietnam War. His brilliant mind led him...

Jul 22, 2020

Dr. Clifton Dillard Alexander, age 84, passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2020 in Cashiers, NC.  He was born on June 26, 1936 to the late Mildred Dillard Alexander Sanders and Rufus Clifton Alexander in Six Mile, SC.  A graduate of Furman University and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, he served as minister to Southern Baptist churches in South Carolina...