Obituaries

Dec 1, 2019

JV Miller, 80, of Whittier, passed away Sunday December 1, 2019. A native of Haywood County, he was the son of the late Robert Glenn and Mary Alice Miller. JV was a carpenter by trade and also did rock and brick mason work. He enjoyed going hunting and camping but loved spending time with his family especially his great grandson....

Nov 29, 2019

With profound sadness we announce the passing of Armella (Mel) Rita Cygan, a loving and devoted mother, Nana, Great-Nana, and friend to all whose lives she touched, on November 29, 2019.

She left us while surrounded by her family in Glenville, NC after a long fight with metastatic breast cancer. She was in her 91st year.

She was the beloved mother of...

Nov 28, 2019

Lynda Sims, 68, of Morningstar Rest Home, passed away Thursday November 28, 2019. Lynda was born April 19, 1951 and was a native and lifelong resident of Jackson County.  She is the daughter of the late Mary Lillian Sims-Lusk and her step father, Duane Lusk .  Lynda never met a stranger and loved everyone she ever met, always had a...

Nov 26, 2019

Thurza Holden McNair, 78, of Webster, passed away on November 26th. Thurza was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to the late Mark Martin Kerr and Pauline Tice Kerr on October 24, 1941. She graduated from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, and earned her Masters in early childhood education, curriculum and supervision, and administration from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. She taught...

Nov 24, 2019

Clyde Franklin Watson, 80, of Tuckasegee, NC passed away Sunday, November 24, 2019. He is the son of the late William "Bill" Watson and Dovie (Shook) Watson.

Clyde is survived by one brother Bill Watson; companion Bonnie Queen and serveral nieces and nephews. 

Clyde is preceded in death by three brothers Charles, Ransom and James Watson and one sister Willa Mae Golden.

No...

Nov 21, 2019

Mrs. Eleanor Grace Blankenship, daughter of James Willard Keener and Grace Keener, passed away on Thursday, November 21, 2019. She was born on September 19, 1938 in Highlands, NC. She attended the public schools of Macon County and was a graduate of Southwest Community College. She was also preceded in death by her brother; James Keener.

She was married to Harold...

Nov 19, 2019

Nov 19, 2019

Charles John Jordan, 80, of Bryson City, passed away at home after a long illness and has now gone home to be with the Lord. Charles is a U.S.Navy Veteran and his greatest love was bowling and the Smoky Mountain Senior Games. He was loved by all and is already missed by so many. 

Charles is survived by two brothers; Kenneth...

Nov 17, 2019

Mrs Sarah Margaret Barrett, July 25, 1922 - November 17, 2019

Mrs Sarah Margaret Barrett, daughter of the late Jesse Cleveland Counts and Margaret Lykes Counts, was born on July 25, 1922 in Birmingham, Alabama.  She attended Woodlawn High School, Montevallo College and graduated from Howard College, now known as Sanford University. 

She was a gifted musician, playing cello in middle school,...

Nov 17, 2019

Judy Kay Singleton, 65, of Sylva, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday November 17, 2019. A native of Haywood County, she had lived in Sylva since 1988. Judy was a member of Pleasant Balsam Baptist Church. She leaves behind the love of her life, her fur baby Willis. Judy never met a stranger, she always had time...

Nov 13, 2019

Jim Stiwinter, age 72, of Cullowhee, NC, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Willean Stiwinter and the son of the late Odell and Baye Stiwinter. 

He was a member of Cashiers Church of God. He was retired from Duke Power Energy and...

Nov 12, 2019

Walter Powers passed November 12, 2019. Born in Mulberry, Florida  August 7, 1921, Walter leaves behind his wife of 38 years, Joan Bushey Kepner Powers, daughter Anne Clendinen,  sons William Powers, Daniel Kepner, Dennis Kepner, 2 granddaughters, 6 grandsons, 2 great grandsons, 2 great granddaughters.

Walter had a lifetime in the newspaper business including news bureau director, newspaper reporter, and columnist....

Nov 10, 2019

Tommy Scott, age 60, of Sylva, NC, went home to be with the Lord on November 9, 2019 at his home. He was the son of the late Frank and Geraldine Scott. 

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by one brother; Jerry Scott.

He is survived by one sister; Debbie Whiteside, three brothers; Ricky Scott, Ronnie (Kathy)...

Nov 10, 2019

Kenneth Hutt Nicholson, age 69, of Cullowhee, NC, passed away on Sunday, November 10, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. He was the son of the late Manuel and Genevieve Moody Nicholson. 

He was retired as a heavy equipment operator in the construction industry and continued to farm for the remainder of his life. Hutt dearly loved his family. 

He is survived by...

Nov 10, 2019

Nancy loved her family and the Lord...

She was loved for her laughter and gracious personality, her adventurous spirit, her faithfulness as a mom, grandma and great-grandma, along with being a fun-loving wife to Bob for 58 years. She loved to travel—with her favorite hobby being finding “dealies” and trekking around the globe. Being raised in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, she...

Nov 7, 2019

Caroll Bradley, 73, of Sylva, passed away Thursday evening November 7, 2019. A native and lifelong resident of Jackson County he was the son of the late Huey Bradley and Faye Dills.  Caroll was a U.S. Army Veteran having served in Viet Nam. He was an avid hunter and fisherman , who loved the outdoors and cared deeply about conservation and...

Oct 30, 2019

Rebecca Sandel, 73, of Franklin, NC (formerly of Tampa), passed peacefully on October 30, 2019 with her husband at her side. She was born in Greenville, AL on July 28, 1946. She moved to Tampa where she attended Brewster High School and graduated with the class of 1964. She worked as a teacher’s aide for 27 years at Dickenson Elementary...

Oct 30, 2019

Larry Boyd Jamison, known as "Tootie" to most, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 30, 2019. Tootie's family, who loved him dearly, was by his side. Tootie was a native of Jackson County. He was born May 16, 1947. Most people remember him as the owner of "Jamison's Body Shop" and "Jamison Transport" which he owned with his sons, Jeff...

Oct 29, 2019

John Coolidge Nicholson 92, formerly of Webster, passed away on Tuesday October 29, 2019 at McCracken Rest Home in Waynesville, NC following a declining illness. He was the husband of the late Rachel Nicholson and the son of the late William and Sarah Nicholson. In addition to his wife and parents, John was preceded in death by three brothers and...

Oct 27, 2019

Paul Melton, 78, of Sylva, NC passed away Sunday, October 27, 2019. He is the son of the late Woodford D. Melton and Lillie Mae (Crawford) Melton. He is survived by his wife Rose Coggins. 

In addition to his wife he is survived by two children, Tammy Brooks (Lloyd) and Kenny Melton (Lisa); three grandchildren, Ashley Caldwell, Kaitlyn Melton, Daniel Melton; one...