Obituaries

Mar 21, 2019

Ingrid Sutton, 72, of Tuckasegee, passed away Thursday morning, March 21, 2019 Services will be held at a later date . .

Mar 21, 2019

Lester Lee Franks, age 84, of Sylva passed away Thursday, March 21, 2019.  Lester was born October 13, 1934 in Sylva, NC. He is the son of the late Robert Lee and the late Louetta (Mashburn) Franks. 

He is survived by one Brother Raymond (Joanne) Franks; one niece Larue Franks; one sister in law Barbara Franks; and several nieces and nephews...

Mar 20, 2019

Mary Ensley, age 95, of Sylva passed away Wednesday, March 20, 2019. She was the daughter of the late Wesley and Bessie Queen. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Ensley; one grandson, Christopher Ray Ensley; and one daughter in law, Judy Lee Ensley.

Mary was survived by one son Ray Ensley Jr; and several nieces and nephews.

A graveside...

Mar 18, 2019

Mar 15, 2019

Robert Morris England, age 94, passed away at his home in Sylva, North Carolina on March 15, 2019.  Mr. England served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.  He graduated from Westminster College and worked for Westinghouse Electric for thirty years.  He was an active Masonic member and belonged to the Syria Temple Shrine in Pittsburgh.  He was an...

Mar 12, 2019

Arilla M. Jones, 83, of Sylva, passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2019. A native and lifelong resident of Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late Lawrence and Susie Cook McMahan. Arilla was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church and she enjoyed gardening, cooking and helping her neighbors and she loved her grandkids dearly. In addition to her...

Mar 10, 2019

Michael Irby, age 67, passed away on Sunday, March 10, 2019 at Maggie Valley Nursing & Rehabilitation of Maggie Valley, NC.   

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be published when they become available.

An online registry is available at: www.appalachianfuneralservices.com

Appalachian Funeral Services is serving the family.

Mar 9, 2019

Violet “Sis” Bowers, age 86, of Sylva went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 9, 2019.  She was the wife of the late Rev. David Bowers Sr. and the daughter of the late Arthur and Beulah Bryson. 

Violet was a member of East Sylva Baptist Church and dearly loved the Lord and her church family. She was known...

Mar 4, 2019

The Amazing Thomas Allen Hester, 70, of Cullowhee, North Carolina went home to be with Jesus March 4, 2019. He was surrounded by his loving family and the prayers of friends. He was born November 23, 1948 to the late Calvin Hester and Mary Burkhart. He is preceded in death by his brother James Hester. Tom served with honor in...

Mar 3, 2019

Mary Ophelia Autrey Hunter entered into Eternal Life in the early morning hours of the 3rd of March, 2019, at the Eckerd Living Center in Highlands, NC. A lifelong resident of Jackson County, she was born on the 5th of February, 1940 in Cashiers, NC. to the late Joseph Hezekiah Autrey and Etrulia Lusk Autrey. . Ophelia was preceded in...

Mar 1, 2019

Lynn Porter, age 79, of Cashiers passed away on Friday, March 1, 2019. She was the daughter of the late Hal and Marion Porter. 

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by three grandchildren.

Lynn is survived by three children; Donna Few, Deedie Few and Robert (Linda) Few, three grandchildren: Jamie, Shannon and Jackson and three brothers; William...

Feb 27, 2019

Sara E. Thurston, age 91, of Sylva, NC, went to her heavenly home after a brief illness. She remained faithful to her Baptist Faith. Sara was a long time member of the American Legion Auxiliary and Lions Club. She enjoyed travel; sewing and crafts. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and four sisters. She is survived by...

Feb 25, 2019

Brenda Lee Shuler June 25, 1954 — Feb. 25, 2019 Brenda Lee Shuler, 64, of Whittier, N.C., a devoted mother and caregiver, passed away Feb. 25, 2019. Brenda was born June 25, 1954, in Bryson City, N.C. She was preceded in death by her cherished husband, Sammy Ralph Shuler; her father, Jerry Houston; and her mother, Hazel Lee Elders. She...

Feb 21, 2019

Georgia Louise Ivey Hickes, 80, died peacefully on February 21, 2019, at Harris Regional Hospital. Born in Avera, Georgia, to George and Sara Pennington Ivey, she grew up in Thomasville, NC in a loving family.

Georgia graduated from East Carolina University with a degree in speech therapy and came to Jackson County where she worked in the Jackson County School System...

Feb 17, 2019

Terry Smith, 63, of Sylva, passed away peacefully on February 17th, 2019. Terry was an avid fisherman and loved nothing more than to spend the weekends with his fishing buddies on the Tuckasegee River. Terry loved sports and was an accomplished athlete at both Sylva-Webster High School and at Appalachian State University where he played football, baseball and ran track....

Feb 17, 2019

Joseph Michael “Jody” Cooper, age 47, went to his eternal home on February 17, 2019.   Jody was born and raised in Jackson County. He is preceded in death by his father, Michael Dennis Cooper. He was the grandson of the late Joseph Beckham and Martha Emiline Cope Popplewell and Dennis Scott and Charmie Chester Cooper.  He is survived by Susie...

Feb 14, 2019

Louise Brandon King, 75, of Cullowhee, passed away Thursday, February 14, 2019 . .

Feb 13, 2019

Marsha Marie Sutton, 64, of Sylva, went home to be with the Lord, Wednesday February 13, 2019. Marsha enjoyed working at her store at the flea market, singing (Patsy Cline songs), and just spending time with her family. She was preceded in death by her parents; E.Dale and Doneita Mann, her daughter; Doneita Vazquez and by her sister Pam Mann...

Feb 12, 2019

Mary Margaret Heim, 97, of Cullowhee, formerly of Salem, Ohio, passed away Tuesday February 12, 2019. A native of Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Owen and Pearl Albright. In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by her husband William J. Heim Jr., her brother ; Forest and her three sisters; Irma, Nelle and...

Feb 11, 2019

Ralph Falco, 65, of Sylva, passed away Monday morning, February 11, 2019. A Celebration of Ralph's life will be held 3:00 pm Wednesday afternoon February 13 in the Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Services. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Funeral Home to assist the family. A full obituary will be posted as soon as it becomes...