"Mama Jo" Joanne Rivenbark Wooten, age 79, passed away on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at Haywood Regional Medical Center following a prolonged illness. As a Navy dependent, Joanne moved frequently early in her life, with most of her youth being spent in Wilmington, North Carolina.  She was the daughter of the late Walter and Hazel Frankoff and biological father, William Ivey Rivenbark, and grandparents, Lillian (Mobley) and Commadore English.  Joanne attended the...

Spring Creek, Curnal Lee Payne, age 70, passed away on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at Mission Memorial Campus. Lee was a lifelong resident of Spring Creek and was a son of the late Isaac and Georgia Greene Payne.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a great-grandson, Jaxson Gage Watford; three brothers, James and Robert Payne and an infant brother, Edward Payne; two sisters, Shirley Ledford and Nina Williamson; and an Aunt Ollie Duggan who claimed Lee as her son;...

Waynesville, Lillian Wheeler Metcalf, 86, passed away on Monday, January 17, 2022. A native of Madison County, she was a daughter of the late Thara and Vaughtie Allen Wheeler. Lillian was the wife of the late Paul Metcalf, who died in 2012. She is also preceded in death by her sister, Inice W. Smathers and two brothers, Gary David Wheeler and Roy Lee Wheeler. Lillian dedicated 39 years to Haywood Hospital and Mission-St. Joseph’s as a registered nurse. She was a member of Balsam...

Waynesville, Bruce Arthur Briggs, 95, passed away on January 16, 2022, in Waynesville, North Carolina.  He is survived by his wife, Peggy McCracken Briggs, his son, Brian Briggs of Waynesville and daughter, Susan Briggs Parris and her husband, Stan Parris of Boones Mill, Virginia. In addition, he is survived by his beloved grandsons, Bradley Briggs, Briggs Parris and Glenn Parris. Additional survivors are his sister-in-law, Mary Frances Gray, and many special nephews and...

Dixie Lee Kidwell   Canton – Dixie Lee Kidwell, 69, passed away on Sunday, January 16, 2022, at Mission Memorial Campus. Dixie was a native of Ohio and a daughter of the late John Leland and Joan Alcorn Kidwell.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Mike, and Larry Lee Kidwell.  Dixie was a hairstylist by trade. She is survived by a daughter, Amanda Fox and her husband, Chris of Canton; three sisters, Beth Todd, Jamie King, and...

Waynesville, Phillip Dean Leopard, age 80, passed away on Friday, January 14, 2022. A native of Haywood County, he was a son of the late Frank and Ella Moore Leopard.  Phillip was the husband of the late Judy Riggins Leopard, who died in 2015.  He was also preceded in death by his granddaughter, Ashley Nicole Lance.  Phillip was a loyal employee of Dayco Manufacturing, working in the shipping department for more than 30 years. He enjoyed golfing, working on lawnmowers, and...

Madeline “Madge” Woody Frisbee, age 83, passed away on Friday, January 14, 2022, surrounded by family at her residence. A native of Haywood, she was the daughter of the late Paul and Allie Kirkland Woody, in addition to her parents, Madge was preceded in death by her brother, Glenn Woody, and sister, Delois Woody.  When family and friends describe Madge, three words immediately came to mind, amazing, wonderful, and beautiful both inside and out.  For 27 years, Madge...

Sherry Servio, 72, slipped peacefully away to be with her Lord at the Four Seasons Hospice Elizabeth House in Flat Rock, North Carolina, of ALS/Lou Gehrig’s Disease, one year after her diagnosis on January 14, 2022. Sherry was born in Hibbing, Minnesota, January 24, 1949.  Sherry was preceded in death by her father, Eugene Emil Servio (Gene), on May 21, 2004; her mother, Jeanette Korpi Servio, on February 5, 1998; and twin brothers in 1946. She is survived by her only...

Waynesville, Arthur Laurie Pitts III, age 89, passed away on Thursday, January 13, 2022. A Virginia native, he was the son of the late Arthur Laurie and Nannie Gilliam Pitts. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Shirley Presnell Pitts. Arthur served his country in the US Air Force. Following the US Air Force, Arthur attended Elon University and earned a BA in History. He later pursued a career in trucking. During his career, he was a proud member of the...

Christopher “Fonz” Charles Dodd, 46, of Candler passed away on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at his home. A native of Candler, he was the son of Beverly Jones Dodd and the late Arthur Dodd. Chris was a 1994 graduate of Enka High School. In addition to his mother, Beverly, he is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Ann Dodd of Candler; sons, Christopher Lane Dodd of Candler; stepson, Trace Hunt of Killen, TX; two stepdaughters, Lauren Hunt of Marshall and Hannah Hunt of Killen,...