Barbara Rhinehart

Canton – Barbara Sawyer Rhinehart, 82, passed away on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at Mission Hospital.

Barbara was a native and lifelong resident of Haywood County and daughter of the late James Wiley Sawyer and Elsie Mae Jones Sawyer.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Earl Rhinehart, who died in 2020; brothers, James Harvey Sawyer and William Arthur Sawyer; sister, Katie Mae Sawyer Williams; and grandson Michael Lee Stamey, Jr. Barbara dedicated over 25 years of employment to Haywood County Public Schools before retiring in 2003 and was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church. She enjoyed Reading, working puzzles, watching westerns, and spending time at the lake.

She is survived by her daughters, Patricia Smathers Yarborough (Everett), of Canton, Karen Smathers Stamey (Mike) of Clyde, and Robin Smathers Gibson (David Bryson), of Waynesville; son, Phillip Smathers (Nancy), of Canton; stepsons, Dean Rhinehart (Tamara) and Kim Rhinehart (Cheryl), both of Waynesville; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 20, 2022 in the chapel of Wells Funeral Home of Canton with Reverend Harry Worley officiating.  The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 1:00 p.m.

The care of Mrs. Rhinehart has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes of Canton.