Linda “Kaye” Daley (Mathis), 73, of Sylva, passed away peacefully at The Hermitage on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. She was born in Waynesville, North Carolina, on February 28, 1953, to loving parents Ralph and Pauline (Wyatt) Mathis.

Kaye grew up in Waynesville and attended Hazelwood Elementary School before transitioning to Tuscola High School, which she graduated from with the class of 1971. Kaye always had a desire to learn, and interest in others, which led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

In the 1980s, Kaye moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where she met and fell in love with William “Bill” Daley. The couple married in 1994, a union blessed with the birth of their daughter, Dixie Daley, in 1995. Kaye loved astrology, aliens, UFO’s, anything science fiction related, the beach fish, animals, the Beach Boys, being creative, making crafts, and the Beatles; by chance occurrence one day, while Kaye was at the airport, she met John Lennon while he cradled his daughter in his arms and Ringo Star, one of her favorite stories she’d tell. But most of all, Kaye loved her family, and being a mother to Dixie and wife to Bill.

In Dixie’s own words, Kaye would “light up the whole room when she came into it.” Both Dixie and Bill will deeply miss Kaye’s sense of humor, and the comfort they felt in her presence. She leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and memories—such as trips to California.

May God Bless the Memory of Linda “Kaye” Mathis Daley.

Left to mourn Kaye’s passing is her husband, Bill Daley; daughter, Dixie Daley; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ronnie (Rhonda) Mathis; a niece, Heather (Bronson) Cook; a nephew, Ronald and wife Mathis; great nieces, Jaci and Kenzie; as well as many other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Pauline Mathis; and many other relatives.

Kaye’s family will celebrate her life at a later date.

To leave messages of condolences for the family, please visit Kaye’s obituary page at www.wellsfuneralhome.com/obituaries/linda-mathis-daley.

"And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light that shines on me, shine until tomorrow, let it be.” -The Beatles