Rufus Trantham

Waynesville, Rufus Trantham, age 80, passed away on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at Haywood Regional Medical Center.

A native of Madison County and a lifelong resident of Haywood County, he was the son of the late Claude and Pearl Swanger Trantham.  In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three sisters and two brothers.  Rufus proudly served his country in the United States Army and graduated from Waynesville Township High School.  He retired from Champion with 42 years of service.  Rufus was a member of Ninevah Baptist Church and of the Senior Men’s Sunday School Class and the church mission team.  He enjoyed camping, skiing and being outdoors.

Rufus is survived by his wife of 56 years, Carolyn Buchanan Trantham; two sons, Jeff Trantham (Amy), of Asheville and Rodney Trantham (Carla), of Inman, South Carolina; three sisters, Judy Parton (James), Carol Parker (Chub) and Juanita Trantham; two brothers, Hobart Trantham and James Trantham (Darlene); four grandchildren, Hunter, Brennan, Blake Trantham, and Morgan Singh (Parminder).

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 8, 2018 in the Waynesville chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Mike Leslie officiating.  Burial will follow at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park.  The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Ninevah Baptist Church, P.O. Box 38, Waynesville, NC  28786 or to your favorite charity.

The care of Rufus has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes and an online memorial register is available at “Obituaries” at www.wellsfuneralhome.com