Obituaries
Recent obituaries in North Carolina
The obituaries in the North Carolina Area reflect the region's diverse population, featuring individuals from a variety of ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. Some were pioneers in their fields, while others dedicated their lives to community service or philanthropy. Their stories serve as a reminder of the richness and complexity North Carolina's history and identity.
Johnnie Russell
Jan 26, 2016
Clyde, Johnnie H. Russell, age 81, of Weaver Russell Road, passed away on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at Haywood Regional Medical Center. A native of Haywood County, he was the son of the late Charles Weaver and Beulah Messer Russell. He was also preceded in death by siblings, Archie Rathbone, Vager Russell, Katherine Spicer, Safford Russell and...

Linda Moody
Jan 26, 2016
Waynesville, Linda Eleanor Edwards Moody, age 88, passed away on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at her daughter's residence in Franklin, NC. A native of Haywood County, she was the daughter of the late Samuel Mack and Sarah Euphemia Gibson Edwards. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Joe Howell Moody,...
Barbara Medford
Jan 25, 2016
Waynesville, Barbara E. Medford, age 70, passed away on Monday, January 25, 2016 surrounded by her family at The Homestead. Barbara was a Haywood County native born on March 3, 1945 to the late Clifford Stiles and Lovon Gunter Stiles. Barbara was one of five siblings born that included three brothers and a sister. In addition to...
Martha Niles
Jan 25, 2016
Waynesville, Martha Elizabeth Tilley Niles, passed away on Monday, January 25, 2016 at her residence. A native of Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late Harvey and Nettie Bumgarner Tilley and was also preceded in death by two sisters, Floreid Newbrough (Henry) and Doris Robinson (Donald); four brothers Awyer Tilley, Arley Tilley (Jean), George Tilley...
William Liner
Jan 23, 2016
Waynesville, William Ray Liner, age 89, of Palmer Road, passed away on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at Charles George VA Medical Center. A native of Haywood County, and the son of the late Sam and Clara Snyder Liner. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Jeanne Schimp Liner, who...
David Anderson
Jan 23, 2016
"1934-2016" Canton - David Lowell Anderson passed away Saturday, January 23, 2016 after a period of declining health. He was a son of the late John Alden "Red" and Mary Justice Anderson. David resided in Canton all his life except for a European post in The United States Army. He was a machinist by trade and retired...
Effie Earwood
Jan 21, 2016
Effie Marie McGuinn Earwood, 87, of Fairview, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, January 21, 2016. A native of Polk County, she was the daughter of the late Willie and Gartha Bradley McGuinn. Effie worked at an Alcohol Rehabilitation Center in Black Mountain as a Registered Nurse and was a member of Fletcher First Baptist Church. In addition...

Varnel Swanger, Sr.
Jan 20, 2016
Loganville, Varnel Robert Swanger, Sr., age 89, passed away on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at Scepter Health & Rehabilitation of Snellville, Georgia. A native of Haywood County, he was the son of the late Joseph Mallon and Beatrice Kirkpatrick Swanger. Varnel proudly served his country during WWII and was a 65 year member of the International Brotherhood...
Betty Smathers
Jan 18, 2016
Waynesville, Betty Caroline Kenney Smathers, age 90, of Walker Road, passed away on Monday, January 18, 2016 at Skyland Care Center. A native of Jackson County, she had lived most of her life in Haywood County. She was the daughter of the late John David and Della Coward Kenney and was also preceded in death by a...
James King
Jan 18, 2016
"1945 – 2016" Clyde- James William King, age 70, passed away Monday, January 18, 2016 at the Brian Center of Waynesville. A native of Gaston County, he was a son of the late Columbus and Minnie King. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by four brothers, Britt, Roy, Donald, and Ralph King;...
Pearlene Brown
Jan 18, 2016
Clyde, Sally Pearlene Messer Brown, age 69, passed away Monday, January 18, 2016 at her residence. A native of Haywood County, she was the daughter of the late Roscoe and C.T. Messer. In the early 60's, Pearlene was employed by the Dayco Corporation but spent most of her life as a homemaker. She had no children of...
"Smiley" Burnette
Jan 17, 2016
"Devoted Husband & Dad" Clyde – Howard Jefferson "Smiley" Burnette, age 78, passed away Sunday, January 17, 2016 at Haywood Regional Medical Center. A native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, he was a son of the late Fred Newton and Helen Crawford Burnette. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving...
James Stiles
Jan 15, 2016
James Bruce Stiles, 92, of Asheville finished his life's race and went to be with his Lord and Savior Friday, January 15, 2016. He was born in Cherokee County, North Carolina on November 4th, 1923. He was the son of the late James Carl Stiles and Carolyn Farmer Stiles and the brother of Lake Stiles. James was married to...
Jewel Pafford
Jan 15, 2016
Waynesville, Jewel Bennett Pafford, age 104, passed away on Friday, January 15, 2016 at Smoky Mountain Health and Rehabilitation. A native of Fitzgerald, Georgia, she had resided in Haywood County since 1983. She was the daughter of late James and Ethel Forehand Dorsey. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, Reppard Bennett, who died...
Kathleen Cole
Jan 13, 2016
Kathleen Parham "Penny" Cole age 71, passed away on Wednesday, Janua4ry 13, 2016 at the Elizabeth House in Flat Rock. A native of Haywood County, she was the daughter of the late Northern and Nellie Parham. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by a sister, Gracie Jones. She was formerly employed by...
Maxine Reece
Jan 13, 2016
Loving, Caring and Compassionate Waynesville – Maxine Johnson Reece, age 80, passed away on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at Mission Memorial Campus. She was a native of Avery County, and the daughter of the late Staples Clinton and Mary Early Johnson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Reece who...
Bessie Riddle
Jan 13, 2016
Waynesville, Bessie Mull Riddle, age 87, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at the Laurels of Green Tree after a struggle with COPD. A native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, she was born on August 17, 1928 to the late Mack Raymond and Loretta Wyatt Mull. In addition to her parents, she was preceded...

Anna Hall
Jan 13, 2016
Clyde – Anna Jean Hall, 97, passed away after a short illness at Silver Buff Nursing Home. Anna is survived by two sons, Ron Hall, her caretaker of Clyde, and William Kelly Hall of Louisville, Kentucky. A memorial service will be held in the spring.
Julian Smathers
Jan 12, 2016
"A Friend to All" Clyde - Julian Smathers of Clyde North Carolina slipped away peacefully into the arms of his Savior, Jesus the Christ on January 12, 2016. Julian was a resident of the NC State Veteran's Home in Black Mountain for the last six months where he was loved by all. Julian began his earthly journey...
Reverend Lance
Jan 12, 2016
"1936 – 2016" Asheville – Reverend Dr. R. H. "Bud" Lance, age 79, passed away Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at his residence. A native of Haywood County, he was a son of the late James and Lexie Crisp Lance. Bud was the former pastor of Faith Chapel Baptist Church in Fletcher, Academy Road Baptist Church in Walterboro,...
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