Obituaries

Local Obituaries - Haywood County, NC and the Surrounding Areas

Leila Rhodarmer Harkins

Leila Rhodarmer Harkins

May 22, 2024

Leila Fern Rhodarmer Harkins 85 years old of Canton was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, partner and friend who touched the lives of many with her kindness and compassion.  Her journey through life was marked by an unwavering dedication to her family and friends.  Leila lived in Canton, North Carolina, and passed away at her home on May 22, 2024.

She was born in Waynesville on April 2, 1939 to Dewey and Edith (Smathers) Rhodarmer. Leila graduated Blanton’s Business College in Asheville and worked for...

Kenneth Eugene Stines

Kenneth Eugene Stines

May 21, 2024



Clyde – Kenneth Eugene Stines, 76, of Clyde, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.   Kenneth was born on March 20, 1948 to his late parents, Charlie Alexander Stines and Ruth Louise Miller Stines.   Along with his parents, preceded in death by his brother, Charlie Alexander Stines, Jr. and half brother, Robert Stines....

Jane Cole

Jane Cole

May 20, 2024

Jane Cole passed away peacefully with her family at her side May 20th after a battle with acute myeloid leukemia. Jane was born in Oak Park, Illinois Jan 24, 1947, to Sylvester J. Vavruska of Chicago and Alleen Smith Vavruska of Waynesville, NC. Jane graduated from Waynesville Township High School in 1965 and went on to graduate from Western Carolina...

Mary Louise Smith

Mary Louise Smith

May 19, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Mary Louise Smith (“Lou"), a devoted mother, cherished grandmother, and treasured friend. Mary left us on May 19, 2024, at the age of 86, but her spirit and the love she shared with those around her will live on forever.

Born on September 4, 1937, to Mae and Richard Knapp...

Frances Redmond Freeborn

Frances Redmond Freeborn

May 17, 2024

 

Frances Redmond Freeborn, 94, died peacefully at her home on May 17, 2024. She was born in Asheville, North Carolina, on July 27, 1929, to Leo Anthony and Ruth Smith Redmond. Frances is survived by her brother, Darrell B. Redmond, and her sister, Margaret Schiffman. She leaves behind her children, Rob (Joan), David (Claudia), Clay (Ardis), and Frankie (Skip), as...

Rene Smathers Henson

Rene Smathers Henson

May 17, 2024

Rene Henson, 86, was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend who touched the lives of many with her kindness and compassion. Rene was born on June 26, 1937, to the late Fleetwood and Elizabeth Smathers at Norburn Hospital in Asheville. She was raised in Canton and lived her retirement years in Haywood County. Rene passed away...

Buell D Haynie

Buell D Haynie

May 15, 2024

 

Waynesville, Buell Dan Haynie, age 87, passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at his home.  A native of Haywood County, Buell is the son of the late Bud and Mae Sutton Haynie.  He is also preceded in death by a sister, Shirley Bocker.

 

Buell served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict.  He was the...

Sara Ann Jones Porter

Sara Ann Jones Porter

May 14, 2024

Sara Ann Jones Porter passed away peacefully on May 14, 2024, in Charleston, SC.

Sara was born on October 1, 1934, in Gastonia, NC, the daughter of Fred Nesbitt Jones and Corrie Vandiver Jones. Sara was raised in Florence, SC and graduated in 1952 from McClenaghan High School.

While living in Columbia, SC she met a young US Army chaplain’s assistant, Ernest...

Patricia A Parker

Patricia A Parker

May 13, 2024

Patricia A. Parker, formerly of Lowville, NY, died peacefully on May 16th in Waynesville, NC, following a stroke the previous week. 

 

Born in Montour Falls, NY in 1942, Pat was a caring, spirited person who had a strong embrace of life and the people in it. A graduate of Odessa-Montour High School, she received her teaching credential from SUNY Cortland and...

CV Rhodarmer

CV Rhodarmer

May 12, 2024

CV Rhodarmer, a beloved individual who touched the lives of many, passed away on Sunday, May 12, 2024.  He was born December 9, 1933 in Haywood County, North Carolina.  CV led a fulfilling life defined by dedicated service to both his country and his community.   He proudly served in the United States Army as part of the 11th Airborne...

Jonathan Andrew DeGrove

Jonathan Andrew DeGrove

May 11, 2024

Born in Jacksonville, FL, September 5, 1954, to John and Gail DeGrove. He was a 7th generation Florida “cracker”.

 

Died peacefully surrounded by family and friends on Saturday, May 11,2024

at the age of 69.

 

Andy grew up in Boca Raton, FL where he loved surfing, camping on the beach, riding motorcycles and listening to good music.

 

He served in the Navy 1974-1978 as...

Kristine Johnson Hall

Kristine Johnson Hall

May 10, 2024

On Friday morning, May 10, 2024, Kristine Johnson Hall passed away quite unexpectedly while working with chickens she enjoyed so much. While we were blessed with her presence for nearly 76 years, we know that she is now rejoicing in heaven.

A lifelong resident of Haywood County, Kristine was the daughter of Gaston Johnson, Jr. and Mamie Parton Johnson of Waynesville....

Roy Lee Cogburn

Roy Lee Cogburn

May 10, 2024

Roy Lee “Pete” Cogburn, 96, passed away at his home on Friday, May 10, 2024.   He was born on December 6, 1927, in Haywood County.  Pete had a passion for collecting clocks, gardening, and helping others.  He was known for his strong work ethic and his unwavering loyalty to Ford.  Pete retired as a mechanic from Ken Wilson Ford...

Madeleine Plott Dammann

Madeleine Plott Dammann

May 9, 2024

Mrs. Madeleine Plott Dammann, 88, born on July 9, 1935, in Chauny, France, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Spicewood Cottages on the morning of May 9, 2024.   Madeleine was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by her father André David, her mother Angelina David, her first husband Lawrence Plott of 40 years...

Carolyn Chandler Auberry

Carolyn Chandler Auberry

May 9, 2024

Carolyn Chandler Auberry passed away on May 9, 2024. She was 91 years old. Carolyn was born in Weaverville, North Carolina on July 9, 1932. She was proud of her basketball prowess at Flat Creek and her standing in her high school graduating class of eight students. She earned her degree at Western Carolina and began working as an elementary school...

James Darryl Parker

James Darryl Parker

May 8, 2024

James Darryl Parker, 77, of Asheville, died on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at Stonecreek Health and Rehab. A native of Buncombe County, he was the son of the late Joseph and Mildred Smith Parker. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by two sisters, Jean Erwin and Debra Hensley and brother, Joseph Eugene Parker.

 

He was an...

Janet Elaine Wyatt

Janet Elaine Wyatt

May 8, 2024

In loving memory of Janet Elaine Greene Wyatt, a devoted Clinical Supervisor at Midway Medical in Clyde for 30 years, who sadly passed away on May 8, 2024, at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center. Janet was born on July 18, 1974, in Haywood County, where she developed a passion for caring for others that would shape her illustrious career.Graduating with...

Ruby Caldwell Bradley

Ruby Caldwell Bradley

May 8, 2024

Ruby Caldwell Bradley, age 91, passed away on May 8, 2024.

A native of Haywood County, Ruby was one of the last children born in Cataloochee Valley.  She was born March 29, 1933, and was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas H. and Ella Jane Caldwell; brothers, John, Lloyd, Dock, Frank, Tommy, Jack and Thurman.   She is also preceded...

Stephen James Boyle

Stephen James Boyle

May 7, 2024

Stephen James Boyle, age 81, passed away on May 7, 2024 after a three year battle with prostate cancer.  The son of the late James Boyle and Joan Wagner Boyle, he was born November 4, 1942, in Mendota, Illinois.  He is also preceded in death by his brother, Timothy Boyle, and his sister, Susan Boyle.

 

Steve served with honor in the...

Verba Kay Norris

Verba Kay Norris

May 6, 2024

Verba Kaye Norris, age 71, of Clyde, passed away on Monday, May 6, 2024 at Silver Bluff Rehabilitation.  She was the daughter of the late Evelyn and Robert Norris.  She was also preceded in death by her brother, Roger.   She was a member of Louisa Chapel United Methodist Church.  Verba spent her career as a certified nursing assistant at...

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