Obituaries

Local Obituaries - Haywood County, NC and the Surrounding Areas

Alan Wayne Livingstone

Alan Wayne Livingstone

Feb 15, 2026

Alan Wayne Livingstone, age 69, entered the presence of his Savior on February 15, 2026, surrounded by family.

Born on July 15, 1956 in Wilmington, Delaware, he was the son of the late David and Anna Mae Livingstone. He built a life marked by deep faith, steadfast love for his family, and a gift for making those around him laugh.

He is...

Linda Gail Mathis

Linda Gail Mathis

Feb 15, 2026

Linda Gail Mathis 73, of Waynesville, went home to be with the Lord on February 15, 2026.

She was preceded in death by her lifelong friend and former husband, William Ewart of White Oak.

Linda was one of the kindest and most giving people you could ever meet. She has always put others before herself. She had a heart that loved deeply...

Joseph Timothy Smart

Joseph Timothy Smart

Feb 14, 2026

“The Final Tractor Ride”

Joseph Timothy “Tim” Smart, 67, of Crabtree, North Carolina will be having his final tractor ride this Saturday, Feb. 21, as he will be laid to rest. Tim passed away on the afternoon of Saturday, Feb. 14. He was found by his brother and children in the place he always lived – inside his tractor, having passed...

Gary Lee Burchfield

Gary Lee Burchfield

Feb 13, 2026

Gary Lee Burchfield, age 74, of Canton, North Carolina, passed away on February 13, 2026, at Haywood Regional Medical Center after a brief illness.

A lifelong resident of Haywood County, Gary was the son of the late Jack and Lenna Jean Burchfield. He proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and received an Honorable...

Lt. Col. David R. Jeter

Lt. Col. David R. Jeter

Feb 11, 2026

Lt. Col. David R. Jeter, USAF Retired of Garner, NC died February 11, 2026. He was 87.

Born August 6, 1938, in Norfolk, VA, he was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Robert R. Jeter and Blanche R. Jeter of Waynesville, NC and his brother James Parham Jeter of Asheville, NC. He is survived by his wife of 50 years,...

William "Bill" Hollingsworth

William "Bill" Hollingsworth

Feb 11, 2026

William Thomas Hollingsworth “Bill,” 87, of Waynesville, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus, on February 11, 2026. After seeing Jesus, he was reunited with the love of his life, Betty, who had been waiting for him.

Bill was a charter member of Ninevah Baptist Church, where he faithfully served as a deacon for most of his life...

Eleen Ruby Grant

Eleen Ruby Grant

Feb 10, 2026

Eleen Ruby Grant, 95, our sweet, precious Mama finally got to go Home. She is with Jesus and able to stroll all over Heaven.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Manuel Grant; her father, Van C. Wells; and her mother, Retta Smathers Wells.

Surviving is her daughter, Shirley, and her husband, Mike DeWeese (like her son); and her son, Roger...

William Fawver Johnson

William Fawver Johnson

Feb 8, 2026

William Fawver Johnson, known to friends and family as Chip, died at 77 years of age the morning of Sunday, Feb 8, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was surrounded in his last days with his loved ones, and passed peacefully in his sleep to the sound of the first birds of the morning.

The son of Capt. William...

Frances Louise Pressley

Frances Louise Pressley

Feb 7, 2026

Frances Louise Reece Pressley, age 88, of Canton, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on February 7, 2026, at the Solace Center in Asheville, N.C. with her loving family by her side. Born on August 2, 1937, in Haywood County, Louise was the daughter of the late William Vincent Reece and Retta Lee Davis Bolden Reece. She was a lifelong resident...

Garland Hoyt Norris

Garland Hoyt Norris

Feb 5, 2026

Garland Hoyt Norris, 87, of Bethel passed away at Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard, on Thursday, February 5, 2026. As the days go by, we will surely be reminded of all the people he helped and the guidance he willingly gave. We can only hope that in each of us lies some part of him.

Hoyt was born on July 31,...

Mary Ann Gollwitzer

Mary Ann Gollwitzer

Feb 4, 2026

Mary Ann Gollwitzer Ehn, age 81, of Maggie Valley, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on February 4, 2026, at Mission Hospital.

Mary was born on July 20, 1944, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to the late Claude Ehn and Myrtle Ehn. She spent her early years in Wisconsin before later making her home in Maggie Valley, where she became a cherished member of...

Brenda Gail Franklin

Brenda Gail Franklin

Feb 4, 2026

Brenda Gail Franklin passed away on February 4, 2026, at the age of 84. Born on November 20, 1941, Brenda grew up in Hazelwood and proudly became a sixth generation having grown up in Haywood County.

A graduate of Waynesville Township High School, Brenda nurtured a passion for the arts throughout her life. She was known for her artistic talents, enjoying...

Sammy Barnett

Sammy Barnett

Feb 1, 2026

Sammy Barnett, 87, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully on February 1, 2026, at Haywood Regional Medical Center. Born on July 15, 1938, in Jackson County, North Carolina, to the late Harley and Mary Etta Rabb Barnett. Sammy dedicated 34 years of his life to Dayco as an extruder operator, where he was known for...

Janie H. Shepherd-Wells

Janie H. Shepherd-Wells

Jan 29, 2026

Janie Haining Shepherd-Wells, age 92, a resident of Waynesville, NC and Winona, MS, passed away peacefully on January 29 at her home. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and educator who lived life fully.

Born on December 19, 1933, in Yazoo City, Mississippi, she was the daughter of the late Walton and Hazel Haining. She was also preceded in...

Charles Shelton

Charles Shelton

Jan 28, 2026

Charles Shelton, 79, born on July 28, 1946, in Asheville, North Carolina, to the late Eli Marion and Anna Mae Smith Shelton, departed this world on January 28, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He embodied the spirit of a true public servant, having dedicated significant portions of his life to both his country and community.

In addition to his parents,...

Joyce Ann Roberts

Joyce Ann Roberts

Jan 28, 2026

Joyce Ann Roberts, age 74, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2026, in Buncombe County, NC, where she was born on March 14, 1951. A dedicated and hard-working individual, Joyce was employed by Woolworths for over 30 years before recently transitioning to work at Ingles Deli. Her commitment to her career was only matched by her devotion to family and...

WIlliam "W.T." Greene

WIlliam "W.T." Greene

Jan 27, 2026

William Thomas Greene, “W.T.” age 74, of Clyde, North Carolina, went home to be with the Lord on January 27, 2026, following a short but courageous battle.

Born on July 26, 1951, in Haywood County, North Carolina, William was the son of the late Boyce Tillman Greene, Sr. and Freda Trull Greene. A lifelong resident of Haywood County, he was well...

Betty Leatherman Ross

Betty Leatherman Ross

Jan 26, 2026

Betty Leatherman Ross, age 96, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2026, at Autumn Care of Waynesville, North Carolina. A beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, Betty, lived a life marked by deep faith and commitment to serving others.

Born on November 6, 1929, in Cowee, North Carolina, she was the daughter of Nancy and Solomon Leatherman. She cherished childhood memories of...

Janet Louise Buckner

Janet Louise Buckner

Jan 25, 2026

Janet Louise Buckner, 74, born on February 19, 1951, in Buncombe County, N.C., went home to be with her Lord and Savior on January 25. 2026.

Janet was the daughter of the late Ralph Thomas Hopper and Audrey Suzzane Bryan Hooper. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her beloved husband David Buckner who passed away in 2001, along...

Mary Burgin

Mary Burgin

Jan 25, 2026

Mary Lindley Burgin, 82, of Lake Junaluska, passed away on January 25, 2026, at her home from Parkinsons and Alzheimers diseases.

Mary was born in Old Fort, North Carolina, in August of 1943 to George Edward Lindley and Elizabeth Lipe Lindley. She was an alumna of Brevard College and spent her working life as an administrator and executive assistant. Mary worked...

Wells Funeral Homes & Cremation Services Obituaries

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