Glenda Messer

Mar 10, 2023

She’s the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street.

She’s the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick, the fragrance of life itself.

She’s the cool hand on your brow when you’re not feeling well.

She’s...

James West, Jr.

Mar 9, 2023

Canton - James “Jim” Howard West, Jr. 59, passed away on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at his residence.

A lifetime resident of Haywood County, he was the son of the late James Howard and Sheila Cole West.

Jim worked as a crane operator and enjoyed the outdoors and riding motorcycles.

He is survived...

Joyce Deaver

Mar 9, 2023

Waynesville, Joyce Ann Burke Deaver, age 84, passed away on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at Vero Health and Rehab of Sylva.

A native of Haywood County, she was a daughter of William (Jim) and Mozelle Wooten Burke.  She was preceded in death by her two sons, Allen and Roger Deaver; sister, Jean Burke Stringfellow and her husband...

Keisha Ball

Mar 7, 2023

Waynesville, Keisha Elaine Dills Ball, 46, passed away on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at Frye Regional Medical Center.

A native of Haywood County, she was the daughter of Michael Dills and the late Rebecca Jane Inman Dills.  Keisha was the Assistant Activities Director of Maggie Valley Nursing & Rehabilitation.  She was a member of Jonathan Valley Baptist...

Otis Sorrells

Mar 7, 2023

Waynesville, Otis Leon Sorrells, 85, passed away on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at Haywood Regional Medical Center.

A native of Haywood County, he was a son of the late Ellis and Mellie Byrd Sorrells.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Christopher Ellison Sorrells, who died in 2018; six sisters, LaVerne...

Helen Williams

Mar 6, 2023

Candler - Helen Ann Wilson Williams, 89, passed away on Monday, March 6, 2023, at CarePartners Hospice and Palliative Care Center.

Helen was a native and lifelong resident of Buncombe County.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Williams, who died in 2021.

She is survived by a daughter, Vicky Moberly (Ernie) of...

Frankie Phillips

Mar 6, 2023

Waynesville, Frankie Rathbone Phillips, 89, passed away on Monday, March 6, 2023, at the Pisgah Manor.

A native of Haywood County, she was the daughter of Rufus and Mila Messer Rathbone. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Clifford Phillips; her daughter, Pam Martin; and five sisters, Maggie Cagle, Lillie...

Slade Smathers

Mar 5, 2023

Slade Aaron Smathers, 51, passed away on Sunday, March 5th at his residence in Maggie Valley.

A Haywood County native, Slade was the beloved son of Ronnie and DeAnna Rary Smathers of Waynesville and the much-adored father of Syler McClain Smathers.

Slade graduated from Tuscola High School with the class of 1990. Growing up, he...

Phillip Barrier

Mar 4, 2023

Phillip Curtis Barrier, 72, of Weaverville passed away on Saturday, March 4, 2023.

He proudly served in the US Army.

Private services were held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Candler, NC.

Nancy Wells

Mar 3, 2023

Canton – Nancy Medford Wells, 95, passed away on Friday, March 3, 2023, at Pisgah Manor Health Care Center.

Nancy was a native of and lifelong resident of Haywood County and a daughter of the late Wayne and Fannie Chambers Medford.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Thomas Wells,...

Rev. Alcy "Junior" Kates, Jr.

Mar 3, 2023

Waynesville, Reverend Alcy Kates, Jr, 101, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 3, 2023 at his home.

A native of Hayesville, NC, Reverend Kates spent most of his life living in Haywood County, NC.  He was the son of the late T.A. and Ella Moody Kates.  In addition to his parents, Rev. Kates was preceded in death...

Mary Vehorn

Mar 2, 2023

Mary Omie Bond Vehorn, 93, of Asheville passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2023 at Emerald Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.  A native of Elberton, GA, she was the daughter of the late Jim Tom and Etta Mae Nelms Bond. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her life partner, William Emory; son, Robert...

Kenneth Lowe

Feb 27, 2023

Canton – Kenneth Lowe, 89, of the Bethel Community, passed away on Monday, February 27, 2023 at Harris Regional Medical Center.

Ken was born on June 2, 1933 to the late Dolph and Allie Tabor Lowe in Swain County.  When Ken was in the sixth grade, he moved to Bethel with his family.  Ken was a member...

Ginger Tilley

Feb 27, 2023

Canton – Ginger Sutton Tilley, 62, passed away on Monday, February 27, 2023, at Haywood Regional Medical Center after a valiant fight with cancer.

Ginger was born in South Carolina but raised in Haywood County and was a daughter of the late James and Ruth Ethel Hyde Sutton.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in...

Sheila Brown

Feb 27, 2023

Waynesville NC - Sheila J. Brown passed peacefully in her sleep on Monday, February 27, 2023.

Sheila was born to the late Dorothy J. Papineau and John B. Lawver on January 21, 1943 in Governeur, New York. She left Antwerp, NY in 1961 for airline reservationist school in New York City, where she met and married the...

Willard "Jeff" Reagan

Feb 27, 2023

Chuckey, TN, Willard Jefferson "Jeff" Reagan passed away on Monday, February 27, 2023 at Signature Health Care of Greeneville, TN.

Jeff was a native of Haywood County, North Carolina, but resided in Chuckey, Tennessee in the later years of his life.  He was the son of the late Nolen Reagan and Sarah Lucille Mehaffey.  In addition to...

Hattie Kirkpatrick

Feb 26, 2023

Fines Creek, NC, Hattie "Marie" Suttles Kirkpatrick, 74, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 26, 2023 at Pisgah Manor.

Raised in Madison County, Marie was one of four daughters born to Winfield Suttles and Kathern Ledford Suttles.  She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 54 years, Wade Kirkpatrick, who passed away on February 22;...

Juanita Evans

Feb 25, 2023

Juanita Rathbone Evans, a special and dearly loved lady, who was blessed with 88 years of wonderful life, went to her heavenly home on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

Juanita was born May 24, 1934, to the late John and Anna Mae Smith Rathbone.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of...

Ellen Wyatt

Feb 25, 2023

Clyde – Ellen Rash Wyatt, 93, passed away on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at her residence.

Ellen was a native of Haywood County and a daughter of the late Frank and Nettie Franklin Rash.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husband, Walter "Crip" Wyatt, who died in 2011; a son, Keith Wyatt;...

Thomas Battle

Feb 24, 2023

Candler – Thomas Battle, 82, went home to his heavenly father on Friday, February 24, 2023. He was a native of Buncombe County, and the son of the late Willard and Margaret Jackson Battle.

Tom graduated from Enka High School and served the state of North Carolina for 31 years with the Highway Patrol. He advanced to...