Martha Mae Huffman
Jan 23, 2026
Martha Mae Ballew Huffman, 83, of Asheville, peacefully passed away on Thursday, January 23, 2026.
A lifelong native of Buncombe County, she was born on March 26, 1942, to the late William Dillard Ballew Sr. and Vertie Verdell Mashburn Ballew. She is also reunited in Heaven with her beloved husband James B. Huffman, brother Steve Ballew and sister, Kathleen Rice.
Martha loved...
Mary Ann Cogburn
Jan 22, 2026
Mary Ann Cogburn, 75, born on November 15, 1950, in Haywood County, North Carolina, passed away on January 22, 2026, at Mission Hospital.
Mary dedicated a significant portion of her life to her career, working for Ball Corporation for a great part of her life. She then served as a Host at Harrah's Casino for eight years. In her later years,...
Mary Michelle Hopkins
Jan 21, 2026
Mary “Michelle” Hopkins, age 68, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2026, in Cullowhee, North Carolina. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and made her home in Jackson County, where she built a life centered on family, service, and love.
Michelle is survived by her devoted husband, Sam Hopkins; her beloved sons, Michael Hopkins (wife Kristy), Matthew Hopkins (wife Deidre),...
Joan McElroy Osborne
Jan 19, 2026
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Joan McElroy Osborne at the age of 94, on January 19th, 2026, while looking out her window, as she loved watching their cattle, turkeys and deer. She was the daughter of the late Lawson and Dare McElroy. She was the widow of the late Massie Osborne, the love of...
Ruth Mae Burleson
Jan 18, 2026
Ruth Mae Burleson, 73, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Ruth was a daughter of the late Milburn “BUD” Valentine and Maggie Lorene Baker Valentine and a native and lifelong resident of Haywood County. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers; Eber Bennett and Eugene Bennett, sisters; Annie Bell Bennett, Loretta...
Edward C. Whitaker
Jan 18, 2026
Edward C. Whitaker, Jr., born on August 11, 1937, in Haywood County, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2026, at Haywood Regional Medical Center. He was a beloved member of his community and family, known for his quiet demeanor and pleasant nature. Edward was a dedicated worker, employed by Champion Paper for 40 years until his retirement in 1999, exemplifying...
Bernice Davis Haynes
Jan 15, 2026
Bernice D. Haynes passed away on January 15, 2026, surrounded by her family.
Bernice was born June 1, 1926, to the late Vance and Melinee Davis.
Bernice was a woman of many talents, from sewing, cooking, fishing, and farming, to being the very best grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother anyone could ever ask for. She lived her life to the fullest and was...
Sammy Gilbert Smith
Jan 14, 2026
Sammy Gilbert Smith, a beloved figure in the hearts of those who knew him, passed away on January 14, 2026, at Mission Hospital. He was born on March 2, 1946, in Buncombe County and graced the lives of those around him with his gentle kindness and infectious spirit.
Sammy had met the love of his life, Sue Hall and they married...
William "Bill" Smith
Jan 14, 2026
William “Bill” Arthur Smith, age 95, of Waynesville, North Carolina, passed away peacefully January 14, 2026. Born on September 17, 1930, in Mineral Point, Wisconsin, Bill lived a life marked by service, devotion, and love for his family and friends.
Bill proudly attended Maggie Valley Baptist Church, and his faith was a guiding light throughout his life. He was married to...
Julia Ann Shuler
Jan 13, 2026
Julia W. Shuler, 88, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. She was the daughter of the late Elmer and Rosalee White.
Julia was a much-loved wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, friend, fishing buddy, gardener, adventure partner, and mischief maker. She loved to laugh and found great joy in being with her family and friends. She...
Frederick Charles Hayes
Jan 11, 2026
Frederick Charles Hayes, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2026, at AdventHealth Hendersonville. He was born on October 31, 1942, in Mansfield, Massachusetts, the son of Frederick Hayes Jr. and Phoebe Kellogg Hayes. He was one of six siblings.
A MAN OF FAITH: Raised in a Christian home, at the age of...
Gerald Edward Murray
Jan 11, 2026
Gerald Edward Murray, 76, of Canton, North Carolina, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on Sunday, January 11, 2026.
Gerald was born on May 25, 1949, in Haywood County, North Carolina, to the late Clarence Leslie Murray and Nancy Berlyn Cogburn Murray. He was a lifelong resident of Haywood County.
He was a graduate of Pisgah Senior High School, Class...
Joan Medford Morrison
Jan 10, 2026
Mrs. Joan Medford Morrison of Canton passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Saturday, January 10th, 2026, at the age of 93.
Born in March of 1932, she was the daughter of the late Joe D. Medford and Lucy E. Chambers of Iron Duff. She was the wife of Dr. Frank (Bud) Morrison for 48 years until his death in 2007....
Colleen Williamson
Jan 9, 2026
Colleen Crawford Williamson, age 73, of Waynesville, North Carolina, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, January 9, 2026.
Born on August 14, 1951, in Haywood County, North Carolina, Colleen was the daughter of the late Jack Jefferson Crawford and Reba Juanita Rhodes Clark. She was a lifelong resident of Haywood County and was well known throughout the community...
Robert Leon Gayer Jr.
Jan 7, 2026
Robert “Bob” Leon Gayer Jr., a beloved father, devoted husband, and cherished brother, passed away peacefully in his home on January 7, 2026, after a courageous battle with an extended illness. Born on July 7, 1962, in Buffalo, New York, Bob radiated warmth and a zest for life that endeared him to all who knew him.
Throughout his life, Bob embodied...
Claude William Smith
Jan 6, 2026
Claude William Smith, 89, born on February 13, 1936, in Clay County, North Carolina, peacefully passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on January 6, 2026.
Claude’s career as a truck driver spanned many years, and he even owned his own truck at one point. Driving across the United States was not merely a job for Claude; it was...
Mildred Grasty Mull
Jan 4, 2026
Mildred Grasty Mull passed away on January 4, 2026, at the age of 95, surrounded by her loving family. Born on April 15, 1930, she lived a life full of dedication, warmth, and cherished memories. Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, Jarvis and Annie Arwood Grasty, her husband Enloe Mull, who passed away in 2005, her son Jerry...
Jack Shuford Finger
Jan 2, 2026
Jack Shuford Finger, 90, a beloved member of the Haywood County community, departed this life on January 2, 2026. Born on January 12, 1935, to the late John and Sarah Mehaffey Finger in Haywood County. Jack lived a life rich with experiences and relationships that reflected his laid-back, loving, and easygoing nature. He was known for his passion for the...
Oscar Junior McCarter
Jan 2, 2026
Oscar Junior McCarter, 85, a cherished figure of Haywood County, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on January 2, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Born on April 23, 1940, in the Hemphill Community of Haywood County, to the late Robert "Bob" and Sarah Nelson McCarter, Oscar was known for his honest, loving, and kind demeanor and...
Judith Ann Clark
Dec 30, 2025
Judith Ann Kirkland Clark, 87, of Canton, went to her Heavenly home Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at her residence. Born January 1, 1938, Judy was a devoted servant of Christ and a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.
Judy was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Carl Clark; brothers, Gene, Mickey, and Jerry Kirkland; and parents, Charlie and Lorena...
