Obituaries

Mar 18, 2023

Waynesville, Lucy Dunbar Ledford James, 93, entered her heavenly home on Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Dandridge, Tennessee.

She was born in the White Oak community of Haywood County to the late Sam Milas and Margaret Rathbone Ledford.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Silas James, who died in...

Mar 18, 2023

Hot Springs – Leanne Krebs, 69, crossed over on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at the Elizabeth House.

Leanne was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Joan Woodin and a sister, Heather Woodin.  Born in 1954, Leanne was a kind soul that loved people, animals, and flowers.  She always found a way to see the good...

Mar 18, 2023

Clyde – Billy Edward “Hopper” Cogburn, 77, passed away on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at Haywood Regional Medical Center.

Billy was a native and lifelong resident of Haywood County and a son of the late Edward and Edith Messer Cogburn.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Kathleen Cogburn; second...

Mar 18, 2023

Judith Holcombe, 86, of Candler passed away on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Laurels of Green Tree Ridge. A native of Buncombe County, she was the daughter of the late Glen Clarence and Sadie Gwendolyn Warren Wilson. In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by her husband, Roger Zebb Holcombe in 1955; her second husband,...

Mar 17, 2023

Clyde – William Roy Stamey, 82, passed away on Friday, March 17, 2023, at his residence.

Roy was a native and lifelong resident of Haywood County and a son of the late Billy and Molly Case Stamey. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter and two sisters.  Roy was a United...

Mar 17, 2023

Waynesville, Dwight J. Caudle, 97, passed away in the early hours of Friday, March 17, 2023 at the Elizabeth House surrounded by his loving family.

A native of Yadkin County, he was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Caudle and Myrtle Steelman Caudle; his first wife, Cherry Caudle, who died in 2006; dear son, Tommy Caudle,...

Mar 17, 2023

Waynesville – Charles Danny Ogburn, 68, passed away on Friday, March 17, 2023, at his residence.

Charles was the son of the late Charles Hunter and Joyce Laylon Turlington Ogburn.  Following graduation from high school, Charles received an AA Degree from NC State, was a proud Wolfpack alum, and began his lifelong love of farming.  Along with...

Mar 16, 2023

Clyde – Sam Whitfield Turner III., 79, passed away on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at Autumn Care of Waynesville.

Sam was a native of Long Branch, New Jersey and a son of the late Sam Whitfield Turner, Jr. and Theresa Wall Turner.  He was preceded in death by a sister, T-Star Turner and was a United States...

Mar 16, 2023

Clyde – Ruby Trull Thomason, 90, passed away on Thursday, March 16, 2023 at Autumn Care of Waynesville.

A native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Elsie Rogers Trull.  She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Carroll and William Trull.

Ruby was a homemaker...

Mar 16, 2023

Canton – George Ray Whitted, 100, passed away on Thursday, March 16, 2023 at Pigeon Valley Rest Home.

Ray was a native of Buncombe County but had resided in Haywood for most of his life.  He was a son of the late George Hobert and Rette Hutchison Whitted.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in...

Mar 15, 2023

Clyde – Mary Elizabeth Dills Moore, 64, passed away on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at her home surrounded by loved ones.

Mary was born in Buncombe County but raised in Haywood and was a daughter of the late James Garland and Helen Ward Dills.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband,...

Mar 12, 2023

Waynesville, Sierra Faith Sutton, 13, passed away on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at Duke University Hospital.

A native of Haywood County, she was a daughter of Kelsey Sutton.  Sierra was preceded in death by her great-grandmother, Peggy Sue Brown; and grandfather, Leslie Jones, Sr.  She was a 7th grade student at Waynesville Middle School and was a...

Mar 12, 2023

Barbara Rhodes Clark, 79, of Arden passed away on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at her residence.  A native of Texas, she was daughter of the late Alchron Dusty Lewis and Betty Jean Sentell.  In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, William Henry Clark.

She is survived by her son, Kenneth...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...