Thomas Ray Pressley
Dec 6, 2025
Thomas Ray Pressley, 97, peacefully passed away on December 6, 2025, at Haywood Regional Medical Center. Ray was born on March 21, 1928, to the late Baxter Garland Pressley and Maida Rosalee Roberson Pressley.
Ray served his country by joining the Navy as a Medical Corpsman. He was employed with Champion International for 40 years. To serve his community, Ray joined...
Daffine Davis Hill
Dec 6, 2025
Lela Daffine “Dean” Hill, 94, of Canton, NC, passed away peacefully at her home on December 6th, 2025. Daffine was born on November 22nd, 1931, in Haywood County, NC to Vance and Malanie Davis.
She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister. Daffine will be lovingly remembered by her older sister Bernice Haynes, her loving sister-in-law Emmaline Davis, her four...
Kathleen A. Naillon
Dec 4, 2025
Kathleen A. Naillon, 82, of Haywood County, passed away on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at Haywood Regional Medical Center after a period of declining health. A native of New jersey, she was the daughter of the late Alfred and Edna Mae Ahlquist.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her children, Chan, Kenneth, and Scott Naillon and...
Mary Sue Caldwell Gentry
Dec 2, 2025
Mary Sue Caldwell Gentry, 86, of Maggie Valley, passed away on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. A native of Haywood County, she was the daughter of the late Jarvis and Wilsye Trantham Caldwell.
Sue retired from Dayco in 1997 after over 24 years of employment. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Maggie Valley. Her family and friends will remember her...
James "JIM" Thomas Schermerhorn
Dec 1, 2025
James “Jim” Thomas Schermerhorn, 96, died on December 1, 2025, at Haywood Regional Medical Center after a period of declining health. He was born on May 13, 1929, in St. Paul, MN to the late James and Edith Thomas Schermerhorn.
During the Korean War Jim served his country as a Staff Seargeant in the USAF at the MATS HQ.
He received his...
Bruce David Sutton
Dec 1, 2025
Bruce Sutton, a lifelong resident of the Crabtree community, passed on into the peace of Jesus on Monday December 1, 2025, due to complications from dementia.
Born in Haywood County January 23, 1947, he was the son of Earl B. Sutton and Mary Viola Guy Sutton, who preceded him in death. Bruce spent his childhood playing and hunting all over the...
Bobby Dan Duckett
Dec 1, 2025
Clyde – Bobby Dan Duckett, 89, born December 14, 1935, in Buncombe County, N.C. Went home to be with his Lord and Savior on December 1, 2025. A resident of Haywood, NC, Bobby served and then retired from the Air Force as a Technical Sergeant. Bobby then worked as a dispatcher for the Canton Police Department as well as the...
Rebecca Elizabeth Prevost
Nov 30, 2025
Rebecca Howell Prevost, 84, of Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Center in Asheville, NC, died of heart failure on November 30, 2025.
Becky was a beloved and nurturing wife, mother and friend who was known as a loving caretaker and consummate entertainer.
She was born in Newport News, VA, on April 26, 1941, to the late Matt Denmark Howell and the late Edith Morgan...
Mary Ruddle Burris
Nov 27, 2025
Mary Ruddle Burris, an extraordinary spirit who graced the world with her laughter and love, passed away peacefully at her home in Alexander, NC on Thursday, November 27, 2025, at the age of 70. Born on April 25, 1955, in Flint, MI, Mary was a remarkable individual, known for her warm heart, adventurous spirit, and an unparalleled zest for life.
For...
Arthur David Grant
Nov 26, 2025
Swannanoa – Arthur David Grant, 80, born on June 18, 1945, in Buncombe County, N.C., went home to be with his Lord and Savior on November 26, 2025.
Arthur was a loyal member and trustee to Macedonia AME Zion Church where he dedicated much of his time. Arthur was an owner and operator of A.D. Grant Home Improvement for over 15...
Melvin Ronnie Clark
Nov 25, 2025
Melvin Ronnie Clark, 89, went home to be in the arms of Jesus on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. Born on July 6, 1936, in Haywood County, North Carolina, he was the son of the late Russell Melvin Clark and Laura Gosnell Clark.
Melvin was a lifelong resident of Haywood County. He proudly served his country as an E5 Sargent Marine and...
C. Leon Turner
Nov 25, 2025
C. Leon Turner, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on November 25, 2025. Born on November 2, 1939, in Lincolnton, North Carolina, to the late, Wesley Lee Turner and Lillie Victoria Dellinger Turner. Leon was a beacon of love and hard work in the community of Waynesville, where he dedicated his life to both family and...
Charles Keith Chambers
Nov 24, 2025
Charles Keith Chambers, born December 2, 1949, in Waynesville, North Carolina, to Theodore and Mary Louise Chambers, passed away peacefully at home November 24th, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Charles grew up in Waynesville and was a proud 1968 graduate of Tuscola High School. He continued his education at Western Carolina University, where he played collegiate football. Charles loved coaching...
Kenneth Waring Freece Jr.
Nov 20, 2025
Kenneth Waring Freece Jr, 49, of Asheville, NC gained his wings on November 20. 2025. Kenneth was born in Auburn, NY on July 15, 1976. He was the son of the late Kenneth Waring Freece Sr. and Dawn Maricle.
Kenneth worked for TE Connectivity for over 5 years, as an assembly operator. When Kenneth wasn’t at work he just enjoyed hanging out...
Kenneth Albert Toney
Nov 18, 2025
Mr. Kenneth Albert Toney, 92, a resident of Arden, passed away peacefully on November 18th, 2025, after a recent decline in health. Mr. Toney was a native of Western North Carolina for his entire life. Ken was a devoted husband to the late Gail Toney for over 30 years. He retired as a quality Specialist at GE after 35 years...
Harrell Dean Henline
Nov 17, 2025
Harrell Dean Henline "Dean", 67, of Waynesville, left this world unexpectedly on November 17, 2025, at his home. He was born on February 24, 1958, at the Haywood Regional Medical Center, to the late Billy Charles and Lillian Belle Muse Henline, and he imbued his life with love for his family and an unwavering commitment to his community.
In addition to...
Joyce M Kievitt
Nov 16, 2025
Joyce M. Kievitt, age 91, peacefully passed into the arms of Jesus on November 16, 2025, after an extended illness. She was born on August 5, 1934, in Massachusetts to the late Clarence and Gladys Ducharme Baldwin. Joyce was a resident of Silver Bluff Village in Canton, NC, where she received excellent care.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded...
Ricardo Gonzales-Mendez
Nov 15, 2025
Candler- Ricardo Gonzales Mendez,59, born on July 23, 1966, in El Salvador, passed away peacefully on November 15, 2025, at Elizabeth House.
For more than 20 years, Ricardo dedicated his career to Ingles Warehouse, where he served as a forklift operator in the stock department. His commitment to his work was matched only by his commitment to his family and friends....
Morris Johnson Keesee
Nov 14, 2025
On November 14, 2025, Morris Johnson (“Johnny”) Keesee III died with his wife, Fran, daughter, Kathryn, and granddaughter, McKenzie by his side. He was 81 years old and had lived courageously with cancer for seven years.
Johnny was born in Meridian, Mississippi, the son of Morris and Virginia Keesee. He graduated from Clarksdale High School in 1962 where he was senior...
Jocelyne Louise Hill
Nov 11, 2025
Jocelyne Louise Hill, born on April 29, 1946, in St. Savine, France, peacefully departed this life on November 11, 2025, in Waynesville, North Carolina. She was 79 years old and surrounded by the love of her family as she entered her eternal rest.
Jocelyne was brought to the United States at the tender age of two, where she settled in Toledo,...
