Obituaries
Recent obituaries in North Carolina
The obituaries in the North Carolina Area reflect the region's diverse population, featuring individuals from a variety of ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. Some were pioneers in their fields, while others dedicated their lives to community service or philanthropy. Their stories serve as a reminder of the richness and complexity North Carolina's history and identity.
Bruce Sharp
Feb 24, 2026
Bruce Sharp, 69, of Canton, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at the Solace Center in Asheville, North Carolina, surrounded by his brothers with care and compassion in his final days.
A proud native of Haywood County, Bruce was the son of the late Jack and Ruth Christine Druhan Sharp. He carried with him a deep love for his...
Eric James Ritari
Feb 16, 2026
Eric James Ritari, born on October 11, 1966, in Illinois, passed away in the early evening of February 16, 2026, in Haywood County, North Carolina.
He is survived by his mother, Margaret Minton; father, Wayne Ritari; daughter, Paige Ritari; and son, Tyler Ritari.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Isabelle Ciola-Ritari, and his sister, Sarah Ritari Nelson.
He was a...
Justin Michael Beatty
Feb 16, 2026
Justin Michael Beatty, a vibrant soul whose spirit left an indelible mark on all who crossed his path, passed away unexpectedly on February 16, 2026, at his home. Born on February 3, 1995, in Salem, New Jersey, Justin was a one-of-a-kind person overflowing with a zest for life that inspired everyone around him.
Despite facing a lifetime of medical challenges, including...
John Baxter Hipps
Feb 16, 2026
John Baxter Hipps, 93, of Canton, North Carolina, went home to be with the Lord on February 16, 2026, surrounded by his loving family after a long and courageous battle with an illness. Born on August 16, 1932, in Jackson County, North Carolina, John was the son of the late Reverend Lovell Hilliard Hipps and Nannie Mae Nations Hipps. In...
Nettie Caldwell Hannah
Feb 16, 2026
Waynesville, Nettie Caldwell Hannah, age 84, of Sutton Town Road, passed away on Monday, February 16, 2026, at Maggie Valley Nursing and Rehab.
A beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Nettie was born and raised in Cataloochee Valley. She was the daughter of the late Lucius C. and Maggie Love Caldwell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by...
Rolf Kaufman
Feb 15, 2026
Rolf Kaufman passed away on February 15, 2026, at the age of 95. Born October 18, 1930, in Cologne, Germany to the late Walter and Ellen Kaufman. He was preceded in death by his cherished wife of 58 years, Libby Kaufman.
Rolf's remarkable journey began in Germany, where his Jewish family fled the dangers and loss of their business due to...
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
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
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
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...
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
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
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
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...
Barbara E. Stallings
Feb 6, 2026
Barbara E. Stallings, a treasured soprano singer, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on Friday, February 6, 2026, in Waynesville, North Carolina. She was born on February 24, 1940, in Scottsville, Kentucky, and her journey through life was marked by her profound love for music and her unwavering compassion for others.
Barbara’s musical talent was a gift that she...
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
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
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
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
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...
Subscribe
To Email Notifications
Subscribe to receive an email when we add new obituaries to our website. Your email will not be used for any other purpose and will not be shared. You may unsubscribe at any time.
365 Days of Grief Support
Sign up for one year of grief messages designed to offer hope and healing during difficult first year after a loss

Sign up for one year of grief messages designed to offer hope and healing during difficult first year after a loss

