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.
Sue Ellen Willis
Oct 17, 2025
Sue Ellen Tabor Willis, 89, born on December 31, 1935, Andrews, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at home on October 17, 2025. A devoted homemaker, Sue, found great joy in nurturing her family and creating a loving environment. She will be fondly remembered by her family, particularly for her special homemade gingerbread cookies which brought warmth and joy to countless...
Mark Avrunin
Oct 16, 2025
Mark Avrunin, of Waynesville, passed away on October 16, 2025, at the age of 83. He was born on April 28, 1942, to the late William and Frieda Avrunin.
Mark was the proud owner and operator of a commercial insurance company, where he was respected in his field. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1969.
Known for his infectious humor and...
Patricia Ann DeWeese
Oct 13, 2025
Patricia Ann Conard DeWeese, 81, passed away peacefully on October 13, 2025, at Silver Bluff Village. Born on April 2, 1944, in Haywood County, NC. Patricia dedicated many years of her career to working at Peppertree Resort in Maggie Valley, where she developed friendships and connections that reflected her warm and inviting personality. She was a proud member of Rocky...
Frank Delano Hutto
Oct 12, 2025
Frank Delano Hutto, a dedicated General Contractor known for his expertise in telecommunications installations and later a skilled heavy equipment operator, passed away peacefully at his home on October 12, 2025, following an extended illness. Born on February 24, 1941, in South Carolina, Frank lived a life marked by hard work, kindness, and devotion to his family.
In addition to his...
Sheila Hoyle McMahan
Oct 7, 2025
Sheila Hoyle McMahan, age 74, of Sylva, NC (Willets Community), passed away peacefully in her home on October 07, 2025, while being surrounded by her family. She had fought a long and hard battle with rheumatoid arthritis, blindness, pancreatic cancer, and dementia. She never gave up, and she never complained, only praising God for His Goodness. She loved her family...
Tammy Michelle Smith
Oct 5, 2025
Tammy Michelle Smith, 57, went home to be with the Lord on October 5, 2025, at Haywood Regional Medical Center. Born on August 27, 1968, in Plano, Texas. Tammy spent her days nurturing her home and creating a warm and inviting environment for her loved ones. She took immense pride in her roles and was known for her passions outside...
Rachel Best
Oct 1, 2025
As the sun was setting over her beloved Crabtree Mountain home on October 1, 2025, Rachel Nicole Best, at the age of 41, peacefully departed this world, finally free from the malignant brain tumor she had bravely and hopefully battled for 21 years.
Rachel was born on June 11, 1984, to her parents, Randy and Jill Best, in upper Crabtree. She...
Ernest Lee Koty Jr.
Sep 29, 2025
Ernest Lee Koty Jr., a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away on September 29, 2025, at Haywood Regional Medical Center. He was 92 years old.
Born on December 8, 1932, to the late Ernest and Marie Royster Koty in Davidson County, Tennessee, Ernest was a cherished figure in his community, known for his dedication to education and athletics. A...
John Cecil Rogers
Sep 28, 2025
John Cecil Rogers, 87, born on February 19, 1938, in Buncombe, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at home on September 28, 2025, with his family by his side.
John had a distinguished career, initially employed by American Enka and later by BASF, where he ultimately retired. Following his retirement, he dedicated several years as a Security Officer at Mission Hospital. Beyond...
Patricia Ann Gillis
Sep 28, 2025
Patricia Ann Gillis passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, September 28, 2025. She was born on April 29, 1946, to Martha and Carl Gillis. Four years later, the family was complete with the birth of her brother, Paul Douglas Gillis, on September 3, 1950.
Patty grew up in a loving family, surrounded by her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She earned...
Angelia Ruth Robertson
Sep 27, 2025
Angelia Ruth Darville Robertson, 86, born on December 15, 1938, in Nassau, Bahamas, passed away peacefully at home in Ooltewah, T.N. on September 27, 2025.
Angelia began her professional journey in Manhattan, New York City, where she worked at a high-end department store as her first job. She then pursued her education at the Fletcher School of Nursing in North Carolina,...
Carolyn Holland Pressley
Sep 26, 2025
Carolyn Holland Pressley, born on August 4, 1942, in Haywood, North Carolina, passed away on September 26, 2025.
She is survived by her son, Bobby Pressley, who carries forward her legacy of love and resilience. Carolyn was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Carroll Holland and Ruby Long Holland, who provided the foundation of strength she so valued in her...
Carol Ann Mastriana
Sep 26, 2025
Carol Ann Spasiano Mastriana, born on November 19, 1941, in Queens, New York, to the late Leonard and June Spasiano, departed this world on September 26, 2025, at Sapphire Ridge. She leaves behind a profound legacy of love, warmth, and cherished memories.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Nicholas Mastriana; an infant daughter, Nicole;...
Judith Pressley Wenzel
Sep 26, 2025
Life’s journey came to a close for Judith Pressley Wenzel on September 26, 2025. She leaves behind a devoted family: her three sons and their wives, Frederick and Erin Wenzel, Christopher and Georgiana Wenzel, and Derek and Sarah Wenzel; eleven cherished grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years, Dr. Frederick G....
Freda Ann Hill
Sep 25, 2025
Freda Ann Hill, 84, beloved caretaker, died Sept. 25, 2025, at the home of her niece, Eugenia Moore.
She was born Nov. 16, 1940, in the old Haywood County Hospital, the daughter of the late Sam and Quaye Elizabeth Justice Hill. She lived her entire life, except for her last year, in the same home in the Liner Creek section of...
John Alan Kilpatrick
Sep 25, 2025
John Alan Kilpatrick, a beloved friend in Buncombe County, NC, passed away on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at the age of 79. Born on May 13, 1946, in Buncombe County, John embodied a life dedicated to service, hard work, and family.
A graduate of Enka School, John embarked on a career as a machinist, first with American Enka until its closure,...
Teresa Renee Callihan
Sep 24, 2025
Teresa Renee Callihan, a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2025, in Haywood County, North Carolina, at the age of 55. Born on December 13, 1969, in Arkansas, Teresa was a shining light to all who knew her, embodying kindness and warmth that made everyone around her feel at ease.
As a true homemaker, Teresa dedicated...
Linda S. Pless
Sep 23, 2025
Linda Susan Pless, 70, of Waynesville NC, passed away peacefully, September 23, 2025. She was born September 15, 1955, to the late Howell Eugene Pless and Mary Jaunita Crisp Pless. She left the mountains of WNC in 2005 and moved to Wilmington NC for work and her love of the beach and ocean. She returned to her home in Haywood...
Nilda Elena Perez
Sep 21, 2025
Nilda Elena Perez, 84, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 21, in hospice care at Haywood Regional Hospital in Clyde, North Carolina, following a brief illness. She was born on August 18, 1941, in the small farming town of Los Toros near Vertientes, Cuba.
Nilda grew up in Vertientes and Camagüey, Cuba, until she married the love of her life, Leonides....
Melvin "Mel" Homer Cagle
Sep 21, 2025
Melvin (Mel) H. Cagle, 64, passed away on Sunday, September 21 at HCA Hospital in Asheville, after an extended illness. He is survived by his loving wife, Tena Boles Cagle, to whom he was married for almost 35 years.
As a young boy, Mel loved to sing. He especially enjoyed harmonizing and Southern Gospel music as well as old traditional hymns....
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