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.
Robert Taylor McCracken
May 8, 2023
Robert Taylor “Little Bob” McCracken, 80, passed away on Monday, May 8, 2023, at his residence.
Robert was a native and lifelong resident of Haywood County and the son of the late Tom and Mae Morris McCracken. He was a 1961 graduate of Clyde High School and attended Massey College in Atlanta, Georgia. Robert was a lifelong youth...
Harley Miller
May 7, 2023
Canton - Harley Miller, 87, flew away free to his eternal home in the early morning hours of Sunday, May 7th. Harley was an optimistic, kind, generous, and wonderful man who was well-loved and respected by his family and his community.
A life-long resident of the Beaverdam Community in Haywood County, Harley was predeceased by his parents, Steve and...
Paul Doying
May 6, 2023
Paul Moore Doying, 74, of Haywood County passed away on Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Spruce Pine. A native of Gainesville, Fl, he was the son of the late William Wallace and Carolyn Moore Doying. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Tina Doying in 2011.
Paul proudly served in the US Army as Sergeant...
James Wayne Trull
May 6, 2023
James “Jim” Wayne Trull, 98, of Candler passed away on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at Aston Park Health Care Center. A native of Canton, NC, he was the son of the late Edward Faraday and Elsie Rogers Trull. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his sisters, Ruby Thomason and Mary Hutchinson; brother-in-law, Benny Young...
Judy Medford
May 6, 2023
Judy Whitaker Medford, 60, passed away on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Mission Hospital. A native of Buncombe County, she was the daughter of Larry and Judy Darnell Whitaker of Fairview. She was preceded in death by her brother, Larry Michael Whitaker.
A graduate of A. C. Reynolds High School, Judy also graduated from UNC Greensboro with...
William "Wick" Lee Grunwell
May 5, 2023
Sylva, William Grunwell, 76, passed away on Friday, May 5, 2023, at Mission Hospital.
A native of Rockingham County, he was the son of the late William T. and Marie Butler Grunwell. He was also preceded in death by a brother, David Grunwell. William was a General Contractor. In his free time, he enjoyed tennis, hiking, and helping friends...
Doris Washam
May 4, 2023
Canton – Doris Smith Washam died peacefully on May 4, 2023, while in the care of Flesher’s Fairview Health & Retirement Center. Doris was born on September 7, 1931, in Knoxville, Tennessee, to Horace L. and Irene Smith. She was married to Merritt (bob) Franklin Washam for 59 years.
There will be no services and Doris’ daughters,...
Roy Jenkins
Apr 29, 2023
Loving Husband and Father
Waynesville, Roy Lee Jenkins, 85, went to his Heavenly home unexpectedly on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Mission Hospital. His family is deeply saddened by his sudden passing.
A lifelong resident of Haywood County, Roy was born on February 6, 1938 to the late Elmer and Fannie Jenkins Reeves. In addition...

Frances Stewart
Apr 27, 2023
Waynesville, Frances Schock Stewart, 93, passed away on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at Pisgah Manor Health Care Center.
No services will be held at this time.
The care of Mrs. Stewart has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes. Arrangements will be announced, and an online memorial register is available at "Obituaries" at www.wellsfuneralhome.com.
Vance Shepard
Apr 26, 2023
Lake Junaluska – Vance Roger Shepard, 92, went to his eternal home in heaven on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 to unite with his God and Savior Jesus Christ and family.
He was the son of the late Colombus Clyde and Minnie Lee Lanning Shepard of Macon County, North Carolina. He was preceded in death by his wife,...
Carol Winchester
Apr 24, 2023
Carol Webb Winchester, 87, of Waynesville passed away peacefully on Monday, April 24, 2023, with her son and daughter by her side. Carol had many health challenges in her life, and she always faced them with courage and perseverance. The next-to-youngest of nine siblings, Carol was born on March 29, 1936, in Madison County. The family moved to Haywood...
Sarah Cordell
Apr 24, 2023
Candler – Sarah Jane Price Cordell, 85, went to her heavenly home on April 24, 2023 at Autumn Care of Waynesville.
Sarah was a native of Haywood County and the daughter of Willie and Allie Davis Price. She was also preceded in death by her husband Troy Cordell who passed away in 2003 and 11 siblings. She...
Kenneth "Roho" Messer
Apr 23, 2023
Cowboy's Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I pause, mindful of the many blessings
you have bestowed upon me.
I ask that you will guide me in my life.
Help me, Lord, to live my life in such...
Roy West
Apr 23, 2023
Canton – Roy Kiah West, 86, of the Beaverdam Community passed away on Sunday, April 23, 2023 at Asheville Specialty Hospital.
A native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, he was the son of the late George Mitchell and Mamie Brooks West. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Jackie West, who died in 2013...
James "Ralph" Mccracken
Apr 22, 2023
Clyde- James "Ralph" McCracken, 80, of Upper Crabtree passed away April 22, 2023, at Silver Bluff Nursing Home.
A native of Haywood County, he was the son of the late William Claude and Lenora Best McCracken. Ralph retired from Champion International/Blue Ridge Paper in 2004 following 35 years of service. He was a lifelong member of Rock...
Janice Plemmons
Apr 20, 2023
Canton – Janice Morris Plemmons, 69, passed away on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at her residence.
A native of Haywood County, she was the daughter of the late Bill and Dot Morris. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Ronald Plemmons, who died in 2006.
Janice was a 1971 graduate of Pisgah...
Roger Sutton
Apr 20, 2023
Canton-Roger Lee Sutton, 68, passed away on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at his residence.
He was a native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, and the son of the late Robert Lee Sutton who passed away in 2012. Roger worked for Champion International, Blue Ridge Paper, and retired from Evergreen Packaging as a truck driver for 37...
Jean Shipman
Apr 20, 2023
Clyde – Jean Houston Shipman, 89, passed away on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at Haywood Regional Medical Center.
Jean was a native of Rhea County, Tennessee and the daughter of the late Lester and Mattie Reed Houston. She was also preceded in death by a son, James Lee Shipman; and six siblings. Jean was employed with Mission...
James Cahill
Apr 19, 2023
Sylva, Father James P. Cahill, 93, passed away on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at his residence.
A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Joseph and Helen Hentschel Cahill. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister and two brothers. Father Cahill was the youngest of his siblings. ...
Stanley Hildreth
Apr 19, 2023
Maggie Valley, Stanley Gerald Hildreth, Sr., 81, passed away on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at Maggie Valley Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.
A native of Pinehurst, North Carolina, he was a son of the late Columbus and Ruth Smith Hildreth. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Curtis Hildreth. Stanley attended Citadel...
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