Apr 25, 2022

Waynesville, NC, Spanning almost 96 years, the remarkable life journey of Hattie Best Polk has ended.  Growing up on a farm in Galivants Ferry, South Carolina with no running water, electricity, or indoor plumbing, she worked in the cotton and tobacco fields.  As a public-school teacher in South Carolina and North Carolina for over 50 years, Hattie mentored many...

Apr 25, 2022

Canton – J Z Smathers, 91, passed away on Monday, April 25, 2022, at Haywood Regional Medical Center.

J Z was a native of Haywood County and a son of the late Robert Frank and Maude Cabe Smathers.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Martha Loujeanne Stiles...

Apr 25, 2022

Waynesville – James Michael (Mike) Beasley, beloved son, father, and grandfather passed away on April 25, 2022, at his home in Waynesville, NC.

Mike was a native of Haywood County and a son to Josephine Presnell Beasley and the late Malcom Lee Beasley.  In addition to his father, Mike was preceded in death by his sister, Della...

Apr 24, 2022

Waynesville – Sandra Lee Amos Pressley, 69, went to meet Jesus on Sunday, April 24, 2022, at her residence.

Sandra was a native and lifelong resident of Haywood County and a daughter of Judith Devlin Amos and the late Sewell Dean Amos.  In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by a sister, Rueann Ross...

Apr 24, 2022

Geraldine Hensley, 70, of Candler went to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 24, 2022 at Mission Hospital following a period of declining health.  A native of Madison County, she was the daughter of the late Don and Pansy Rice Hensley.

Geraldine “Nan” loved her family and spoiling her grandchildren and great-granddaughter.  She was a member...

Apr 23, 2022

Waynesville - Carol Ann Stiles, age 72, passed away on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at Smoky Mountain Health and Rehabilitation.

A native of Haywood County, Carol was the daughter of the late Ernest and Catherine Kelley Williams.  In addition to her parents, Carol was preceded in death by one daughter, Cathy Williams, and one brother, Jack Williams. ...

Apr 21, 2022

Dave Vito Bellon, Jr., age 80, passed away on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at Autumn Care in Waynesville, North Carolina.

As a native of the Bronx, New York, Dave was the son of the late Dave Vito Bellon and Anna Ruggiero Bellon.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his three brothers, Jimmy,...

Apr 21, 2022

Waynesville, Kathleen Teague Burns, age 83, passed away on Thursday, April 21, 2022 at Laurels of Hendersonville.

A native of Haywood County, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Eula (Grasty) Teague.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Bruce and Doyle Teague.

Kathleen was a welcoming...

Apr 20, 2022

Clyde, Daniel Jerome Rathbone, age 65, passed away on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

A native of Haywood County, he was the son of the late Jerry and Willa Mae (Riddle) Rathbone.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Debbie Rathbone.

Dan...

Apr 20, 2022

Canton – Bonnie Blaylock Thompson, 96, passed away on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at Autumn Care of Waynesville.

Bonnie was a native and lifelong resident of Haywood County and a daughter of the late John and Mary Burnette Blaylock.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jackson C. Thompson, who died...

Apr 20, 2022

Clyde – Shelby Jean Holder, age 82, passed away peacefully to her ‘Cabin in Gloryland’ on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, surrounded by her beloved family at home.  She was a lifelong resident of Haywood County and daughter of the late Paul Sorrells and Mary Ann Robinson Sorrells.  She was preceded in death by her sister, Betty Sorrells Teaster.

Apr 18, 2022

Candler – Thomas Cleo Pinkerton, 85, passed away on Monday, April 18, 2022, at CarePartners Hospice Solace Center (JF Keever).

Thomas was a native of Madison County and a son of the late Alvah Clingman and Cora Lee Allison Pinkerton.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Thomas Charles Woody; daughter,...

Apr 17, 2022

Waynesville, William H. Staib, Jr., age 77, passed away on Sunday, April 17, 2022, at Mission Memorial Campus.

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, he was a son of the late William Henry and Lorraine MacDonald Staib.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Mindee Staib.  Bill proudly served his country in...

Apr 17, 2022

Candler – Jackie Murray Lance, 82, passed away on Easter morning at Asheville Specialty Hospital.

Jackie was a native of Buncombe County and a daughter of the late Lebo and Gladys Stamey Murray.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband of 48 years, Charles Calvin Lance and second husband, James...

Apr 16, 2022

Maggie Valley, Letitia Lynn Russell Faulkner, age 57, passed away on Saturday, April 16, 2022, at her residence.

A native of Haywood County, she was a daughter of Brenda and James Franklin and the late Hugh "Tommy" Russell.  In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by a brother, Derek "Bull Dog" Russell.  Letitia enjoyed...

Apr 13, 2022

Asheville – Janice Kuykendall Stevenson, 81, passed away on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at the Laurels of Green Tree Ridge in Asheville.

She spent her early life in Hendersonville and lived most of her life in Asheville and was the daughter of the late David and Evie Stepp Kuykendall.  She was also preceded in death by her...

Apr 11, 2022

Patricia “Patsy” Marie Holcombe, 77, of Asheville passed away on Monday, April 11, 2022 at Mission Hospital following a period of declining health.  A lifelong native of Buncombe County, she was daughter of the late Willie Henry and Louise Jesse Galloway Holcombe.  In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her sisters, Marguerite Medford and...

Apr 9, 2022

Canton – Donald Bryson Smathers, 88, passed away on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at Silver Bluff Nursing Home.

A native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, he was the son of the late Charles Oscar and Lucy Hargrove Smathers.  He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Cesareen Penland and Eileen Greybow; and a brother, Frederick...

Apr 9, 2022

Canton – Jerry Dewane Venable, 75, passed away on Saturday April 9, 2022 at CarePartners Hospice in Asheville.

A native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, he was the son on the late Cletus and Lois Nelson Venable.  He was also preceded in death by a brother, Paul Venable.  Jerry enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, camping and watching...

Apr 8, 2022

Waynesville, Karl Robert Dehner, age 81, passed away on Friday, April 8, 2022, at McCracken Rest Home.

A native of Connecticut, Karl proudly served his country in the Navy during the Vietnam era as an aviation mechanic for several years.  Karl enjoyed art, crafts and coloring.  He enjoyed time with his grandkids.

Karl is survived...