Willie Belle Zimmerman, 101, of Murphy, passed away Monday, Jan. 23, 2017, at Valley View Care Center in Andrews.
    Born July 23, 1915, she was the daughter of the late Abrom A. Zimmerman and Elizabeth Davenport Zimmerman. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers and sisters, Ed, Harve, Carl, Mag, Fred, Ethel, Walt and Abe.
    Willie was a homemaker. She was known throughout the community for her good home cooking. In her spare time, she enjoyed tending her flower beds.
    She is survived by her children, William (Johnny) Moore and wife Pat of Hayesville, and Billie Hilton and husband Bob of Ooltewah, Tenn.; grandchildren, Cole and Krista Moore of Hayesville and Morris Hilton of Tennessee; great-grandchildren, Libbie and Abel; and several nieces and nephews.
    Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, at Cochran Funeral Home in Murphy with the Rev. Aud Brown officiating. Interment followed at Peachtree Memorial Baptist Cemetery.
    The family received friends from noon until the service time at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, at Cochran Funeral Home in Murphy.
    Arrangements were entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home of Murphy.
    You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest registry at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

    Joan Marjorie Sykes, 77, of Murphy, passed away Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, and Gordon Herbert Sykes, 81, also of Murphy, passed away a few days later on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017.
    Joan was born in Cortland, N.Y., on Jan. 9, 1940, and Gordon was born in Ashton-under-Lyne, England on June 10, 1935. They were married Aug. 16, 1958, in Cortland, N.Y.
    They are survived by son, Gary Sykes (Pam); daughter, Diane Johnson; grandchildren Jessica, Ashley and Jennifer; and great-grandchildren, Nicky and Mackenzie.
    Gordon is survived by two sisters, Mary Steger and Chrystal Dudley. Joan is survived by one brother, Eber Carrier; one sister, Carole Minges; along with multiple nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
    They were preceded in death by one daughter, Debbie Sykes. Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Clara Sykes, and one brother, Malcolm Sykes.  Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Marjorie Carrier, and three brothers, David, Doug and Dale Carrier.
    Please sign the guestbook at smokymountaincremationsandfuneralservice.com.
    In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a charitable donation be made to the organization that was kind enough to home their beloved cats: Feline Urgent Rescue, P.O. Box 1352, Waynesville, NC 28786 (website: furofwnc.org).
 

    Frederick B. Shaw, 87, of Murphy, passed away Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, in a Chattanooga, Tenn., hospital.  
    A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at Murphy Church of Christ.
    Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com, was in charge of arrangements.

    Willie Belle Zimmerman, 101, of Murphy, passed away Monday, Jan. 23, 2017, at Valley View Care Center in Andrews.
    Born July 23, 1915, she was the daughter of the late Abrom A. Zimmerman and Elizabeth Davenport Zimmerman. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers and sisters, Ed, Harve, Carl, Mag, Fred, Ethel, Walt and Abe.
    Willie was a homemaker. She was known throughout the community for her good home cooking. In her spare time, she enjoyed tending her flower beds.
    She is survived by her children, William (Johnny) Moore and wife Pat of Hayesville, and Billie Hilton and husband Bob of Ooltewah, Tenn.; grandchildren, Cole and Krista Moore of Hayesville and Morris Hilton of Tennessee; great-grandchildren, Libbie and Abel; and several nieces and nephews.
    Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, at Cochran Funeral Home in Murphy with the Rev. Aud Brown officiating. Interment followed at Peachtree Memorial Baptist Cemetery.
    The family received friends from noon until the service time at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, at Cochran Funeral Home of Murphy.
    Arrangements were entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home of Murphy.
    You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest registry at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

    Joan Marjorie Sykes, 77, of Murphy, passed away Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, and Gordon Herbert Sykes, 81, also of Murphy, passed away a few days later on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017.
    Joan was born in Cortland, N.Y., on Jan. 9, 1940, and Gordon was born in Ashton-under-Lyne, England on June 10, 1935. They were married Aug. 16, 1958, in Cortland, N.Y.
    They are survived by son, Gary Sykes (Pam); daughter, Diane Johnson; grandchildren Jessica, Ashley and Jennifer; and great-grandchildren, Nicky and Mackenzie.
    Gordon is survived by two sisters, Mary Steger and Chrystal Dudley. Joan is survived by one brother, Eber Carrier; one sister, Carole Minges; along with multiple nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
    They were preceded in death by one daughter, Debbie Sykes. Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Clara Sykes, and one brother, Malcolm Sykes. Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Marjorie Carrier, and three brothers, David, Doug and Dale Carrier.
    Please sign the guestbook at smokymountaincremationsandfuneralservice.com.
    In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a charitable donation be made to the organization that was kind enough to home their beloved cats: Feline Urgent Rescue, P.O. Box 1352, Waynesville, NC 28786 (website: furofwnc.org).

     Ruth Little, 93, of Hayesville, died Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017, at her residence.
    Funeral services were held Monday, Jan. 30, at Vernon C. Wagner Funeral Home in Hicksville, N.Y. Interment was in Pinelawn Memorial Park in East Farmingdale, N.Y.
    Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville, www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com, was in charge of local arrangements.

    Linda K. Stanton, 76, of Murphy, passed away Sunday, Jan.y 29, 2017, in Georgia.
    She was born in Albany, N.Y., to the late George Clifford and Emma Hotaling Lasher.
    Linda was a self-employed bookkeeper.
    She moved to this area 16 years ago from Cypress, Texas. She was a member of Reid’s Chapel, United Methodist Women and the Civitan Club. Linda was on the board of directors of the Early American Industries Association – EAIA.
    She is survived by her husband, Gordon F. Stanton; one son, Michael Stanton; three daughters, Robin Simon and husband Mark, Cindy Miller and husband Keith and Cheryl Stanton; one brother, Glenn C. Lasher; one sister, Constance Hester; six grandchildren, Ashley Schoolcraft, Jessica German, Courtney Ferrell, David German, Cody Stanton and Macy Stanton; three great-grandchildren, Adam Schoolcraft, Derek Schoolcraft and Julian German.
    Linda was preceded in death by her son, David Delp.
    A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at Reid’s Chapel in Murphy. The Rev. Wayne Roberts will officiate.
    You may send tributes to the Stanton family at www.townson-rose.com.
    Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

    Carole Jean Hubbell, 83, of Murphy, passed away Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, at Murphy Medical Center.
    She was born in Ionia, Mich., to the late Bernard Wilson and Ann Stevens McManigal.
    Carole was a secretary. She was the director of religious education at St. William Catholic Church and also the director of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.
    Carole was co-founder of Samaritan Promise Stores.
    She is survived by her husband, Carl Hubbell; four sons, Allen David Hubbell of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Martin Joseph Hubbell of Richmond, Va., Carl Warner Hubbell  Jr. of Phoenix, Ariz., and Roger Wilson Hubbell of Nashville, Tenn.; three daughters, Victoria Ann Switala of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Christa Mae Mitchell of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Mary Kay Downing of Phoenix, Ariz.
    Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at St. William Catholic Church in Murphy. Father Alejandro (Alex) Ayala will officiate.
    A viewing will be held from 10-11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at St. William Catholic Church in Murphy.
    You may send tributes to the Hubbell family at www.townson-rose.com.
    Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

    John B. Carringer, 88, of Murphy, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017, at Murphy Medical Center.
    He was a native and lifelong resident of Cherokee County, and son of the late Aurelius “Mack” Macdonald and Vesta Thelma Sneed Carringer.
    John retired as general manager of Murphy Power Board on Aug. 4, 2015, after serving many years.
    He was a member of Murphy First United Methodist Church. He attended Western Carolina University.
    John was a U.S. Air Force veteran who served in the Korean War. He was a member of the Murphy Power Board of Directors, chairman of Murphy Medical Center Board of Directors, on the Board of Trustees for Tri-County Community College; past chairman of the Board of Elections, and a member of Masonic Lodge, 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner.
    In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Doris (Dotsy B.) Carringer; and sister, Anne Carringer Shook.
    He is survived by his daughter, Markie Clark of Plano, Texas; Charlie Clark of Reno, Nev.; granddaughter, Lindsay Clark of Dallas, Texas; niece, Lori Nicholson and husband Tim of Murphy; great-nieces, Chloe Nicholson of Murphy, and Brittany Martin and husband Alex of Chattanooga, Tenn.; niece, Carlissa Buchanan of Charlotte; nephew, Rusty Buchanan and wife Kathy of Cocoa Beach, Fla.; special friends, Teresa Laney and husband David of Murphy; cousins, Jerry Townson and wife Catherine of Murphy, Doris Reynolds of Dallas, Ga., Jean King of Ormond Beach, Fla., Jane Colvard of Chattanooga, Tenn., Gene Clayton of Murphy, James Sneed of Murphy and Helen Bryson of Hendersonville; and other extended family.
    Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at  Murphy First United Methodist Church. The Rev. Jackie Sellars officiated. A private burial was held in Sunset Cemetery. Employees of Murphy Power Board served as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were J.B. Curtis, Andy Ondich, Mike Stevenson and Lloyd Cash.
    The family received friends from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at Murphy First United Methodist Church.
    In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Murphy Medical Center Foundation, 3990 E. U.S. 64 Alternate, Murphy, NC 28906.
    You may send tributes to the Carringer family at www.townson-rose.com.
    Townson-Rose Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

    Janice Lynn Carter, 62, of Hayesville, passed away Monday, Jan. 23, 2017, at her home.
    Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Hayesville. Burial was in New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery.
    Townson-Rose Funeral Home, www.townson-rose.com, was in charge of all arrangements.
 

    Robert Earl Tyler, 78, of Murphy, passed away Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, at his home.
    Robert was born Dec. 13, 1938, in Talledga County, Ala.
    In his spare time, Mr. Tyler enjoyed golfing, fishing, woodworking and a good conversation.
    Robert was an active member of Murphy Church of God. He was preceded in death by his father, Samual Horace Tyler; mother, Florence Elizabeth Brown Tyler; brothers, Gerald Kenneth Tyler and Terry Oneal Tyler.
    Survivors include his wife, Barbara Clay Tyler; grandson, Matthew Tyler; granddaughter, Olivia Tyler; son, Patrick Tyler; and son, Barry Tyler.
    Arrangements were entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home of Murphy.
    You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

    Gordon Earwood, 71, of Augusta, Ga., and loving husband to Mary Brenda McManus Earwood, entered into rest Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017.
    Gordon was a retired banker working for Trust Company, Regions and lastly Queensborough Bank. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and he loved to garden.
    He was a good Christian man and was devoted to his church. Gordon was a loving and devoted father, husband and grandfather. His faith and family were the most important to him, and he will be missed by all who knew him.
    Family members, in addition to his wife, include his beloved daughter, Leslie Earwood Lanier and husband Joel; grandson, Austin D. Lanier; sisters, Dorothy Johnson (Bill), Betty Jean Kephart (Marvin) and Judy Bowlin (Odist); brothers,  Billy Earwood (Jeannie), Charles Earwood (Betty), and Johnny Earwood (Rose); and brother-in-law, Ben McManus (Laura).
    He was preceded in death by his parents, Swep and Lena Earwood; sister, Katie Hale; and brothers, Sammy and Johnny Earwood.
    The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, at Riverview United Methodist Church with the Rev. Mark Maund officiating. Burial will be in Hanging Dog Baptist Church Cemetery in Murphy.
    Memorial contributions may be made to United Methodist Children’s Home, 325 8th St., Augusta, GA 30901.
    The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Road, Augusta, GA 30907, 706-364-8484.
    Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com.

    Bonnie Conley Derreberry, 96, of Andrews, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017, in a Clay County care center.
    Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, in Andrews First Baptist Church.
    The family will receive friends from 1-2:45 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, at Andrews First Baptist Church prior to the services.
    Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews, is in charge of all arrangements.
    An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com.

    Bertha Corena Hedden, 72, of Murphy, passed away Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, in Cleveland, Tenn.
    Mrs. Hedden was born Dec. 29, 1944, in Violet, N.C., to the late Theodore Franklin Graham and Minnie Eva Lee Taylor Graham.
    In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Johnson Noel Hedden; sister, Betty Lou Graham; and brother, James Graham.
    Survivors include four daughters, Missy Hedden, Margaret (Bret) Larkman, Amanda Hedden and Melinda Hedden; brother, Grady (Bea) Graham; sister, Anna Mae Hickey; grandchildren, Avery, Christina and Joseph; two great-grandchildren, Corbin and Elizabeth; nieces, Lorena Lee Ann Chancey and Diane Elizabeth Bivens; nephew, Dwight Graham; and three great-nephews, Bentley, Brayden and Benson.
    Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at Finch-Cochran Funeral Home in McCaysville, Ga. Interment followed in Mount Moriah Baptist Church Cemetery.
    The family received friends noon-2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at Finch-Cochran Funeral Home in McCaysville.
    Arrangements have been entrusted to Finch-Cochran Funeral Home of McCaysville.
    You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest registry at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

    Donald Roger Mull passed away Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, after an extended illness.
    Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, at Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville. Interment will be in the Hayesville Baptist/Presbyterian Cemetery.
    Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville, www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com, is in charge of arrangements.

    Bertha Corena Hedden, 72, of Murphy, passed away Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, in Cleveland, Tenn.
    Mrs. Hedden was born Dec. 29, 1944, in Violet, N.C., to the late Theodore Franklin Graham and Minnie Eva Lee Taylor Graham.
    In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Johnson Noel Hedden; sister, Betty Lou Graham; and brother, James Graham.
    Survivors include four daughters, Missy Hedden, Margaret (Bret) Larkman, Amanda Hedden and Melinda Hedden; brother, Grady (Bea) Graham; sister, Anna Mae Hickey; grandchildren, Avery, Christina and Joseph; two great-grandchildren, Corbin and Elizabeth; nieces, Lorena Lee Ann Chancey and Diane Elizabeth Bivens; nephew, Dwight Graham; and three great-nephews, Bentley, Brayden and Benson.
    Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at Finch-Cochran Funeral Home in McCaysville, Ga. Interment followed in Mount Moriah Baptist Church Cemetery.
    The family received friends noon-2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at Finch-Cochran Funeral Home in McCaysville.
    Arrangements have been entrusted to Finch-Cochran Funeral Home of
McCaysville.
    You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest registry at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

    William Fred McCray, 89, of Hayesville, passed away Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, in an Asheville hospital.
    Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, in Fires Creek Baptist Church.  Interment was in the church cemetery.
    Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville, www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com, was in charge of all arrangements.

    Eva Higdon Wood, 94, of Andrews, passed away Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Murphy Medical Center.
    Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, in Andrews First Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from noon-1:45 p.m. Thursday at the church prior to the services.
    Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews, www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com, is in charge of all arrangements.
 

    Marylyn “Gingy” Jones Rogers, 86, of Hayesville, passed away Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, at Murphy Medical Center Nursing Home.
    Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Hayesville. Burial was in Oak Forest United Methodist Church Cemetery.
    Townson-Rose Funeral Home, www.townson-rose.com, was in charge of arrangements.

    Marvie Hicks Gibby, 93, of Cleveland, Ga., passed away Friday, Feb. 3, 2017.
    Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6, at Townson-Rose Chapel in Andrews. Burial followed in Valleytown Cemetery.
    Townson-Rose Funeral Home, www.townson-rose.com, was in charge of all arrangements.