Bonnie Conley Derreberry, 96, of Andrews, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017, in a Clay County care center.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, in Andrews First Baptist Church.
The family received friends from 1-2:45 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, at Andrews First Baptist Church prior to the services.
Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews, was in charge of all arrangements.
An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com.
Glenna Kathleen Cogley, 87 of Murphy, passed away Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, at Murphy Medical Center.
No services are planned.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home, www.townson-rose.com, is in charge of all arrangements.
Jean Bennett, 81, of Murphy, passed away Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, at Murphy Medical Center.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, at Fort Hembree Baptist Church in Hayesville.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home, www.townson-rose.com, is in charge of all arrangements.
Meghan Blaylock, 20, of Murphy, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
Meghan was born in Lexington, N.C. She graduated in 2015 from Mountain Youth School in Murphy.
Meghan was preceded in death by her paternal grandmother, Carolyn Blaylock.
Surviving are her parents, Wayne and Heather Blaylock; brothers, Christopher and Nathan Blaylock; maternal grandparents, Marvin and Sally Mabry; and paternal grandfather, James Blaylock.
A memorial service was at held at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6, at Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Murphy.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Valley River Humane Society, P.O. Box 658, Murphy, NC 28906.
You may send tributes to the Blaylock family at www.townson-rose.com.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Eva Higdon Wood, 94, of Andrews, passed away Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017 in Murphy Medical Center.
She was a native of Macon County, but had lived in Cherokee County since 1952.
Eva received a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from the Womens College of the University of North Carolina in Greensboro on June 5, 1944, and received her Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill on Aug. 30, 1948.
She had worked as a civilian dietician during World War II. She then worked with the N.C. Extension Service and was a school teacher in Cherokee County and Macon County school systems.
Eva was also a homemaker.
Eva had served as a former board member for the Cherokee Historical Society and Tri-County Community College Board of Trustees. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Konnahetta Women’s Club, Tri-County Democratic Women, N.C. Senior Tarheel Legislature, N.C. Commission on Aging, N.C. Foundation Board and Delta Cappa Gamma Society, Alpha Iota Chapter. She was a volunteer for the Cherokee County Food Bank. Eva received the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service on Aug. 11, 1997.
She was a member of Andrews First Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school for more than 50 years.
Eva was also a nursery worker, volunteer for the Kentucky Mission Trip, part of the CARE Ministry and very active with Women’s Missionary Union, which promoted missions. She was a messenger to Truett Baptist Association from Andrews First Baptist Church, and a former messenger to the Southern Baptist Association. Eva received the Baptist Heritage Award for WMU work on April 23, 2013.
She was the daughter of the late Dennis C. and Ethel Higdon Higdon, and wife of the late Edgar A. Wood Jr., who died Nov. 5, 1983. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Allison and Nola Lilley; and two brothers, Joe Higdon and Dennis C. Higdon Jr.
Surviving are two sons, Eddie Wood and wife, Rebecca, and Keith Wood and wife Teresa; three grandchildren, Matthew Wood and wife Mallory of Andrews, Meredith Hensley and husband Justin of Murphy, and Leah Wood of Andrews; one great-grandson, Miles Edgar Wood; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, in Andrews First Baptist Church, with the Revs. Calvin Bobo and Al Hood officiating. Interment will be in Valleytown Cemetery. Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be deacons of Andrews First Baptist Church.
The family will receive friends from noon-1:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, at Andrews First Baptist Church prior to the services.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made in loving memory of Eva Higdon Wood to the Cherokee County Food Bank, c/o Andrews Lion Club, P.O. Box 843, Andrews, NC 28901; or Southern Baptist Association-International Mission Board, 3806 Monument Ave., Richmond, VA 23230.
Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews, is in charge of all arrangements.
An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com.
Stephen Morris Beaver, 50, of Murphy, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017, at Murphy Medical Center.
Stephen was born Dec. 14, 1966, in Atlanta, Ga., to Hubert Beaver and Dorothy Burrell Wilkerson. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Charles and Pauline Beaver and Wayne and Edna Burrell.
He was Baptist in faith.
Stephen enjoyed driving his tractor and working outside.
He is survived by his mother, Dorothy Wilkerson; father, Hubert Beaver; brother, David Russell Beaver; half brother, Robert Christopher Brown and fiancee Rebecca Griggs.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at Sunny Point Baptist Church with the Revs. Kenny Corn and Allen Harris officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will include Travis Burrell, Adam Dockery, Bradley Burrell, Jerad Frady, Jeff Frady, Tony Frady and Jamie Helton. Honorary pallbearer will be Matthew Dockery.
The family will receive friends from noon-1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at Sunny Point Baptist Church.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home of Murphy. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest registry at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.
James Cooper Lewis (“Big Jim” to many, “Jimmy” to close family and “Papaw” to his grandkids) passed away in the arms of his family and wife of 61 years, Geraldine, on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017.
He was born in Sylva on Aug. 20, 1936, to Edna Cooper and George Scroop; the oldest of three children, Patsy Jones (Sylva) and Scroop Lewis (deceased).
He met the love of his life at the Cherokee Indian Fair when he was 18 and she only 16. After a lengthy courtship of four months, they eloped to Walhalla, S.C., on April 6, 1955. In the summer of 1956, they welcomed their first daughter, an 11 pounder named Cheryl Ann. She now resides with her husband Capt. Mike Berger in Stuart, Fla.
Jim was later blessed with three more daughters: Donna, Jamie and Cindy. Donna resides with her husband, Pastor Greg Williams, in Batesburg, S.C. Jamie and Randy Barnett and Cindy and Paul Brown all still live in Murphy.
Jim and Geraldine brought their little family to Murphy in 1965, where he worked for his brother-in law at Hughes Hardware. Later he would go on to work as a town police officer, deputy sheriff, and was owner of Wiggles, a local bait and tackle shop located by the depot in Murphy.
He loved the mountains and was an avid sportsman. He often shared tales of his adventures and many colorful words of wisdom with the ones he loved, including his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Bart Oliver (Princeton, N.J.), Jennifer (and Jacob) Hallman, Matthew (and Kim) and Caleb (and Kasey) Williams (Batesburg, S.C.), Morgan Oliver (Burlington), Aaron Barnett (Hickory), Taylor Oliver (Oakland, Calif.), Chase and Hailey Brown (Murphy) and Ashlynn and Sawyer Hallman (Batesburg, S.C.).
When asked to describe their Papaw in one word, his grandkids said: generous, honest, strong, tough, fiery, hardheaded, gregarious, loyal, dependable, loving and tenacious.
His daughters feel incredibly blessed to have had him as a father. He taught them all to be strong women who grew up knowing they could accomplish anything they set their minds to.
He loved his family more than anything else in the world and was able to spend time with all of them during his last week here.
The family would like to thank Dr. David Mock and his nurse, Jean Laney Evans, for the many years of miraculous and kind care, and also all of the doctors and nurses on the fifth floor of Mission Memorial Heart Center, Murphy Medical Center Emergency Room and Cherokee County Emergency Medical Services.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to the Mission Rathbun House, 121 Sherwood Road, Asheville NC 28803; or alternatively take a hike in our mountains, catch a bass in one of our lakes or listen to the dogs run a bear.
The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at Cochran Funeral Home in Peachtree.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home of Murphy.
You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest registry at ww.cochranfuneralhomes.com.
Mildred B. Hoak, 83, of Fayetteville, Ga., passed away Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017.
She was born Jan. 26, 1934, in Murphy to the late Lloyd and Callie Murphy.
She loved spending time with her family and friends. Mildred will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Mildred was predeceased by her husband, Gerald C. Hoak.
She is survived by her dauther, Susan Kaczmarek of Fayetteville, Ga.; son, Steven Hoak of Fayetteville, Ga.; grandsons, Bryan (Katie) Kaczmarek of Chicago, Christopher Hoak of Steam Boat Springs, Colo.; her great-grandsons, Aiden Kazmarek, Jace Kazmarek, both from Chicago; and sister, Irene Carter of Murphy.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, at Mowell Funeral Home in Peachtree City. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, at the funeral home.
Carl J. Mowell & Son, Peachtree City, www.mowellfuneralhome.com.
Mildred B. Hoak, 83, of Fayetteville, Ga., passed away Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017.
She was born Jan. 26, 1934, in Murphy to the late Lloyd and Callie Murphy.
She loved spending time with her family and friends. Mildred will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Mildred was predeceased by her husband, Gerald C. Hoak.
She is survived by her dauther, Susan Kaczmarek of Fayetteville, Ga.; son, Steven Hoak of Fayetteville, Ga.; grandsons, Bryan (Katie) Kaczmarek of Chicago, Christopher Hoak of Steam Boat Springs, Colo.; her great-grandsons, Aiden Kazmarek, Jace Kazmarek, both from Chicago; and sister, Irene Carter of Murphy.
A funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, at Mowell Funeral Home in Peachtree City. The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, at the funeral home.
Carl J. Mowell & Son, Peachtree City, www.mowellfuneralhome.com.
Camden Ronald Wayne Foster, infant son of Jonathon Floyd and Tiffany Lynn Foster, went home to be with the Lord on Monday Feb. 6, 2017.
Camden was a miracle from the beginning, a happy and playful baby who laughed and smiled through his 3 months on earth, bringing joy to everyone around. He will continue to be a miracle angel in our Lord’s home.
Along with his parents, he is survived by his two brothers, Eli and Dylan; maternal grandparents, Richard and Tina Diehl; paternal grandparents, Ronnie and Lisa Foster; maternal great-grandparents, Marvin and Phyllis Elkins of Collinsville, Ala.; and paternal great-grandparents, Elizabeth Patterson McDonald of Marble and Ralph Baker of Andrews.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at Townson-Rose Funeral Home in Murphy. Minister Guinnell Hunter and Pastor Ricky Rogers officiated. Burial was in Bell Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family received friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at Townson-Rose Funeral Home in Murphy.
You may send tributes to the Foster family at www.townson-rose.com.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.
James Thomas Faulkner, 75, of Murphy, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017, at his home.
Mr. Faulkner was born Aug. 8, 1941, in McCormick, S.C., to the late James Thomas Faulkner and Pauline Cudd Faulkner.
A member of Macedonia Baptist Church in Hiawassee, Ga., he was preceded in death by one daughter, Lynne
Faulkner.
James worked as a railroad conductor for CSX and served in the U.S. Army during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, boating, working in his yard and planting and tending to his roses.
Survivors include his loving wife, Theresa Barnhill Faulkner,; children, Jimmy Faulkner, Joy Faulkner, Robert Barnhill, Donald Barnhill, Stanley Bradshaw and Bobby Faulkner; one brother, Jerry Faulkner; 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, at Cochran Funeral Home in Hiawassee, Ga., with the Rev. Elridge Kelly officiating. Interment followed in Osborn Cemetery. Military honors were provided by the North Georgia Honor Guard.
The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee, Ga.
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.
Carol Dillard, 73, of Simonds Chapel Road, Murphy, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, surrounded by her loving family in the Union General Hospital following an extended illness.
Mrs. Dillard was born May 1, 1943, in Detroit, Mich., the daughter of the late Hoyt Gladson and Bertha Ware Gladson.
Carol owned and operated Carol’s Beauty Shop for many years.
Mrs. Dillard was a member of Simonds Chapel Baptist Church.
She loved playing with her grandchildren. She was a loving and caring wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her parents and also a brother, Jerry Gladson in 2012.
Surviving Mrs. Dillard are her loving husband of 56 years, Homer Dillard of Murphy; one son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Sharon Dillard of Fort Mill, S.C.; one daughter and son-in-law, Pam and Bill Johnson of Murphy; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Kay and Mitchell Loudermilk, and Linda Hembree, all of Murphy; one brother and sister-in-law, Ronnie and Sheila Gladson of Copperhill, Tenn.; five grandchildren, Kasey and Kim Lefevers, Logan Dillard, Jake Dillard, Sami Kelly and Autumn Kelly; one great-grandchild, Caden Lefevers; and many other relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, from Simons Chapel Baptist Church. The family will meet with friends during this time.
In lieu of flowers, if you wish, the family requests that donations may be made to the Simonds Chapel Church Cemetery Fund in Mrs. Dillard’s memory.
Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville is in charge of arrangements.
You may sign the family guest book and send condolences online at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com.
Henry Garfield Curtis, 85, of Murphy, passed away Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017, in Hamilton County, Tenn.
He was a native and lifelong resident of Cherokee County, and the son of the late Thomas and Laura Mundy Curtis.
Henry was a U.S. Army veteran and a recipient of the Purple Heart. He worked 30 years with the Tennessee Chemical Co. as a driller.
Henry was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed good meals, picnics and his tractor.
Henry was of the Baptist faith.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Henry Mitchell Curtis; four brothers; and four sisters.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Jane Roberts Curtis; sons, Gary Curtis and wife Susan of Dawsonville, Ga., Stanley Curtis and wife Sharon of Murphy, and Travis Curtis and wife Jennifer of Chattanooga, Tenn., and David Curtis and wife Melanie of Murphy; daughters, Wanda Ross Flowers and husband Robert of Mineral Bluff, Ga., Joann Elder and husband Thomas of Dalton, Ga., Sharon Sisson and husband Steve of Cleveland, Tenn., and Valarie Soph of Murphy; grandchildren, Heidi Rupp, Zeke Curtis, Bobby Ross, Jennifer Flemming, D.J. Ross, Sarah Tolleson Chris Elder, Garrett Curtis, Gregory Curtis, Ashley Curtis, Rachel Curtis, Stephanie Sisson, Heather Head, Chad Curtis, Heath Curtis, Seth Curtis, Bethany Soph, Adam Soph, Alex Soph, Ava Curtis and Henry Curtis; 23 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and
nephews.
Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, at First Baptist Church in Copperhill, Tenn. Travis Curtis officiated. Burial was in Temple Baptist Cemetery in Murphy, with military graveside rites being conducted by the VFW Post No. 10222, Joe Miller Elkin American Legion Post No. 96 and DAV Chapter No. 73 and American Legion Post No. 532 of Hayesville and VFW Post No. 6812. Travis Curtis officiated. Grandsons served as pallbearers and granddaughters served as honorary pallbearers.
The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Murphy, where the body remained until being placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service hour.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to help the family with expenses at 186 Clate Fain Road, Murphy, NC 28906.
You may send tribute to the Curtis family at www.townson-rose.com.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Stephen Morris Beaver, 50, of Murphy, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017, at Murphy Medical Center.
Stephen was born Dec. 14, 1966, in Atlanta, Ga., to Hubert Beaver and Dorothy Burrell Wilkerson. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Charles and Pauline Beaver and Wayne and Edna Burrell.
He was Baptist in faith.
Stephen enjoyed driving his tractor and working outside.
He is survived by his mother, Dorothy Wilkerson; father, Hubert Beaver; brother, David Russell Beaver; half brother, Robert Christopher Brown and fiancee Rebecca Griggs.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at Sunny Point Baptist Church with the Revs. Kenny Corn and Allen Harris officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Pallbearers included Travis Burrell, Adam Dockery, Bradley Burrell, Jerad Frady, Jeff Frady, Tony Frady and Jamie Helton. Honorary pallbearer was Matthew Dockery.
The family received friends from noon-1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at Sunny Point Baptist Church.
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.
Dec. 31, 1936 – Feb. 9, 2017
Gayla McLean was born Dec. 31, 1936, in Lexington, Ky.
She is survived by her beloved brother, Darel Artson La Perriere and his wife, Frances Helton Shields La Perriere, as well as a very special nephew, Derek Adam La Perriere and his wife, Kayla Freeman La Perriere, and their son, Donovan Adric La Perriere, and daughter Brianne Richelle Lee. She is also survived by her sister, Margaret Lorraine Penniman, and her husband, John, and niece Linda Penniman Conlee. Also, nephews Steven Penniman and wife Phyllis, and G. Victor Penniman, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Gayla retired from Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Co., Atlanta, Ga., in 1989.
As a young person, Gayla danced with the Ballet Folklorico, San Juan, Puerto Rico (1949-1952). While she left that troupe in 1952, she brought that same creativity, passion and love for people to all her endeavors.
Following her retirement from Southern Bell, Gayla brought her gifts and graces to large companies like IBM and smaller companies. Gayla also owned four different businesses in Florida, and loved people and enjoyed helping people to be their very best.
Even Though Gayla was a lifelong Christian and member of Oak Grove United Methodist Church in Decatur, Ga., her life changed dramatically in 1986 following a major corporate event. Under the leadership of Dr. Gil Watson, senior minister at Oak Grove United Methodist Church, Gayla entered into a life-changing personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Here, she found her true calling in serving others through organizations like Wesley Woods, Breakthrough House, The Trinity Kitchen, The DeKalb Shelter for Women and Common Ground.
Whether bringing spiritual support and guidance to those affected by HIV Aids, or simply serving a meal in love, Gayla found faith, hope and love in her service to God and others.
Gayla also offered her leadership gifts to the church and served the congregation’s education, singles, communications and construction ministries. She remained connected to the ministries until her brief move to Florida in 1994.
Since 1996, she has lived in Cherokee County, where she has worshipped with Ranger United Methodist Church in Murphy, and Sharp Memorial United Methodist Church in Young Harris, Ga.
While she was content in the many places she once called home, she was most at home at Sharp Memorial UMC, where she found both Christian family and deep friendships.
Special appreciation is expressed to the Rev. Darris Baker for his pastoral care and good friends Shelia Mohan, Margaret Stiles and Linsey Taylor for their affection, love and service.
The Celebration of Life service was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at Sharp Memorial United Methodist Church in Young Harris, Ga. The service will be led by Senior Minister David Tinsley and Dr. David L. Davis.
The community was also invited to a catered dinner and refreshments following the service.
Gifts may be made to Sharp Memorial UMC in memory of Gayla McLean.
You may send tributes to the McLean family at www.townson-rose.com.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.
James Cooper Lewis (“Big Jim” to many, “Jimmy” to close family and “Papaw” to his grandkids) passed away in the arms of his family and wife of 61 years, Geraldine, on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017.
He was born in Sylva on Aug. 20, 1936, to Edna Cooper and George Scroop; the oldest of three children, Patsy Jones (Sylva) and Scroop Lewis (deceased).
He met the love of his life at the Cherokee Indian Fair when he was 18 and she only 16. After a lengthy courtship of four months, they eloped to Walhalla, S.C., on April 6, 1955. In the summer of 1956, they welcomed their first daughter, an 11-pounder named Cheryl Ann. She now resides with her husband Capt. Mike Berger in Stuart, Fla.
Jim was later blessed with three more daughters: Donna, Jamie and Cindy. Donna resides with her husband, Pastor Greg Williams, in Batesburg, S.C. Jamie and Randy Barnett and Cindy and Paul Brown all still live in Murphy.
Jim and Geraldine brought their little family to Murphy in 1965, where he worked for his brother-in law at Hughes Hardware. Later he would go on to work as a town police officer, deputy sheriff and was owner of Wiggles, a local bait and tackle shop located by the depot in Murphy.
He loved the mountains and was an avid sportsman. He often shared tales of his adventures and many colorful words of wisdom with the ones he loved, including his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Bart Oliver (Princeton, N.J.), Jennifer (and Jacob) Hallman, Matthew (and Kim) and Caleb (and Kasey) Williams (Batesburg, S.C.), Morgan Oliver (Burlington), Aaron Barnett (Hickory), Taylor Oliver (Oakland, Calif.), Chase and Hailey Brown (Murphy) and Ashlynn and Sawyer Hallman (Batesburg, S.C.).
When asked to describe their Papaw in one word, his grandkids said: generous, honest, strong, tough, fiery, hardheaded, gregarious, loyal, dependable, loving and tenacious.
His daughters feel incredibly blessed to have had him as a father. He taught them all to be strong women who grew up knowing they could accomplish anything they set their minds to.
He loved his family more than anything else in the world and was able to spend time with all of them during his last week here.
The family would like to thank Dr. David Mock and his nurse, Jean Laney Evans, for the many years of miraculous and kind care, and also all of the doctors and nurses on the fifth floor of Mission Memorial Heart Center, Murphy Medical Center Emergency Room and Cherokee County Emergency Medical Services.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to the Mission Rathbun House, 121 Sherwood Road, Asheville NC 28803; or alternatively take a hike in our mountains, catch a bass in one of our lakes or listen to the dogs run a bear.
The family received friends from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at Cochran Funeral Home in Peachtree.
Arrangements were entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home of Murphy.
You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest registry at ww.cochranfuneralhomes.com.
Eva Higdon Wood, 94, of Andrews, passed away Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017 in Murphy Medical Center.
She was a native of Macon County, but had lived in Cherokee County since 1952.
Eva received a bachelor of science degree in home economics from the Womens College of the University of North Carolina in Greensboro on June 5, 1944, and received her master’s degree in public health from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill on Aug. 30, 1948.
She had worked as a civilian dietician during World War II. She then worked with the N.C. Extension Service and was a school teacher in Cherokee County and Macon County school systems.
Eva was also a homemaker.
Eva had served as a former board member for the Cherokee Historical Society and Tri-County Community College Board of Trustees. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Konnahetta Women’s Club, Tri-County Democratic Women, N.C. Senior Tarheel Legislature, N.C. Commission on Aging, N.C. Foundation Board and Delta Cappa Gamma Society, Alpha Iota Chapter. She was a volunteer for the Cherokee County Food Bank. Eva received the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service on Aug. 11, 1997.
She was a member of Andrews First Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school for more than 50 years.
Eva was also a nursery worker, volunteer for the Kentucky Mission Trip, part of the CARE Ministry and very active with Women’s Missionary Union, which promoted missions. She was a messenger to Truett Baptist Association from Andrews First Baptist Church, and a former messenger to the Southern Baptist Association. Eva received the Baptist Heritage Award for WMU work on April 23, 2013.
She was the daughter of the late Dennis C. and Ethel Higdon Higdon, and wife of the late Edgar A. Wood Jr., who died Nov. 5, 1983. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Allison and Nola Lilley; and two brothers, Joe Higdon and Dennis C. Higdon Jr.
Surviving are two sons, Eddie Wood and wife, Rebecca, and Keith Wood and wife Teresa; three grandchildren, Matthew Wood and wife Mallory of Andrews, Meredith Hensley and husband Justin of Murphy, and Leah Wood of Andrews; one great-grandson, Miles Edgar Wood; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, in Andrews First Baptist Church, with the Revs. Calvin Bobo and Al Hood officiating. Interment was in Valleytown Cemetery. Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers were deacons of Andrews First Baptist Church.
The family received friends from noon-1:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, at Andrews First Baptist Church prior to the services.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made in loving memory of Eva Higdon Wood to the Cherokee County Food Bank, c/o Andrews Lion Club, P.O. Box 843, Andrews, NC 28901; or Southern Baptist Association-International Mission Board, 3806 Monument Ave., Richmond, VA 23230.
Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews, was in charge of all arrangements.
An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com.
Joanne Barbara Huff, 68, of Marble and formerly of Kailua, Hawaii, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017, in Cumming, Ga.
She was born Oct. 26, 1948, in Boston, Mass., to Joseph and Barbara Belliveau.
Mrs. Huff had many talents in her life including running a Hawaiian hardware store, a marina in North Carolina, and working as a BSN RN in Asheville.
She had a servant’s heart and enjoyed caring for others whether working at Mission Hospital or becoming a second mother to her children’s friends. Her nurturing spirit also carried over to animals.
Joanne Barbara Huff is preceded in death by her husband, Laben Dale Huff; father, Joseph Romeo Alfred Belliveau; brother, Peter Belliveau; sisters, Lorraine Bycholski and Aline Cartwright; and grandson, Chase Testa.
Survivors include her mother, Barbara Marie Anne Murphy Belliveau of Marble; son, Austin Waterman and wife, Karen, of Southbury, Conn.; daughters, Kim Testa and husband Luke of Woodstock, Ga., and Robin Mattson and husband Kenneth of Midland, Va.; stepdaughters, Lynda Frenay and husband Pierre of Guam, and Kimmi Mazakas and husband Todd of San Diego, Calif.; brother, Gregory Belliveau and wife Lyn of Hebron, Conn.; sister, Marge Gaulin and husband Jim of Sevierville, Tenn.; sister-in-law, June Smith of St. Petersburg, Fla.; grandchildren, Ryan and wife Savannah, Joshua, Hannah, Addison, Brooklyn, Alex, Daniel, Jacob, Lillian, Tyler, Robert, Kai, Serena, Ryan,and Morgan; great-grandchild, Savion; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until service time at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at The River Church with Pastor Scott Beasley officiating.
Donations may be made in Mrs. Huff’s honor to your choice of the American Cancer Society or Valley River Humane Society.
Condolences may be made at www.woodstockfuneralhome.com.
Winnie Ruth Hughes, 79, of Murphy, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017, at Murphy Medical Center Nursing Home.
She was a native of Vero Beach, Fla., and the daughter of the late Vernon and Ada Harris.
Winnie was a homemaker. She was a member of Bellview United Methodist Church. Winnie was very active in her church, community and club work.
She was very loving, caring and enjoyed social interaction with others. Winnie enjoyed spending time with her family.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Vernon Harris and Ralph Harris.
She is survived by her daughters, Naomi Martin and husband Harry and Glenda Hughes, all of Murphy; three granddaughters, Holly M. Morgan and husband Marion, Coty Garcia and husband Carl and Winn Hibberts and husband Scott, all of Murphy; three great-grandsons, Sydney Hibberts, Desi Garcia and Jonas Garcia; three brothers, Ted Harris and wife Virginia of Live Oak, Fla., John Harris of Chatsworth, Ga., and Roger Harris and wife Pat of Cohutta Springs, Ga.; two sisters, Mabel Osborne and Linda Flood and husband Lamar, all of Chatsworth, Ga.; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 17, at Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Murphy. The Rev. David Womble will officiate. Burial will be in the Harrison Chapel Cemetery in Chatsworth, Ga. Pallbearers will be Melvin Gentry, Junior Puett, Kelly Hopkins, Johnny Hatchett, Harry Hughes and Harold Beavers. Honorary pallbearers will be Sydney Hibberts, Desi Garcia, Jonas Garcia and Bucky Kelly.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at Townson-Rose Funeral Home in Murphy.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Gideon’s International, P.O. Box 624, Murphy, NC 28906.
You may send tributes to the Hughes family at www.townson-rose.com.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Donald Phillip Martin, 91, of Murphy, passed away Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, at his home.
Mr. Martin was born Sept. 13, 1925, in Benham, Ky., to the late Oscar Lee Martin and Nancy Ellen Burkhardt Martin.
A member of Mount Moriah Baptist Church, he was preceded in death by his wife, Beulah Mae Gilley Martin; and one son, Phillip Martin.
Mr. Martin was a Navy veteran of World War II and retired as an electrical engineer after working many years for the TVA.
He enjoyed working outside tending to his fruit trees and vegetable garden.
Survivors include his daughter, Linda Nelson; two brothers, Jack Martin and Vernon Martin; three granddaughters, Melissa Burnette, Jennifer Loflin and Andrea Epperly; 11 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren; and caretaker and friend, Amie Weaver.
Funeral services were held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, at Mount Moriah Baptist Church with the Revs. Paul Beaster and Jerry Morrow officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Military honors were conducted by the North Georgia Honor Guard. Pallbearers included Ty Burnette, Steve Orton, Zach Orton, Wade Anderson, Amie Weaver and Jerry Morrow.
The family received friends at Mount Moriah Baptist Church from 3-4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15.
Arrangements were entrusted to Finch-Cochran Funeral Home of McCaysville, Ga.
You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.
