Geneva Caroline Pace, 86, of Andrews, passed away Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017, at Valley View Care Center in Andrews.
     She was a native and lifelong resident of Cherokee County. Geneva was the daughter of the late Roy and Mary Newton Pace. She was a homemaker.
    In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Clarence Pace, Frank Pace, Hermis Pace and Glenn Pace.
    She is survived by her sister, Janette Pace; two brothers, Edd Pace and J.V. Pace; and several nieces and nephews.
    Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8, at Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Murphy. The Rev. Fred Lunsford officiated. Burial was in the Rowland Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.
    The family received friends from 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8, at Townson-Rose Funeral Home.
    You may send tributes to the Pace family at www.townson-rose.com.
    Townson-Rose Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.

    Hildred Jean Hedrick, 79, of Andrews, died Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017, at her residence.
    Funeral services will be held at noon Monday, Aug. 7, at Townson-Rose Chapel in Andrews. Burial was in Valleytown Cemetery.
    Townson-Rose Funeral Home, www.townson-rose.com, was in charge of all arrangements.

    Joseph Alfred Remsen, 66, of Murphy, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2017, at his residence.
    He was born in Akron, N.Y.
    Joseph was a plant manager for Florida Rock.
    He was a wonderful husband and father.
    He is survived by his wife, Patricia Remsen; four daughters, Deborah Bryant of Tavares, Fla., Diana Morrow of Murphy, Sandra Love of Orlando, Fla., and Cindy Bryant of Ocoee, Fla.; and two grandchildren, Jordan Love of Orlando, Fla., and Austin Bryant of Murphy.
    “I’m gonna get that diploma for you, PaPa Joe.” We love you.
    No services are planned at this time.
    You may send tributes to the Remsen family at www.townson-rose.com.
    Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

    Gilbert “Gib” Hutchcraft, 76, of Murphy, passed away Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017, at his residence.
    Gib was a native of Vincennes, Ind. He was a member of The Gideons International and Boiling Springs Missionary Baptist Church.
    Gib was a college professor and son of the late Clinton Allen and Bernice Wray Hutchcraft. He also was preceded in death by a brother, Clinton Edward Hutchcraft.
    Gib is survived by his wife of 56 years, Emily Hutchcraft; son, Mitchel Hutchcraft and wife Michelle of Fort Myers, Fla.; daughter, Angela Vernon and husband Charlie of Largo, Fla.; brother, Harold Thomas Hutchcraft and wife Jean of Colorado Springs, Colo.; grandchildren, Andrew, Kelly, Kyle, Grace and Claire; great-grandson, Jack; and several nieces and nephews.
    A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, at Boiling Springs Missionary Baptist Church. Dr. Eddis Dockery will officiate.
    In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made The Gideons International, P.O. Box 624, Murphy, NC 28906.
    You may send tributes to the Hutchcraft family at www.townson-rose.com.
    Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

    Ralph Kiner Berrong, 69, of Hayesville, passed away Sunday, July 30, 2017, at his residence.
    A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug.  6, at Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel Hayesville.
    Townson-Rose Funeral Home, www.townson-rose.com, was in charge of all arrangements.

    Grace Hampton, 90, of Murphy, died Monday, July 31, 2017, in Murphy Medical Center.
    She was a native and lifelong resident of Cherokee County. Grace was a homemaker and member of Hanging Dog Baptist Church.
    She was the daughter of the late John Martin and Ethel Birdie Lovingood Ramsey, and wife of the late Rev. Marvin L. Hampton, who died Sept. 4, 1995. She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Alice Marlane.
    Surviving are a daughter, Myra H. Rivenbark and husband Van of Simpsonville, S.C.; two sons, Kendall Hampton of Murphy and Rodney Hampton and wife Patricia of Fayetteville, Ga.; and three grandchildren, Bryan Hampton, Marissa Clontz and Perry Clontz.
    Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 4, in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, with the Revs. Johnny Foster and Aud Brown officiating. The interment was in Hanging Dog Baptist Cemetery. Pallbearers were Dustin and Jay Heeth, Mark Thigpen, Greg Worley, Keith Clay and the Rev. Jimmy Tanner. Honorary pallbearers were Jerry Hampton, Dale Dyer, Ken Thigpen, the Rev. Fred Lunsford, the Rev. Homer Wilson, Charles Forrister, Max O’Dell and Max McClure.
    The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3, at Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy.
    In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Grace Hampton to Gideons International, P.O. Box 164, Murphy, NC 28906.
    Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, was in charge of all arrangements.
    An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com.

    Marlene Barbara Cofoid, 80, of Murphy, passed away Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, at her residence.
    She was born in Chicago, Ill., to the late Gustav Adolf and Elizabeth Foehr Lindner.
    Marlene was a homemaker and a great mother, who loved taking care of her four boys. She was an avid reader, loved the arts, traveling and studying different generations of singers and their music trends.
    She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Thomas Cofoid; four sons, Charles Cofoid, Richard Cofoid, Robert Cofoid and Steven Cofoid; and sister-in-law, Dr. Dianne Cofoid Draper.
    No services are planned at this time.
    You may send tributes to the Cofoid family at www.townson-rose.com.
    Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

    Belva Jean Moss Parker, 78, of Hayesville, passed away Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, Tenn.
    Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, at Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel of Hayesville. Burial was in Old Shooting Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.
    Townson-Rose Funeral Home, www.townson-rose.com, was in charge of all arrangements.

    June Barrow Springer, 69, of Andrews, passed away Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, at her sister’s residence.
    A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, at Andrews First Baptist Church.
    Townson-Rose Funeral Home, www.townson-rose.com, is in charge of arrangements.

    Patricia O. Toner, 86, a resident of Clearwater, Fla., in the winter and Murphy in the summer, died Friday, Aug. 11, 2017, in Murphy.
    Patricia (Tish) was born in Cortland, N.Y., on May 28, 1931, to the late Charles Joseph and Marian DuBois O’Connor.
    She attended River Edge Elementary School and Roosevelt Junior High School in New Jersey. Tish graduated from Monroe, N.Y., High School in 1948 and Syracuse University in 1952 with a degree in theater arts.
    In 1945, during World War II, she picked and sold vegetables at Chohwindsky Market and later, while attending Syracuse University, she worked in the summer for her father at the Natural History Museum in New York City.
    She married William Taylor in 1952 and found after the birth of three daughters, being a mother and wife was more important to her than a life on the stage.
    Three events that were most eventful in her professional life was the reading of her favorite poet, Dylan Thomas’ “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” for the television program “New Jersey Speaks,” receiving the Best Direction Award at the Eastern States Theater Festival in Washington, D.C., for her direction of the Japanese Kabuki play The Zen Substitute, and participating with the Ohio University summer theater program in Chatham, Mass.
    As was typical for many women of the 1950s and 1960s, she helped support her family. She worked as a travel agent in Harwichport, Mass., and a buyer of clothes for a boutique in Harwich, and as a side occupation, she also participated in the antique business named Whaler Antiques.
    Patricia married Richard Toner in 1978. She and Richard lived in South Chatham on Cape Cod in Massachusetts for more than 20 years, during which time they went boating and clam digging with their children and grandchildren. They went boating in and around Nantucket Sound, Monomoy Island and the Elizabeth Islands.
    Patricia’s job as a travel agent allowed her and Richard to travel extensively throughout the world. Their favorite vacations were in England, where they attended the theater in London for three or four days, and then journeyed to different regions. They continued their vacations following their move to Murphy in the summer, and to Florida in the winter.
    Following her retirement, Patricia volunteered at a wildlife sanctuary and as the “story lady” at the North Palm Beach Library in Florida.
    She was a member of Murphy Presbyterian Church and had volunteered with the Valley River Humane Society.
    In addition to her husband, Patricia leaves behind two daughters, Avril Taylor and Airen Reed; three grandchildren, Allison Staton, Ashley Gorham and Joshua Reed; and five great-grandchildren, Alexis and Jayden Staton, and Dylan, Lucas and Jack Gorham, all of Pinellas County, Fla. She also leaves two stepdaughters, Elizabeth Heinen and Margaret Toner; a step granddaughter, Mary Vandeyacht and husband Jon; and a step great-granddaughter, Paige Vandeyacht, all of Wisconsin.
    The Richard Toner family will always be thankful for friend and caregiver Connie Evans, who made her days as comfortable as possible.
    A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, in Murphy Presbyterian Church, 252 Valley River Ave., Murphy, with the Rev. Alan Wildsmith officiating.
    The family will receive friends from 10-10:50 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at Murphy Presbyterian Church prior to the services.
    In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Patricia O. Toner to Valley River Humane Society, P.O. Box 658, Murphy, NC 28906.
    Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, is in charge of all arrangements.
    An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com.

    Frankie Nell Coleman Chastain, 80, of Murphy, passed away Monday, Aug.  14, 2017, at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, Tenn.
    She was a native and lifelong resident of Cherokee County. Frankie was the daughter of the late Frank and Alice Dorothy Grace Coleman.
    She retired from the Cherokee County School System as a cafeteria manager at Martins Creek School after 25 years of service.
    Frankie also worked at Truett Camp for more than 30 years. She was very active in the Martins Creek Community Center.
    Frankie loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed cooking and canning.
    Frankie was a member of New Martins Creek Baptist Church, where she was a former choir member and was involved in Vacation Bible School.
    In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, L.C. Chastain; sons, Kenneth Chastain and Charles Chastain; two half brothers, Julius Coleman and Marshall Coleman; sister, Juanita Barnett; two half sisters, Jean Waring and Kitty Donaldson; daughter-in-law, Wanda Chastain; and son-in-law, Tim Roberson.
    She is survived by two sons, Gerald Chastain of Jackson, S.C., and Tim Chastain and wife Michelle of Murphy; two daughters, Sandra Walls and husband Lewis of Hayesville and Sharon Roberson of Murphy; two brothers, Donald Coleman of Murphy and Steve Coleman of Marietta, Ga.; one sister, Nina Chastain and husband Phillip of Murphy; 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
    Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, at New Martins Creek Baptist Church. The Revs. Paul Ray Morgan, Aud Brown and Ronnie Palmer officiated. Burial was in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were nephews. Honorary pallbearers were nephews and other family members.
    The family received friends from 4-7 p.m.Wednesday, Aug. 16, at New Martins Creek Baptist Church.
    In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to New Martins Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, 2729 Hedden Road, Murphy, NC 28906.
    You may send tributes to the Chastain family at www.townson-rose.com.
    Townson-Rose Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

     David Wayne Ledford Jr., 45, of Murphy, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017, at his home. 
    Mr. Ledford was born April 2, 1972, in Copperhill, Tenn., to the late David Wayne Ledford Sr. and Phyllis Newman Ledford Parrish.
    A member of Ranger Baptist Church, he enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle in his spare time.
    Survivors include his wife, Rebecca Ledford; mother, Phyllis Parrish; daughter, Courtney Love Parrish; daughter, Alexis Ledford; son, Gage Ledford; two brothers, Jason Parrish and Derrick Ledford; and one grandchild, Sage Szuchon.
    The family received friends from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18, at Finch-Cochran Funeral Home of McCaysville, Ga.
    Arrangements were entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home, Murphy.
    You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

    Wilma Shields, 91, of Murphy, passed away Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in a Murphy care center.  
    She was a native and lifetime resident of Cherokee County.
    Wilma worked on the family dairy farm for more than 71 years, which was called Notla Farms. She was a lifetime member of Shady Grove Baptist Church, where she served as secretary and treasurer for over 50 years.
    She was the daughter of the late Oscar and Allie Baity Tilson and wife of the late Randolph Shields, who died Nov. 9, 2012.
    Surviving are a daughter, Mary Alice Shields of Marietta, Ga.; a son, Johnny Shields and wife Wanda of Murphy; a sister, Mamie Eggert of Tulsa, Okla.; four grandchildren, Michael Shields and wife Tina, Melissa Miller and husband Brandon, Matthew Shields and Carson Shields; and four great-grandchildren, Tyler, Megan, Mallory and Landon.
    Funeral services will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23, in Shady Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Gerald Derreberry officiating. The interment will be in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Michael, Tyler, Matthew and Carson Shields, Clinton Ball and Brandon Miller.
    The family will receive friends from 3-4:40 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23, at Shady Grove Baptist Church prior to the service.
    In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Wilma Shields to Shady Grove Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Mrs. Lois Menasian, 6 Deweese St., Murphy, NC  28906.
    Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, is in charge of all arrangements.
    An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com.

    Lucia (Lucy) Aparo, 104, of Hiawassee, Ga., passed away Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017, at Brasstown Manor in
Hiawassee.
    A memorial mass will be celebrated at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church at noon Friday, Aug. 25.
    Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville, www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com, is in charge of all arrangements.

    Feleshia Dawn Maney, 56, of Murphy, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017, at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, Tenn.
    She was a native and lifelong resident of Cherokee County. Feleshia was the daughter of the late Barbara Farmer McCoy and Tim McCoy of Murphy. She was a caregiver.
    In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Maney; and one brother, Chris McCoy.
    She is survived by one son, Andrew Maney; two daughters, Michelle Maney and Regina Maney; one brother, Jeff McCoy and wife Trish; one sister, Tammy Hardin and husband Tracy; several grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
    Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at Townson-Rose Funeral Home in Murphy. The Rev. Matt Mull will officiate. Burial will in Unaka Baptist Church Cemetery.
    The family will receive friends from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at Townson-Rose Funeral Home.
    You may send tributes to the Maney family at www.townson-rose.com.
    Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

    Irma Helen Speer, 90, of Andrews, passed away Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017, in a Chattanooga, Tenn., hospital.
    Irma was a homemaker and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She enjoyed spending time with her family.
    Irma was a huge Braves fan and enjoyed bird watching.
    She was the daughter of the late John and Elizabeth Reusch. She also was preceded in death by a sister, Lucille Tiffany; and a brother, Louie Reusch.
    Surviving are her husband of 61 years, Brooks Speer; two daughters, Sharon Bevins of Andrews and Sandra Dunn of Jasper, Ga.; four grandchildren, Amanda Smith and husband Nick, Ryan and Zach Bevins, and Matthew Curtis and wife Tina; a step grandson, Matthew Dunn and wife Samantha; three great-grandchildren, Summer Smith, and Madison and Molly Dunn; and several nephews.
    A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at Valleytown Cemetery with the Rev. Eric Byrd officiating. Pallbearers will be Junior and Brayden Rowland, Paul Brooks, Don Libby, Ryan Bevins and Matthew Curtis.
    Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews, is in charge of all arrangements.
    An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com.

    Thomas Ronald LaMothe, 76, of Murphy, died Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017, in Copper Basin, Tenn.
    He was born Feb. 4, 1941, in Attleboro, Mass. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in North Attleboro, Mass., and a Catholic religious institute in Biddeford, Maine. Thomas also attended Haugh Barber School in Boston, Mass., and the Massachusetts State Police School.
    His first business was a barber shop in 1958. He later became a police officer in 1969. Thomas also owned and operated a long distant trucking company.
    In 1976, he and his wife, Katherine, moved to Deland, Fla., where he became a correctional officer for Tomoka Correctional Institution in Daytona Beach, Fla.
    Thomas retired in 1997 and moved to Murphy, where he became involved with the American Radio Emergency Service of Cherokee County.
    Thomas attended St. William Catholic Church.
    He was the son of the late Walter and Anna Smith LaMothe. He also was preceded in death by two sisters, Aloysia Darling and Ann Bergevine; and three brothers, Walter, Philip and John LaMothe.
    He leaves behind his loving wife of 58 years, Katherine Dohring LaMothe; two daughters, Lisa Brown of Murphy and Kimberly McPherson of Astor, Fla.; two sons, Thomas R. LaMothe Jr. of Murphy and Richard LaMothe of DeLeon Springs, Fla.; two sisters, Ruth Ringuette of North Handover, Mass., and Pauline LaMothe of Chicago, Ill.; 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and his devoted dog, Chewy.
    Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, with Father Alex Ayala officiating.
The family will receive friends from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Tuesday at the Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, prior to the services.
    In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Thomas Ronald LaMothe to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 42040, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-3000.
    Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, is in charge of all arrangements.
    An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com.
 

    Frankie Nell Coleman Chastain, 80, of Murphy, passed away Monday, Aug.  14, 2017, at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, Tenn.
    She was a native and lifelong resident of Cherokee County. Frankie was the daughter of the late Frank and Alice Dorothy Grace Coleman.
    She retired from the Cherokee County School System as a cafeteria manager at Martins Creek School after 25 years of service.
    Frankie also worked at Truett Camp for more than 30 years. She was very active in the Martins Creek Community Center.
    Frankie loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed cooking and canning.
    Frankie was a member of New Martins Creek Baptist Church, where she was a former choir member and was involved in vacation Bible school.
    In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, L.C. Chastain; sons, Kenneth Chastain and Charles Chastain; two half brothers, Julius Coleman and Marshall Coleman; sister, Juanita Barnett; two half sisters, Jean Waring and Kitty Donaldson; daughter-in-law, Wanda Chastain; and son-in-law, Tim Roberson.
    She is survived by two sons, Gerald Chastain of Jackson, S.C., and Tim Chastain and wife Michelle of Murphy; two daughters, Sandra Walls and husband Lewis of Hayesville and Sharon Roberson of Murphy; two brothers, Donald Coleman of Murphy and Steve Coleman of Marietta, Ga.; one sister, Nina Chastain and husband Phillip of Murphy; 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
    Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, at New Martins Creek Baptist Church. The Revs. Paul Ray Morgan, Aud Brown and Ronnie Palmer officiated. Burial was in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were nephews. Honorary pallbearers were nephews and other family members.
    The family received friends from 4-7 p.m.Wednesday, Aug. 16, at New Martins Creek Baptist Church.
    In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to New Martins Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, 2729 Hedden Road, Murphy, NC 28906.
    You may send tributes to the Chastain family at www.townson-rose.com.
    Townson-Rose Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

    Coletta “Connie” Moss Wells, 78, of Clay County, N.C., passed away at home on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2017, after an extended illness.
    Connie was the daughter of the late Gracie Davenport Moss and Harrison Moss.
    Connie is survived by her husband, Harry’ her children, Victor Wells, Keith “John” Wells and Samantha Wells; Her grandchildren, Lisa Cummins (Cody), Brittany Wade (Josh) and Andrew Wells; her great-grandchildren, Logan and Caleb (Lisa), Brianne  and Caroline (Brittany); her brothers, Earnest Moss and Neales Moss; along with numerous nieces and nephews. 
    She was preceded in death by her brothers, Nuel “Hoss” Moss and Clempson “Grub” Moss; and her sister, Juanita Moss Evans.
    Connie was of the Baptist faith and loved the outdoors and was an avid gardener. She enjoyed reading and was a talented seamstress. Born and raised in Clay County, she spent most of her adult life here dedicating herself to her family.  
    A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, on Fires Creek, about three miles past the recreation area on the left; follow the signs.
    In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society (http://main.acsevents.org/goto/conniewells).
    You may send tributes to the Wells family at www.townson-rose.com.
    Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
 

    Dr. Helen Wells Smith, 93, of Murphy, passed away Sunday, Aug. 20, 2017, at Murphy Medical Center.
    A native and lifetime resident of Murphy, Dr. Wells grew up working alongside her father operating and delivering milk for the Wells Dairy Farm.  
    She graduated valedictorian from the Murphy High School Class of 1940 at age 16. Dr. Wells received her undergraduate premedical degree from the Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina in Greensboro and then her medical degree from the Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University in 1946.   
    Dr. Wells was a lifelong member of Murphy First United Methodist Church.  
    Dr. Wells was the first woman doctor in western North Carolina. She faithfully served as a general practitioner and hospital physician for 46 years, delivering more than 3,500 babies in Cherokee County and surrounding counties in North Carolina and north Georgia. During her career, she was a member of the American Academy of General Practice, American Medical Association, North Carolina Medical Association and Cherokee County Medical Society.
    Her love for the mountain people and her recognition of the need for greater health care resources emboldened her lifelong pursuit of recruiting more physicians and some of the first medical specialists to the area. Dr. Wells’ involvement with the Cherokee County Health Department spanned decades and included holding the position of chairman/medical director. She was instrumental in initiating the Cherokee County Family Planning clinic in 1964, working chronic disease clinics and providing annual physical examinations for U.S. Forest Service employees.
    Upon retirement, Dr. Wells was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, among the most prestigious awards conferred by the governor of North Carolina.
    Murphy Medical Center named its ambulatory care center in her honor and established the Dr. Helen Wells Scholarship Fund as a tribute to her service to the area and for the many people she encouraged and assisted in obtaining health-related degrees. A bridge crossing her family’s former dairy farm on N.C. 76 carries her name.
    Professionally, she is remembered fondly for her unfailing integrity, discipline and professionalism in providing high-quality medical care in the tri-state area.
    Dr. Wells saw many patients during her career, and yet still found time to be a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She was most proud of her family: her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, sister, brother, parents and grandparents.
    She loved playing bridge and was an avid water skier and boating enthusiast, being the first person to ski on Lake Hiwassee on homemade water skis constructed by her husband.
    Helen had a manner, poise and special gift of hospitality, encouragement, open mindedness and acceptance of all people.  
    Helen was the daughter of the late Hardy Noland and Mildred King Wells, and wife of the late John Strother Smith, who died May 9, 1998. She also was preceded in death by a sister, Mildred Helton; and a brother, Harold Wells.
    Surviving are two sons, Perry Grover Smith and wife Laura of Little Rock, Ark., and Noland Wells Smith and wife Charlene of Murphy; five grandchildren, Carmen Smith Lance and husband Jack, Bonnie Lee Smith, Sarah Lynn Smith, Morgan Helen Smith and Noland Wells Smith II.
    Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at Murphy First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Rob Rollins officiating.  The interment will be in Sunset Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Steve, Wayne and Hubert Wells, Jack Lance, Noland Smith II and Edward Reynolds.
    The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, at Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, where the body will remain until placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the services.
    The family requests memorials be made in memory of Dr. Helen Wells Smith to the Dr. Helen Wells Scholarship Fund, 3990 E. U.S. 64 Alternate, Murphy, NC 28906 or Murphy First United Methodist Church – Harshaw Chapel Restoration, P.O. Box 86, Murphy, NC 28906.
    Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, is in charge of all arrangements.
    An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com.