Larry Kent Teems, 63, of Brasstown, passed away Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, at his residence.
    He was the son of the late Henry Benton and Evia Ruth McGaha Teems.
    Larry was a native of Cherokee County, but a lifetime resident of Clay County.
    He was a member of Little Brasstown Baptist Church. Larry was very active in his community, and a member of Brasstown Volunteer Fire Department for more than 20 years. Playing Bluegrass music at Clay’s Corner was one of his favorite pastimes. He was a second-generation worker at John C. Campbell Folk School.
    He is survived by his loving wife, Kathy Clayton Teems; two daughters, Emily Snow and husband Wesley and Katie Teems and fiance Macon Bateman; one brother, Lanny Teems and wife Wilma; multiple nieces and nephews and several great nieces and nephews. He also is survived by his faithful dog, Joe.
    Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, at Little Brasstown Baptist Church. The Rev. Aud Brown officiated. Pallbearers were Mike Logan, Chad Cook, Chet Gray, Greg Teems, Bobby Clayton and Kent Carringer. Honorary pallbearers were Rick Clayton, Chuck Clayton, Lanny Teems, Luke Laney, Wesley Snow, Macon Bateman, Glen Teems, Clay Logan, Alan Nichols, Gary Jones, Bob Alexander, Stanley Teems and Bill Tipton. Burial was in the church cemetery.
    The family received friends from 1-3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, at Little Brasstown Baptist Church.
    In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brasstown Community Center Education Building, P.O. Box 111, Brasstown, NC 28902.
    You may send tributes to the Teems family at www.townson-rose.com.
    Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

    Paul Arnold Golem, 69, of Andrews, passed away Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in a Murphy care facility.
    A funeral Mass was held at noon Friday, Aug. 25, in Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Andrews.
    Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews, www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com, was in charge of all arrangements.
 

    Blanche Lail Wyke, 101, of Andrews, passed away Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, in an Andrews care facility.
    Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28, in Andrews United Methodist Church. Interment was in Valleytown Cemetery.
    Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews, www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com, was in charge of arrangements.

    James Lee Ledford, 78, of Hayesville, passed away Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017, in a Clay County care facility.
    A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
    Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville, www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com, is in charge of all arrangements.

    Alice Davis Hyatt, 88, of Silverhill, Ala., and formerly of Murphy, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017.
    A graveside service was held at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 25, in Hanging Dog Baptist Church Cemetery.
    Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com, was in charge of all arrangements.

    Sterlon Winford Stiles, 81, of Murphy, passed away Monday, Aug. 28, 2017, at his residence.
    Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31, in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy.
    The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30, at Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy.
    Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com, is in charge of all arrangements.

    Merry Elizabeth Cerwin, 91, of Hayesville, passed away Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, at Clay County Care Center.
    No services are planned at this time.
    Townson-Rose Funeral Home, www.townson-rose.com, is in charge of all arrangements.

    Coletta “Connie” Moss Wells, 78, of Clay County, N.C., passed away at home 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 was 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 was in charge of all arrangements.

    Larry Kent Teems, 63, of Brasstown, passed away Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, at his residence.
    He was the son of the late Henry Benton and Evia Ruth McGaha Teems.
    Larry was a native of Cherokee County, but a lifetime resident of Clay County.
    He was a member of Little Brasstown Baptist Church. Larry was very active in his community, and a member of Brasstown Volunteer Fire Department for more than 20 years. Playing Bluegrass music at Clay’s Corner was one of his favorite pastimes. He was a second-generation worker at John C. Campbell Folk School.
    He is survived by his loving wife, Kathy Clayton Teems; two daughters, Emily Snow and husband Wesley and Katie Teems and fiance Macon Bateman; one brother, Lanny Teems and wife Wilma; multiple nieces and nephews and several great nieces and nephews. He also is survived by his faithful dog, Joe.
    Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, at Little Brasstown Baptist Church. The Rev. Aud Brown officiated. Pallbearers were Mike Logan, Chad Cook, Chet Gray, Greg Teems, Bobby Clayton and Kent Carringer. Honorary pallbearers were Rick Clayton, Chuck Clayton, Lanny Teems, Luke Laney, Wesley Snow, Macon Bateman, Glen Teems, Clay Logan, Alan Nichols, Gary Jones, Bob Alexander, Stanley Teems and Bill Tipton. Burial was in the church cemetery.
    The family received friends from 1-3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, at Little Brasstown Baptist Church.
    In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brasstown Community Center Education Building, P.O. Box 111, Brasstown, NC 28902.
    You may send tributes to the Teems family at www.townson-rose.com.
    Townson-Rose Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

    Willie Michael Wright, 68, of Murphy, passed away Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017, at Murphy Medical Center.
    Mr. Wright was born Aug. 20, 1949, in Cherokee County to the late Calvin Elmo Wright and Versie Mae Helton Wright.
    A member of Bell Hill Baptist Church, he worked in construction as a heavy equipment operator. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing and working in his workshop.
    Survivors include his loving wife of 49 years, Judith Elaine Wright; two sons, Chris Wright and Darryl (Shannon) Wright; sister, Pat Patterson; brother,
Rex Wright; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
    A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.
    Arrangements have been entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home of Murphy.
    You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

    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 as 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, 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 and surrounding counties in western 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 were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at Murphy First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Rob Rollins officiating.  The interment was in Sunset Cemetery. Pallbearers were Steve, Wayne and Hubert Wells, Jack Lance, Noland Smith II and Edward Reynolds.
    The family received friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, at Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, where the body remained 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, was in charge of all arrangements.
    An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com.

    Barbara Sawyer Smith Haynes passed away Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in Charlotte, following a short illness.
    Barb was born in Chicago, Ill., on June 11, 1937.
    Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Frances K. Sawyer and Charles L. Sawyer, and her husband, Dr. Allyn Avery Smith.
    She is survived by her children, Laura Smith McMeekin, Lisa Smith Manes (Daniel Manes) and Jonathan Allyn Smith (Tom Tinucci); and her grandchildren, Erin Frances Manes and William Allyn Anthony Manes. She also is survived by her brother, Thomas Charles Sawyer (Deborah Sawyer); seven nieces and nephews; and one grandnephew. She also is survived by four stepsons, John Haynes (Patrick Hauck), Mike Haynes (Brenda Haynes), Hugh Haynes (Judy Haynes) and Joe Haynes (Jamie Haynes).  
    Barb went to nursing school in Chicago, Ill., and later in life graduated from Augusta College with a bachelor’s degree in English. She was employed in Augusta by Doctor’s Hospital and the Medical College of Georgia as a psychiatric nurse.  
    Barb was an active PEO member and also very active in the art communities in Augusta, Ga., and Murphy.                          
    The Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, at Unity Church of the Mountains, 2309 Murphy Highway, Blairsville, GA 30512. All are welcome.
    In lieu of flowers, the family encourages a memorial donation to John C. Campbell Folk School, which Barb dearly loved, at 1 Folk School Road, Brasstown, NC 28902, 828-837-2775, or www.folkschool.org.
    Online condolenses may be made to the family at www.palmettofh.com.
    The family of Mrs. Haynes is being served by Palmetto Funeral Home and Crematory in Fort Mill, S.C.

    A.G. “Red Curly” Cearley, 83, of Dalton, Ga., passed away Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017, after a brief illness.
    He was the son of the late Robert and Jessie Owenby Cearley, and was preceded in death by his wife, Sue Cearley; sister, Elaine Barton; and nephew, Gary Barton.
    A.G. was born in Sweet Gum, Ga., Fannin County, on Jan. 2, 1934, and moved to Dalton in 1950. He graduated from Pleasant Grove High School in 1951 and served one term in the United States Army as Quartermaster.
    He worked at Chitwood Rug, Textile Rubber and Evans Manufacturing, and was a self-employed yarn salesman.
    A.G. was a member of the Georgia Stock Dog Association, and won numerous awards and ribbons for his training of border collies to herd cattle and sheep.
    He was a lifelong farmer and an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
    He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Glenda and Terry Sosebee of Monroe, Ga.; son, Alan Cearley of Dalton; uncle, J.C. Owenby of Culberson; and cousins.
    Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 3, in the chapel of Love Funeral Home, Dalton, Ga., with the Rev. George Ross officiating.
    Honorary pallbearers will be Eugene Collins, Charles Gribble, Donald McClure, Dr. Donald Thomas, Daris Whaley, Mary Kettles Lufk, Jean Kiker McGehee and Margaret Henry Locke. Burial will be in West Hill Cemetery.
    The family will receive friends after 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, at the funeral home.
    Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.lovefuneralhomega.com.
    Love Funeral Home, 1402 N. Thornton Ave., Dalton, is in charge of arrangements.

    William Rondall Mason, 70, of Andrews, passed away Monday, Aug. 28, 2017, at his residence.
    A private service was held at Valleytown Cemetery.
    Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews, www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com, was in charge of all arrangements.

    Samuel Ward, 80, of Murphy, passed away Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, at Life Care Center Copper Basin in Copperhill, Tenn.
    No services are planned at this time.
    Townson-Rose Funeral Home, www.townson-rose.com, is in charge of all arrangements.

    Gerald C. “Jerry” Hindman, 75, of Dalton, Ga., and Murphy, died Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017, in a Dalton hospital.
    A memorial service was held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy. The family received friends from 1-2:45 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home prior to the services.
    Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com, was in charge of arrangements.

    James Paul Bennett, 75,of Hayesville, died peacefully in his home Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017.
    The family will have a private service at a later date.
    Townson-Rose Funeral Home, www.townson-rose.com, is in charge of arrangements.

    A.G. “Red Curly” Cearley, 83, of Dalton, Ga., passed away Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017, after a brief illness.
    He was the son of the late Robert and Jessie Owenby Cearley, and was preceded in death by his wife, Sue Cearley; sister, Elaine Barton; and nephew, Gary Barton.
    A.G. was born in Sweet Gum, Ga., Fannin County, on Jan. 2, 1934, and moved to Dalton in 1950. He graduated from Pleasant Grove High School in 1951 and served one term in the United States Army as Quartermaster.
    He worked at Chitwood Rug, Textile Rubber and Evans Manufacturing, and was a self-employed yarn salesman.
    A.G. was a member of the Georgia Stock Dog Association, and won numerous awards and ribbons for his training of border collies to herd cattle and sheep.
    He was a lifelong farmer and an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
    He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Glenda and Terry Sosebee of Monroe, Ga.; son, Alan Cearley of Dalton; uncle, J.C. Owenby of Culberson; and cousins.
    Funeral services were held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 3, in the chapel of Love Funeral Home, Dalton, Ga., with the Rev. George Ross officiating.
    Honorary pallbearers were Eugene Collins, Charles Gribble, Donald McClure, Dr. Donald Thomas, Daris Whaley, Mary Kettles Lufk, Jean Kiker McGehee and Margaret Henry Locke. Burial was in West Hill Cemetery.
    The family received friends after 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, at the funeral home.
    Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.lovefuneralhomega.com.
    Love Funeral Home, 1402 N. Thornton Ave. in Dalton, was in charge of all arrangements.

    Barbara Sawyer Smith Haynes passed away Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in Charlotte following a short illness.
    Barb was born in Chicago, Ill., on June 11, 1937.
    Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Frances K. Sawyer and Charles L. Sawyer, and her husband, Dr. Allyn Avery Smith.
    She is survived by her children, Laura Smith McMeekin, Lisa Smith Manes (Daniel Manes) and Jonathan Allyn Smith (Tom Tinucci); and her grandchildren, Erin Frances Manes and William Allyn Anthony Manes. She also is survived by her brother, Thomas Charles Sawyer (Deborah Sawyer); seven nieces and nephews; and one grandnephew. She also is survived by four stepsons, John Haynes (Patrick Hauck), Mike Haynes (Brenda Haynes), Hugh Haynes (Judy Haynes) and Joe Haynes (Jamie Haynes).  
    Barb went to nursing school in Chicago and later in life graduated from Augusta College with a bachelor’s degree in English. She was employed in Augusta by Doctor’s Hospital and the Medical College of Georgia as a psychiatric nurse.  
    Barb was an active PEO member and also very active in the art communities in Augusta, Ga., and Murphy.                          
    The Celebration of Life ceremony was held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, at Unity Church of the Mountains, 2309 Murphy Highway, Blairsville, GA 30512. All are welcome.
    In lieu of flowers, the family encourages a memorial donation to John C. Campbell Folk School, which Barb dearly loved, at 1 Folk School Road, Brasstown, NC 28902, 828-837-2775, or www.folkschool.org.
    Online condolenses may be made to the family at www.palmettofh.com.
    The family of Mrs. Haynes was being served by Palmetto Funeral Home and Crematory in Fort Mill, S.C.

    William “Bill” Bailey Kephart, 97, of Murphy, passed away Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, at Murphy Medical Center Nursing Home.
    He was native and lifelong resident of Cherokee County. Bill was the son of the late Henry and Dovie Dockery Kephart.
    He was a U.S. Army World War II veteran. Bill was a Mason. He was a member of Hanging Dog Baptist Church.
    In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Sheridan Kephart, Oscar Kephart, Earl Kephart and Bass Kephart.
    He is survived by his wife, June Kephart; two sons, Robert Kephart and wife Reba, and Glenn Kephart and wife Bernice; one daughter, Sonya Kephart; three brothers, Otis Kephart, Ralph Kephart and Russell Kephart; one sister, Mae Loving; and three grandchildren, Dylan Kephart and wife Sabrina, Wesley Kephart and Emily Kephart.
    Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 4, at Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Murphy. The Rev. Mitchell Shields and Dr. Eddis Dockery officiated. Burial was in Hanging Dog Baptist Church Cemetery.
    The family received friends from 1-2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 4, at Townson-Rose Funeral Home in Murphy.
    You may send tributes to the Kephart family at www.townson-rose.com.
    Townson-Rose Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.