Kevin Johnson passed away suddenly Friday, Feb. 2, 2018, at his home in Murphy.
    He is survived by his partner of 34 years, Jean Snitchler of Hamilton, N.Y.; a brother, Mark (Connie) of Naples, Fla.; a sister, Eileen Coddington (Gerald) of Greenville, N.H.; nieces, nephews and grandnieces and nephews.
    Kevin grew up in Dolgeville, Little Falls, N.Y. He graduated from Brockport State College, moved to Rochester, N.Y., where he lived for several years.
    He worked and retired from Eastman Kodak Co.
    In 2011, Jean and Kevin moved to Murphy.
    Kevin was a warm and generous person who had many friends, including those he met through his love of cars.
    A graveside service will be held later in the spring in New York at the convenience of the family.
    In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Kevin’s name to the charity of your choice.
    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.

    Susan Camille O’Brien, 67, of Andrews, passed away Thursday, March 1, 2018, at Murphy Medical Center.
    She was born in Athens, Ga., to the late Richard and Jo Anne Thomas Kittle.
    Susan was a bookkeeper. She was active in the REACH organization. Susan was a supporter of Special Olympics. She volunteered for group homes and humane societies.
    Susan’s full-time job was taking care of her son, Christopher, till his passing.
    In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Christopher O’Brien.
    She is survived by her husband, Thomas O’Brien; two daughters, Tara Brown and husband Shane and Tamara Pritchett and husband Eddie; two brothers, Richard “Dickey” Kittle and Rusty Kittle; two sisters, Laura Hunter and husband Carl and Jill Thistle and husband Teddy; three grandchildren, Myranda Pritchett, Sarah Brown and Allyson Brown; and several nieces and nephews.
    Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at Grace Fellowship Baptist Church in Andrews. Roger Holloway officiated. Pallbearers were Eddie Pritchett, Shane Brown, Teddy Thistle, Roger Holloway, Joe Gibson and Andrew Reichman.
    The family received friends from 2-3 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at Grace Fellowship Baptist Church.
    In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Industrial Opportunites Inc., P.O. Box 1649, Andrews, NC 28901.
    You may send tributes to the O’Brien family at www.townson-rose.com.
    Townson-Rose Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.

    Robin Lynn Gard, 52, of Murphy, died in hospice care surrounded by loved ones Monday, Feb. 12, 2018, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. 
    Robin was born July 28, 1965, in Harvey, Ill. She was the daughter of Elaine (Jurgeson) and Richard M. Crowe.
    She relocated from the Chicago area to Naples, Fla., in 1986, where she was superintendent of emergency dispatch/911 services. She moved to Blue Ridge, Ga., in 1999, and was a realtor with Coldwell Banker.
    Professionally, Robin was known for her thoroughness, attention to detail and comprehensive knowledge of the tri-state real estate market.  She enjoyed people: getting to know, working with, and most of all, helping them.  Her co-workers at Coldwell Banker were family to her, and she loved being part of that team.
    Well known for her love of, and commitment to, animals of all kinds. She could regularly be found assisting with trap-neuter-release programs for feral cats, volunteering at the annual Paws in the Park, and taking many animals to their forever home at her beloved North Carolina farm, including her two pot bellied pigs, Jimmy Dean and Piggy Sue.  Her farm was a haven for both her and myriad horses, chickens, turkeys, cats and dogs.
    Robin brought light, laughter and love with her wherever she went. Her mother, Elaine Crowe of Murphy, and a large group of friends, all of whom will miss her dearly, survive her.
    A memorial service was held Saturday, Feb. 24, at First United Methodist Church of Copperhill, Tenn.  
    Those wishing to may make memorial contributions to support Robin’s farm and the animals she rescued may send checks, payable to Martha Lane, to Robin Gard Farm Fund, P.O. Box 705, Mineral Bluff, GA 30560.
    Arrangements were entrusted to Cochran Funeral Homes.
    You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

    Kayla Necole Begley, 18, of Murphy, passed away Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018, at Erlanger Medical Center.
    Kayla was born Jan. 20, 2000, in Dalton, Ga., to Louis Begley and Michele Rodriquez Begley. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Weldon Allen.
    Kayla enjoyed listening to music and singing. She also learned sign language and was recently accepted into Western Carolina University.
    Survivors include her parents, Louis and Michele Begley; sister, Jasmine Newby (Mark Goins); nephew Kasen; brother, Gavin Begley; maternal grandmother, Patsy Allen; paternal grandparents, Linda and Bobby Begley; aunts and uncles, Jose and Brittany Rodriguez, Lyndi and Steven Guess, Robert and Diana Begley, Meechelle and Jorge Patino and Christopher and Jennifer Precise; cousins, Lily, Kobe, Robby, Zac, Gabby, Jorge, Salena and Virginia.
    Funeral services were held at 5 p.m. Friday, March 2, at Finch-Cochran Funeral Home in McCaysville, Ga. Honorary pallbearers were Barbara Sneed, Ian Dickerson, Jose Rodriquez and James Hughes.
    The family received friends from 5-9 p.m. Thursday, March 1, at Finch-Cochran Funeral Home. Flowers were accepted or you may make a donation to the funeral home to aid with funeral expenses.
    Arrangements were entrusted to Finch-Cochran Funeral Home of McCaysville, Ga.
    You may send condolences to the family, make a donation and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

    Kayla Rene Mathieu, 29, of Lovers Leap Drive, Murphy, and formerly of Blairsville, Ga., passed away Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Andrews, following a sudden illness.
    Kayla was born Jan. 24, 1989, in Blairsville, Ga., the daughter of Michelle Mathieu and Chad Stephens.
    Kayla was a loving and caring daughter, sister, niece and a friend to so many. Her family was her life.
    She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Michael Mathieu Sr.
    Kayla attended Harmony Grove Baptist Church.
    Surviving Kayla are her parents, Michelle Mathieu and Chad Stephens of Blairsville; three sisters, Ashley Stephens, Maranda Stephens, Delana Stephens, all of Blairsville; brother, Cooper Stephens of Blairsville; grandmothers, Barbara Mathieu of Murphy, and Lela Stephens of Blairsville; aunts and uncles, Mike and Sheila Mathieu, and Tania Mathieu; several cousins; many other relatives and friends also survive.
    Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 10, from Mountain View Chapel with the Rev. Scotty Jarrard officiating. The following gentleman will serve as pallbearers: Chad Stephens, Michael Mathieu Jr., Michael Mathieu III, Cory Mathieu, Cody Armitage and Chris Green. Interment will follow in Harmony Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.
    The family will meet with friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 9, at the funeral home.
    In lieu of flowers, if you wish, the family requests donations may be made to help defray expenses in Kayla’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.
 

    Gertrude Thomas Raper, 99, passed away Wednesday, March 7, 2018, at home in Blairsville, Ga., surrounded by the family she loved unconditionally and who returned that love and devotion.  
    Gertrude was born June 22, 1918, in the Dooley community of Union County, Ga.  
    She was preceded in death by her parents, John B. and Mary Jane Rogers Thomas; her husband, Arthur William Raper; two sons, Hubert and Marvin Raper; her great-granddaughter, Alexandra Blackwell; her sisters, Adele Potts, Oply Botts and Juanita Nichols; her brothers, Guy and Theodore Thomas; her daughter-in-law, Martha Hensley Raper; her son-in-law, Eugene Fair; her granddaughter-in-law, Lisa Timpson Fair; and her great-grandson-in-law, Andrew Ethridge.  
    She is survived by her son, Hoyt Raper; her daughters, LaVaughn Fair and Verniece “Tootsie” (Joe) Kilpatrick; her daughters-in-law, Dorothy Oliver Raper and Terry Gibson Raper; her grandchildren, Terry (Jill) Fair, Lisa F. Sledge, Jennifer F. (Maynard) Cain, Julie Raper, Michael (Stacy) Raper, Kim K. (Richard) Blackwell, Erin K. (Marcel) Barre, Tara R. (Derek) Sena, Chris (Tonya) Raper and Nathan Raper;  great-grandchildren, Kristin F. Ethridge; Rachel and Ashley Fair; Misty Creason; Nicole and Joshua Kidd; Meagan Cain; Kaley, Michael W. and Zachary Raper; Grayson Blackwell; Katherine, Benjamin, Madeleine and William Barre; Maci and Erica Sena; and George Raper; great-great-grandsons, Kyle and Matt Kerchofer; her sister-in-law, Gladys Thomas; and many special nieces and nephews.
    Gertrude had a sharp wit, great sense of humor, strong work ethic and a warm personality that endeared her to all. Her great legacy will be her love for family.  As a true Southern matriarch, she was fiercely proud and protective, always keeping them close and being present for them.  Her happiest moments were spent with a house full of children and grandchildren, and it always included huge meals she prepared from her garden. She also loved being with friends and neighbors.
    Her primary job was raising five children, which she did with great skill. Along with that she worked as a “Rosie” the riveter for Bell Bomber during World War II; a merchant, baker and seamstress. She was known for her beautiful handmade quilts, which she sold to supplement her income.
    Gardening, canning, travel and reading were her favorite pastimes.  Widowed at age 51, she was able to travel with her adult children coast to coast and overseas but was always happy to return to her beloved mountains. Each time she embarked on a trip, she would say, “Off on another adventure!”
    Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 10, from Mountain View Chapel in Blairsville with the Rev. Tony Black officiating. Special music will be presented by Kaley Raper. Pallbearers were grandsons, Terry Fair, Michael Raper, Nathan Raper, Chris Raper, Michael W. Raper, Benjamin Barre, Zachary Raper and William Barre.
    Interment will follow in Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery.
    The family will meet with friends from noon-2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home prior to the services.
    In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Bethany Cemetery Trust, c/o Glenda Herndon, P.O. Box 1261, Blue Ridge, GA 30513.
    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.

Aug. 24, 1941-March 3, 2018
    David Jamison passed away Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Murphy from complications with lung cancer.
    David was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, to Ernie and Kay Jamison. His family moved to Atlanta in 1945.
    David survived his older brother, Larry (15), in a tragic car accident at age 12. In this accident, he claims to have been to heaven surrounded by the light and love of God, but returned to us with purpose.
    David graduated from Florida Southern University in Lakeland, Fla. He held a successful career in commercial construction as president of Early Co. and Jamison Co. with his father in Atlanta. He later began constructing homes, both on land and water through Jamison Custom Builders and Jamison Custom Motor Yachts.
    David was able to parlay his love of people and cars in his second career in automotive sales spanning more than 16 years. He was embraced by his clients so much that he made “Salesperson of the Year” so many times that he was no longer allowed to participate.
    His most rewarding personal journey began when he relocated to Andrews. He became a cherished member of Marble Springs Baptist Church, where he served diligently as an active greeter, men’s Bible study participant and a spiritual leader to anyone open to receive “The Word.”
    When he wasn’t happily attending to his wife, his church members and his children, he enjoyed golf, red wine and grilling the best cuts of meat, rare (of course), for anyone who would oblige.  
    David was married to his “wonderful bride,” Brenda Jamison, for just more than 26 years, which they celebrated together on March 1, 2018.  
    David’s family includes Larry Jamison (49), Michael Jamison (46), Kelly Jamison (43) and Aimee McCormick (29 again). His grandchildren include Ethan and Kyleigh Gonzalez, Christian Jamison, Joey Jamison and Jordan McCormick. Lest we forget his treasured best pet-pals, Boomer and Gray.
    A life celebration service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 18, at Marble Springs Baptist Church in Marble.
    As a treasured member of his church, David would have donations be made on his behalf to their Men’s Ministry. The contributions will support the ongoing needs of the Men’s groups in the Murphy community.

    Robert Dennis Witter, 67, of Murphy, passed away Friday, March 2, 2018, in Buncombe County, N.C.
    Robert was a native of Canton, Ohio, and the son of the late George and Lorna English Witter.
    He was a certified welder. Robert was a volunteer for several years at The Sharing Center in Murphy. He enjoyed making peace pipes.
    In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one grandson, Christopher Witter.
    He is survived by his wife, Mary Witter; four sons, Christopher Witter, Josh Devaul, Travis Dudley and E.J. Devaul; three daughters, Breanna Laizure, Shyloh Rogers and Tawnya Percy; one brother, George Witter; two sisters, Debbie Witter and Candi Stein; grandchildren, Avalynn, Samantha, Scotty, Deedra, John, Christin, Aidan, Lilly and R.J.; and one great grandchild, Rowan.
    A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 17, at Andrews United Methodist Church. The Rev. Mary Brown will officiate.
    You may send tributes to the Witter family at www.townson-rose.com.
    Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Aug. 24, 1941-March 3, 2018
    David Jamison passed away Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Murphy from complications with lung cancer.
    David was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, to Ernie and Kay Jamison. His family moved to Atlanta in 1945.
    David survived his older brother, Larry (15), in a tragic car accident at age 12. In this accident, he claims to have been to heaven surrounded by the light and love of God, but returned to us with purpose.
    David graduated from Florida Southern University in Lakeland, Fla. He held a successful career in commercial construction as president of Early Co. and Jamison Co. with his father in Atlanta. He later began constructing homes, both on land and water through Jamison Custom Builders and Jamison Custom Motor Yachts.
    David was able to parlay his love of people and cars in his second career in automotive sales spanning more than 16 years. He was embraced by his clients so much that he made “Salesperson of the Year” so many times that he was no longer allowed to participate.
    His most rewarding personal journey began when he relocated to Andrews. He became a cherished member of Marble Springs Baptist Church, where he served diligently as an active greeter, men’s Bible study participant and a spiritual leader to anyone open to receive “The Word.”
    When he wasn’t happily attending to his wife, his church members and his children, he enjoyed golf, red wine and grilling the best cuts of meat, rare (of course), for anyone who would oblige.  
    David was married to his “wonderful bride,” Brenda Jamison, for just more than 26 years, which they celebrated together on March 1, 2018.  
    David’s family includes Larry Jamison (49), Michael Jamison (46), Kelly Jamison (43) and Aimee McCormick (29 again). His grandchildren include Ethan and Kyleigh Gonzalez, Christian Jamison, Joey Jamison and Jordan McCormick. Lest we forget his treasured best pet-pals, Boomer and Gray.
    A life celebration service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 18, at Marble Springs Baptist Church in Marble.
    As a treasured member of his church, David would have donations be made on his behalf to their Men’s Ministry. The contributions will support the ongoing needs of the men’s groups in the Murphy community.

    Harvey D. Hanks, 93, of Murphy, passed away Wednesday, March 7, 2018, in a Pensacola, Fla., hospital.
    Born July 5, 1924, in Mount Sterling, Ky., Harvey had been living in the Hanging Dog community for the past 30 years.
    He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the United States Navy in the Pacific Theatre.
    He met his wife, Jane, in Ohio after the war. They were married for more than 70 years. Harvey retired from National Cash Register in the mid 1980s.
    He was a member of Boiling Springs Baptist Church.
    He was the son of the late Sam Austin and Bessie Bennett Hanks, and husband of the late Eulala Jane Davis Hanks, who died Dec. 23, 2016. He also was preceded in death by two brothers, Paul and William Hanks.
    Surviving are three sons, Terry Hanks of Pensacola, Fla., Mike Hanks and wife Susan of Indianapolis, Ind., and Sam Hanks and wife Judy of Andrews; and eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandson.
    Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, with the Rev. Eddis Dockery officiating. Interment was in Hanging Dog Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers were Terry Hanks, Mike Hanks, Rex Davis, Thomas Hanks, Jason Hanks and Max O’Dell.
    The family received friends from 1-2:45 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, at Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, prior to the services.
    The family requests memorials be made in memory of Harvey D. Hanks to Hanging Dog Baptist Church Cemetery Maintenance and Preservation Fund, c/o Garland Graves Jr., 3418 Grape Creek Road, Murphy, NC 28906.
    Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, was in charge of all arrangements.
    An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com.

    Eleanor Mayfield Ennis, 95, of Murphy, passed away Monday, March 12, 2018, at her residence.
    She was a native and lifelong resident of Cherokee County. Eleanor was the daughter of the late Giles William and Lily May Brittan Cover.
    Marion and Eleanor were the founders of Ennis Hardware in Andrews in 1961.
    She loved her family, telling stories of growing up and her garden. Eleanor was a member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Andrews.
    In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Marion Ennis; one brother, Bill Cover; and two sisters, Jane Cover Orr and Anne Cover.
    She is survived by her son, Giles Ennis and wife Pam of Murphy; one daughter, Ellaree Clonts and husband Winfield of Murphy; and five grandsons, Jeff Ennis, Brandon Clonts and wife Cristen, Adam Clonts and wife Kayla, Greg Ennis and wife Jocelyn and Logan Clonts.
    Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Andrews. Pastor Richard Hanson will officiate. Burial will be in Valleytown Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jeff and Greg Ennis, Brandon, Adam and Logan Clonts.
    The family will receive friends from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church.
    In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Andrew Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 1941, Andrews, NC 28901.
    You may send tributes to the Ennis family at www.townson-rose.com.
    Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

    Helene Marjorie Fielding Basse, 91, of Brasstown, passed away Saturday, March 10, 2018, at her residence.
    She was a native of Lucas County, Ohio, and daughter of the late William Herbert and Mildred Thom Fielding.
    Helene was a homemaker. She was an accomplished artist and loved the arts. She enjoyed sewing, quilting and gardening. Helene had a great sense of humor. She was very involved politically as a Republican in Delaware County.
    Helene also was a business owner with her husband in Atlantic Beach, Fla.
    In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Nelson Basse; brother, William Fielding; and one grandchild, Jaime Davis.
    She is survived by one son, Mark Basse and wife Susan of Carmel Valley, Calif.; three daughters, Susan Davis of Knoxville, Tenn., Kimberley Strate of Neptune Beach, Fla., and Jennifer Gray and husband Michael of Brasstown; one sister, Lois Farwell of Smithville, Tenn.; seven grandchildren, Nicholas Strate, Matthew Strate, Meghan Davis, Patrick Gray, Sara Basse, Christopher Ryan and Joshua Gray; and one great-grandchild, Goldie Green Strate.
    Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 18, at Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Murphy. Eulogies will be given by family and friends. Burial will be in Maggie’s Chapel Cemetery in Brasstown. Pallbearers will be Nicholas Strate, Matthew Strate, Christopher Ryan, Joshua Gray, Patrick Gray and Mark Basse.
    The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, March 17, at Townson-Rose Funeral Home in Murphy.
    You may send tributes to the Basse family at www.townson-rose.com.
    Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
 

    Lifetime Andrews resident Albert Conley “Buster or Buck,” 99 years, 11 months and 25 days, passed away Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at his home. He would have been 100 in six days.
    Buster was born March 20, 1918, in Andrews to Girdine (Gird) Conley from Franklin and Hattie Louise Carpenter from Graham County. He was fourth in line of six siblings, which were Frank, Glen, Thelma Dockery, Bonnie Mae Derreberry and Dorothy Day.
    Buster met his future wife, Ruth Brown, from Andrews, while at a church meeting.
    He was a devout Christian and never passed up the opportunity to talk about Jesus to others.
    He was a member of Red Marble Baptist Church, where he was a Sunday school teacher, superintendent of Sunday school and a deacon most of his life.
    In 1937, Buster joined a Civilian Conservation Corps camp in South Carolina, where he worked two days, then decided to join the Army. He went to Asheville, where he was inducted, then sent to Charleston, S.C., a camp for World War I soldiers, to sail on the Saint Mahalia to the Panama Canal Zone. He reached Panama and Fort Davis, where he “cut a trail from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean through the jungles of the Panama Canal Zone.”
    He spent two years there but when World War II broke out and Pearl Harbor was bombed in 1942, he decided to reenlist.
    He was then sent to Sheppard Field, Texas, in the Army Air Corps. While there, he requested to go overseas and fight. His instructor informed him “If I send you, I lose one man, if I keep you here to train men, I save thousands of lives.” He became a drill instructor at Sheppard Field, Texas, where he did train those thousands of men. If he had not agreed to stay and train those men, he would have shipped out with the guys in his company. They were the soldiers that ended up on the Bataan Death March.
    He came home Nov. 14, 1942, where he and Ruth were married. Then he returned to Texas to finish his job.
    Albert was a great storyteller, and has recorded some of his life stories on the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, and is an official part of the Story Corps Archives. You may hear his interviews of Albert Conley at at1002485.
    Buster is survived by four children, Ronald Albert and wife Eleanor Ferguson Conley of Parrottsville, Tenn., Sherry Linda West and husband Eddie of Andrews, Donna Elaine Adams and husband Odis (Eddie) of Andrews, and Darrel Lynn and wife Margie Sanderson Conley of Rutherfordton. There are 12 grandchildren: Lynn, Albert, Myra Lee, Michaela, Joseph, James and Jacob Conley, Danny, Chris and Cynthia West, Nicholas and Jerome Adams; and 17 great-grandchildren.
    Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 17, at Red Marble Baptist Church with the Revs. Mickey Stewart and Mary Brown officiating.
    Interment will be in the church cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by Andrews VFW Post 7620. Pallbearers will be Lynn Conley, Albert Conley, Myra, Lee Conley, Michaela Gandy, Joseph Conley, James Conley, Jacob Conley, Danny and Chris West, Cynthia Postell Nicholas and Jerome Adams.
    The family will receive friends from 2-3:45 p.m. Saturday, March 17, at Red Marble Baptist Church prior to the services.
    In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Albert “Buster” Conley to Red Marble Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Martha Postell, 1201 Red Marble Road, Andrews, NC 28901.
    Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews, is in charge of all arrangements.
    An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com.

    Howard William Johnson, 75, of Covington, Ga., formerly of Cherokee County, passed away Tuesday, March 13, 2018.
    Mr. Johnson was born May 3, 1942, in Knoxville, Tenn., to the late Willis Johnson and Ada Kilby Satterfield.
    He was of the Baptist faith, retired from C&D Battery after 40 years of service.
    He enjoyed playing ball with his granddaughter, gardening, raising chickens and was a good cook.
    Survivors include his wife, Linda Johnson; daughters, Tammy Renne Cummins and Tabitha Rachelle Johnson Iida; and granddaughter, Maci Elizabeth Cummins.
    Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 15, at Cochran Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Shylan Woods officiating. Interment followed in Unaka Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers were Mike Memmers, Dusty Patterson, Jerry Patterson, Creed Patterson, Melvin Patterson and Kyle Thurman.
    The family received friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, March 15, at Cochran Funeral Home.
    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.

    Missi Roberson, 47, of Murphy, passed away Wednesday, March 14, 2018, in an Andrews care facility.
    She was a native and lifetime resident of Cherokee County.
    Missi loved spending time with her grandkids. She had a way with making others smile and put other’s needs above hers. She enjoyed singing, watching movies, and most of all, spending time with her family.
    She was an amazing mother, and will be greatly missed by her surviving family.
    She was the daughter of the late Mary Katherine Henson Stewart. She is also preceded in death by a brother, Eddie Stewart.
    Surviving are a daughter, Snoi Edmondson and husband Dalton of Murphy; a son, Michael Roberson and wife Alex of Murphy; her father and stepmother, Ray and Lynn Stewart of Lewiston, Maine; and four grandchildren, Dallas Roberson, Mya Edmondson, and Xander and Trinity Dockery.
    No local services are planned at this time.
    Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, is in charge of arrangements.
    An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com.

    Charles Ian Angus Linnhe Reid of Biltmore Forest in Asheville passed away Friday, March 16, 2018, at Givens Health Center at age 92.
    He was born Dec. 23, 1925, at his family home in Nairn (near Inverness), Scotland, U.K., and had lived in western North Carolina since 2001.
    He grew up in London and received his early schooling at Stonyhurst Academy, a private boys’ boarding school in Lancashire, U.K. After service in the British Navy in World War II, he graduated from Oxford University with both a Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Arts in chemistry, continuing a Reid family tradition of industrial chemists. His grandfather, Thomas Reid, was chairman of the British Linen Bank and Nobel’s Explosives, the company set up by Alfred Nobel to manufacture and market dynamite in Great Britain. The family lived at that time at “Kilmardinny House” in Bearsden near Glasgow, Scotland.
    After a two-year sabbatical in Killarney, Ireland, Charles joined Monsanto Corporation in London, and eventually its international division, which brought him to the United States as a specialist in the tire industry. This took him frequently to Southeast Asia. After lengthy postings in Akron, Ohio, Hong Kong and Brussels, Belgium, he was tasked with the establishment of Monsanto’s first branch office in Moscow, then the USSR.
    He retired to Sydney, Australia, in 1982. There he met and married, in 1997, Nancy Sales Cash, a native of Murphy and long-time resident of Sydney, who survives him.  In 2006 they moved full-time to Asheville from Sydney, having lived here part-time for five years.
    His parents were Charles Thomas (C.T.) and Jean Allen Reid. He is survived by five children from two previous marriages (both previous spouses are deceased): Catriona Taralrud-Bay and Dominique Reid of Melbourne, Australia; Caroline Bowen of Bozeman, Mont.; Iain Reid of Chesapeake, Va.; Gordon Reid of Sydney, Australia; eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; goddaughter Elspeth Collins-Taylor Shaw of Hong Kong; and godson Christopher Williams of Chesire, U.K.
    The “bairn from Nairn,” as Charles called himself with a smile, was an avid gardener and hobby farmer, an unenthusiastic golfer, and an indefatigable traveler, sailor and epicurean. He was a member of The Hong Kong Club and Biltmore Forest Country Club. For more than 65 years, he was a member of The Royal Institute of Chemistry in the U.K.
    A funeral service conducted by Nancy’s cousin, the Rev. Michael Shuford, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Elkin, will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 19, at Tomotla United Methodist Church near Murphy. Burial will follow immediately in the Sales family section of the Tomotla Community Cemetery.
    Ivie Funeral Home of Murphy is handling arrangements for the family.
    An online memorial is available at www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com.
    The family requests that any donations be made in Charles’ name to Care Partners, 68 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville NC 28803.

    Missi Roberson, 47, of Murphy, passed away Wednesday, March 14, 2018, in an Andrews care facility.
    She was a native and lifetime resident of Cherokee County.
    Missi loved spending time with her grandkids. She had a way with making others smile and put other’s needs above hers. She enjoyed singing, watching movies and, most of all, spending time with her family.
    She was an amazing mother, and will be greatly missed by her surviving family.
    She was the daughter of the late Mary Katherine Henson Stewart. She is also preceded in death by a brother, Eddie Stewart.
    Surviving are a daughter, Snoi Edmondson and husband Dalton of Murphy; a son, Michael Roberson and wife Alex of Murphy; her father and stepmother, Ray and Lynn Stewart of Lewiston, Maine; and four grandchildren, Dallas Roberson, Mya Edmondson, and Xander and Trinity Dockery.
    No local services are planned at this time.
    Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, is in charge of arrangements.
    An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com.