Obituaries

Ellen M McGaha

Ellen M McGaha, 67, of Bryson City went home to be with the Lord Saturday, January 4, 2019. A lifelong resident of Swain County, she was the daughter of the late James Ellis and Dessie Barker McGugan and wife of the late Donnie McGaha. She faithfully attended Bryson City Church of God.

Rickie Calvin Garrison

Rickie Calvin Garrison, age 69, of the Shepherd’s Creek Community, Bryson City, North Carolina, died January 5, 2020, at home surrounded by his family and friends. Rickie was born May 16, 1950, in Marietta, Georgia, the son of the late Christine and Calvin Garrison of Homer, Georgia.

Dan Conner

Dan Conner, age 92 of Pigeon Forge, passed away Tuesday, December 24, 2019. Dan built “Dan’s Service Station” in 1952 and ran it until 1964.  He and Norma Jean built and ran the Norma Dan Motel from 1958 until they retired in 1989.

Kathryn “Kathy’ Holder

Kathryn “Kathy’ Holder, 64, of Whittier, went home to be with the Lord, Tuesday evening December 24, 2019. A native of Swain County she was the daughter of the late Bob and Vinnie Queen Hyde. Kathy was a member of Patterson Chapel Baptist Church, she loved to fish, play her guitar and sing.

Robert Dennis Mathews

Robert Dennis Mathews of the Tow String Community, Cherokee, NC, soared home with the Angels on December 26th, 2019.

Eugene Ralph Burke

Eugene Ralph Burke, of the Alarka community, passed into his eternal rest on the evening of December 21, 2019—on the Winter Solstice, the year’s shortest day and longest night.

Jonathan Joseph Molinatto

Jonathan Joseph Molinatto, best known as Jon, 96, of the Coopers Creek Community, Bryson City, NC, died Saturday, December 21, 2019 in hospice care in Calabash, NC.

Loretta Margaret Greene Lewis

Loretta Margaret Greene Lewis, 83, of Whittier went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, December 18, 2019. A native of Swain County, she was the daughter of the late Arvil and Jane Parton Greene. She was a member of Wilmot Baptist Church.

Wayne McMillan

Wayne McMillan, 73, of Whittier went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at his residence. A native of Swain County and proud member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, he was the son of the late Clifford and Mary Brady McMillan.

Mary Catron

Mary Catron, 66, of Bryson City went to be with the Lord on November 25, 2019. She was the daughter of the late Albert and Berthine Shankin. Mary enjoyed the mountains and the outdoors of the area.  She was an artist and also enjoyed fishing.