Obituaries

Larry Burton Spence

Wed, 07/11/2018 - 2:57pm

Larry Burton Spence, age 77, went home to the Lord on July 7th. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather.

He was born to Maxine and Burton Spence on March 23, 1941 in Carthage, Missouri.

Surviving are his wife Carol of 49 years. His son, Larry Jr.; daughters, Sandra and Pam; his grandchildren, Logan, Taylor, Krystal and Shannon.

He was a member of the Whittier Church of God, a retired Navy Veteran, a member of the VFW Post 9281, and a member of the American Legion Post 143.

Jackie Joe Crowder, 77, of Canton, formerly of Bryson City went home to be with the Lord Thursday, June 28, 2018. He was the son of the late Oscar and Frances Collins Crowder and wife of the late Betty Crowder. He was also preceded in death by his son, Eddie Crowder.

He was a member of Whittier Baptist Church and a US Army Veteran.

Jackie is survived by his son, Michael Crowder; granddaughter, Jessica; three sisters, Polly Taylor, Annie Kirkland and Wille Garren; many nieces and nephews and a special companion, Claudia Trantham.

Nova Eugene Stucker Jr.

Tue, 07/03/2018 - 2:09pm

Nova Eugene Stucker Jr., a mechanical engineer and former Marine, died in his home on June 22, 2018 at the age of 60.

Michael Dean Payne

Tue, 07/03/2018 - 2:08pm

Michael Dean Payne, 62, passed away Sunday July 1st peacefully at Hospice House in Asheboro, NC. He was born January 11, 1956 in Bryson City, NC where he attended Swain County schools and graduated from Western Carolina University.

He was the son of the late Roy and Gladys Payne. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Troy and Kip Payne.

Charles Kenneth Marr

Tue, 07/03/2018 - 2:08pm

Charles Kenneth Marr born March 22, 1947, passed away June 26, 2018. He was predeceased by Mother Wilma Davis, Father Ray Marr, sister Katherine and brother Harvey.

Survived by brother Raymond Marr (Leigh) of Huntersville, NC and Niece Kristina (Cody) Prince of Asheboro NC who was by his side as he left this life for a better place. Niece Tammy Stein of Gastonia NC, Nephew Stephen Renzi of Blacksburg SC.

A memorial service will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, July 21, 2018 at Crisp Funeral Home Chapel.

Mary King Parker

Tue, 07/03/2018 - 2:07pm

Mary King Parker, 87, of Catawba passed away on Sunday, June 24, 2018 at Catawba Valley Medical Center.

She was born August 29, 1930 in Swain County to the late James Wesley Styles and Elsie Mae Green Malone. Mary was a member of Welcome Baptist Church in Catawba. Mary and her husband, Guy spent many years working as Custodians at Bandys High School. She was the leader of the Freedom 4H Club in Catawba and sold Avon for 45 years.

Dewey “Rodney” Kirkland

Wed, 06/27/2018 - 12:47pm

Dewey “Rodney” Kirkland, 74 of Whittier, NC passed away June 7, 2018. He was born January 21, 1944 to James Harley & Ida Ann Kirkland.

He was preceeded in death by his parents and 8 siblings.

He is survived by his children Benny, Charles, Ida, William, Jody, Matthew, and Mark, 12 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.

There will be no services per his last requests. Per his wishes, his remains were donated to science.

Raymond Ragel Jacobs

Wed, 06/27/2018 - 12:46pm

Raymond Ragel Jacobs, age 82, passed away peacefully at home and stepped into heaven on June 10, 2018 to be reunited with his loved ones waiting for him. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Ray was born in Almond, NC on March 29, 1936 to the late Dora Stanberry and Byrd P. Jacobs. The family moved to Bryson City when The Fontana Dam was built.

He is survived by his wife Rachel Jacobs. They celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary on May 2, 2018.

George Robert Elder

Wed, 06/27/2018 - 12:45pm

George Robert Elder, 67, of Bryson City, went home to be with the Lord, Sunday, June 24, 2018. A native of New York and longtime resident of Bryson City, he was the son of the late Robert William Elder and Alice Mills Elder. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a step-son Timothy Hartwell Mangum Jr.

He is survived by his fiancée Dora Moore Mangum of Bryson City, and a step-son William Edward Mangum of Bryson City.

Timothy Hartwell Mangum Jr.

Wed, 06/27/2018 - 12:45pm

Timothy Hartwell Mangum Jr., 39, of Bryson City, went home to be with the Lord, Tuesday, June 19, 2018. A native of Swain County, he was the son of Dora Moore Mangum of Bryson City and step-son of George Elder of Bryson City.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents Cas Moore and Georgia Moore Rogers.

In addition to his parents, he is also survived by his brother, William Edward Mangum of Bryson City; two uncles; two aunts, and several cousins.

Funeral services were held 1:00 PM Thursday at Crisp Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Kenny Ball officiated.

Patsy Barnes Hill

Wed, 06/20/2018 - 2:26pm

Patsy Barnes Hill, 71, of Bryson City went to be with the Lord after a brief illness Monday, June 11, 2018 at her residence. A native of Swain County, she was the daughter of the late Willard “Bill” and Ruth Burnette Barnes and wife of the late William “Bob” Hill.

Patsy was born December 29, 1946 spending her life living in rural NC. Patsy loved the mountains and the people who lived there. She remained active within her church and community throughout her life and genuinely cared about others.

Roy Shultz

Wed, 06/20/2018 - 2:25pm

Roy Shultz, 76, of the Alarka Community went home to be with the Lord, Wednesday, June 13, 2018. A native of Lincolnton and longtime resident of Bryson City, he was the son of the late Lee Shultz and Marie Reep Shultz Byers. In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by his brother, Steve Shultz; step-son, Tim Houser; step-grandchildren, Christin Phillips, and D.J. McGaha.

He was a good businessman and a fine Christian who loved the Lord. He was a beloved dad, step-dad, and granddad. He was a devoted member of the Alarka Church of God for over 15 years.

Edna Marie DeHart

Wed, 06/20/2018 - 2:24pm

Edna Marie DeHart, 89, of the Kirklands Creek Community in Bryson City, went home to be with her Lord on Sunday, June 17, 2018.

Edna “Marie” was preceded in death by her parents, John and Victoria DeHart.

Brothers Elias Carroll, Hurshel Haze, Joseph Kale, James A., and Benjamin J. DeHart. Sisters Eliza DeHart Seay and Rachael Eve DeHart. She was also survived by several loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Edna was a member of the Holly Springs Baptist Church and was retired from the United States Federal Government where she was employed at the Pentagon.

Peter Francis Jacobs

Wed, 06/13/2018 - 2:24pm

Peter Francis Jacobs, 70, of Whittier, passed away peacefully, Saturday June 9, 2018, surrounded by family, after a long battle with cancer.

A native of Connecticut, and longtime resident of Whittier, NC, he was the son of the late Clinton Levern and Fayetta Frances Sharron Jacobs. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his sister, Cathy and his half-brother, Michael.

He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Teresa Tennyson Jacobs; sisters, Nora, Maggie, and Mary, and by a variety of family and friends.

Billie Jean Smith