Obituaries

Ruth Carollyn English

Wed, 04/24/2019 - 4:03pm

Ruth Carollyn English passed away April 19, 2019. Born in 1926 to Zenas and Mayme Hyatt.

She was a graduate of Swain County High School class of 1943 and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro class of 1947. Later obtaining her masters at University of Tennessee.

She was preceded in death by her brother Wayne, her husband Roy and son Samuel Wayne.

She is survived by her sons, Jim, Lee, Tom and their families all residing in Bryson City. Four Grandchildren, and Seven Great Grandchildren.

Ruth A. Owens

Wed, 04/24/2019 - 4:00pm

On April 10th, this world lost a gentle and caring woman, Mrs. Ruth A. Owens. She was 77.

Although she did not live in NC long, she touched many hearts while she was here. She leaves behind a personal legacy which will always be remembered.

There are many people who benefited from knowing her. There are many people saddened by her lose. She will leave a permanent void in many people’s lives, especially her son’s, William F. Owens, Jr.

She is now free from her recent struggles and able to join her husband, my father, at his side in Heaven.

Neal Grant Blanton

Thu, 04/18/2019 - 4:19pm

Neal Grant Blanton of the Toot Hollow Community, Bryson City, NC went home to be with the Lord and her loved ones on Monday, April 15, 2019.

A native of Swain County, Neal was born on February 1, 1921 to Dock Sidney and Ellen Woody Grant of Toot Hollow, Bryson City, NC. As a young girl she gave her heart to the Lord at the Bryson City First Baptist Church, years later it was there that her future husband, Grady A. Blanton first saw her as she sang in the choir.

David “Dave” Ensley

Thu, 04/18/2019 - 4:17pm

David “Dave” Ensley, 67, of the Painttown Community in Cherokee, North Carolina went to be with the Lord Saturday, April 13, 2019 after a courageous battle with cancer. Dave was the son of the late Herman B and Clydia Mae Hornbuckle Ensley.

Albin Rex Gwaltney

Thu, 04/11/2019 - 9:29am

Albin Rex Gwaltney passed away Tuesday, Apr. 03, 2019 at the age of 64.

Diagnosed with cancer, he battled it for nearly 4 months. Monday night he was admitted into Cherokee Indian Hospital and passed Tuesday around 6:30 pm.

Born in Norfolk, Virginia Mar. 27, 1955 to Mamie Lois Rogers and Albin Gwaltney.

Preceded in death by a son Jamie Paugh and wife Mary Ellen Gwaltney.

William David McNutt

Thu, 04/11/2019 - 9:29am

William David McNutt of Bryson City passed away on September 8, 2017 at the age of 86.

Martha Stewart Carter

Thu, 04/04/2019 - 10:54am

Asheboro – Martha Stewart Carter, 98, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 29, 2019 at Cross Road Retirement Community.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm Sunday, April 7, 2019 at Cross Road Baptist Church, of which she was a member, with Reverend Bernie Ramond officiating. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery.

Mrs. Carter was born February 8, 1921 in Vicksburg, IN to the late William Bleackley Stewart and the late Jean Christie Stewart.

Mr. Jesse Melvin Shuler

Thu, 04/04/2019 - 10:52am

Mr. Jesse Melvin Shuler, 80, of Bogue Chitto, MS passed away March 30, 2019, at his residence. He was born in Bryson City, NC, September 5, 1938, to Gordon and Ollie Shuler. Mr. Shuler served his country in the United States Air Force. “To Protect and Serve” being his ultimate goal, he was employed with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, then went on to become a United States Deputy Marshall. He was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason with Oasis Temple in Asheville, NC.

Dorothy Shuler Blythe

Wed, 03/27/2019 - 3:17pm

Dorothy Shuler Blythe, 88, of the Coopers Creek Community went home to be with the Lord Saturday, March 23, 2019 at Harris Regional Hospital after a short illness.

A lifelong resident of Swain County, she was the daughter of the late Hurschell and Laura Wiggins Shuler.

She was a member of Antioch Baptist Church on Coopers Creek.

James (Jim) Roland

Wed, 03/20/2019 - 3:00pm

James (Jim) Roland, 90, of Bryson City went home to be with the Lord Saturday, March 16, 2019. A native of Swain County, he was the son of the late Mark and Dolly Mathis Roland; husband of the late Dora Roland; and father of the late Walter Roland.

He was a member of Antioch Baptist Church.

He is survived by his daughter, Aileen McCoy; grandson, Jamie Cook; three great grandchildren, Megan Lucas, Emily McClung, Alex Cook; and two great great grandchildren.

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Bowers

Wed, 03/20/2019 - 3:00pm

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Bowers, 90, of the Alarka Community finally achieved her goal and went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday March 12, 2019.

A native of Swain County she was the daughter of the late Coleman Smith and Mary Brooks Franklin. In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by two brothers, Lon Smith and John Smith; two sisters, Belle Helton, and Edith Jenkins; two sons, Dexter Bowers and Eugene Bowers; one grandchild, Lonnie Eason, and a great great grandchild, Kyle Rose.

Omer Ledford

Wed, 03/20/2019 - 2:57pm

Omer Ledford, age 91 of Perry, passed away Saturday, March 9, 2019 at the David Simpson Hospice House in Euclid. Born October 4, 1927 in Bryson City, North Carolina he was the son of the late Fred Ledford, Sr. and Annie (Lindsay) Ledford. He married the love of his life, Geneva Earls in York, SC on August 7, 1950

Omer served in the U.S. Army as a Private First Class. He was decorated with the World War II Victory Medal.

Jenny Nabors Hane

Wed, 03/13/2019 - 3:21pm

Jenny Nabors Hane, 59, wife of Richard Hane, passed away Sunday March 10, 2019 at her home in Bryson City, NC.

Born in Easley, SC, she was a daughter of the late Betty Jo Prince Holcombe and step father, J.T. Holcombe.

Jenny worked for The Department of Social Services before moving to Bryson City. Because of her endearing personality, she immediately became a beloved soul while working for Mountain Perks in Bryson City.

Mary Green Ward

Wed, 03/13/2019 - 3:20pm

Mary Green Ward, 88, known to most as Mamaw Ward, entered into the presence of her Lord, at Mission Hospital, Sunday, March 10, 2019. A lifelong resident of Jackson county, she was an avid gardener and homemaker and loved bingo in her later years. She was preceded in death by her husband David Ward, and daughter, Barbara Gail Carnes.

Ray Lackey

Wed, 03/06/2019 - 3:16pm

Ray Lackey went to his Heavenly home Saturday, March 2, 2019. He was 88 years old.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Georgia Lois Lackey; daughter, Kathy; son Fred and Grandson, Michael; seven brothers and three sisters; his parents, Dutch and Talitha Lackey.

Ray was a Corporal in the US Army from 1950 - 1954 where he served during the Korean War.