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Marie Thomas
Marie Thomas, 83, of Cullowhee, died Tuesday, April 12, 2005, at Mountain Trace Nursing Center after a period of declining health.
Memorial services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 16, at Cullowhee Baptist Church with the Revs. Jack Hinson, Joe Yelton, Dr. Jeffery Vickery and Tonya Vickery officiating.
A native of Carroll County, Va., she was a graduate of Western Carolina University and a veteran of the U.S. Navy Waves. She was a member of Cullowhee Baptist Church since 1967 and had taught Sunday school for 25 years. She enjoyed vegetable gardening and working in flowers. She was a daughter of the late George W. and Sarah E. Tompkins Hawks.
She was also preceded in death by five sisters and two brothers.
Surviving are her husband, Pelham Thomas; one son, James Paul Thomas of Cullowhee; five daughters, Sarah Jane Thomas of Asheville, Susan Marie Renaud of Gainesville, Fla., Nancy Lynn Davis of Crawfordsville, Fla., Martha Louise Thomas of Cullowhee and Mary Elizabeth Herman of Abingdon, Va.; one brother, Paul Hawks of Mt. Airy; two sisters, Ruby Thompson of Arizona and Alma Lawrence of Dobson; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Moody Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
An online memorial and guest registry is available at www.pemoody.com.
Deck Stewart
Deck Stewart, 78, of Cullowhee, died Sunday, April 17, 2005, at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital.
Funeral services were held at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, at Yellow Mountain Baptist Church, of which he was a member, with the Rev. Keith Ashe officiating. Burial was in Stewart Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Charles Ingram Jr., Jimmy Ingram, Jeff Stewart, Jeremy Stewart, Marvin Bumgarner Jr., and Michael Bumgarner.
A native of Jackson County, he worked in construction and was a son of the late Deck and Edith Amy Stewart.
He was also preceded in death by one brother, Mack Stewart; and one grandson.
Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Willa Mae Stewart; one daughter, Cynthia Heaps; one son, David Stewart; and six grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Stewart Cemetery Fund, c/o Carl Stewart, 3295 Yellow Mountain Rd., Cullowhee, NC 28723.
Bryant Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Online sympathy messages may be sent by visiting www.bryantfuneralhomes.com.
Bessie Morgan
Bessie Hensley Morgan, 94, of Old Settlement Road, Sylva, died Thursday, April 14, 2005, at Skyland Care Center after a period of declining health.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 16, in the chapel of Melton-Riddle Funeral Home with the Revs. Ray McCall and Eddie Stillwell officiating. Burial was in Watauga Baptist Church Cemetery in Franklin.
Pallbearers were Don Poole, Terry Dillard, Tim Dillard, Mick Dillard, Jim Foxx and Lane Speich.
She was a native and lifelong resident of Jackson County and a member of Webster Baptist Church. She was the last of 12 children of the late Isaac and Belle Cunningham Hensley.
She was also preceded in death by her husband, Clint Morgan, who died in 1994, and two daughters, Cleo Dillard and Claudell Morgan.
Surviving are two daughters, Nellie Morgan of Sylva and Frances Foxx of Pisgah Forest, 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Claude McConnell
 James Claude McConnell, 83, of Webster, died Friday, April 15, 2005, at Harris Regional Hospital after several years of declining health.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 17, in the chapel of Melton-Riddle Funeral Home with Willard Cox and Mark Sparks officiating. Burial was in Fairview Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers were Charlie McConnell, Lee Myers, Mike Ensley, Allen Jones, Gary Woods and Del Reid.
Honorary pallbearers were Gene McConnell, James Barnwell, Bob Fox. Ben Bradsher, John Edwards and Gene Bradsher.
Born in Webster, he was a veteran of World War II, having served in France, Germany and England from 1942 to 1945. He was employed by Mead Corp. for 24 years, operated a grading business for 10 years and was a real estate broker for 10 years. He was a member of the Church of Christ and served as a deacon for many years. He was a son of the late William S. and Ethel A. McConnell.
He was also preceded in death by one brother, Charlie McConnell.
Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Ercie Fox McConnell; one son, Randy McConnell; one daughter, Latha Brooks; one sister, Dot Ensley of Sylva; and three grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Woodland Church of Christ Building Fund, P.O. Box 261, Webster, NC 28778.
Vernon Orr
Vernon Oliver “V.O.” Orr Jr., 70, of Whittier’s Wilmot community, died Wednesday, April 13, 2005, in a Buncombe County hospital.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 16, at Sawmill Hill Freewill Baptist Church, of which he was a member, with the Rev. Jim Lambert officiating. Burial was in Sawmill Hill Cemetery.
A native of Transylvania County, he lived in Jackson County since 1998. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and a retired pipe fitter. He was a son of the late Vernon Oliver Sr., and Essie Norton Orr.
He was also preceded in death by his stepfather, Welch Galloway.
Surviving are his wife, Virginia W. Orr; one son, Vernon Orr III of Chuckey, Tenn.; one daughter, Grace Jones of Piney Flats, Tenn.; three stepsons, Jay Sapp of Winston-Salem, Ronnie Sapp of Burlington and Michael Sapp of Charlotte; two stepdaughters, Lynn Murrin of Whittier and Sheila Proctor of Trinity; three grandchildren; eight stepgrandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and two stepgreat-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Rathbun Center, 121 Sherwood Rd., Asheville, N.C. 28803.
Crisp Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Rev. B.F. Pressley
Rev. B.F. Pressley, 89, of the Speedwell community, died Saturday, April 16, 2005.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, in the chapel of Melton-Riddle Funeral Home with the Rev. Steve Webb officiating. Burial was in Fairview Memorial Gardens with military rites conducted by William E. Dillard American Legion Post 104.
Pallbearers were Nathan Pressley, Gary Taylor, Phil Pressley, Clark Clayton, Larry Morton and George Rector.
He was born June 19, 1915, on Pressley Creek, of which he was a lifelong resident.He was a retired farmer, carpenter and minister and was a member of Speedwell Baptist Church. He was honorably discharged after serving three years in the U.S. Army in World War II. He received the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. After returning to the United States, he spent many years as a carpenter and builder and was involved in the construction of many of the buildings on the campus of Western Carolina University, as well as many homes in the Jackson County area. He retired from WCU in 1980. He was called to the ministry and ordained in 1966 and was elected pastor at Black Mountain, Little Savannah, Tilley Creek and Piney Mountain churches. He enjoyed studying the Bible, preaching, gardening and watching the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Braves. He was a son of the late Jake and Mary Pressley.
He was also preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Willa Mae; one brother, Roy Pressley; and two sisters, Blanche Taylor and Lena McConnell.
Surviving are two sons, Jack Pressley of Hendersonville and Randy Pressley of Cullowhee; two stepdaughters, Betty McFall of Gainesville, Ga., and Nellie Cooper of Greenville, S.C.; two brothers, Cling Pressley of Cullowhee and Clyde Pressley of Winchester, Va.; three grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
Memorials may be made to any organization that helps spread the message of Jesus Christ around the world.
Julius Taylor
Julius Francis Taylor, 61, of Cherokee’s Big Cove community, died Thursday, April 14, 2005, at Haywood Regional Medical Center.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 17, at Big Cove Baptist Church with Ray Kinsland and the Revs. James “Bo” Parris and James Sneed officiating. Burial was in Panther Family Cemetery with a military graveside service.
Pallbearers were James Panther, Jeremy Wachacha, Kenneth Panther, Richard Panther, Zachary Chekelelee and Richard French.
A native of Cherokee, he was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served during the Vietnam War. He served as a Big Cove Council member for two terms, from 1981-1985. He was a son of Katie Wolfe Panther of Cherokee and the late Julius Taylor.
Surviving in addition to his mother are two sons, Anthony Taylor of Sylva and Julius Taylor of Cherokee; one daughter, Lori Taylor of Cherokee; four sisters, Evelyn Wachacha of Robbinsville and Patricia Standingdeer, Gloria Panther and Deborah Panther of Cherokee; four brothers, Patrick Panther, Richard Panther, Kenneth Panther and James Panther, all of Cherokee; and five grandchildren.
Crisp Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Scott Peterkin
Donald Scott Peterkin Jr., 51, of Cashiers, died unexpectedly Tuesday, April 12, 2005.
Memorial services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at High Hampton Inn and Country Club with the Revs. Virginia Hill Monroe and Steve Hines officiating.
Born in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., and a former resident of Long Island, N.Y., he was a high school graduate of the Brooks School in North Andover, Mass., and received his bachelor of science in anthropology from Western Carolina University after attending two years at Lake Forest University in Lake Forest, Ill. After college, he spent time in Africa on several anthropological explorations. He lived in Cashiers for most of his adult life and owned and operated the Cornucopia Restaurant for the past 27 years. He was involved in many charitable activities, was a former president and active member of the Smoke Rise Field Club and an avid outdoorsman. He was a son of the late Donald Scott and Mary Byrd Peterkin.
Surviving is one brother, Brien Peterkin.
Memorials may be made to the Cashiers rescue squad or fire department.
Moody Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Dennis Parker
Dennis R. “Dink” Parker, 51, of Skyland Drive, Sylva, died Saturday, April 16, 2005, at the V.A. Medical Center in Asheville following a period of declining health.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Monday, April 18, in the chapel of Melton-Riddle Funeral Home with the Revs. Eddie Stillwell and Mike Farmer officiating. Burial was in Fairview Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers were Andy Parker, Trent Dillard, Mike Cooper, Carl Davis, Bruce Cabe and Johnny Wilson.
He was born in Augusta, Ga., and was a lifelong resident of Jackson County. He retired as a truck driver from Parker Paving and was a U.S. Army veteran. He was a son of Faye Bryson Parker of Sylva and the late Andy Lee Parker.
Surviving, in addition to his mother, are one daughter, Leigh A. Parker of Sylva; one sister, Lenoir Cabe of Lawrence, Ga.; and two brothers, Jimmy and Larry Parker of Sylva.
James Nations
James Alvin Nations Sr., 83, of Augusta, Ga., died Sunday, April 10, 2005, at University Health Care in Augusta.
Graveside services were held Wednesday, April 13, in Hillcrest Memorial Park with the Rev. Michael S. Thigpen officiating.
He was retired from Textron Industries, was a 32nd degree Mason and a past member of Southgate Baptist Church. He was a son of the late John Fred and Lola Parris Nations.
He was also preceded in death by his wife, Elsie R. Bush Nations, and one brother, Harvey Nations.
Surviving are two sons, James A. Nations Jr., of Sylva and Jack Bush of Warrenton, S.C.; three daughters, Judith Nations Clark of Appling, Ga., Cathy Nations Bowen of North Augusta, S.C., and Bonita Susan Nations Parked of Augusta; one brother, Glenn Nations of Sylva; 12 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Elliott Sons Funeral Home of Augusta was in charge of arrangements.
Paul Buchanan
Robert Paul Buchanan, 91, of Rolling Green Drive, Sylva, died Saturday, April 16, 2005, at his residence after a period of declining health.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, at Sylva First Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. John Bunn officiating. Burial was in Fairview Memorial Gardens.
He was born June 15, 1913, in Sylva to the late Logan Alexander and Susan Louisa Brown Buchanan. He grew up in Sylva, graduated from Sylva Collegiate Institute in 1929, received a bachelor’s degree in science and history from Western Carolina Teachers College (now Western Carolina University) in 1934 and his master’s degree in education and history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1953. At Western he served as student body president and played baseball, football, basketball and played and coached tennis.
In 1933, he began his career at Webster High School teaching mathematics and science and coaching girls and boys basketball teams. He reported to Princeton, N.J., in May 1944 for indoctrination and was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve July 20, 1944. After attending communications schools at Harvard University and Norton Heights, Conn., he served in the Philippines and was discharged as a lieutenant in March 1946.
After returning to the United States, he became principal of Sunshine School in Rutherford County. From 1947 to 1963, he served as principal of Yadkinville School in Yadkin County and, during his years in Yadkinville, he was active in church, school and civic activities. At First Baptist Church, he served on the board of deacons, taught the men’s Bible class and was moderator of the Yadkin Baptist Association. He was on the Boy Scout Council of Yadkin County, charter member of the Lion’s Club and organizer of the Booster Club for Athletics. In the principals’ division of the Northwest District of North Carolina Educators Association, he served as secretary, vice president and president. The Yadkinville Jaycees awarded him an honorary life membership.
In 1963, he returned to Jackson County to become superintendent of schools, a post he held until his retirement in 1975. During that time many changes were made, including: the schools were accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and the Schools and the N.C. Department of Public Instruction; integration of Jackson County Schools took place before it became mandatory; special education classes for both the gifted and the mentally handicapped became a part of the system for the first time; specially trained teachers were hired to provide instruction in music, art and physical education for students; the county system was designated to receive one of the first eight Demonstration Kindergarten Programs in North Carolina; libraries were established in each school; and a local bond referendum was passed during this period.
Since returning to Jackson County, he was involved with many churches, professional and community activities. He has served as chairman of the board of directors and the board of trustees of Sylva First Baptist Church. He was a member of NCEA, National Educators Association, American Association of School Administrators, Phi Delta Kappa and the Sounding Board of the State Superintendent of Schools. He was president of the N.C. High School Athletic Association. Other groups he served with include Sylva Lion’s Club; Jackson County Chamber of Commerce; board of trustees of C.J. Harris Hospital (1966-1972), Southwestern Technical Institute (1967-1969) and Smoky Mountain Center for Mental Health (chairman); Fontana Regional Library Board (chairman); Council on Aging; Southwestern N.C. Planning and Economic Development Commission; and Board of Visitors of WCU.
His professional work and his volunteer services have brought him awards including Lion of the Year in 1972, Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 1966 and Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year in 1968. The office staff, principals, teachers, employees and students of Jackson County Schools honored him with an “Extravaganza” This Is Your Life program when he retired.
He was preceded in death by one son, Robert Paul Buchanan Jr.; and two sisters, Edith Buchanan and Dorothy Buchanan Higdon.
Surviving are his wife of 68 years, Mary Louise Gillespie Buchanan; one daughter, Martha Sue Wood of Waynesville; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Together We Grow, Sylva First Baptist Church, P.O. Drawer 1024, Sylva, NC 28779 or R.P. Buchanan Scholarship Fund, 349 Virginia Dr., Yadkinville, NC 27055.
Melton-Riddle Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. |
