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Jean Simonds
Jean Simonds, 76, of Bryson City’s Shepherds Creek community, died Monday, Oct. 29, 2007, at her residence.
Services were held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, in the chapel of Crisp Funeral Home with the Revs. Ray Fox and Dwayne Kirkland officiating.
Burial was in Holly Springs Cemetery.
A native of Swain County, she was a daughter of the late Felix and Mae Odiear Kirkland.
In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Tommy Simonds; three brothers, Paul, Kelly and James Kirkland; and one sister, Mary Kirkland.
Surviving are four sons, Harold Simonds of Bar Mills, Maine, Delbert Simonds of Bryson City, Bruce Simonds of Hendersonville and Brian Simonds of the home; three daughters, Lois Walker and Elizabeth Hull, both of Bryson City, and Virginia Meadows of Marshall; one brother, Troy Kirkland of Bryson City; one sister, Evelyn Jones of Darrington, Wash.; 11 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
An online registry is available at www.crispfuneralhome.com.
Levon Moore
Levon Lewis Moore, 68, of Monteith Branch Road, Sylva, died Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007, at Harris Regional Hospital after a brief illness.
Services were held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 4, at Moses Creek Baptist Church, of which she was a member, with the Revs. Marlan Keener and Don Moffit officiating.
Burial was in Old Field Cemetery. Pallbearers were grandsons.
A native and lifelong resident of Jackson County, she was a retired textile operator at Sylco.
A daughter of the late Roscoe Emlus and Dovola Hawkins Lewis, she was also preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Dillard Moore, who died in 2003.
Surviving are one daughter, Kimberly Kelly of Sylva; two sons, Richard Moore of Broadway, and Toby Moore of Sylva; one sister, Phyllis Wilson of Sylva; two brothers, Bill Lewis and Ray Lewis, both of Sylva; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Moses Creek Baptist Church, c/o Martha Stephens, 407 Sunrise Park Rd., Sylva, NC 28779.
Melton-Riddle Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mursetis Hyatt
Mursetis Young Hyatt, 96, of Whittier, died Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007.
Services were held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 4, at Shoal Creek Baptist Church, of which she was a member, with the Rev. Stephen Jamison officiating.
Burial was in Thomas Memorial Cemetery. Pallbearers were Gregory Hockman, Stan Cotten, Russell Hyatt, John Rusty Creekmore, Paul Cunningham and Scott Moore. Honorary pallbearers were Joseph Cotten, William Hockman, Bobby Davis and Ronald Sowers.
A native of Mitchell County, she was one of 11 children born to the late D.M. and Mary Conley Young.
She graduated from Lees McRae College in 1931 and began teaching in a one-room, one-teacher school house in Swain County. That same year she met Samuel P. Hyatt, the principal of a nearby school. They married in 1932. She attended Western Carolina Teachers College.
After her marriage she assisted her husband as an educator, who served several schools in Western North Carolina, before coming to work on the Cherokee Indian Reservation in 1941. She was co-manager of a restaurant operated by the Cherokee Historical Association and a substitute teacher in several reservation schools during the 1940s and ’50s. She had been a member of West Asheville Baptist Church.
Survivng are her husband of 75 years, Samuel Hyatt; one son, Robert Hyatt; two daughters, Theresa Cotten and Frances Hockman; one sister, Dorothy Gentry of Columbia, S.C.; nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Ave., Staten Island, NY 10305.
Moody Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Annie Jessan
Annie Arch Jessan, 97, of Cherokee’s Yellowhill Community, died Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007, in a Cherokee health care facility.
Graveside services were held at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 5, at Drama Cemetery with the Rev. James “Bo” Parris officiating.
A native of Cherokee, she was the daughter of the late Thompson Conseen and Irene Arch.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Sim Jessan, one daughter, Shirlene George; and one infant son, Robert Norman Jessan.
Surviving are two daughters, Eleanor George of Claremont, Calif., and Millie Queen of Cherokee; one stepdaughter, Lillian Thompson of Cherokee; 10 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.
An online registry is available at www.crispfuneralhome.com.
Richard Haynes
Richard Morrill Haynes, 62, of Wenlock Way, Waynesville, died on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007, at Mission Hospitals, Asheville.
Services were held at 4 p.m., Monday, Nov. 5, at First United Methodist Church of Waynesville with The Rev. Dr. W. Lyn Sorrells officiating.
A native of Boston, Mass., he was a son of the late Robert Morrill and Ruth Altstetter Haynes.
He earned a bachelors degree from Florida Southern University, his master’s degree from Rollins College and his doctorate from Duke University. Prior to his retirement, he was the director of student teaching, a graduate professor, and recently named professor emeritus at Western Carolina University, where he had served since 1988. He was actively involved in the Stephen Ministry and was a member of First United Methodist Church of Waynesville.
Survivng are his wife of 38 years, Dianne; two daughters, Lisa Haynes Rogers of Fletcher and Heather Haynes Hess of Mableton, Ga.; one brother, Robert Altstetter Haynes of Valrico, Fla.; and four grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to United Network for Organ Sharing, P.O. Box 2484, Richmond, VA 23218; Heiffer Foundation, P.O. Box 727, Little Rock, AR 72203; or TV Ministries of First United Methodist Church of Waynesville, P.O. Box 838, Waynesville, NC 28786.
An online registry is available at www.wellsfuneralhome.com.
Emmette Jenkins
Emmette Jenkins, 72, of Bryson City’s Airport Hill community and Mountain View Manor Nursing Home, died Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007.
Services were held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6, in the chapel of Crisp Funeral home with the Rev. Tom Harris officiating.
Burial was in Jenkins Cemetery.
A native of Swain County, he was a son of the late Fred and Lura Thomasson Jenkins. He was also preceded in death by three daughters, Elaine Costella, Emmette Gay Jenkins and Rhonda Luenete Jenkins; two brothers, Doug and Raymond Jenkins; one sister, Ellen Wiggins; and his stepfather, Kidder Bradley.
Surviving are one daughter, Hazel Elizabeth “Libby” Jenkins of Newton; three sisters, Hazel Della Valle, Gertrude Blake and Terry Jenkins, all of Pennsylvania; and three grandchildren.
An online registry is available at www.crispfuneralhome.com.
James McGaha
James Edward McGaha, 61, of Horseshoe Trail, Sylva, died Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007, at his residence.
No services are planned at this time.
A native of Haywood County, he had lived most of his life in Idaho, and the past two years in Jackson County. He was a truck driver with Carl Buchanan.
The son of Lela Hall Cope of Idaho, and the late Arling McGaha, he was also preceded in death by one sister, Rosealee McGaha.
Surviving in addition to his mother are two daughters, Vickie Yarbrough of Lenoir, and Jaime Mourning of Fernwood, Idaho; one son, Richard McGaha of Lenoir; one sister, Arlene Ferguson of Fernwood; three brothers, Earl McGaha of Fernwood, Bill McGaha of Whittier, and Thomas Cope of Sylva; and one grandchild.
Melton-Riddle Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Ruby Pressley
Ruby Loucille Breedlove Pressley, 91, of Breedlove Road, Glenville, died Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007, at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital after a period of declining health.
Services were scheduled to be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, at Hamburg Baptist Church, of which she was a member, with the Rev. Matt Ledbetter officiating.
Burial was to be in the church cemetery.
Born in Jackson County’s Panthertown community on Jan. 3, 1916, she was a bird watcher and enjoyed word search puzzles.
A daughter of the late Mack and Effie Breedlove, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Doyle Benjamin Pressley, whom she married in 1935; and one son, Leonard Elton Pressley.
Surviving are one daughter, Ruby Volda Pressley Lovell; five granddaughters; and six great grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Hamburg Cemetery Fund.
Melton-Riddle Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Arnold Rigdon
Arnold “Red” Rigdon, 73, of Tignall, Ga., formerly of Sylva, died Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007, at his residence after a long illness.
Services were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, in the chapel of Melton-Riddle Funeral Home with the Rev. Jim Ed Powell officiating.
Burial was in Middleton Cemetery with military rites conducted by the William E. Dillard American Legion Post 104. Pallbearers were Jay, Joseph, Charles and Clay Rigdon, Chuck Middleton and Marvin Wilkes.
A native of Jackson County, where he had lived most of his life, he was a member of Beulah Baptist Church in Tignall. He was a retired construction superintendent foreman and an U.S. Army veteran.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank O. and Rosetta Middleton Rigdon; one infant brother, Joseph Edward Rigdon; and one brother, Carroll Rigdon.
Surviving are his wife of five years, Charline Flynn Rigdon; one daughter, Karla Brestle of Sylva; one brother, Frank Rigdon of Sylva; and two stepgrandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Beulah Baptist Church, Life Center Building Fund, 6556 Elberton Hwy, Tignall, Ga. 30668.
James Price
The Rev. James E. Price, 83, of Little Farm Road, Tuckasegee, died Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007, at his residence after an extended illness.
Services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 5, in the chapel of Melton-Riddle Funeral Home with the Revs. Jim Ed Powell and Larry Nations officiating.
Burial was in Fairview Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers were grandsons.
A native of Ashe County, he had lived the past 40 years in Jackson County. He was a Baptist preacher for more than 50 years. He was the pastor of several area churches and a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church.
He was an avid outdoorsman, restored old furniture and was a highly-decorated veteran, having served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was also a self-employed maintenance person.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Elizabeth Sheets Price; one brother; and two sisters.
Surviving are his wife of 15 years, Icelene Brown Price; two daughters, Louise Gunter of Whittier and Ruth Willard of Albemarle; four sons, James Lee Price and William Franklin Price, both of Waynesville, Charles Edward Price of High Point and Thomas Clinton Price of Sophia; three stepdaughters, Bonnie Fortner and Mary Brown, both of Tuckasegee, and Debbie Allison of Sylva; three stepsons, Leoda Mathis of Tuckasegee, Cornelius Mathis of Sylva and Dennis Mathis of Waynesville; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and several step-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to WestCare Hospice, 132 Sylva Plaza, Sylva, NC 28779.
Bill Rich
Lee J. “Bill” Rich, 82, of Greenville, S.C., died Monday, Nov. 5, 2007.
Services will be held at noon today (Thursday, Nov. 8) at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home Downtown, in Greenville.
The family will receive friends from 10:30-11:45 a.m, prior to the service.
Burial will be at Sherrill Cemetery in Cherokee.
Born in Whittier, he was a son of the late Minnie Stiles and Ward M. Rich. He was a retired superintendent at Vulcan Materials Company.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Mary Rowland Rich; and one son, Brent Jewell Rich.
Surviving are three daughters, B.J. Lindley, Wanda Andrews and Theresa Goodlett; one son, Gordon Keith Rich; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 3535 Pelham Rd., Ste. 101, Greenville, SC, 29615.
An online registry is available at www.thomasmcafee.com.
Tsisquaya Oocumma
Tsisquaya Ciera Marie Oocumma of Cherokee, died Friday, Nov. 2, 2007.
Services were scheduled to be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 7, at Shoal Creek Baptist Church, with the Rev. Steve Jamison officiating.
Born Sept. 27, 2007, she was the daughter of Daphne Oocumma and Luther Hoyle Jr.
Surviving in addition to her parents are one brother, Tsalagi Walkingstick; paternal grandfather, Luther Hoyle Sr.; maternal grandfather, Joe Oocumma Jr., maternal grandmother, Tracy Bradley and stepgrandfather, Kirby Bradley; great-grandparents; and a great-great-grandmother.
Crisp Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Edward Wachtman
Edward Leroy Wachtman, 88, of Mars Hill, formerly of Cullowhee and Cary, died Friday, Nov. 2, 2007.
Service will be held at a later date and his cremated remains will be spread amongst the wildflowers when they bloom in spring on their mountain property in Cullowhee.
Born in Illion, N.Y., on May 23, 1919, he was a son of the late Anna Elizabeth Starring and Roy W. Wachtman.
After graduation from Union Endicott High School in 1937, he began a career with IBM in Endicott, N.Y. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1941 and was an officer during World War II, serving with the 508th Army Corps of Engineers from 1941-45 and was deployed to the European Theater in 1944. Returning home in 1945, he resumed his career with IBM, retiring as a senior staff engineer in 1983 after 46 years with the company. He continued to serve his country as an active member of the Army Reserves until 1958, when he was honorably discharged with the rank of major.
During his 24 years of retirement he enjoyed remodeling and landscaping his home in the mountains of North Carolina, volunteering with Hospice, and spending five years in Vancouver, British Columbia.
He was married for 55 years to Ruth McNeil Wachtman, who died in 1998. In addition to his wife and parents, he was also preceded in death by one brother, Robert W. Wachtman.
Surviving are two sons, Edward L. Wachtman, Jr. of Vancouver and Thomas “Tommy” Wachtman of Holly Springs; two daughters, Mary W. Baldwin of Cullowhee and Lisa Wachtman of Mars Hill; and five grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Salvation Army or one’s local Hospice.
West Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
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