Obituary Information

When possible, obituaries should be sent to the Herald from the funeral home. Information received will be placed in our standard obituary format.

We publish names of the deceased's spouse, parents, grandparents, siblings and children; we also include the number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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Obituaries - 06/07/01

Belzora Ferguson

Funeral services were held at 4 p.m. Friday, June 1, in Melton-Riddle Funeral Home Chapel. The Revs. Joe Fulk and Earl Holden officiated. Burial was in Thomas Memorial Cemetery in Whittier. Nephews served as pallbearers.

A native of Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late Robert Lee Holden and Drusilla Taylor Holden. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Sylva. A graduate of Western Carolina Teachers College, she taught for 37 years at the elementary level in Jackson and Swain counties, retiring in 1976. She served as a public safety officer during World War II, assigned to guard Douglas Dam in Tennessee.

Surviving are her husband of 54 years, John Herschel Ferguson; one daughter, Patricia Sue Ferguson of Sylva; two sons, John Edward Ferguson of Fayetteville and Terry Paul Ferguson of Albemarle; one sister, Ira Mae Ferguson of Julian; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Edgar Fisher

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Friday, June 1, at Bryson City United Methodist Church. The Revs. David Russell and Joe Fulk officiated. Burial was at Swain Memorial Park. A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 3, at First Christian Church in Johnson City.

He was a native of Bushnell, a graduate of Cullowhee Normal School in 1926 and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was employed by the U.S. Postal Service, both in Bushnell and Bryson City for 40 years before retiring in 1972.

He served as president of the Bryson City Rotary Club and Johnson City Rotary Club, where he received the Paul Fellows Service Award for more than 50 years of service in Rotary (1944 through 1995). He served as chairperson of fund-raising campaigns for the Fontana Regional Library and Bryson City United Methodist Church and as president of the Bryson City PTA and member of the Swain County Board of Education. He was the son of the late Daniel Gale and Nannie Conley Fisher.

He was preceded in death by former wives, Nora Wiggins Fisher in 1932 and Christine Conley Fisher in 1968.

Surviving are his wife, Ruth Coggins Fisher of Johnson City; three daughters, Judy F. Moody of Dillsboro, Peggy F. Wakefield of Spartanburg, S.C., and Joan F. Thomas of Candler; two stepdaughters, Sally S. Craig of Williamsburg, Va., and Gale S. Jones of Burlington, Vt.; one sister, Edith F. Welch of Bryson City; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Bill Moody Funeral Home, Bryson City, was in charge of arrangements.

Betty Jean Ludtke

Funeral services were held May 17 at 1 p.m. at Estacad Oregon Funeral Chapel in Estacada, Ore. Burial was in Mount Zion Cemetery in Estacada, Ore.

A native of Dillsboro, she was the daughter of Tom and Stella Keever. She moved to the west coast in the mid fifties and made her home in Klamath, Calif., before moving to Estacada, Ore. She was preceeded in death by her father Tom, brothers Bill, James and Harold Keever,and daughter Loretta.

Surviving are her mother, Stella Keever; and children, Mark, Tom and Melanie.

Suzanne Gordon

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 4, at Lake Hill Baptist Church in Orlando. The Rev. Gerald Forrest officiated. Burial was in Glen Haven Memorial Park in Winter Park, Fla.

Surviving are her husband, Randall V. Gordon of Orlando, Fla.; one son, Andrew B. Gordon of Ft. Sill, Okla.; her mother, Helen Kirk; her step-father, Eugene Kirk of Orlando; one sister, Jane Blankenship of Cullowhee; and two granddaughters.

Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Homes in Winter Garden, Fla., was in charge of arrangements.

Terry Giles

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 30, at Old Brasstown Baptist Church. The Rev. Tully Griggs and Billy Stiles officiated. Burial was in Many Forks Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers were Ronnie Shook, Harold Maney, Tony Lyvers, Tony Shook, Robert OıDonald and Knox Garrett. Honorary pallbearers were employees ofa Town County EMS.

Surviving are his mother and father, Ed and Stella Giles of Young Harris, Ga.; one son, Ray Giles of Hiawassee, Ga.; two daughters, Sonya Giles and Megan OıDonald of Young Harris, Ga.; two brothers, Larry Gene Owenby of Martin, Ga., and Roger Giles of Gainesville, Ga.; two sisters, Vickie Buchanan of Dillsboro and Tammy Wiggins of Young Harris, Ga.; and three grandchildren. Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.

Harold Sandlin

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 4, at the Bryson City Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Judy Stanley officiated. Burial was in Swain Memorial Park.

Born in Old Fort on July 10, 1910, he moved to Bryson City in 1912. He devoted many years to law enforcement, serving as Bryson City chief of police and Swain County deputy sheriff. He also served three terms as clerk of superior court before he retired in 1982. He was the son of the late John Thomas and Kate Hyams Sandlin.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Mozelle Stack Sandlin, who died in 1974; three brothers, Armand, George and Robert Sandlin; and two sisters, Mildred Plott and Maggie Crisp.

Surviving are one son, Harold Thomas Sandlin, and one daughter, Doris S. McLean, both of Bryson City; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Bill Moody Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Enoch Elders

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 12, at Sumner Baptist Church. Burial was in Lakeview Memorial Park.

He was born in Swain County to the late Lum Elders and Eliza Elders Blanton. He was retired from Duke Power Co., with 29 years of service.

He was a member of Sumner Baptist Church, where he served as deacon. He also was a Sunday school teacher and served many other roles in church. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in the Korean War in the 2053-D SU-PERS Center Division. He was a corporal and received medals for distinguished service.

Surviving are his wife, Hazel Wilson Elders; four children, Patricia Elders, Lisa Elders Inman and Martha Elders Taylor, all of Greensboro, and Billy Joe Elders of Gibsonville; three sisters, Jane Ward of Whittier, Doshia Moore of Candler and Bonnie Styles of Whittier; and nine grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, N.C. 27405; or to Sumner Baptist Church, Old Randleman Road, Greensboro, N.C.

Coral Jones

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Monday, June 4, at First Baptist Church of Sylva, where she was an active member for many years, serving as financial secretary, nursery Sunday school teacher, VBS teacher and was active in WMU. The Revs. Ed Beddingfield, Jack Hinson and Dr. John Bunn officiated. Burial was in Parris Cemetery. Grandsons served as pallbearers.

She was a lifelong resident of Jackson County, born and raised in Whiteside Cove community near Cashiers. She was a daughter of the late H.B. and Effie Alley Picklesimer. She was a graduate of Brevard Institute (now known as Brevard College). She was a former secretary to lawyers in Sylva, a former employee of The Mead Corp. and retired from the Jackson County Board of Education. She was also a homemaker.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Claude M. Jones, who died in 1978; and one son, Robert Louis Jones, who died in infancy.

Surviving are two sons, Claude P. Jones of Webster and Thomas W. Jones of Sylva; two daughters, Betty J. Blanton and Gladys Schutters of Sylva; one sister, Opal Kline of Raleigh; one brother, Tom Picklesimer of the Whiteside Cove; nine grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several stepgreat-grandchildren.

Donations may be made to the Together We Grow Fund of First Baptist Church, Sylva, N.C. 28779; Arthritis Foundation, 7 Woodlawn Green, Suite 217, 5019 Nations Crossing, Charlotte, N.C. 28217; or to oneıs favorite charity.

Melton-Riddle Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Thomas Rogers Jr.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 3, at Cashiers United Methodist Church. The Revs. David W. Bean, J.C. Robinson and Tommy Madden officiated. Burial was at Upper Zachary Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by Jimmy Dillard VFW Post 10685. Pallbearers were Charels Eubanks, Ronnie Henry, Larry Bryson, Arnold Buchanan, Jeff Stewart and George Ward.

A native of Jackson County, he was a shipping and receiving manager at Cashiers Plastics. He was a former member of Cashiers Fire Department, served in the U.S. Air Force and was a member of Jimmy Dillard VFW Post 10685. He was a son of Thomas"Bud" and Annie Raye Rogers of Seneca, S.C.

Surviving are his wife, Kristin Rogers; one daughter, Jessica Denise Rogers of the home; maternal grandmother, Effie Stewart of Cashiers; and brother, Richard"Dickie" Rogers of Glenville.

Memorials may be made to Jimmy Dillard VFW Post 10685, P.O. Box 193, Glenville, N.C. 28736.

Moody Funeral Home in Sylva was in charge of arrangements.

James Moss

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at Pine Creek Baptist Church. The Rev. Johnny Norris officiated. Burial was in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were John Moss, Dewayne Ward, Billy Jack Stewart, Ricky Stewart, Gary Coley and Jonas Vanderley.

A native of Jackson County, he was employed in construction and landscaping. He was a son of Eldon Junior and Shelby Jean Pilkington Moss of Cullowhee.

Surviving, in addition to his parents, are one son, Isaac Moss of Cullowhee; one brother, Edwin Moss of Cullowhee; three sisters, Diane Allen and Loretta Watson, both of Cullowhee, and Darlene Rusch of Momence, Ill.

Moody Funeral Home in Sylva was in charge of arrangements.

J. C. Wooten

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today (Thursday) at Beulah Baptist Church, Statesville. The Revs. Henry C. Cook, Robert F. Garrett and Cecil Herrin will officiate. Burial will follow in the Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery. Graveside military honors will be provided by Post 2031 of the VFW, Littlefield Chapter 48 of the DAV and Post 217 of the American Legion. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Menıs Number II Sunday scahool class of Beulah Baptist Church and all retired postal employees in attendance.

A native of Statesville, he was the son of the late Wallace and Lovie Jane Heath Wooten. He attended Statesville City Schools and on Oct. 5, 1941, married Evaline Nash Wooten, who died June 30, 1987.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II and served in the Pacific Theatre. He retired from the U.S. Post Office after 30 years of service. At his retirement in 1975 he was superintendent of mail.

He was a member of Beulah Baptist Church since 1948, where he served as a deacon, church clerk from 1962 until 1991, Sunday school teacher, and chairman of various building committees. He was a former board member of the West Iredell Fire Department and the West Iredell Water Corporation.

On April 18, 1993, he married Bondelia Smith Goodwin Wooten.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are one son, George W."Chuck" Wooten of Cullowhee; one sister, Mabel Wooten of Statesville; one stepson, James T. Goodwin of Smithfield; four stepdaughters, Lavonne Goodwin Gryder, Linda Goodwin Austin and Louella Goodwin Barnhardt, all of Statesville, and Faye Goodwin Helms of Clemmons; one granddaughter; eight step grandchildren; and eight step great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Building Fund, Beulah Baptist Church, 1851 Old Mountain Road, Statesville, N.C. 28677.

The family was to have received friends at Nicholson Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 6, from 7 until 8:30 p.m.

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