George Tea Feick, 94, of Sylva, passed away Monday, March 30, 2015. A memorial service will be held on Monday, April 13 at 7pm in the Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Services. Family will receive friends from 5-7pm, prior to the service, at the funeral home.
ASHEVILLE – Dr. Leslie Albert Smart Jr., 88, passed away Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015 at the John F. Keever Jr. Solace Center.
He was a practicing Medical Physician, starting a Medical Clinic in Guam in 1957–1959, moving to Wan Chai, Hong Kong, China where he established a medical Adventist Clinic in 1960, serving until 1962, which is currently known today as the Hong Kong Adventist Hospital. Dr. Smart moved to the Asheville area in 1962, starting his practice with his partner, Dr. Lewis Sommerville and retiring in 2006 following 44 years of service. He was a member of Mt. Pisgah S.D.A. Church, was an athlete, enjoyed all water sports and was a U.S. Army veteran, having served during WWII. He was a very generous and gentle man and was well loved by many.
He was the son of the late Dr. Leslie Albert Smart Sr. and Gertrude Barron Smart and was also preceded in death by his daughter, Carol Elizabeth Smart and sister, Dr. Lois Smart.
Surviving are his wife of over 40 years, Bonnie Cabe Smart; children, Kathleen von Pohle (Larry), Leslie A. Smart, III (Dawn), Jim Brendle (Julie) and Amber Palmer (Sidney); 12 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Private memorial services will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center, c/o CarePartners, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.
To sign Dr. Smart’s guestbook online, please go to “Memorials” at www.andersrice.com.
Catherine Irene (Oocumma) Gentry, 66, of the Wolftown Rd. passed away in her home following a extended illness on April 9, 2015 with her loving family at her side.
Catherine, known to her family and friends as Cat, was the daughter of the late Andy Oocumma and Susie (Reed) Oocumma of Cherokee. She was a loving mother, sister and friend to those she left behind.
Catherine is survived by her children including Sam, Ed and Libbi Swayney; sister, Mary Oocumma; grandsons, Eric Swayney, Carey Swayney, Gregory Tisho, Franklin Ludwig, Justin Swayney, Darren Swayney, Jeremy Swayney, Hunter Swayney; granddaugthers, Alea Tisho, Aleshia Tisho, Autumn Crisp and Destyni Johnson; nephew, Andrew Oocumma with wife Nichole and children Drew and D’Nisa of Westerville, Ohio; best friend, Deni Sutton of Maggie Valley; daughter-in-laws, Sherrene Swayney, Rhonda Rose and Alexis McCoy; eight great-grandchildren and her treasured dog Vicious.
Along with her parents, Catherine is preceded in death by a her nephew Randy Oocumma.
A visitation was held on Friday, April 10 at her home located in the Soco valley of Cherokee. A funeral service was held in the Church of Christ with Pastor Jim Sexton officiating. An immediate burial followed the service in the Andy Oocumma Family Cemetery close to the home with Pall Bearers being the Grandsons.
Long House Funeral Home assisted the family in the final arrangements.
CULLOWHEE – Sue Wood, 76, of Cullowhee, passed away Saturday, April 11, 2015 after a brief illness. Born June 17, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Frank Cagle and Ruby Green Cagle.
She received undergraduate and graduate degrees from Western Carolina University and was a retired educator having taught Business Education at both Cherokee High School and Fairview School. She was an avid baker, canner, and gardener, and loved everything about home. She was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority and along with her husband enjoyed many events with the Delta Alpha Chapter of Kappa Alpha Order. She was an active member of Cullowhee Baptist Church for over 50 years. She loved and supported WCU Athletics spending many years watching from stadium and arena seats. Over the years, she welcomed many students into her home. She truly exemplified the phrase, “home is where the heart is.”
She is survived by her husband of 58 years, James Baxter Wood, of Cullowhee; daughter and son-in-law, Debra and Chuck Pressley, of Easley, SC; son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Jane Wood, of Clyde; and grandson, Andrew Pressley, of Columbia, SC.
A funeral service will be held at 11am, Tuesday April 14 at Cullowhee Baptist Church with the Reverends Jeff Vickery, Tonya Vickery, and Jack Henson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8pm, Monday, April 13 at Melton Funeral Home.
Memorials honoring her life may be made to any of the following: The Baxter Wood Family Scholarship at Western Carolina University, Office of Development, 201 H.F. Robinson Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723; Cullowhee Baptist Church Building Fund, 148 Central Drive, Cullowhee, NC 28723; Old Savannah Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 138 Sutton Branch Road, Sylva, NC 28779.
Melton Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Patrick Bradley (Brad) Allison, 42, of the Wolftown Community, passed away on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 near Whittier following an auto collision.
Brad is the son of Jim and Tad Allison and mother Jackie Smith. He was a heavy equipment operator for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Dept. of Transportation Division. He was known to be a good friend.
Brad in his own words, “I like, riding/camping with my horse, humor, happy friends, happy things, not arguing, no drama, flowers, rain, thunder, lightning, talking, quiet moments, going new places, meeting new people, vanilla rum, Boxer Dogs, cats, camping, kissing, holding hands, dad, uncle, jumping in mud puddles, my motorcycle, someone else cleaning my house and mowing my yard, making others smile is my most favorite thing to do ever!!” He will be sadly missed by those that knew him.
Also surviving are Brad’s children, Kathrine Allison and Cole Allison; brothers, Pete Allison and Buddy Driggers; sisters, Christy McHan and Vicki Littrell; uncles, Terry Allison and John Allison; aunts, Donna Crowe, Edna Allison and family; and cousins, Terri Burton, CJ, AJ, Will, Brandy, Honey and Cody Allison.
Brad is preceded in death by his uncle, Jack Allison; grandfathers, Jack Smith, Boyce Allison and Lloyd Johnson; grandmother, Sally Allison; great-grandmother Rachel Johnson; great-uncle Sunny “Tolly” Bradley. Brad also leaves behind many, many friends who will miss him greatly.
A visitation was held on Thursday, April 16 at the Chief Joyce Dugan Cultural Arts Center. The funeral service followed, and a private graveside committal took place on Friday, April 17 in the Allison Family Cemetery. Minister Jim Sexton officiated, and pall bearers were among the family and friends and included Joel Queen, Dave “JoHi” Griffin and members of the Cherokee D.O.T.
Long House Funeral Home assisted the children in their father’s arrangements.
Allene Ledford Watty, 71, of the Big Cove Community, passed away on Sunday, April 19, 2015 at Mission Hospital in Asheville with her loving family by her side.
Allene was the daughter of the late Mason Ledford and Lillian (Teesateskie) Leford of the Snowbird Community in Robbinsville. She worked as a seamstress for the Barclay Outlet for many years and as a housekeeper. She was a loving wife to her husband, McKinley “Mac” Watty of the Big Cove Community. She was a hard worker who cared for her large family.
Allene is survived by her nine children, Faye Pheasant with Jose Molina, Sharri Pheasant with Tosh Welch, Phillip Pheasant with wife Valencia, Rita Pheasant with Gary Driver, Carla Neadeau with husband Roger, Devona Toineeta with husband Sam, David Pheasant with wife Bean, Crystal Watty and Kenny Watty; brothers, Calloway Ledford with wife Martha, David Leford with wife Patsy and James Ledford with wife Minnie; sisters, Rose Sneed with husband Skipper, Lula Ledford and Christine Leford Walkingstick; great aunts, Amy Smoker and Nicey Rattler; her best friend, Agnes Wolfe; 37 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Velma Lossiah; grandson, Chuck Pheasant; granddaughter, Clarista Huskey; and great-granddaughter, Alanna Ledford.
A visitation is planned for Tuesday, April 21at the Big Cove Community Recreation Center along Big Cove Rd. starting at 4pm. Allene will remain at the facility until the start of the funeral service at 1pm on Wenesday, April 22, also at the same location, with Pastors Ed Kilgore of Acquoni Baptist, James “Bo” Parris of Big Cove Baptist and Charles Ray Ball of Straight Fork Baptist as officiants. An immediate burial will take place in the Pheasant Family Cemetery with the Pall Bearers being among the family and friends.
Long House Funeral Home is assisting the family in the final arrangements.
Matthew Nicholas Drake Starlin, 24, of the Birdtown Community, passed away unexpectedly following an auto collision on April 21, 2015 and was pronounced at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, Tenn.
Matthew was the son of father Rodney Starlin with step-mother Mollie Grant of Cherokee.
Also surviving Matthew are step brother, Christopher Drew Grant with wife Beth; step sister, Vanessa Grant; half sisters, Shannon Rich and Riana Rich; aunt, Cora Starlin Altiman; great aunts, Charlotte Maney, Margaret French and Lois Wahnetah; step-nephew, C.J. Grant; niece, Chloe Locust; and cousin, Kelsey Simone Altiman.
Matthew was preceded in death by his mother, Laura Irene Saunooke; and grandparents, Sybil Wahnetah Starlin and Charles T. Starlin.
A visitation will be held on Friday, April 24 at the Yellowhill Baptist Church from 5pm – 12am with a funeral following the next day on Saturday, April 25 at 2pm. An immediate burial will follow in the Starlin Family Cemetery near the home on Red Rum Hill Rd. in Birdtown with pall bearers being Bobby Driver, Doug Pheasant, Ike Bird, Drew Grant, David Wachacha, Robert Panther, Shane Sneed and Bryan Panther.
Long House Funeral Home assisted the family in the final arrangements.
Willis Albert (Jim) Queen, 78, of Cherokee, passed away Monday April 27, 2015 after a period of declining health. A native of Cherokee, he was the son of the late Willis Albert (Pete) Queen and Ethel Bigmeat. He was a retired mechanic and a member of Bethebara Baptist Church. He was a United States Navy Veteran.
He is survived by five children, Marie P. Junaluska, Donna Lee Owl, Dana Nelson, Joel Queen, and Heather Leigh Queen; nine grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; two sisters, Maria Queen Smith, Helen Queen Raby; and two brothers, Robert Lynn Queen, and Irvin Owl.
He enjoyed watching racing, fishing, and enjoyed his grandkids.
The family will receive friends from 6-8pm on Wednesday, April 29 in the Chapel of Crisp Funeral Home.
Katherine Blythe Sanders, 97, of Cherokee, NC, Jesup, Ga. and Shellman Bluff, Ga. died Thursday, April 30, 2015 after a brief illness.
The Cherokee, NC native was a member of Cherokee Baptist Church and also attended the Cherokee Methodist Church. She was a revered native educator with the Bureau of Indian Affairs Schools for many years and was recently awarded the prestigious Frell Owle Education Award for her many years of distinguished service to Cherokee children and families. She was a founder of the Native American Indian Women Association (NAIWA) EBCI Chapter and enjoyed beading, working crossword puzzles and was fondly remembered by her students as “The Meanest Teacher” they ever had. She was predeceased by her husband of sixty-two years, Soldier E. Sanders, of the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma.
Survivors are two daughters, Karen “Wren” and M.A. “Skip” Peterson of Augusta, Ga., Faren and Dennis Crews of Shellman Bluff, Ga.; sons, James E. “Butch” and Janet Sanders of Cherokee, William “Bill” and Eileen Sanders of LeMoore, Calif.; grandchildren, Pete Peterson, Lori Sanders, Dr. Blythe Sanders Winchester, and James Sanders II; five great-grandchildren; and loving nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 5-7pm on Friday, May 1 at Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home, 860 Hwy. 301 South, Jesup, Ga. 31546.
A visitation in her home town will be held from 3-5pm on Sunday, May 3 at Long House Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 2pm on Monday, May 4 at the Wolfetown Community Center located on Long Branch Rd. with visitation from 12-pm prior to services. Burial will follow at the Soldier Sanders Cemetery in Cherokee.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Tsali Manor, Rt. 1, Box B-5, Cherokee, NC 28719 or Cherokee Baptist Church, P O Box 395, Cherokee, NC 28719.
The Cherokee Supreme Court is saddened to report that the Honorable Harry Corpening Martin, first Chief Justice of the Cherokee Supreme Court, and a retired Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina, died on Sunday, May 3, 2015 at age 95. Chief Justice Martin led the Court from its creation on April 1, 2000 until his retirement in December 2006 and continued to serve as an Emergency Judge thereafter.
Chief Justice Bill Boyum said, “The entire Cherokee Court community and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is saddened to hear of the passing of the courts first Chief Justice Harry C. Martin. Chief Justice Martin took a fledgling tribal court and made it the shining star it is today. His leadership through the early years of the court will be felt for many generations to come and he will be missed by all the court and members of the Tribe who had come to know him over the years.”
Justice Brenda Toineeta-Pipestem said, “As our first [modern] Chief Justice, Harry Martin believed in Eastern Band of Cherokee sovereignty and was instrumental in building the institution of the Cherokee Supreme Court. As a former North Carolina Chief Justice, he understood the relationship between the State, the Eastern Band, and the law. His knowledge of this relationship and his personal commitment to the Cherokee people showed in his work for our Court. It was an honor to serve on the Court with him, and a blessing to be mentored by him. May God Bless his family.”
Justice Martin was born at home in Lenoir on Jan. 13, 1920 to Hal and Johnsie Martin. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Jacob and Charles; two of his sisters, Mary Macon and Virginia; and a daughter, Nancy. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Nancy D. Martin; his children, John, of the home, Mary, of Venice, Italy, and Matthew and his wife, Catherine, of Cleveland, Ohio, a grandchild, Clarke, of Chapel Hill, and his sister, Lida M. Starnes, of Asheville.
As a teenager, Justice Martin was a member of the renowned Lenoir High School Band, and he performed with the band for President Franklin D. Roosevelt in Asheville. Following graduation from his beloved University of North Carolina in 1942, he served in the 13th Jungle Air Force during WWII, seeing combat action in the Solomon Islands campaign, as well as at Guadalcanal and Saipan.
Following the war, Justice Martin was a member of the famous class of 1948 of Harvard Law School. He began the private practice of law in Asheville, first as a sole practitioner, and then as a member of the highly regarded firm of Gudger, Elmore & Martin. In 1963, Governor Terry Sanford appointed him to the bench as a Special Superior Court Judge. Subsequently, Governor Dan K. Moore appointed him to be a Resident Superior Court Judge. He was retained by election by the people more than once. In 1978, Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., appointed him to the North Carolina Court of Appeals, and, in 1982, Governor Hunt appointed him to the Supreme Court of North Carolina, where he was also elected by the people and served until his mandatory retirement at age 72.
On the Supreme Court, Justice Martin was known as “the conscience of the Court,” and his opinions on such issues as domestic violence, workers compensation, shareholder rights, public employment, search and seizure, and state constitutional law were considered to be ahead of their time. He often had to wait to see a dissenting opinion of his turn into the majority view of the Court.
After he retired from the Supreme Court, Justice Martin practiced law with his two sons in Hillsborough and served as the first Dan K. Moore Visiting Professor of Law at the UNC School of Law, continuing a teaching career that began while he was on the Supreme Court, and during which he taught a generation of leaders at Carolina, Duke and Elon the subjects of public policy, state constitutional law, the judicial process, and federal Indian law. He also became the first Chief Circuit Mediator for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, creating the position and assisting that Court in managing its burgeoning caseload.
In Cherokee, Chief Justice Martin helped to establish the judicial branch of Tribal government at the very forefront of respected Tribal Courts. Through his efforts, North Carolina granted Tribal Court Orders full faith and credit, cementing ties between the two systems. His opinion on the criminal jurisdiction of the Tribal Court in EBCI v. Torres remains widely cited in prominent federal Indian law textbooks.
His accomplishments on behalf of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians led the Tribal Council to make him an Honorary Member of the Tribe upon his retirement. He received numerous additional awards during his lifetime, including the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, bestowed upon him by Governor Hunt, the North Carolina Bar Association’s Liberty Bell and John J. Parker Awards, the UNC Distinguished Alumnus Award and the American Bar Association’s Franklin N. Flaschner Award as the nation’s outstanding specialized Court Judge.
Justice Martin’s funeral will be held at the All Souls Cathedral in Biltmore Village at 10:30am on Saturday, May 9. In lieu of flowers, the family would request that any donations be made to: the All Souls Cathedral Building fund, the UNC School of Law or to Care Partners Hospice in Asheville.
Edgarita Smith Ensley, 75, of Cherokee, passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at her residence after a brief illness. A native of Cherokee, she was the daughter of the late Edgar Allen and Geneva Johnson Smith. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Charlie Ensley and brother, Ray Smith.
She was a former business owner and operator for many years. She enjoyed reading, feeding the birds and squirrels, and watching her grandchildren play basketball.
She was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother.
She is survived by her daughters, Deborah Lambert (Buddy), Pamela Straughan (Tommy) both of Cherokee; sons, Denny Ensley (Marsha), Edgar H. Ensley, B. Ensley (Libby) all of Cherokee; ; grandchildren, Melanie and Michael Lambert, Steven and Holden Straughan, Brittany and Brooke Ensley, Brad, Alisha, and Charlie Ensley, Tina, Selena, and Billy Williams, Noon, Cody and Kirstie Ensley; Timiyah and Kellen Ensley; and 16 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Sheridan “Sonny” Smith (Janice); sister, Mary Ensley (Paul); two special nieces, Lynne Harlan and Victoria Harlan of Cherokee and special friend, Randy Thomas (R.T.) of Hattiesburg, Miss.
Funeral services will be held at 2pm on Thursday, May 7 at Wrights Creek Baptist Church of which she was a member. Pastors Dan Lambert and James (Bo) Parris will officiate with burial in the church cemetery.
The body will be placed in the church at 6pm Wednesday by Crisp Funeral Home to await the hour of service.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Michael Lambert, Charlie Ensley, Steven and Holden Straughan, Kennan Panther and Cody Ensley assisted by Eugene Harlan, Troy Crowe, Brian Ensley, Paul Wojtkowski, Noland Crowe and Noon Ensley.
Francois Elliott (Dump) French, 72, of the Big Cove Community, went home to be with the Lord Tuesday May 12, 2015 at Cherokee Hospital with his family by his side. A native of Cherokee, he was the son of the late Meroney and Viola Twin French. He was a member of the Big Cove Free Labor.
He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Prestyn R-ly Panther; brothers, Roy, Johnny, George, and Landon French, and Jack Lindsay, and sisters, Mary Standingdeer, and Winnie Scott; and a great granddaughter October Raine French.
He is survived by his wife Gloria Panther French of the home; sons, Corbin Panther, Aaronn Squirrel, and Merrill Panther; and daughter, Angela Panther all of the home; and sons Seymour French, George French, and Jamison French of Cherokee; eight grandchildren, and four great grandchildren; sisters, Dolores Maney, Yvonne Bushyhead, and Lucetta French all of Cherokee; brothers, Marvin French, and Gary French both of Cherokee, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at 2pm on Friday, May 15 at the Big Cove Recreation Center. Pastors Charles Ray Ball and James (Bo) Parris will officiate. Burial will be in the Panther Family Cemetery with Military Graveside Rites conducted by the Steve Youngdeer American Legion Post #143.
The body will be taken to the Big Cove Recreation Center at 4pm on Thursday, May 14 by Crisp Funeral Home to await the hour of service.
Pallbearers will be Shan Standingdeer, Bullet Standingdeer, Casper Shell, Walter French, Richard French, Randy French, Kevin Jackson, Darius West, Dalton West, Shane Sneed, Rodney Panther, and Kennan Panther
Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Free Labor.
Keith Lyle Joren, 50, of Sacramento, Calif., past of Chicago, Ill. died Monday, May 4, 2015 at his residence. Born Nov. 9, 1964 in Wisconsin to the late Jacob Joren and Bonnie Owle Joren, Keith joined the US Navy out of high school serving his country proud for four years and then was a floor covering installer for 28 years.
Surviving are his loving wife, Pamela McGill Joren of Sacramento; one son, Jason Joren of Sacramento; one daughter, Kelly Joren of Sacramento; one brother, Kenneth Joren of Indiana; one sister, Karen Kampy of San Diego, Calif.; and four granddaughters.
A small funeral service was held on Thursday, May 14 at Long House Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. James “Bo” Parris officiating. A private burial service will be held per request of the family. Long House Funeral Home is serving the Joren family.
Richard Delano Huskey Sr., 56, of the Painttown Community, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, May 18, 2015 at his residence at 74 Cleona’s Drive with his loving family by his side. A native of Cherokee, he was the son of Frances Huskey Green and was member of Rock Springs Baptist church.
He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Ruth Lambert Huskey; uncles, Junior Huskey, Ted Huskey; and aunt, Phyllis Eller.
He is survived by his wife, Vanessa Smith Huskey of the home of 37 years; daughter, Kelly Cleona Smith and son-in-law Travis Kent Smith; son, Richard Delano Huskey Jr.; grandsons, Kenton Rayce Smith and Koen Dash Smith; sisters, Elvis Crisp with husband Theron Crisp, Connie Rose with husband James Rose, Tina Green Uffort; brothers, Charlie Green with wife Sherry Green, Billy Green with wife Tammy Green, Alvin Green with wife Theresa Green; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at Yellowhill Baptist Church on Wednesday, May 20 with visitation one hour ahead of starting at 1pm with funeral service to begin at 2pm. Pastor Ben Reed will officiate. Burial will take place immediately after the services in Bethel Cemetery.
Pall Bearers will be Benny Graves, Randy Cook, Moe Davis, Ronald Bowman, Sam Evans and Tre Toineeta.
Long House Funeral Home assisted the family in the final arrangements.
Martha Catherine Elizabeth Jackson St. Clair, 55, of Cherokee went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at the Cherokee Indian Hospital. A native of Cherokee, she was the daughter of the late Elijah and Geneva Sneed Jackson. She was a member of Old Antioch Baptist Church. She was the director of the Cherokee Ceremonial Grounds for many years, a teacher at the Head Start Program for 15 years, and also a secretary at the Cherokee Boys Club under Age Link for five years.
She is survived by her husband of 37 years, Wallace St. Clair Jr.; children, Sharon Bradley and husband Jason, Howard, Ricky and Terry Morgan, and Skye Littledave, all of Cherokee; special grandchild, Kathleen Long; many grandchildren; her sister, Mary Littledave of Cherokee; three brothers, Mark H. Jackson and wife Sherrie of Anchorage, Alaska, Bud Smith, and Buck Squirrell, both of Cherokee; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 10am on Saturday, May 23 at Old Antioch Baptist Church. Revs. Denny Crowe, Danny Little, Ben Reed and James (Bo) Parris will officiate with burial in the Jarrett Blythe Cemetery.
She will be taken to the church at 4pm on Friday, May 22 by Crisp Funeral Home to await the hour of service.
Pallbearers will be family and friends.
Kenyoda Jayce Morris-Jenkins, 5 days old, was born on Monday, May 11, 2015 at Mission Hospitals Mission Campus to parents, Lawrence William Morris and Kimber Dawn Jenkins of Cherokee. Following a short stay with his parents, he was called home on Saturday, May 16, 2015.
Along with his parents, Kenyoda is survived by his immediate family including brothers, Keagan Patrick Jenkins and Kyson Shawn Jenkins; sister, Kalaina Rayne Jenkins; maternal grandparents, Tonya (George) Jenkins and Emmett Jenkins all of Cherokee; paternal grandparents, Mary Regina Morris and Eric Morris of South Carolina; maternally, great-grandparents, Linda (Locust) George and Johnny K. George of Cherokee.
Also surviving are several aunts and uncles in North Carolina and South Carolina including: Brandy Jenkins, Rickenna McCoy, Heather Morris, Crystal McCain, Lea Abel Morris, Jason McCoy, Christopher Morris, Michael Morris, Zachery Morris, Robert Morris and Victor Morris; special mentioned second cousins, Corey Jenkins, Courtney George and Derrick Jenkins.
Kenyoda was preceded in death by a great-grandfather, Tom Harp and a great-grandmother, Alma B. Morris.
A visitation is being held at the Goose Creek Baptist Church starting at 5pm on Monday, May 18 and will last until the hour of funeral service on Tuesday, May 19 at 2pm. Pastor James Gunter will officiate. An immediate burial will follow near the family’s home along Herman Lambert road.
Long House Funeral Home assisted in the arrangements of services.
Edgar Hugh “Eddie” Roberts, 43, of Cherokee, died unexpectedly on Sunday, May 24, 2015. He was born to Arthur Hugh Roberts of Cherokee and the late Hazel Welch Roberts.
Eddie was a self employed performance artist who was a representative of the native peoples of North America and his own tribe as he performed as a chief on the streets of Cherokee where he was photographed by many.
In addition to his mother, he was pre-deceased by his sisters, Judy Hornbuckle and Allison Roberts.
Surviving in addition to his father are his daughter, Katlin Roberts of Cherokee; brothers, Tony Roberts and Daniel Murphy; one sister, Melinda Murphy; and special family of Isaac Welch.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, May 28 at Bethabara Baptist Church in the Birdtown community with Rev. Ed Kilgore officiating. Burial immediately followed the service at the Birdtown Cemetery. Pallbearers were among family and friends.
Long House Funeral Home assissted with the final arrangements.
John Robbie Bigmeat, 43, of Cherokee, passed away unexpectedly on May 18, 2015. Robbie is the son of John Ray Bigmeat and Marietta (Sampson) Toineeta. Along with his parents, Robbie is survived by his wife Sherry Bigmeat and children Sasha Youngdeer, Samantha Youngdeer, Chelse Youngdeer (all of Cherokee) and Teelah Youngdeer of Charlotte; one sister, Missy V. Ison; eight grandchildren; other family members surviving, Susie, Bunny, Dot, Joann, Kenny, Enoch, Robert, Chuck and Jen, Blue Jay, Amber, Jaicee and many friends.
Robbie is preceded in death by a brother, Damian (Bear) Toineeta; sister, Judy Rae Reed; grandmothers, Golinda Lambert and Lucinda Sampson.
A funeral service was held at the Cherokee Wesleyan Church on Thursday, May 21. Burial followed at the Oocumma Family Cemetery located on Bluewing Road. Friends and family served as pallbearers. Patricia Crockett and James “Bo” Parris officated.
Long House Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements
Winona “Winnie” Smith Cooper, 78, of Cherokee, passed away Wednesday, June 3, 2015. She was born June 27, 1936 in Swain County to the late Dave Smith & Bessie Taylor Smith.
Winnie was a former employee of McDonalds and The Cherokees. She was a member of Cherokee Church of Christ in Cherokee.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, David Leroy Cooper; one daughter, Donna Jean Smith; brother, James “Hogeye” Taylor; and sister, Ramona Jean Smith.
Surviving are a step-son, Terry Hooper of Whittier; step-daughter, Cynthia Ward of Sylva; and special friends, Diane Cathey and Mandy Boone.
A planned memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, June 6 at 11am at the Cherokee Church of Christ in Cherokee located across from the Cherokee Bingo Hall with minister Jim Sexton officiating.
Family is requesting in lieu of flowers that donations be in memory of Winnie for cancer care to Betty’s Place at 40 Goose Creek Rd., Cherokee, NC 28719.
Long House Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
William Kenneth Haigler, the son of Thomas J. and Rosemarie Wilde Haigler, born Aug. 25, 1958, passed away on June 3, 2015, with friends and family present. Ken had lived the past 28 years in Swain County residing in Cherokee and Bryson City.
After attending Marion Military Institute in Marion, Ala., Ken proudly served in the United States Army as a medic. After his service, Ken worked in radiology in hospitals in northern Georgia and North Carolina primarily at Swain County Hospital in Bryson City.
Ken is survived by his parents, Tom and Rosemarie; his sister, Traci Haigler Lowe and her husband Tim, of Atlanta, Ga.; and two sons, Jason Haigler and Erik Haigler, of Bryson City. Ken loved his family and his dogs, and birdwatching.
Prior to problems with his back, Ken was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing softball. He was a fan of Alabama football, having graduated from high school in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
The service for Ken will be held on Tuesday, June 9, at 3pm at the Bryson City Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, a donation could be made to one of Ken’s favorite charities, the Wounded Warrior Project or St. Jude’s Hospital for Children. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.