Christian Shane Sneed, 22, of Cherokee, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2105 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.  Shane is the son of Robert Sneed and Jaclyn Sneed(step-mother) and Trina Lousie Rhinehart and Jim Panther (step-father).

Shane is survived by his paternal grandparents, Herbert Sneed Sr. and Merlina Sneed; paternal step-grandparents Jack and Rebeccah Riggs; aunts, Marina Robins(husband Mark), Jeannie Littlejohn(husband Jason), Leauna “Bo” Stone (husband Robert), Michelle Sneed (husband Ray Long) and Jacquelina “Nena” Loch (husband Zach); uncles, Herbert Sneed Jr. and Danny Rhinehart; brothers, Kennan Panther and brother-in-law Jesse Hix; sisters Chavis Panther Hix, Victoria Heinz, Jordan Elise Maney, Kamea Sneed, Brittany Gurrola, Jaime Prezleigh Panther, Brynn Elizabeth Korte and Monroe Braelyn Sneed; paternal cousins, Johnny, Jaisa, Carter, Dorien, Drew and Talon; maternal cousins, Shelby, Davis, Jon and Erin.

Shane is preceded in death by one sister, Darin Nicole Panther, and maternal grandmother ,Pattie Sue Wahnetah.

A funeral service was held on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at the Wolfetown Community Center.  Burial followed at The Shane Sneed Memorial Garden Cemetery.  Pallbearers were among family and friends.  Pastor Foreman Bradley officiated.

Long House Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.

On Aug. 22, 2015 Grace T. Yoder left us to be with her savior, Jesus Christ and to join her husband, Rod Yoder, who departed this life on June 5, 2015.

Grace’s life was one of faithful love and unselfish service to others; married to the one love of her life for 58 years, Rod Yoder, she tirelessly raised three children: Natalie, Daniel and John. Grace was a giver and her surviving family carries with them the hope, love and all the rich blessings she deposited so generously into their lives.

Grace Yoder was born Sept. 3, 1938 in Browning, Mont. to Henry and Mildred Harris. Her family included brother, Fred; sisters, Fran and Gladys. Gracie attended Roosevelt High School in Seattle, Wash. She and Rod were married June 15, 1957 in the University Methodist Temple in Seattle. Gracie and Rod moved to Finley, Wash. in 1974 when Rod became employed at the Hanford nuclear site.

Gracie’s talents and interests were woven into a beautiful tapestry that was her daily life. Her love of music prompted her to not only listen, but she faithfully played the piano during her membership with the Finley Baptist Church. Her home was often filled with the sound of her practicing piano and playing a diverse selection of music styles. Her love of nature and appreciation of her Cherokee heritage was often portrayed in the sketches and paintings she completed. Gracie desired to help others and studied to be a nurse and received her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certificate at Columbia Basin Community College. Gracie served briefly in Hospice care at The Chaplaincy. During the early years of her marriage, Grace helped women, who were being released from prison, to transition back into society, attempting to impart her love of life into their fresh beginnings. Her life of giving to others revolved around her family, the many friendships she cultivated at church and extended to those in need that came her way.

Grace Yoder is survived by her children, Natalie Hieb (Jeff), Dan Yoder (Linda), John Yoder (fiancee Tina); sister, Gladys Cardiff, grandchildren, Stephen (Chantal) Hieb, Benjamin Hieb, Curtis Hieb, Kristen Yoder, Nathan Yoder, Chelsea Street, Erik Yoder and Nick Yoder; great-grandchild, Benjamin Sanchez, and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Grace’s life was held at Hillspring Church in Richland, Wash. on Friday, Aug. 28. The graveside service followed at Desert Lawn Memorial Park on 10th and Union in Kennewick, Wash.

If desired, memorial donations may be made in Grace’s name to Hospice at The
Chaplaincy, 1480 Fowler St, Richland, WA 99352.

James “Jim Ed” Edward Maney, 74, passed away Monday, Sept. 7, 2015.  He was  born May 2, 1941 in Cherokee to the late Jake Edward Maney and Emma Powell Maney.

James was a truck driver and a member of Wright’s Creek Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jessie Long Maney; two sons, Cubby Maney (wife Vickie), and Brian Maney, both of Cherokee; special son, Greg Panther of Cherokee; two daughters, Kim Driver (husband Will), and Tudie Maney (partner Jeff) both of Cherokee; seven grandchildren, Kristen Driver, Elizabeth Maney, Christopher Maney, Jacob Maney, Jessica Maney, Tonya Maney, Dalton Maney; and ten great grandchildren.  Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two children, Rusty Maney and Robin Maney; one brother, Norman Maney; six sisters, Beatrice Maney Carver, Linda Maney Wiggins, Dorothy Maney Johnson, Alice Maney Sequoyah, Alyne Maney Bradley, Jean Maney Johnson.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, Sept. 9 from 5 pm until midnight at the Rock Springs Baptist Church.  Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 2 pm at Rock Springs Baptist Church with Revs. Greg Morgan and Bo Parris officiating.  Burial will follow at the Maney Family Cemetery on Wrights Creek.

Pallbearers will be John Perry Sampson, Pokey Hornbuckle, Nunnie Davis, Brian Johnson, Richard Wiggins, Cordale Wooten, Skooter McCoy, and DeWayne Wiggins; Honorary pallbearers will be Eddie Adams and Soup Saunooke.

Lizzie Tushka King, 92, of Cherokee, went home to be with the Lord Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015 at Tsali Care Center. A native of Broken Bow, Okla. and longtime resident of Cherokee, she was the daughter of the late Lena Tushka. In addition to her mother she was preceded in death by three children.

She was an avid and longtime member of the Cherokee United Methodist Church.

She is survived by one daughter, Sue Thompson of Cherokee; one son, Levi King and wife Penne of Moore, Okla.; three grandchildren Michelle, Jason, and Steven Thompson all of Cherokee; 10 great grandchildren, Chayton, Darius, Becca, Ayden, Nyree, Tyruss, Nikolai, Jayanna, Laylah, and Elli Thompson; and two great great grandchildren, Kendryk Crowe and Aliya Thompson, and a special cousin Lewzie Calonaheskie.

Memorial Services will be held Monday, Sept. 14 at 2pm at the Cherokee United Methodist Church of which she was a member. Rev. John Ferree and Rev. Norman Driver will officiate. 

Iva Lee George Wright, 75, of Cherokee, passed away Monday, Sept. 14, 2015.  A native and lifelong resident of Cherokee, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin and Sally Mae Seay George.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by a daughter, Pamela Crowe, and a grandson, Joshua Crowe. She is survived by one daughter, Sharon W. McCoy (Neal); one son, Ben Wright (Dianne) both of Cherokee; and one sister, Lillie Mae Larch of Cherokee.

Mrs. Wright is also survived by her grandchildren, Kansas McKinnel, Kaitlyn Wright, Kayla Wright, Shaye Wood, Michael Milholen Jr., Justina Hornbuckle, Tyler McCoy, Pascha Lossiah, Jerry Lossiah Jr. and Kelsey Crowe; 14 great grandchildren; two nieces and a nephew.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 16 in the Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Services. Burial will follow in the George Family Cemetery, Old Mission Rd. in Cherokee. The family will receive friends beginning at 4pm on Tuesday at Appalachian Funeral Services. An online registry is available at www.appalachianfuneralservices.com

Jaime Vidal Lespier, a beloved child of God, passed away in the early morning hours on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015. He was just 61 years old. He was born on Sept. 26, 1953 in New Orleans, La.  He was baptized in the North Sea in July 1968 into The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints in Denmark.

His life was one filled with many travels and adventures along with times of sorrow and joy. He was 6’4” tall and commanded a presence that could not be denied when he entered a room. His intellect shined forth as he challenged an opponent in chess, or played his guitar, or when he was immersed in deep conversation about history, the civil war, politics or sports. His sense of humor was contagious and he could make anyone feel happy through laughter. For the many people who loved him, knew that if he called you friend, then he was a true faithful friend.

Jaime was only 18 years old when he started working on offshore oil rigs, from the North Sea to the Middle East and in the gulf of Mexico. In addition to this, he was a man of all trades, acquiring skills in carpentry, gardening and mechanics.

In his later years he suffered from severe health issues, but still managed to care for his aging mother so she could live in her home. He truly loved his precious children and considered them his greatest accomplishment and gift from God. He will truly be missed by those of us who knew him and love him.

Jaime Vidal is the son of the late Wilma Lea Brown (Rose) of Robbinsville and Jaime Lespier of Puerto Rico. His parents had two other children.; the late Lester Manuel Lespier of Puerto Rico and Janie Lespier Wiggins of Robbinsville.  He had other siblings on his mother’s side; Nancy Phillips, Lydia Rogers, Daniel Hebert, Elodie Madewell, and the late Donald Gene Ledbetter. He is survived by his companion of almost 20 years, Lisa Marlow.

Jaime is also survived by his treasure on earth, his children; James Ernest, Ida and April Lespier of Cherokee; William Lespier of Kentucky; and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 19 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Morman) at 1pm on Rt. 441 in Cherokee.

Mary Marie Bridges passed away Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015 at the age of 85. She was born Feb. 10, 1930 in Cherokee to John David and Ollie (Sutton) Smith. Mary was very proud of her Cherokee heritage. Mary married George LeRoy Bridges in 1953 in North Carolina. She and George moved to Eugene, Ore. in 1956. She was a homemaker and self-employed housekeeper for several prominent families in Eugene. She loved to go elk hunting in eastern Oregon. She also loved fishing, gardening, canning the fruits of her labors, cooking and baking. On their many fishing trips to the beach, Mary enjoyed searching for and collecting many different kinds of rocks, especially Agates. She enjoyed reading and spoiling her grandchildren.

She was very active and dedicated in her church. Mary is survived by her daughter, Hazel Beeley and her husband, Bob of Eugene, Ore.; her grandchildren, Keith, Kim, and Kent of Eugene, Ore.; her siblings, Ned Smith, Sam Smith, Lily May Tucker, Jannie Smith, George Smith, and Doris Ellen Smith all of North Carolina, and Hillard Smith of Idaho.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, George LeRoy Bridges; her daughter, Doris Delzer; grandson, Kevin Beeley; and siblings, Dorothy Smith, Rosie George, and John Smith.

Funeral services were held on Friday, Sept. 4 at West Lawn Memorial Chapel.  Mary was laid to rest at Gates Cemetery in Crow, Ore.  Arrangements were entrusted to the Chapel of Memories Funeral Home at West Lawn.  You are invited to sign the guestbook online at www.musgroves.com

Ellie Sue Johnson, infant daughter of Ronnie Hriar Johnson and Misty Danielle (Moon) Johnson, passed away Monday, Sept. 21, 2015.

In addition to her parents, Ellie is survived by one brother, Corliss Johnson; one sister, Emre Johnson; paternal grandparents, Jan and Carolyn Riggle of Clinton, Okla.; maternal grandparents, Steve and Faye Moon of Bryson City; one uncle, Charlie Johnson of Clinton, Okla.; two aunts, Doris Johnson of Cherokee, Whitley Smith (husband Justin) of Bryson City.

Ellie was preceded in death by one sister Emma Leigh and one brother Steven Lee.

Graveside services will be held Thursday, Sept. 24 at 2 pm at the Yellowhill cemetery across road from the Yellowhill Baptist Church in Cherokee.  Rev. Tim Barker will officiate.

Sharon Killian Derrick, 57, of Whittier, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015 after a hard battle with cancer.  Family was by her side.  She was born Nov. 14, 1957 in Asheville.  She was a long-time residence of Asheville.

Surviving are her husband, Robert Lee Derrick; five children, Erin K. Hubbard (Rebel), James W. Killian (Jamie), Adam V. Sequoyah (Kristy), Jackie Diana, and Frankie R. Lipe; three step-children, Christy Derrick, Misty Seawright, and Robert Derrick Jr.; one brother, James H. Killian; one sister, Debbie Christoffer; 18 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Sharon was preceded in death by her mother, Sylvia Wilnoty; her father, William Killian Jr.; and brother, William Edwin Killian III.

A memorial service was held at Long House Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, Sept. 28 with Rev. Billy Lance officiating.

Sherry “Lynn” Owle, 43, of Cherokee passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 27, 2015 at her residence on Old Mission Rd. in Cherokee.  Sherry is the daughter of Gilbert Smith and the late Ella Mae Owle.

Sherry is survived by children, Phillip Joseph Owle, Reyna-Mae Owle and Korrina Lynn Owle; sister, Lilly Mae Seagle; great uncle Phillip Owle Jr.; two special friends, Dee Wike and Bunny George, all of Cherokee.

Sherry was laid to rest in the Blythe Cememtery in Cherokee on Monday, Sept. 28 with a private memorial service to be held by the family at a future date.

Long House Funeral Home assisted in the final arrangments.

Allen Dale Rowland, 69, of the Birdtown Community, went home to be with the Lord Monday, Sept. 28, 2015. A native of Swain County, he was the son of the late Dewitt Owle and Roxie Wiggins and stepson to the late Walter Wiggins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, James Michael Owle and Grady Macarther Owle and two sisters, Bessie Owle Long and Esther Owle Waldroup.

Allen is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and a member and former Pastor of Antioch Baptist Church of Coopers Creek. He was also a former Pastor of Galbreath Creek Baptist Church.

Allen is survived by his wife, Ella Mae Rowland; one son, James Rowland and fiancée Heather Queen of Cherokee; one stepson, James Paul Crisp and wife Alicia of Bryson City; two grandsons, Caleb Rowland and Coy Rowland of Cherokee; two granddaughters, Callie Cook of Franklin and Autumn Rain Crisp of Bryson City; four sisters, Gaynelle Estes, Dorothy Brady Owle, Elizabeth Owle Crowe, and Frances Dee Arneach all of Cherokee; one brother, Paul Owle of Cherokee and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at 3pm on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at the Chapel of Crisp Funeral Home. Rev. Roger Roland will officiate with burial at Birdtown Cemetery immediately following the service at the Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends from 1-3pm Wednesday at the Funeral Home.

Everett Cucumber, 83, of Beckley, WV died Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015, at the Beckley VA Hospital.  He was born in Cherokee on Dec. 16, 1931, and is the son of the late James and Elizabeth Reed Cucumber.  In addition to his parents, those gone on before him are four sisters, Geneva Tooni, Amanda Wachacha, Ollie Hornbuckle, and Nellie Welch; five brothers, Dave Cucumber, Mason Cucumber, Sr., Lawrence Cucumber, Calvin Cucumber, and Rev. Johnny Cucumber; wife and mother of his children, Letha Saunooke Cucumber; son, Marion (Sonny) Cucumber; and granddaughter, Casey Bradley.

Those awaiting to join Ed’s joyous celebration party with The Lord include Kelly (Pinoke) of Princeton, WV, his love and best friend for the last 18 years; one sister, Francis Cucumber of Cherokee; two sons, Melvin Cucumber of Cherokee and Raymond Cucumber of Asheville; three grandchildren, Erica Bradley, Cayla Cucumber and James Cucumber, all of Cherokee; five great-grandchildren; a multitude of nieces and nephews; and special nephew Frank Cucumber, wife Judy, and their daughter Angela of Cherokee.

Ed is 15/16 blood Cherokee Indian. Today, Ed is no doubt the happiest he has ever been, having entered a city called Glory, so bright and fair, with the Angels meeting him there, going down the streets of Heaven, he assuredly by his faith beholds the face of the one who died for all, his beloved Jesus. Special thank you to the staff of the 4^th & 6^th floors at Beckley VA hospital and to Dr. William Boyd.

A gathering to celebrate Ed’s life will be held at 2p.m. Friday, Oct. 2 at the George W. Seaver Chapel of Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton with Pastor Erma Jean Hudgins officiating.  Burial will follow at Oakwood Park Cemetery in Princeton.  The Mercer County Veteran’s Council will conduct military graveside rites.  Friends may call at the funeral home from 12:30 p.m. until the service hour Friday.  Online condolences may be made and complete obituary viewed by visiting www.seaverfuneralservice.com

Linda Marie Armachain, 35, of Cherokee, passed away Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015 at Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville.

Linda is survived by her parents, Jeff Blackfox and Minda Armachain; two sons, Dylan Wachacha and Ethan Armachain, both of Cherokee; one brother, Steve Bird of Cherokee; three sisters, Roberta Bird, Kristan Blackfox, and Cassandra Blackfox, all of Cherokee; also surviving  is a “best all around” uncle Bud of Cherokee; special neice, Shaelynn Postoak of Cherokee; and her significant other Mondo Bird of Cherokee.

Visitation will be held starting at 4pm on Sunday, Aug. 16 at the Pentacostal Holiness Church in Cherokee with Linda remaining until the service hour on Monday, Aug. 17at 3pm with Rev. Tim Melton and Rev. Greg Morgan officiating.   Burial will follow the funeral service at the Armachain Cemetery on Swimmer Branch Road in Cherokee.

David Wilburn Swayney Jr. 56, of the Big Cove Community of Cherokee, passed away unexpectedly following a brief illness at the Cherokee Indian Hospital.

David was the son of the late David Wilburn, Sr. and Katie Calhoun Swayney both of Cherokee.  He was a handyman and made his way through self-employment.  He was a member of the Straight Fork Baptist Church, but had attended Rock Springs Baptist recently. He was a good father and friend to those who knew him.  He will be missed by all.

He is survived by his two children, Davina Swayney Ricco and husband Sal of Surprise, Ariz. and Christopher Swayney and wife Rosemarie of Sylva; brother, O.D. Swayney; sisters, Shirley Cloer, of Bryson City and Clara Driver of Cherokee; aunts, Waneema Driver, Marie Taylor Swayney and Inez Swayney Wolfe, all of Cherokee; brother-in-law, Albert “Junior” Sluder and two grandchildren, Gray and Gunner Ricco of Surprise, Ariz.

David was preceded in death by sisters, Kathy Wolfe and Brenda Sluder.

A visitation will be held on Monday, Aug. 24 at the Straight Fork Baptist church from 6-11pm with a funeral service at 2pm the following day of Tuesday, Aug. 25.  Pastor Charles Ray Ball and Pastor Greg Morgan will officiate the services.  An immediate burial will follow the service in the Swayney Family Cemetery with pall bearers being Roland Bradley, Buck Cloer, James Driver Jr., Steven Watty, Two Leaf Sluder and Billy Lambert.

Long House Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.

Christian Shane Sneed, 22, of Cherokee, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2105 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.  Shane is the son of Robert Sneed and Jaclyn Sneed(step-mother) and Trina Lousie Rhinehart and Jim Panther (step-father).

Shane is survived by his paternal grandparents, Herbert Sneed Sr. and Merlina Sneed; paternal step-grandparents Jack and Rebeccah Riggs; aunts, Marina Robins(husband Mark), Jeannie Littlejohn(husband Jason), Leauna “Bo” Stone (husband Robert), Michelle Sneed (husband Ray Long) and Jacquelina “Nena” Loch (husband Zach); uncles, Herbert Sneed Jr. and Danny Rhinehart; brothers, Kennan Panther and brother-in-law Jesse Hix; sisters Chavis Panther Hix, Victoria Heinz, Jordan Elise Maney, Kamea Sneed, Brittany Gurrola, Jaime Prezleigh Panther, Brynn Elizabeth Korte and Monroe Braelyn Sneed; paternal cousins, Johnny, Jaisa, Carter, Dorien, Drew and Talon; maternal cousins, Shelby, Davis, Jon and Erin.

Shane is preceded in death by one sister, Darin Nicole Panther, and maternal grandmother ,Pattie Sue Wahnetah.

A funeral service was held on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at the Wolfetown Community Center.  Burial followed at The Shane Sneed Memorial Garden Cemetery.  Pallbearers were among family and friends.  Pastor Foreman Bradley officiated.

Long House Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.

On Aug. 22, 2015 Grace T. Yoder left us to be with her savior, Jesus Christ and to join her husband, Rod Yoder, who departed this life on June 5, 2015.

Grace’s life was one of faithful love and unselfish service to others; married to the one love of her life for 58 years, Rod Yoder, she tirelessly raised three children: Natalie, Daniel and John. Grace was a giver and her surviving family carries with them the hope, love and all the rich blessings she deposited so generously into their lives.

Grace Yoder was born Sept. 3, 1938 in Browning, Mont. to Henry and Mildred Harris. Her family included brother, Fred; sisters, Fran and Gladys. Gracie attended Roosevelt High School in Seattle, Wash. She and Rod were married June 15, 1957 in the University Methodist Temple in Seattle. Gracie and Rod moved to Finley, Wash. in 1974 when Rod became employed at the Hanford nuclear site.

Gracie’s talents and interests were woven into a beautiful tapestry that was her daily life. Her love of music prompted her to not only listen, but she faithfully played the piano during her membership with the Finley Baptist Church. Her home was often filled with the sound of her practicing piano and playing a diverse selection of music styles. Her love of nature and appreciation of her Cherokee heritage was often portrayed in the sketches and paintings she completed. Gracie desired to help others and studied to be a nurse and received her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certificate at Columbia Basin Community College. Gracie served briefly in Hospice care at The Chaplaincy. During the early years of her marriage, Grace helped women, who were being released from prison, to transition back into society, attempting to impart her love of life into their fresh beginnings. Her life of giving to others revolved around her family, the many friendships she cultivated at church and extended to those in need that came her way.

Grace Yoder is survived by her children, Natalie Hieb (Jeff), Dan Yoder (Linda), John Yoder (fiancee Tina); sister, Gladys Cardiff, grandchildren, Stephen (Chantal) Hieb, Benjamin Hieb, Curtis Hieb, Kristen Yoder, Nathan Yoder, Chelsea Street, Erik Yoder and Nick Yoder; great-grandchild, Benjamin Sanchez, and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Grace’s life was held at Hillspring Church in Richland, Wash. on Friday, Aug. 28. The graveside service followed at Desert Lawn Memorial Park on 10th and Union in Kennewick, Wash.

If desired, memorial donations may be made in Grace’s name to Hospice at The
Chaplaincy, 1480 Fowler St, Richland, WA 99352.

James “Jim Ed” Edward Maney, 74, passed away Monday, Sept. 7, 2015.  He was  born May 2, 1941 in Cherokee to the late Jake Edward Maney and Emma Powell Maney.

James was a truck driver and a member of Wright’s Creek Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jessie Long Maney; two sons, Cubby Maney (wife Vickie), and Brian Maney, both of Cherokee; special son, Greg Panther of Cherokee; two daughters, Kim Driver (husband Will), and Tudie Maney (partner Jeff) both of Cherokee; seven grandchildren, Kristen Driver, Elizabeth Maney, Christopher Maney, Jacob Maney, Jessica Maney, Tonya Maney, Dalton Maney; and ten great grandchildren.  Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two children, Rusty Maney and Robin Maney; one brother, Norman Maney; six sisters, Beatrice Maney Carver, Linda Maney Wiggins, Dorothy Maney Johnson, Alice Maney Sequoyah, Alyne Maney Bradley, Jean Maney Johnson.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, Sept. 9 from 5 pm until midnight at the Rock Springs Baptist Church.  Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 2 pm at Rock Springs Baptist Church with Revs. Greg Morgan and Bo Parris officiating.  Burial will follow at the Maney Family Cemetery on Wrights Creek.

Pallbearers will be John Perry Sampson, Pokey Hornbuckle, Nunnie Davis, Brian Johnson, Richard Wiggins, Cordale Wooten, Skooter McCoy, and DeWayne Wiggins; Honorary pallbearers will be Eddie Adams and Soup Saunooke.

Lizzie Tushka King, 92, of Cherokee, went home to be with the Lord Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015 at Tsali Care Center. A native of Broken Bow, Okla. and longtime resident of Cherokee, she was the daughter of the late Lena Tushka. In addition to her mother she was preceded in death by three children.

She was an avid and longtime member of the Cherokee United Methodist Church.

She is survived by one daughter, Sue Thompson of Cherokee; one son, Levi King and wife Penne of Moore, Okla.; three grandchildren Michelle, Jason, and Steven Thompson all of Cherokee; 10 great grandchildren, Chayton, Darius, Becca, Ayden, Nyree, Tyruss, Nikolai, Jayanna, Laylah, and Elli Thompson; and two great great grandchildren, Kendryk Crowe and Aliya Thompson, and a special cousin Lewzie Calonaheskie.

Memorial Services will be held Monday, Sept. 14 at 2pm at the Cherokee United Methodist Church of which she was a member. Rev. John Ferree and Rev. Norman Driver will officiate. 

Iva Lee George Wright, 75, of Cherokee, passed away Monday, Sept. 14, 2015.  A native and lifelong resident of Cherokee, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin and Sally Mae Seay George.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by a daughter, Pamela Crowe, and a grandson, Joshua Crowe. She is survived by one daughter, Sharon W. McCoy (Neal); one son, Ben Wright (Dianne) both of Cherokee; and one sister, Lillie Mae Larch of Cherokee.

Mrs. Wright is also survived by her grandchildren, Kansas McKinnel, Kaitlyn Wright, Kayla Wright, Shaye Wood, Michael Milholen Jr., Justina Hornbuckle, Tyler McCoy, Pascha Lossiah, Jerry Lossiah Jr. and Kelsey Crowe; 14 great grandchildren; two nieces and a nephew.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 16 in the Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Services. Burial will follow in the George Family Cemetery, Old Mission Rd. in Cherokee. The family will receive friends beginning at 4pm on Tuesday at Appalachian Funeral Services. An online registry is available at www.appalachianfuneralservices.com

Jaime Vidal Lespier, a beloved child of God, passed away in the early morning hours on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015. He was just 61 years old. He was born on Sept. 26, 1953 in New Orleans, La.  He was baptized in the North Sea in July 1968 into The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints in Denmark.

His life was one filled with many travels and adventures along with times of sorrow and joy. He was 6’4” tall and commanded a presence that could not be denied when he entered a room. His intellect shined forth as he challenged an opponent in chess, or played his guitar, or when he was immersed in deep conversation about history, the civil war, politics or sports. His sense of humor was contagious and he could make anyone feel happy through laughter. For the many people who loved him, knew that if he called you friend, then he was a true faithful friend.

Jaime was only 18 years old when he started working on offshore oil rigs, from the North Sea to the Middle East and in the gulf of Mexico. In addition to this, he was a man of all trades, acquiring skills in carpentry, gardening and mechanics.

In his later years he suffered from severe health issues, but still managed to care for his aging mother so she could live in her home. He truly loved his precious children and considered them his greatest accomplishment and gift from God. He will truly be missed by those of us who knew him and love him.

Jaime Vidal is the son of the late Wilma Lea Brown (Rose) of Robbinsville and Jaime Lespier of Puerto Rico. His parents had two other children.; the late Lester Manuel Lespier of Puerto Rico and Janie Lespier Wiggins of Robbinsville.  He had other siblings on his mother’s side; Nancy Phillips, Lydia Rogers, Daniel Hebert, Elodie Madewell, and the late Donald Gene Ledbetter. He is survived by his companion of almost 20 years, Lisa Marlow.

Jaime is also survived by his treasure on earth, his children; James Ernest, Ida and April Lespier of Cherokee; William Lespier of Kentucky; and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 19 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Morman) at 1pm on Rt. 441 in Cherokee.