Geneva Alene Youngdeer, 93, of Cherokee, passed away Thursday, May 19, 2016.

She was born May 19, 1923 in Hanna, Okla. to the late William Isaac Stafford and Cordelia Cox Stafford.  She was a proud native Oklahoman.

She is survived by her husband of 73 years, Robert S. Youngdeer; one son, Merritt E. Youngdeer Sr. and wife Lulie of Cherokee; one daughter, Judith A. Nelson and husband John of Lawton, Oklah.; grandchildren, Connie S. O’Neill of Groton, SD, Audra L. Vogel of Aberdeen, SD, Lauren Armachain of Cherokee, Angela M. Nelson of Atlanta, Ga., Carla Alene Williams of Lawton, Okla., and John R. Nelson of Cherokee; great grandchildren, Taylor Lynn and husband Skyler Spellman of Loma Linda, Calif., Payton N. Maine of Groton, SD, Ashley S. Vogel of Aberdeen, SD, Zack Vogel of Aberdeen, SD, Orion D. Holmberg of Cherokee, Kenneth C. Williams of Lawton, Okla., and Robert C. Williams of Lawton, Okla.

In addition to her parents, Geneva was preceded in death by one grandson, Merritt E. Youngdeer Jr.; and eight brothers and sisters.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 22 beginning at 4pm at the Macedonia Baptist Church.  Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 23 at 11am at the Macedonia Baptist Church with Pastor Dan Conseen and Merritt E. Youngdeer Sr. officiating.  Private burial will follow at the Youngdeer cemetery.  Pallbearers will be among family and friends.

Long House Funeral Home is serving the Youngdeer family.

Melvin Ray Ferguson, age 78, of Whittier died Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at Haywood County Regional Medical Center in Clyde.  Ray was born May 22, 1938 in Haywood County, the second of five children, to the late Fred and Valerie Davis Ferguson.  The family moved to Whittier in 1940 where Ray would reside throughout his lifetime.  In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Barbara, and oldest daughter, Trudi Lamond.

Upon returning from service in the U.S. Army, he founded the Ray Ferguson Trucking Company, and continued to work in construction the remainder of his life.  He was a member of Shoal Creek Baptist Church, a member of the Cherokee Rodders Club, the Western N.C. Truck Club, and the western N.C. Cruisers Club.  He was very active in the Republican party of Western N.C.  He loved racing and restoring classic cars and trucks, farming and animals, and having breakfast with good friends at Peter’s Pancakes.

He is survived by his daughter, Teri and her husband Scott Barber; his son-in-law, Brian Lamond; grandchildren, Ryan Ferguson, Avery Barber, and Lilli and Ella Lamond; one sister, Vivadean Kinsland; brothers, David, Freddie and Donald (Hoppy) Ferguson, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral will be held on Saturday, May 28 at 1pm at Shoal Creek Baptist Church with Rev. Steve Jamison officiating. Burial will follow in Sherrill Cemetery on Old Mission Road. The family will receive friends at Appalachian Funeral Service from 6-8pm on Friday, May 27.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shoal Creek Church Building Fund, 184 Shoal Creek Church Loop, Whittier, NC 28789 or Sherrill Cemetery Fund, c/o Joyce Cooper, P.O. Box 1254 Cherokee, NC 28719. An online registry is available at www.appalachianfuneralservices.com

Jacqueline Marie Jumper Porter, 36, of Cherokee passed away Saturday, May 28, 2016 at her home.

Jacqueline was a stay-at-home mom.  She was a member of Rock Springs Baptist Church.

She is survived by her husband, James Porter; her father, Charles (Hoss) Jumper; her children, Joseph (JC) C. Porter, Kyleigh J. Porter, Lee Porter and fiance’ Meredith, and Robert Porter and girlfriend Samantha; one grandchild, Damien;  brother, Dylan West; step-brother, Bobby Cucumber; sister, Melissa Jumper; and many aunts and uncles.

Jacqueline was preceded in death by her mother, Jeanette Driver Jumper.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 31 beginning at 6pm at the Rock Springs Baptist Church where she will remain until the hour of service on Wednesday, June 1 at 11am.  Pastors Greg Morgan and James “Bo” Parris will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Driver Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Jacqueline’s nephews.

Earl Payne, age 93, of Turtletown, Tenn., passed away Sunday, May 29, 2016 in Copperhill, Tenn.

He was born in Cherokee County, NC to Isum and Estie Taylor Payne. Earl was a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and was an original Baker Enrollee. He was a member of Turtletown Baptist Church. Earl loved camping and family gatherings. He retired from the Naval Ordnance Lab and Test Facilities in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Earl received the Civilian Distinguished Service Medal. During WWII, Earl was involved in the testing of mines, rockets and torpedoes in the Hiwassee Dam community.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Hazel Horton Payne; brothers, Walter, George, Harvey, Carson and Charlie; and sister, Sara Anschutz.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Kate Dockery Payne;  one son, Paul Terrance Payne and wife Brenda of Hixson, Tenn.; four step-daughters, Kathy  Bittner and husband Robin of Eagles Springs, NC, Karen Hunt and husband Michael of Douglasville, Ga., Pamela Beaver of New Ellenton, SC and Patricia Beaver of Lebanon, Tenn.; two brothers, Willis Payne and Virgil Payne; one sister, Evelyn Herndon; two grandchildren, Daniel Payne and Emily Rinker and husband Cristian; four step-grandchildren, Katie Melcher, Matthew Hunt, Kimberly Cox and Kami Hunt; one great grandchild, Samuel Rinker; seven step-grandsons, Malachi Cox, Lucas Hunt, Isaac Cox, Eli Hunt, Jeremiah Cox, Deacon Cox and Finn Hunt; and several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:30pm on Thursday, June 2 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Murphy, NC. Rev. Doug Payne will officiate.  The family will receive friends from 12-1:30pm on Thursday.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23058.

You may send tributes to the Payne family at www.townson-rose.com

Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Carolyn Crowe, 66, of Cherokee went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, June 1, 2016. A native of Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late James and Elizabeth Wilnota Crowe.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Catlin, and two brothers, Richard and Kaiser.

She was a member of Rock Springs Baptist Church. She was an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

She is survived by three sons, Steven, James and Robert; four grandchildren, Megan, Catlin, Kanyon, Hilarie; two sisters, Mary Ann, Vickie; four brothers, James David, Sylvester, Roland, and Mark; and two sisters-in-law, Loretta and Glenda; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2pm on Saturday, June 4 at Bigwitch Baptist Church. Pastors James (Bo) Parris and Tim James will officiate with burial in the Crowe Family Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 12-2pm Saturday at the church.

Crisp Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Johnny Douglas Bigwitch, 50, of Cherokee, passed away Wednesday, June 1, 2016.

He was born June 20, 1965 in Cherokee to the late George W. Bigwitch and Melinda Smoker Bigwitch.

Johnny is survived by two brothers, Danny Bigwitch and William A. DeHaven; two sisters, Brenna A. Rogers and Paula S. Young;  two nephews, Ryan M. Gibbs and Dakota V.N. Young; and two nieces, Justina Bigwitch and Destiny N. Young.

In addition to his parents, Johnny was preceded in death by one brother, Larry A. Bigwitch.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 4 from 4-8pm at Long House Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be held on Sunday, June 5 at 2 pm at Long House Funeral Home with Pastor Tim Melton officiating.  Burial will follow at the Bigwitch Cemetery on Blue Wing.  Pallbearers will be among family and friends.

Mary Ella Squirrell Lambert, 70, of Cherokee, passed away Saturday, June 4, 2016 at Tsali Care Center.

She was born Nov. 20, 1945 in Cherokee to the late Dave Squirrell and Ethelyn Arch Conseen.

Mary is survived by one great granddaughter, Jalen Bird; and many cousins.

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by a daughter, Angela Mitchel; two granddaughters, Danielle and Tammy Seay; and one brother, Joseph Arch Conseen.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 7 from 11am – 12pm at Long House Funeral Home followed by funeral services at 12noon.  Rev. Ed Kilgore will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Bethel Cemetery.

Tommy Littlejohn, 82, of Cherokee passed away Monday, June 6, 2016 at the Cherokee Indian Hospital with his loving family by his side.

He was born Feb. 10, 1934 in Cherokee to the late Henson Littlejohn and Leewee Crowe Littlejohn.

Tommy is survived by his wife, Rachel Johnson Littlejohn; three daughters, Brenda Johnson, Lynn Littlejohn, and Lana Littlejohn; three grandchildren, Marci Johnson, Chebon Postoak, and Esiah Postoak; one great grandson, Michael Reed; one sister, Sallie Reed; special friends, Brother Wayne Carson and Peggy Carson, and Leroy and Cheryl Denison.

In addition to his parents, Tommy was preceded in death by one son, Charles (Chuck) Johnson; four brothers, Boyd Littlejohn, Thomas (Maygo) Littlejohn, Henson Littlejohn Jr., and Jess Littlejohn; four sisters, Alice Oocumma, Agnes Castorena, Amanda Blackfox, and Mabel Littlejohn.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 8 beginning at 4 pm at the Macedonia Baptist Church where the body will remain until the hour of service on Thursday, June 9 at 2 pm.  Pastor Dan Conseen and Brother Wayne Carson will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Lower Littlejohn Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be nephews.

Long House Funeral Home is serving the Littlejohn family.

Carroll “Pwe” Crowe, 63, of Cherokee and the Big Y community went home to be with the Lord Friday, June 10, 2016 at his residence. A native of Cherokee and proud member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, he was the son of the late Chief John A. Crowe and Ollie Wolfe Crowe. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by one brother, Charles “Hump” Crowe; mother and father-in-law, Bud and Winona McCoy.

He was a member of Wolf Clan. He was former Vice Chief and Council Member for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. He was a devoted Christian and strong believer in Jesus, who loved to share his testimony of what the Lord had done for him throughout the Cherokee Community. Pwe was an active member of the Cherokee Police Commission.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Mickie McCoy Crowe. He was the very proud father of three sons, Peanut Crowe and wife Radonna, Dick Crowe and wife Ellen, and Bo Crowe and wife Kim all of Cherokee; 11 grandchildren whom he adored, Madison, Tagan, Dre, Riley, Ian, Dali, Boie, Livi, Kinley, Baby Jo, and Kimbo Crowe; two brothers, Bob Reed and Albert Sluder both of Cherokee; nieces and nephews, Skooter, Sasha, Taz, Donovan, Dallas, Daisy, Chrissy, Dorine, Two Leaf, Brittany, and Billy; and the best friends a man could ever have, Buford and Jessie Smith.

Funeral services will be held at 2pm Monday, June 13 at the Cultural Arts Center at the Cherokee Central School. Rev. Greg Morgan and Mark Crowe will officiate with burial in the Crowe Cemetery.

Pwe will be taken to the Cultural Arts Center at 5pm Sunday by Crisp Funeral Home where he will remain until the hour of service.

Pallbearers will be Buford Smith, Lil Bu Smith, Tim Smith, Skooter McCoy, Taz McCoy, R.D. Allison, Eddie Crowe, Chester Crowe, Jr. Crowe, Carr Crowe, Dallas Crowe, Donovan Crowe and Sean Ross.

Rita Ann Sneed, 75, of Cherokee passed away Sunday, June 12, 2016. A native of Cherokee, she was the daughter of the late Samuel Blakely and Naomi Tucker Sneed. She was a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Momma Gene Jackson; and her brother, Tom Sneed.

She is survived by her son, Jay J. Divelbiss; daughter, Dawnya Sneed; siblings, Doris Wilkerson of San Antonio, Texas, Emma Sneed of Cherokee, Sue McManas of Jonesborough, Tenn., Daphne Hambrook of Alaska, Keith Sneed of Cherokee, Judy Cook of Cherokee; and multiple nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and family.

A memorial service will be held at 6pm on Thursday, June 16 in the chapel of Crisp Funeral Home.

Clyde Taylor Bumgarner, 86, of Sylva passed away Thursday morning, June 16, 2016. He was born Oct. 2, 1929 in Jackson County.  He was the son of the late Charlie Fannon and  Hanna Lennis (Taylor) Bumgarner.  In addition to his parents, Clyde was also preceded in death by an infant brother, Wilford; and sisters Helen Johnson and Dorothy Davis.

Clyde was a U.S. Army veteran serving in Ft. Richardson, Alaska, and he was also in the Marine reserves in the 1950s.  He was a 1957 graduate of Western Carolina University.  During his time at WCU, he played football, was an assistant coach, and wrestled.

He retired in 1983 following 30 years of service with the BIA School System – Cherokee Indian Agency.  Clyde was a very active member of the National Federation of Federal Employees during his career in the school system.

Clyde was a longtime member (40+ years) of the American Legion Post 104 in Sylva, serving some years as Commander and Membership Chairman.  He was also active with the American Legion Burial Detail.

He was a lifelong member of Loves Chapel United Methodist Church where he previously served as trustee, Chairman of administration board, Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, and served as Trustee of the Loves Chapel Cemetery Fund.

Clyde is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jeanne Henson Bumgarner; sons, Ronnie L. Bumgarner and wife Brenda of Whittier, and Tony L. Bumgarner of Sylva and wife Stephanie Smith of York, Pa.  He is also survived by four grandchildren, Linsey, Cory, Taylor, and Naomi; his twin brother, Ernest Bumgarner; and brother, L.C. (Zeke) Bumgarner.

Funeral Services will be held 2pm on Sunday, June 19 at Loves Chapel Methodist Church in Sylva with Revs. Ryan Snyder and Aryn Williams-Ruebel officiating.  Burial will be in Love’s Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Saturday evening, June 18 from 6-8pm at Appalachian Funeral Services.

Memorials may be made to the Loves Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 942 Fairview Rd. Sylva, NC 28779.

Appalachian Funeral Services has been entrusted with all arrangements.

Kina “Slugg” Elaine Lossie, 50, of Sylva passed away Friday, June 24, 2016.

She was born Dec. 3, 1965 in Cherokee to the late Johnson Sequoyah and Bobbie Cucumber Sequoyah.

She is survived by her husband, Billy Lossie; one son, Johnson Lloyd Sequoyah of Cherokee; two brothers, Johnny Sequoyah and Brian Sequoyah both of Baltimore, Maryland; three sisters, Lizzie Sequoyah of Cherokee, Donna O’Neil of Pennsylvania, and Dawn Brown of Baltimore, Maryland; two grandchildren; four nieces and four nephews also survive.

In addition to her parents, Kina was preceded in death by one son Jerry L. Maney Jr.

Visitation will be held Sunday, June 26, 2016 from 12-2 pm at the Piney Grove Baptist Church with funeral services to follow at 2pm.  Rev. Roger Roland will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Sequoyah Cemetery.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Lossie family.

Mickey Joseph Meuse, 6 1/2 months, passed away Wednesday, June 22, 2016 with his loving family by his side.  He was born in Sylva on Nov. 29, 2015.

Mickey is survived by his parents Richard Joseph Meuse Jr. and Danielle Reed; his paternal grandmother, Ann Meuse; his maternal grandmother, Rosie Hornbuckle; one brother, Galvin Reed; two sisters, Alexis Grimes and Alleshaunie Hornbuckle; two great great aunts, Mabel Frizzell and Dolly S. Taylor; great grandmother, Jane Taylor; seven aunts and three uncles also survive.

Mickey was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Richard Joseph Meuse Sr; and maternal great grandparents, Calvin and Peggy Hornbuckle.

Funeral services were held Saturday, June 25 at the Straight Fork Baptist Church with Rev. Charles Ray Ball officiating.  Burial was in the Boone Cemetery on Wrights Creek.  Pallbearers were Eddie Bird and Houston Hornbuckle.

Mrs. Betty Singletary-Spray passed away quietly on Monday, July 4, 2016 at Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva after a lengthy illness. Betty was 71-years-old. Betty is survived by her husband, Charles; her sister, Jan Schaniel; sons, Richard Lewis and Reverend Ryder Lewis; step-son, Michael Spray; step-daughter, Virgina “Ginny” Spray-Arce; two daughter-in-law’s, one son-in-law, 15 grandchildren, and two great-grand daughters.

Betty was born Feb. 3, 1945 in Marianna, Fla. to Aylene Hill-Singletary and Wiley Singletary, now both deceased. Betty was preceded in death by her brothers, Ronnie Singletary, Albie “Buddy” Singletary; and daughter-in-law Kathy Lewis.

When Betty was young, her family relocated to Thomasville, Ga. where she lived for most of her life. Betty graduated from Thomasville High School and attended nursing school at Valdosta Technical Institute, working as an Licensed Practical Nurse for much of her adult life.  Betty worked as a home health nurse for Archbold Hospital for several years providing care for patients in Thomas and surrounding counties.

Betty and Charles were married in Thomasville in June 1999. They relocated to Bryson City in 2001 where Betty worked for several years at Mountain View Manor Nursing Home. Betty retired in 2014. Charles is a staff nurse at the Cherokee Indian Hospital. Betty was a special kind of lady who was kind and helpful to everyone. She loved life, her family, friends, and Jesus. Betty is well loved by her family and friends. She will be missed dearly. Betty has gained her angel wings and no longer has to suffer from pain and illness. Guests may sign the online register at whiddonshiverfuneralhome.com. Whiddon-Shiver Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Services will be held Saturday, July 9 at 12pm at Whiddon-Shiver Funeral Home with interment following at Laurel Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11am – 12pm at the funeral home before the service.

Sandra Locust Gunther, 66, of Cherokee passed away Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at her residence.

She was born May 28, 1950 in Cherokee to the late William Russell Locust Sr. and Caroline S. Lambert Locust Robinson.

Sandra is survived by her husband, Rory Gunther; one daughter, Victoria Ann Duncanson; and two brothers, William “Bill” Locust and Johnny Carter.

In addition to her parents, Sandra was preceded in death by two brothers, Raymond Bobby Carter and Dallas Ray Martin; and one sister, Marcella Ann Melvin.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 23 at 11am at the Christ Fellowship Church in Cherokee.

Long House Funeral Home assisted the Gunther family.

Michael Ray French, 62, of Cherokee passed away Friday, July 8, 2016 at his residence with his loving family by his side.

He was born March 6, 1954 in Cherokee to the late Roy French and Mary Swayney French.

Michael is survived by his wife, Martha “Sissy” French; his children, Moni Toinetta (Ben) and Zave French; one grandson, Jess Toineeta; two brothers, Walter French (Brenda) and Richard French (Angie); two sisters, Karen Browning and Wanda Myers; one very special sister-in-law, Sherry Jones; two special dogs Jasper and Minnie; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Michael was preceded in death by one brother, Edwin (Peanut) French.

Visitation will be held on Monday, July 11 from 5-8pm at Long House Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 12 at 11am at Long House Funeral Home Chapel.  Burial will follow at the Manley George Family Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Cricket Driver, Charlie Burgess, Harold George, Lil Buc, Roy Bradley, and Calloway Ledford.

Ben Oshel Bridgers, 76, of Sylva, entered the gates of larger life on Saturday, July 9, 2016, in his home.

Ben Bridgers was born in Macalester, Okla., to Jasper and Louise Bennett Bridgers on Aug.  31, 1939.  He received a bachelor’s of arts degree in english from Hendrix College, a master’s of arts degree in english from the University of Arkansas and taught at East Carolina University before entering the United States Air Force as a communications officer for the Strategic Air Command, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. He graduated from The University of North Carolina School of Law in 1971 and moved to Sylva where he practiced law for 40 years. In addition to private practice, he served as the Tribal Attorney for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians for three decades and was a nationally-recognized expert in Native American law.

He loved music, literature, travel and the performing arts. He wrote poetry and was a student of world religions. To commemorate his 60^th birthday, he swam the Hellespont in Turkey following the same route from Sestos to Abydos Lord Byron had taken in 1810.  He was a dedicated member of St. John’s Episcopal Church where he served on the Vestry for many years, sang in the choir, and served as lector. Over the years, he gave his time and financial support to many causes and organizations in Jackson County and around the world. He was especially committed to the Southern Poverty Law Center.  Beloved by his children and grandchildren, he was always supportive of their endeavors and interests.

Ben is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sue Ellen Hunsucker Bridgers of Sylva; his three children, Elizabeth Abbott Bridgers and partner John, Jane Bennett Bridgers-Carlos and husband Aaron, Sean MacKenzie Bridgers and wife Rachel. He is also survived by his sister, Leah Bridgers Baker and husband Steve of Austin, Texas; his sister –in-law Sandra Hunsucker and brother-in-law Abbott Hunsucker, both of Winterville; ten grandchildren and six nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 21 from 5-8pm at Appalachian Funeral Services, 165 Skyland Drive, Sylva. A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Friday, July 22 at 2pm with the Reverend Pattie Curtis officiating.  Burial will be at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to Memory Care at 100 Far Horizons Lane, Asheville, NC 28803; Pathways Hospice through gifts to Great Smokies Health Foundation, PO Box 176, Sylva, NC 28779; or St. John’s Episcopal Church, PO Box 175, Sylva, NC 28779.

Winona Lucille Seay (Ma Seay), 101, of the Big Cove community went home to be with the Lord Monday, July 11, 2016. A native of Cherokee, she was the daughter of the late John Wesley and Neddie Williamson Swayney and wife of the late Clingman T. Seay. She was a member of Straight Fork Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her son, Vernon Seay; great granddaughter, Lydia Gosnell; four brothers and five sisters.

She is survived by her two daughters, Selma Hope and Carol Quinn; one sister, Beulah Walker; two brothers, John Wesley and Gene Swayney; and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren; and great great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 3pm on Wednesday, July 13 at Straight Fork Baptist Church. Rev. Charles Ray Ball will officiate with burial in the family cemetery.

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

Crisp Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Byrdie Renee Junaluska, 48, of Cherokee passed away on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at the Cherokee Indian Hospital. Byrdie is the daughter of the late Mark Junaluska and Pauline (Taylor) Junaluska.

Those surviving are Kevin Michael Hart (significant other); daughter, Michelle Suzanne Junaluskie; son, Kevin Michael Hart II; sisters, Carolyn Junaluska, Glenda Gale Junaluska and Rena Lois Junaluska-Stewart; aunt Dolly Jean Taylor as well as many nieces and nephews.

Along with her parents, Brydie is preceded in death by her son, Mark Tyler Hart.

Funeral arrangements have not be finalized at this time, please call Long House Funeral Home (828-497-1408)or check website http://www.longhousefuneralhome.com on Monday, July 18 2016 for visitation/service times and location. Info will be updated ASAP.

Long House Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.

Nancy Ann Rose Long, passed away at the Cherokee Indian Hospital following a long illness on July 16, 2016.  She was 77 years old.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bob” Long; son, Eddie Long; parents Benjamin “Ted” Rose and Mildred Warren Rose; brothers, Albert Dale Rose and Benjamin “Teddy” Rose.

She leaves behind her sons, Robert “Bob” Long and wife Joann, Peter “Pete” Long and wife Vickie, Donald Long and wife Bernedine, Kenneth “Kenny” Long and wife Rhonda, Ronald “Ronnie” Long and companion Connie; 20 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.  She also leaves behind her brothers, Donald Rose and Ray Rose and his wife Kathy; her sisters, Phyllis Coons, Mary Booth and her husband Bill, Brenda Johnson and her husband Larry, Linda Carter, Vivian “Lib” Keiffer and her husband Dan, and Alice Lambert and her husband Joe, and many nieces, nephews, and special friends.

She above all was a beloved mother and grandmother.  Many family members and friends have spent endless hours at her kitchen table or porch sharing life’s problems and asking her for advice.  She was a good listener and she always told it to you straight.  She was an advocate for her community and tribe and spent many hours researching Cherokee History.  Through her work and compassion she fought against domestic violence.  She was vigilant in following tribal proceedings and spoke her voice on many issues.

The family will celebrate her life at Bigwitch Baptist Church on Monday, July 18 from 6-9pm and a funeral service is scheduled for Tuesday, July 19 at 11am.  Denny Crowe and Percy Cunningham will officiate.  Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.  The burial will follow at the Long Family Cemetery.