Christopher David Mintz, 45, of Waynesville, went home to be with the Lord, Monday July 18, 2016, in a Buncombe County health care facility. A native of Haywood County he was the son of Oscar Mintz and Sandra Roland of Waynesville. He was a lifelong resident of Haywood County and resided with his late grandmother, Marie Roland. In addition to his grandmother, he was also preceded in death by a maternal grandfather, Kelly Roland; paternal grandparents, John and Violet Mintz; one brother, Randy Fowler, and a nephew, Dillon Bernhisel.

Chris attended JROTC in High School and after High School he served in the National Guard where he spent five years. He also served as a volunteer Fire Department Member in Clyde for three years.

Chris enjoyed watching the NASCAR Races and singing in Church with his grandmother Marie.

In addition to his parents, Chris is survived by his wife, Jennifer Mintz of Waynesville; one daughter, Catilyn Mintz of Hendersonville; three sisters, Kelly West and husband Angelo of Cherokee, Ellen Williams and husband Eric of Colorado, and Carla Mintz of Waynesville; two brothers, David Hedrick and wife Cindy of Madison County, and Palmer Mintz of Waynesville; five nieces; three nephews; and two great nieces.

Funeral Services will be held 2pm on Wednesday, July 20 at Crisp Funeral Home Chapel. Revs. Neil Roland and Roger Roland will officiate with burial in the Jarrett-Blythe Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 12-2pm on Wednesday at the Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Kevin Hedrick, Brandon Hedrick, Jose Santoyo, Scott Dover, Taka Lincoln and Tori Nichols.

Lula Reed Owl, 97, of Cherokee went home to be with the Lord Saturday, July 23, 2016. A native of Cherokee, she was the daughter of the late Fidele and Addie Hornbuckle Reed. She was a member of the Cherokee United Methodist Church. She worked for 27 years at the Cherokee Indian Hospital and sat with the elderly. A giving person, she enjoyed helping others that were less fortunate and loved to cook.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Betty Wolfe Queen; six sisters; four brothers; several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Lucille Wolfe, Laura Blankenship (Bob), Elsie Rattler, Bill Wolfe (Lucille); 18 grandchildren; 51 great grandchildren; 53 great great grandchildren; and sister, Maggie Owl of Murphy.

Funeral services will be held at 12pm on Monday, July 25 in the chapel of Crisp Funeral Home. Rev. John Ferree will officiate with burial in the Piney Grove Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 11am to 12 pm Monday at the funeral home.

James Raymond Jenkins Nix, 40, of Cherokee went home to be with the Lord Saturday, July 23, 2016. A native of Cherokee, he was the son of the late James Murphy and Selma Geraldine Lambert Jenkins.

He is survived by three brothers, Emmett Jenkins and family, Richard Jenkins and family, Mike Jenkins and family, all of Cherokee; and caregiver/best friend, Kenontoy.

Funeral services will be held at 10am on Tuesday, July 26 at Crisp Funeral Home chapel.

The family will receive friends from 6-8pm Monday at the funeral home.

Eugene “Gene” Reed, age 89, of Whittier, passed away Monday, July 25, 2016 at Tsali Care Center. He is the son of the late Jack and the late Edith (Childers) Reed. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Ann (Worley) Reed. Gene was a veteran of the United States Navy where he served in World War II and the Korean War. He retired from the United States Post Office where he worked as Postmaster at the Whittier Post Office. He was a member of Shoal Creek Baptist Church.

He is survived by one brother, Max Reed and wife Clara of Asheville; two sisters, Nelda Cairns and husband Frank of Smyrna, Ga., and Nayda Bailey and husband George of Buford, Ga. He is also survived by four nephews and one niece. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Garth and Harlan; and one sister, Freda.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, July 30 at 2pm in the Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Services with Rev. Steve Jamison officiating. The family will receive friends from 1-2pm one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at the Worley Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Shoal Creek Baptist Church.

Appalachian Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

FRANKLIN – John Gerald Roberts, age 83, of Franklin, passed away Sunday, July 24, 2016.  He was born in Tampa, Fla., the son of the late John Wesley and Ruby Ann Wetherington Roberts.   He was a graduate from Florida State University, and was a U.S. Army veteran, serving during the Korean War.   He attended Holly Springs Baptist Church and loved football and politics.  Roberts was a political science professor at Western Carolina University from 1985-95.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Pauline Roberts; two daughters, Karen Roberts of Franklin and Joy Roberts Brooks of Cherokee; grandchildren, Melody Copeland, Rachel Rowe, Bobby Brooks and Dean Roberts; great‑grandchildren, James Lee Copeland, Rajia Ray Roberts, Michael Blakeley, Sid Rowe and Karma Beaver.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 28 at 2pm in the Chapel of Bryant‑Grant Funeral Home.  The family will receive friends following the service.

Bryant‑Grant Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Roberts family.  Online condolences may be made at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com.

John Squirrell, 83, of Cherokee passed away on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at the Cherokee Indian Hospital.

He is survived by two sons, Fred Squirrell of Cherokee and Herb Squirrell of Whittier; one brother, Paul Squirrell of Cherokee; two grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Adam Squirrell and Jane Welch Squirrell; and one grandson, Brock Squirrell.

Graveside services were held on Sunday, July 31 at the Yellowhill Veterans Cemetery.  Military honors were provided by the Steve Youngdeer American Legion Post #143.

Mildred Lucille “Sue” Lossiah Bradley, 61, of Cherokee passed away Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016 at the Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville.

Mildred was born in Cherokee on April 21, 1955 to Edna Smith Lossiah and the late Abel Lossiah.  She was a traditional artist and a member of the Yellow Hill Baptist Church.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by three daughters, Veronica Bradley, Nakesha Bradley, and Aimee Teesatuskie; two sons, Joshua Bradley and Richard Teesatuskie; four grandchildren, Derrick Taylor, Damon Taylor, Anela Hornbuckle, and Cheyanne Hornbuckle; four  great grandchildren, Zaynon Taylor, Jacoby Taylor, Aniah Taylor, and Kylan Taylor; one sister, Linda Lossiah Welch; Aunts, Ruby Dobbins, Lucille Winchester, and Ethel Cunningham; three nieces, Jolynn Welch, Michale Welch, and Alexandria Arreaga; three nephews, Michael Welch, Brandon Welch, and Juan Diaz; and 12 great nieces and nephews also survive.

In addition to her father, Mildred was preceded in death by one brother, Charles Calvin Lossiah.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 17 at the Yellowhill Baptist Church beginning at 5pm where the body will remain until the hour of service on Thursday, Aug. 18 at 1pm.  Pastors James “Bo” Parris and Roland Whitaker will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Yellow Hill Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Derrick Taylor, Damon Taylor, Michael Welch, Brandon Welch, A.J. Welch, and Richard Teesatuskie.

Althia Ann Lossie, 51, of  the Wolftown Communtiy passed away on Monday, Aug. 8, 2016.  Althia was the daughter of the late Mary Katherine Lossie.

Althia is survived by her children, Adrianne Ramirez (husband Jesse), Jewel Staton (husband Demakus), Johanna Petrilli (husband AJ Ledford), Tsali “SaSa” Petrilli, Athena Sadongei, Zia Sadongei, Seven Sadongei, Yay Sadongei and Coon Sadongei; six grandchildren, Julissa Staton, DJ Staton, Mariah Staton, Andreas  Ramirez, Alessandra Ramirez, Lightning Bradley and one grandchild on the way; three brothers, Phillip Armachain, Deweese “Bugg” Armachain, and Lance Lossie; two sisters, Albirda Armachain and Mary Wolfe. Althia also leaves behind 13 nieces and nephews.

Althia is preceded in death by one daughter, Heaven Lee Sadongei.

Funeral services were held on Friday, Aug. 12 at Wrights Creek Baptist Church.  Burial followed at the Hayes Lossie Cemetery.  Pallbearers were Tsali Petrilli, Yay Sadongei, Jesse Ramirez, AJ Ledford, Seven Sadongei, Coon Sadongei and Demakus Staton. Pastor Eddie Sherrill officated.

Long House Funeral Home assisted the family.

Thomas “Tom” Edward Beck 70, better known as “Poppy” passed away at home on Aug. 23, 2016.   Poppy was born and raised in Cherokee. During his life, he worked for the CAP Program, BDO, Cherokee Boys Club, was an assistant director of Save the Children Federation, and he was a member of the local JayCee’s.

Poppy was an entrepreneur who owned several businesses including Sequoyah’s Shades –n- Things and Poppy’s Little Knife Store currently located in Maggie Valley.  He was preceded in death by his parents John Quentin Beck, an enrolled member of the Cherokee Tribe, Dorothy Darden Beck, a full-blood member of the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana, and brother, John Lester Beck.  Poppy is survived by his sister, Betty Beck Frady; wife, Roseanna Beck; their four children, Thomas Jr., Kimlyn, Michelle, Kitsie; and eight grandchildren, Christian, Brantly, Travis, Brian Patrick, Daniel, Lyndsey, Lonnie Jr., Ian; and a nephew, Robert “Bob” Frady. In addition to his grandchildren, many other young people were adopted into Poppy’s heart and became his grandchildren in spirit.

Services will be held on Friday, Aug. 26 at the Shoal Creek Baptist Church located at 184 Shoal Creek Church Loop in Whittier. The family will receive friends and family between the hours of 1-2pm with services following at 2pm.

Long House Funeral Home assisted the Beck family.

James (Red) Bradley, age 83, passed away unexpectedly at his residence on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Irma Ledford Bradley; his children including daughters, Margie (Steve) of Greensboro, Robyn of Cherokee; sons, Kenny (Lana) and Jimmy, of Cherokee.  Red had 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; one brother, Ham; and several nieces and nephews.

Red was preceded in death by his parents, Nick and Edith Bradley; brothers, John, Jarrett, Joe, Shorty, and Russ; two sisters, Betty and Sis; and one son Little B. Bradley.

Red served in the U.S. Army active duty for four years doing tours in Germany and Japan and eight years of inactive duty.  He was a member of the Qualla Arts and Crafts.  He pastored Boiling Springs Baptist, Yellowhill Baptist, and was pastor at Waterfalls Baptist Church at the time of his death.  Red worked for the Bureau of Indian affairs for 35 years.

He was loved by everyone and will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, Sept. 7 from 11am – 2pm at the Macedonia Baptist Church.  Funeral services will follow at 2pm with Steve Gunter officiating.  Burial will follow at the Bradley cemetery with military honors conducted by the Steve Youngdeer American Legion Post 143.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Bradley family.

Alyne JoAnn Catolster Eslinger, 80, of Cherokee, passed away Monday, Sept. 5, 2016 at her residence.

She was born April 15, 1936 in Cherokee to the late Johnson Catolster and Agnes Wayne Catolster.  She is survived by one son, Cris Catolster; one daughter, Billie Jean Catolster; one sister, Sarah Wayne Catolster; one special daughter, Dakota Parker and husband Dwight; granddaughter, Lakota Russle; grandson, Drakey Russle; six nephews, Keawe Bone and wife Sarah, Alfred Haumphy and wife Stacy, Jeff Haumphy and wife Jenny, Gary Haumphy, Alfred Haumphy, Jr., and Derek Haumphy; and one niece, Jana Haumphy.

In addition to her parents, Alyne was preceded in death by brothers, Gary Wayne, John Eric Catolster, and Douglas Catolster; and two sisters, Phyllis Catolster and Maxine Catolster.

No services are planned.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Eslinger family.

Jenny Fay Wilson, 47, of Franklin, passed away Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. She was born May 21, 1969 in Cherokee, the daughter of Louise Morrell Maney and the late Jesse Maney. Mrs. Wilson was a Baptist by faith and was a member of Rock Springs Baptist Church.  She was a loving wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend.  She loved making crafts and loved music.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by her husband, John David Wilson; two sons, David Lee and James Anderson, both of Franklin; four sisters, Louise Mable Maney II of Dillsboro, Rosa Lean Maney of Cherokee, Ann Coggins of Virginia and Malissa Elaine Dover of Cherokee; four brothers, Jerry Lee Maney of Cherokee, Gregory Neil Maney of Rome Mtn., Tenn., Samuel Gerald Maney of Elizabethton, Tenn. and Jesse Anderson Maney Jr. of Elizabethton, Tenn.; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held Tuesday, Sept. 13 in the chapel of Bryant‑Grant Funeral Home with Greg Morgan officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Bryant‑Grant Funeral Home, 105 W. Main St., Franklin, NC 28734 to help with funeral expenses.  Bryant‑Grant Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Wilson family.  Online condolences may be made at bryantgrantfuneralhome.com.

Sharon “Shoogie” Ann Sequoyah, 49, of Cherokee passed away Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016 at Greenville Memorial Hospital in Greenville, SC.

She was born Nov. 17, 1966 in Bryson City to the late Charles Wilbur Sequoyah and Lula Wolfe Sequoyah.

She is survived by two daughters, Alyson Penland of Live Oak, Fla. and Kerry Penland of Cherokee; four grandchildren, Wilbur Sequoyah, Lula Sequoyah, Julyssa Sequoyah, and Asher Ivey; and six sisters, Carol Standingdeer, Cindy Ayers, Frances Sequoyah, Reva Sequoyah, Lolita “Ike” Sequoyah, and Sammi Sequoyah.

In addition to her parents, Sharon was preceded in death by one daughter, Kori Addison Penland; and two brothers, Lewis Sequoyah and Charles Sequoyah.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, Sept. 22 at the Straight Fork Baptist Church with Rev. Charles Ray Ball officiating.  Burial followed in the Sequoyah Family Cemetery.  Pallbearers were among family and friends.

Long House Funeral Home assisted the Sequoyah family.

Denise B. Howard passed away peacefully in Asheville Memorial Hospital on Friday, Sept.  23 in Asheville at the age of 58.

Denise is survived by her husband, Dennis R. Howard; parents, Phillip and Jean Brooks; siblings, Tonya Rochester and Phil Brooks; children, Brian Davis and Courtney Bolick; and her grandchildren, Reagan and Aiden.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 1 at 3pm at Whittier Church of God.

All are welcome to attend and celebrate Denise’s life.

Roy Weston Elmore, 42, of Cherokee, passed away Friday, Sept. 30, 2016.

He is survived by his wife, Winky Allison; and one daughter, Rebecca Elmore.  Roy was preceded in death by one son, Kyle Elmore.

No services are planned.

Mary “Girlie” Watty Montelongo, 54, of Cherokee, passed away Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016.

She was born Dec. 20, 1961 in Cherokee to Samuel Watty and the late Elsie Welch Watty.  “Girlie” loved her family.  She thought of her nieces, nephews, and their children as her own.  She was always willing to help others whenever she could.  She will be missed by her family, especially the many, many children she took care of and helped raise throughout her life.

In addition to her father, she is survived by her husband, David Montelongo Sr.; her children; Adam Montelongo, Justin Montelongo, Elicia Montelongo, and Raymond Montelongo; one step-son, David Montelongo Jr.; nine grandchildren; brothers, Samuel “Chute” Watty (Linda Jumper), Charles Watty (Francine), and Dennis Watty; sisters, Regina Watty (John Malpass), and Rebecca Watty (Cleto Montelongo); aunts, Annie French, Mollie Herbold, Maybelle Watty; uncles, Quincy Watty and Joseph Watty; several nieces and nephews also survive.

In addition to her mother, Girlie was preceded in death by one sister, Anna Watty, and one great nephew, Fabian.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at the Straight Fork Baptist Church beginning at 5pm where the body will remain until the hour of service on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 2pm.  Pastors Charles Ray Ball and Steve Smith will officiate with burial to follow at the Sam Watty Cemetery.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Montelongo family.

Douglas Clyde Toineeta, 69, of Cherokee, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Oct. 14, 2016 after a short battle with cancer. A native of Cherokee, he was the son of the late Alvin Swayney and Dorothy Toineeta. He spent his high school years at Mt. Berry Accademy in Rome, Ga. and was a lifetime member of the N.R.A.

He is survived by his wife, Audrey Walkingstick; brother, Joseph Redcloud; special nieces, Linda Gail Parker and Fran McCoy; uncles, J.W. Swayney and David Eugene Swayney of Gastonia; and his aunts, Beulah and Debbie.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, Oct. 16 in the chapel of Crisp Funeral Home. Burial was in the Toineeta Family Cemetery.

Hattie Giles Morris went to her heavenly home on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016.

Hattie was born on Oct. 10, 1918 in Polk County, North Carolina; the fifth daughter of Nathaniel Giles and Addie Lee Walker.  Hattie wrote down her thoughts about how she wanted to be remembered and this is what she wanted everyone to know.

First and foremost, she was thankful to have been a part of the Cherokee community and the Cherokee Baptist Church for 60 years. She became a Christian at age 12 and was a graduate of Berea College in 1939. During her adult life, Hattie had many jobs including Sunday school teacher; training union teacher; school teacher Lake Lure 1939-41; U.S. Government worker, Washington D.C.  1941-43; Air Force Rest Center, Lake Lure, 1943-45; teacher Edneyville High School 1946; gift shop owner Chimney Rock 1947 to early 1950s; school teacher at the old Cherokee High School in the early 1960s; gift shop owner Cherokee  from 1950s till 2009. Hattie was a trustee at Southwestern Community College in the 1980s.

Hattie was preceded in death by her mother and father; husband, James Logan Morris Junior; and her sons, Robert Lee and James Logan Morris III.  Surviving family include her beloved daughter-in-law Carolyn Morris (Jimmy); granddaughters, Teri Lynn Morris of Cherokee and Melissa Morris Ogle (Scott) of Whittier, grandchildren, Logan Scott Ogle (Carson) and Emily Ann Ogle; great-great granddaughter, Caroline Ogle; many nieces and nephews that she loved; and special friends, Martha and Les McGuire.

Services will be held Monday, Oct. 17 at Cherokee Baptist Church.  The family will receive friends from 6-7pm. The funeral service will begin at 7pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cherokee Baptist Church, Cherokee Boys Club, or Chimney Rock Baptist Church Cemetery fund.

MAGGIE VALLEY – Marvin James Sutton, 86, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016.

He and his wife were the owners and operators of Starvin Marvin’s on US 19 and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Funeral services will be held at 11am on Saturday, Oct. 22 in the Waynesville Chapel of Wells Funeral Home.  The family will receive friends from 6-8pm on Friday, Oct. 21 at Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Marvin’s name to the Cornerstone Hospice Foundation, 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, FL 32778.

Harry M. Cooper, 87, of Cherokee went home to be with the Lord Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016. A native of Cherokee, he was the son of the late Curtis and Lona Parker Cooper. He was a U.S. Air Force Veteran and a member of Bethabara Baptist Church.

Harry was preceded in death by two brothers, Kelly and C.J. Cooper and a sister, Joanne Lambert.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jean Cooper; children, Tammy, Cindy, Vickey, Curt and Renee; many grandchildren, great grandchildren and adopted children; two sisters, Maxine Hyde and Pauline Fisher; brother, Richard Cooper; and many nieces, nephews and many friends.

He was loved by all and will be truly missed.

Funeral services will be held at 2pm on Tuesday, Nov. 1 in the chapel of Crisp Funeral Home. Rev. Charles Ray Ball will officiate with burial in the Drama Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6-8pm on Monday, Oct. 31 at the funeral home.