Herbert “Herby” Melvine Mathis, 67, of Sylva, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016 at Clyde Hospice Center in Haywood County.   He was born Jan. 5, 1949 to the late Sherlie Mathis and Willie Alexander Mathis.

Mathis was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a retired mechanic.  He loved to play bingo and Casino.

Herby is survived by one son, Melvine Mathis of Sylva; one daughter, Crystal Wilkes of Sylva; one sister, Sue Mathis of Sylva; five grandchildren, all of Sylva; very special friends, Rick and Anita Pannell and Leoda Mathis who took care of him for the past 11 years.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 17 at the East Sylva Baptist Church from 4-6pm.  Rev. Eddie Stillwell will officiate.

Long House Funeral Home assisted the Mathis family.

Donald “Kool-Aide” Queen, 53, of Cherokee, passed away Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. He was born Oct. 10, 1963 in Sylva to the late Daniel Queen and Sherrill K. Queen.

He is survived by four brothers, Hugh Queen, Dodie Crowe, Horace Arch, and Marcell Arch; five sisters, Danette Queen Walkingstick (husband Will), Gaynell Bradley, Candy Martin, Pam Crowe, and Tina Saunooke; one aunt, Lydia Queen; nephews, Laranzo “Boo” Wilnoty (wife Fashia), Arron Fritts (wife Amber), and Jr. Queen all of the home; nieces, Shannon Queen and Onita Crowe (husband Sam); great nephews, Dayton Wilnoty, Laranzo Wilnoty Jr., and Luke Crowe; great nieces, Nya Queen and Bailey Crowe.

In addition to his parents, Donald was preceded in death by one nephew.

Visitation was held on Monday, Dec. 12 beginning at 5pm at the Wolftown Gym where the body will remain until the hour of service on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 12noon.  Rev. John Ferree will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Queen Cemetery.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Queen family.

Stephen James Ball, 58 and the son of Bobbi Sneed, went to be with the Spirits on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016.  A loving husband, a perfect son, a terrific father, a wonderful brother, and great friend will be at his final resting place of Cherokee on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 2 pm at the First Baptist Church of Cherokee.

A reception and celebration of his life will follow the service. All people who knew Steve and would like to pay final respects are invited to join his family as we gather to say our final goodbyes.

Mike “Leroy” Thompson, 80, of the Big Y Community in Cherokee, entered into his Heavenly Home on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016 at the Cherokee Indian Hospital after a brief illness.  His loving family was by his side.  Leroy was the son of the late Jackson and Alice Wolfe Thompson.

Leroy worked many years at the Barclay factory until it closed.  He was then employed by Harrah’s Cherokee Casino.  He only stayed there for a few years.  The last place he worked was at Tribal Bingo.  He worked there for a little while, then he retired.  He loved to work in his garden and raise potatoes, greens (mustard and turnips) and corn.  He loved spending time with his granddaughters (they were the only ones who could boss him around).  For a few years now, he also spent his time caring for his wife.

He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Dorothy (Lossiah) Thompson; a daughter, Sarah Toineeta; a son, Albert Martin Jr. (wife Candy); four grandchildren, Earl Martin, Kara Martin McKinney, Praire “Iwodi” Toineeta, and Teela “T-Dawg” Ross; one great-grandson, Grayson McKinney; one sister, Nan Brown of Robbinsville; several nieces and nephews who loved and will miss him greatly.  He also helped raise Jason Shell of Waynesville; a special friend and cousin, Chantele Lossiah, also survives.

Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by one grandson, Cylas Mychal; three sisters, Geneva Walkingstick, Nellie Driver, and Luzene Thompson; and a brother, James.

Funeral services will be held at Straight Fork Baptist Church in the Big Cove Community on Thursday, Dec. 15 at 2 pm.  Pastor Charles Ray Ball will officiate.  Burial will be in the Lossiah Family Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Will Tushka, Charlie Blackfox, Matthew Tooni, Kevin Blackfox, Chris Walkingstick, Michael Thompson, and Tom Lossiah.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.  Bruce “Cricket” Martin Jr. is Leroy’s great nephew.

Sarah Wayne Catolster, 86, of Cherokee passed away Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016.  

She was a born in Cherokee on Aug. 22, 1930 to the late Johnson Catolster and Agnes Wayne Catolster.

Sarah is survived by special friends, the Miller family, Billy Jo, John, John, Jr., Josh, Dillon, Christopher, Emelia, and Carter Miller, Jake Radford, Barbara Aldridge, Jeannie Grant, and Kelly Cooper; special brother, Roger Nippress; nephew, Cris Catolster (Billie Jean); several nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.

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

No services are planned. Long House Funeral Home assisted the Catolster family. 

Helen Marie Crisp, 80, of the Shoal Creek Community, went home to be with the Lord, Monday, Dec. 26, 2016. A native of Swain County, she was the daughter of the late Herman Martin and Iowa Franckewitz. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by one brother Ricky Franckewitz.

Helen is survived by her husband of 26 years, Bennett Crisp; two sons Dee Alexander Crisp, and Charles Randy Hughes; one daughter, Pamela Bowers; two grandchildren, and two great grandchildren; one brother Michael Franckewitz; and two sisters, Judy Murphy and Vickie Franckewitz.

Funeral Services will be held 2pm Friday at Crisp Funeral Home Chapel. Revs. Larry Spencer and John Orr will officiate with burial in Union Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 7-9pm Thursday at the Funeral Home.

Flora Mae Calhoun Shelton, 53, of Cherokee passed away Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016.

She was born June 11, 1963 in Swain County to the late Smathers Calhoun and Savannah Driver Calhoun.

Flora is survived by her husband, Dennis W. Shelton, Sr.; one daughter, Samantha Shelton; one son, Dennis Woodrow Shelton, Jr.; two sisters, Susanna C. Finger and Annabelle Shuler both of Cherokee; two brothers, William Calhoun and Clement Calhoun both of Cherokee; three grandchildren; five nephews; four nieces; and several great nieces and nephews also survive.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017 at the Straight Fork Baptist Church beginning at 5pm where the body will remain until the hour of service on Monday, Jan. 2 at 2pm.  Pastors Charles Ray Ball and James “Bo” Parris will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Smathers Calhoun Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be among family and friends.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Shelton family.

Tammi Anna Pete, 42, of Cherokee, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016 at the Cherokee Indian Hospital.

She was born in Provo, Utah on March 27, 1974.  She was a homemaker and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Tammi is survived by her parents, Clell Pete and Nancy Hornbuckle; her step-father, Mike Driver; three sons, Devon Cucumber, Chad Cucumber, and Nickolas Cucumber; three brothers, Cal “Joe” Pete, Manus Pete, and Waylon Long; three sisters, Amy Ochoa, Libbi Ensley, and Tammy Cucumber; 17 nieces and nephews; special friends, Jim Long, Jeffrey Long, John Bustos, Charles Bustos, Devan Price, Kiah West, Nick Squirrell, and many other friends and family.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Dec. 31 at 12pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Bishop Dan Cutler will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Hornbuckle Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be among friends and family.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Pete family.

Gary Lee Reed, 42, of Sevierville, Tenn., passed away Friday, Dec. 23, 2016 in Knoxville, Tennessee.

He was born Jan. 11, 1974 in Knoxville.

Gary is survived by his parents, Charlie Reed and Sally Tramper Reed; two sons, Gary Lee Reed II and Austin Lee Reed, both of Cherokee; two daughters, Makayla Arwood of Sylva and Jozie Lee Reed, of Gatlinburg, Tenn.; two grandchildren, Laylin Reed and Kyler Reed; five brothers, Danny, Charles, Jimmy, Anthony, and Johnny Reed; one sister, Tammy Reed.

Gary was preceded in death by his grandparents, Wilson Reed, Dell Reed, John Tramper, and Mary F. Taylor; one uncle, Alon Reed.  

Services were held on Thursday, Dec. 29 at the Wrights Creek Baptist Church.  Pastor Ben Reed officiated.  Burial followed at the Reed Family Cemetery on Mink Branch.  Pallbearers were: Gary Reed II, Tony Reed, Josh Bradley, Austin Reed, and Johnny Reed.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Reed family.

Roy David Driver Jr., 32, of Robbinsville, passed away Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017 at the Cherokee Indian Hospital.

He was born in Sylva on Aug. 27, 1984.  Roy is survived by his loving mother, Lois Chekelelee of Robbinsville; two brothers, Ted Wachacha of Robbinsville and Michael Driver of Cherokee; one sister, Kathleen Driver of Nashville, Tenn.; nephew, Timothy Daza of Nashville; several nieces and nephews on both sides of his family; aunts, Alice Driver, Lucille Blackfox, and Carolyn Tooni all of Cherokee, Londa Chekelelee Rivera of Robbinsville, and Geraldine Chekelelee of Johnson City, Tenn.; one uncle, Norman Driver of Cherokee; cousins, Gerron Chekelelee of Cherokee, Randy Hernandez of Robbinsville, Sarah Watty of Cherokee, Lucy Hernandez of Johnson City, Jacee Faith of Robbinsville, Monte Watty of Cherokee, Journey Chekelelee of Cherokee, and Kia Hernandez of Johnson City.

Roy was preceded in death by his father, Roy David Driver Sr.; one brother, Joe Driver; one sister, Jeanette Jumper; one uncle, Richard Chekelelee; paternal grandparents, Rev. John G. Driver and Nellie Driver; and maternal grandparents, Rev. Wayne Chekelelee and Sarah Chekelelee.

The body will be taken to Roy’s home on Milltown Road in Robbinsville on Monday, Jan. 9 where the body will remain until Wednesday, Jan. 11.  Visitation hours will begin on Monday and continue all day and night on Monday and Tuesday.  Funeral service will be at the home in Robbinsville on Wednesday at 1 pm.  Burial will be at 3:30pm at the Buffalo Independent Baptist Church Cemetery in Robbinsville.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Driver family.

Max Lambert, age 65 of Whittier, passed away Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017. He is the son of the late Hoover and Maxine (Robinson) Lambert. 

He is survived by a special friend, Pam Stroud; four children, Mark, Daniel, Rachel and Michael; one step son Aaron; several grandchildren; one sister Judy and one brother Ted. 

A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. 

Appalachian Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements.

Max Wayland Monteith Sr., 83 of Forney Creek, passed away peacefully in his sleep while at home with his wife of 63 years, Jan. 18, 2017.

He was preceded in passing by his father, John Arthur Monteith Sr.; mother, Mary Gunter Monteith; sisters, Beatrice Douthit, and Gwendolyn DeHart. He is survived by his brothers, John Arthur (Buddy) Monteith Jr. and David Patrick Monteith; wife, Carmaleta Littlejohn Monteith; children, Max Wayland Monteith Jr. and Tracy Evans Monteith; and grandsons, Andrew Evans Monteith and Clayton Jackson Monteith.

The family will receive friends at Crisp Funeral Home on Friday, Jan. 20 in Byson City from 5-7pm.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2pm on Saturday, Jan. 21 at Cherokee Baptist Church in Cherokee.

The private burial ceremony and his final resting place will be at the Monteith-Littlejohn cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations should go to the Cherokee Childrens’ Home. http://cherokeechildrenshome.com/

Edison Thompson, 75, of Cherokee, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017. A native of Cherokee, he was the son of the late Sherman and Martha Owle Thompson. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by six brothers, Enos, Simon, Lawrence, Adam, Wilson, and Eugene Thompson; and one sister, Belma Jane Cubster.

He is survived by two sisters, Amanda Thompson of Cherokee, and Lucille Brendle of Marble; foster daughters, Rita Driver and husband Bob of Cherokee, Amanda Strohm and husband Rick of Cherokee, and Miranda Meyer and husband Darrin of Kansas; and many special nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held 2pm on Wednesday at Crisp Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. James “Bo” Parris will officiate with burial in the Thompson Family Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6-9pm Tuesday at the Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cherokee Cancer Support at 40 Goose Creek Rd. Cherokee, NC 28719.

Katherine Murphy Crisp, 79, of the Birdtown Community went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017. A native of Cherokee, she was the daughter of the late Elnora and Luther Murphy and wife of the late Theron Crisp. She was a founding member of Bethabara Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School and sang in the choir for many years. She helped in the founding and worked for the Head Start Program for 35 years where she started several day cares and taught many children throughout those years.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Margie Howard.

She is survived by her children, Charlene Stiles of Cherokee, Theron Luther Crisp (June Bug) and wife Elvis Huskey Crisp of Asheville, Gail DeHart and husband Eddie DeHart of Cherokee, Joseph Bird of Cherokee; son-in-law, Floyd Howard; grandchildren, April Maney, Wesley Parker, Toby Bird, Duane Parker, Concheta Walls, Ceegee Bird, Ryan DeHart, Sandi Franks, Jesse Franks, and Travis DeHart; special great grandson, Mogly Bird; great grandchildren, Amber, Brianna, Christian, Darian, Esiah, Nakiyah, Eli and Owen Bird, Chloe Linder, Lawson McKelvin, Faith, Keara, and Sevan Cline, Angel, Alonso, Titan, Amarrah, Kyson, and Kailna Franks; Jordan, Devon, Theron and Averee Parker; great great granddaughter, Hazel Dawn Woodard; one sister, Roberta Waldroup; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was like a mother to and loved by them all.

Funeral services will be held at 2pm Saturday at Bethabara Baptist Church. Revs. Logan Parton and Tommy Anderson will officiate with burial in the Birdtown Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5-11pm Friday at the church.

Pallbearers will be Ryan DeHart, Mo-Mo Bird, Joey Bird, Jesse Franks, June Bug Crisp, Devon Parker, Duane Parker and Floyd Howard.

Woodrow “Bud” “Pops” Wilson Culpepper Jr., loved father and friend, passed peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017 in his home in Cherokee.

He is preceded in death by his father, Woodrow Wilson Culpepper Sr.; his mother, June Culpepper; and his loving partner, Mary.

He is survived by his daughter, Carissa Culpepper (Tom Mahan) of Tennessee; sons, Tim Major (Louise Ferraro) of California and Brian Major (Debbie Clayburn) of Alabama; best friend, Lyndia “Gal” Mitchell Roehler of Alabama; cousins, James E. “Butch” and Janet Sanders of Cherokee, Lori Sanders, Dr. Blythe Sanders Winchester, and James “Little James” Sanders II all of Cherokee; and several cousins from Chesapeake, Va.

He loved to travel, watch action movies, old westerns, listen to Rock & Roll Music, dance, and had a passion for muscle cars.  He was the former Post Commander of his local VFW and served our country as an Army Vietnam Veteran.  He was loved by all who knew him.

Graveside services were held Sunday, Jan. 29 at the Sanders Family Cemetery.

Patrick “Fat-Rat” Teesateskie, 51, of Cherokee, passed away Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017 with his loving daughters and his mother by his side.

He was born Dec. 12, 1965 in Graham County to the late Tom Teesateskie and Jeanette Rattler Teesateskie.

Patrick never knew a stranger.  He was easy going, very loving, and a caring father who loved to fish.  He was always making sure his daughters were happy.

He is survived by his mother, Jeanette Teesateskie; three children, Beth Teesateskie, Patricia Teesateskie, and Shira Littlejohn; one grandson, Jayden Teesateskie; two brothers, Ronnie and Steve Teesateskie; sisters, Norma Jean Teesateskie, Barbara Owle, Donna Sue McCracken, Blanche Teesateskie, and Christine McCoy.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, Jan. 30 at the Bethabara Baptist Church.  Pastors Michael Rattler and Noah Crowe will officiate. Burial will be at the Ledford Cemetery on Noah Geneva Ledford Road in Cherokee.  Pallbearers will be among family and friends.

Dorothy L. Thompson, 72, of the Big Y Community, went home to be with the Lord and her loving husband, Leroy, on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017 at the Cherokee Indian Hospital with her family by her side.

She was the daughter of the late John Rome and Charlotte Welch Lossiah.  She was a member of Waterfalls Baptist Church and spent most of her life traveling from place to place singing with her brother Woodrow and sister Maggie.  She was a basket maker.  She worked many years at Barclays and then became a teacher at Cherokee Elementary where she taught Cherokee language.  She loved to cook.  She was well known for her sausage and egg biscuits and hot Kraut.

Dorothy is survived by her son, Albert Martin (Candy); a daughter, Sarah Toineeta; four grandchildren, Earl Martin, Kara McKinney (Cody), Iwodi Toineeta, and Teela Ross; one great grandson, Grayson McKinney; one sister, Jane Taylor; two brothers, Willard Lossie and Jack Lossiah (Ruth); two aunts, Mollie Herbold and Annie French; two special nieces, Charlene and Genoa Lossiah; Several nieces and nephews; Friends of the family, Haley Smith, Chantele Lossiah, and Jason Shell whom she helped raise.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband, Leroy Thompson; one grandson, Cylas Mychal; brothers, Charlie, Larch, Homer, John Adam, Noah and Woodrow; sisters, Luzene, Frieda, Frances, Martha, and Maggie; three nephews, Tony Lossiah, John Russell Lossiah, and Darrell Ross; one great nephew, Martin Perez, Jr.; and one great great nephew Mickey Meuse.

A little known fact was that she was a triplet and her brother Paul and sister Mary passed away as infants.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Jan. 28 at the Straight Fork Baptist Church.  Pastors Charles Ray Ball and James “Bo” Parris officiated.  Burial was at the Lossiah Family Cemetery.  Pallbearers were Kirk, Ted, John, Eddie, Dwayne, and Tommy.

Charles Edward Owle Sr., of Cherokee, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017 at his residence.  A native of Swain County, he was the son of the late Samuel and Callie Smith Owle.

He was preceded in death by five brothers, Sam, John, Alfred, Ben and Joe Owle; and two sisters, Dora and Lucille Owle.

He is survived by daughter, Charley Linette Harshman and husband Rick of Monument, Colo.; one son, Charles Edward Owle Jr. and wife Misty of Bryson City; one brother, Irvin Owle of Cherokee; sisters, Ethelyn Roberts of Cherokee and Betty Jane Crawford of Pioneer, Calif.  Charlie was blessed with six grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren, many nephews, nieces, and cousins and long-time partner Sue Cooper and step-son Paul Dillman of Cherokee.

Charlie was a veteran of the Korean War in the United States Marine Corp.  He loved Nascar racing, all sports, and all animals.  He never knew a stranger and was loved by many.

Services will be held Tuesday, Jan. 31 at Yellowhill Missionary Baptist Church in Cherokee.  The family will meet from 10-11am and will receive friends for visitation from 11am – 1pm.  Services will immediately follow with burial at 2pm at the Yellowhill Veterans Cemetery.  Rev. Bo Parris will officiate.

Burial will be followed by a potluck dinner, covered dishes are welcome.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Owle Family.

Adrian Corro-Garcia, of Hemet, Calif., passed away unpredictably on Dec. 20, 2016.  He was born on Jan. 28, 2015 and would have been two-years-old.  Adrian’s young little life is mourned by his family both in North Carolina and in California.

Adrian was born to father, Alfred Andrew Corro, and mother, Joe Arianna Garcia in California.

He is also survived by a brother, Alfred Andrew Corro-Garcia; grandmother, Vanessa Dawn Warlick Noland Garcia; aunt, Jessie Brianna Louise Garcia; uncle, James David Ruiz all of California.  Also surviving are great-great-aunts, Anita Brown and Louise Brown; first cousins, John Daniel Bird of Punta Gorda, Fla. and Sam Woodrow Dawson Bird of Cherokee; and aunt, Sophillia Louise Bird Negaro of Cherokee.

Adrian was predeceased by his great grandmother, Edna Lucille Teesateskie; and his great great grandmother, Nancy Jane Teesateskie Brown.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, Feb. 5 at the Cherokee Pentecostal Holiness Church and officiated by Pastor Tim Melton.  A burial immediately followed in the Long Family Cemetery on Long Branch Rd.

The family has been assisted by Long House Funeral Home in the final arrangements.

Earl McMillan, 62, of the 3200 acre tract, went home to be with the Lord, Monday, Feb. 6, 2017. A native of Swain County, he was the son of the late Clifford and Mary Brady McMillan. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by three brothers, Alfred Brady, and Larry and Howard McMillan.

He is survived by two daughters, Melissa Vera and Electa Taylor; three sons, Stanley Smith, and John and Chris McMillan; 12 grandchildren; one sister, Leola McMillan; four brothers, Jerome Brady, and Herman, Wayne and Tommy McMillan; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held 2pm on Friday, Feb. 10 at Crisp Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Sam McMahan will officiate with burial in Birdtown Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 1-2pm Friday at the Funeral Home.