Waneema Littlejohn Driver, 82, of the Big Y Community, went home to be with the Lord, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017. A native of Cherokee she was the daughter of the late Eugene and Encie George Littlejohn, and wife of the late Sequoyah Driver. In addition to her husband and parents, she was also preceded in death by two daughters, Barbara Faye Driver and Ann Driver Bowman.

She is survived by one daughter, Eugenie Saunooke of Cherokee; two sons, Tommy Driver, and Tom (June Bug) Driver and wife Ernestine of Cherokee; 13 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren; 14 great great grandchildren; and one sister, Juanita Bradley and husband Jack of Cherokee.

Funeral Services were held on Sunday, Feb. 19 at Big Witch Baptist Church. Revs. Jimbo Sneed and Denny Crowe officiated with burial in Bradley-Littlejohn Cemetery.

Pallbearers were grandsons.

Margaret Teesateskie Welch, 71, of Robbinsville, passed away Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017 at her residence following a brief illness.

She was born June 7, 1945 in Graham County to the late George Teesateskie Sr. and Sarah Jumper Teesateskie.  Margaret was a homemaker and a member of the Baptist faith.

Margaret is survived by her children, Freelin (Tracie) Welch of Cherokee, Freeman Welch of Coleman, Fla., Shane (Jessica) Welch of Robbinsville, Sally Anderson of Robbinsville, and Samantha Anderson of Cartersville, Ga.; 14 Grandchildren; 10 Great Grandchildren; and one brother, Willie Teesateskie.

In addition to her parents, Margaret was preceded in death by two brothers, George Teesateskie Jr. and Woodrow Teesateskie; one sister, Lucy Ann Teesateskie Swimmer; and one great granddaughter, Addison Grace Beasley.

Visitation will be held on Monday, Feb. 20 beginning at 5pm at the Zion Hill Baptist Church in Robbinsville where the body will remain until the hour of service on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 12noon.  Pastors James “Bo” Parris, Michael Rattler, and Tom Comacho will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Little Snowbird Baptist Church Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Darryll Teesateskie, Woodrow Teesateskie, Reginald Welch, Paden Welch, Corey Teesateskie, and Brian Jeffery.

Zane “Jack” Bowman, 68, of Cherokee, passed away Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017.

He was born April 21, 1948 in Cherokee to the late Harold “Buster” Bowman and Alice Wolfe Bowman.   Jack was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Jack is survived by two sons, Bobby Dean Raines (wife Lydia) and Walker Lee Bowman; grandchildren, Moto Wi Raines, Wakinyan Walker Raines, Chaske’ Ee-do-hee Raines, Isaiah Zane Bowman, Taylin Kelsie Bowman, and Ethan Robert Armachain;  one brother, Ronnie Bowman; three sisters, Carolyn Malcolm, Frances McMahan, and Lou Bowman; special friend for 17 years, Jane Blankenship; friends, John and Frances Gloyne family, Bob Blankenship family, Jack Bradley, and Walker Calhoun family; and his pet dog, Grass Hopper.

In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by two brothers, Bobby Bowman and Harold “Junebug” Bowman.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 22 from 8 -11am at Long House Funeral Home with funeral services to follow at 11am.  Pastor James “Bo” Parris will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Soggy Hill Cemetery with military honors provided by the Steve Youngdeer American Legion Post 143.  Pallbearers will be the Cherokee Wild Land Firefighters.

Couney Shell, 90, of Cherokee, went home to be with the Lord, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. A native of Swain County, he was the son of the late Ute and Eliza George Shell. He was also preceded in death by his wife. Couney was the last of five siblings.

He was a veteran of the Korean War and a member of the Whittier Church of God.

He is survived by six daughters, Lynette Shell of Cherokee, Patty Stewart of Pensacola, Fla., Catherine Redcloud and husband Joseph of Big Cove, Candi Shell of Pensacola Fla., Walania Shell of Cherokee, and Gussyrobin Zepeda of Cherokee; two sons, J.C. Shell and wife Laura of Jacksonville Fla., and Shawne Shell and wife Kimberly of Spartanburg, SC; 16 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, nine great great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at 2pm on Thursday, March 2 at Whittier Church of God. Revs. Ned Pressley, Shane Silvers, and James “Bo” Parris will officiate with burial in Yellowhill Veterans Cemetery.

Couney will be taken back to the Church at 6pm on Wednesday to await the hour of service.

Samuel Ralph Otter, 54, of Cherokee, passed away Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at the Cherokee Indian Hospital.

He was born July 24, 1962 in Cherokee to the late Rob Shelton and Lawanda Otter Shelton.  He was a Historian and Assistant Manager at the Cherokee Historical Society.  He was a member of the Rock Springs Baptist Church.

Samuel is survived by his wife, Charlene Jackson Otter; two sons, Michael Otter of the home and Kerry Otter of Sylva; three brothers, Henry Otter, Craig Otter, and John Shelton (Wife Becky); one sister, Regina Watkins; and close friends, Dick Crowe and family.

In addition to his parents, Samuel was preceded in death by his grandfather, Johnson Littlejohn; one brother, Michael Shelton; and a nephew, Xavier Otter.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 4 from 5pm until 12 midnight at the Rock Springs Baptist Church where the body will remain until the hour of service on Sunday, March 5 at 2 pm.  Pastors Greg Morgan, Denny Crowe, and Cliff Baker will officiate.  Burial will follow the service at the Jackson Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be among family and friends.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Otter family.

Sallie Littlejohn Reed, 90, of Cherokee, passed away Saturday, March 4, 2017.

She was born April 4, 1926 in Cherokee to the late Henson Littlejohn Sr. and Leewee Crowe Littlejohn.

Sallie is survived by her nieces, Judy Castorena, Polly Castorena, Jonnie Walkingstick, and Caroline Oocumma; nephews, Wiggins Blackfox and Leroy Littlejohn; great nephew, Max; and many other nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and friends.

In addition to her parents, Sallie was preceded in death by her husband, Esiah Reed; five brothers, Boyd Littlejohn, Thomas (Maygo) Littlejohn, Henson Littlejohn Jr., Jess Littlejohn, and Tommy Littlejohn; and four sisters, Alice Oocumma, Agnes Castorena, Amanda Blackfox, and Mabel Littlejohn.

Services will be held at the Macedonia Baptist Church on Monday, March 6 at 10am.  Pastor Dan Conseen and Wayne Carson will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Reed family cemetery.  Pallbearers will be among family and friends.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Reed family.

Mack J. Cook, 73, of Bryson City, passed away Wednesday, March 1, 2017. A native of Jackson County, he was the son of the late Albert and Edna Smith Cook. He was also preceded in death by one son. He was a member of Mountain View Baptist Church in Darrington, Wash.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Frances Cook; one son, Michael Cook of Henderson, Nev.; two grandchildren, Ashley and Mackenzie Cook; one great grandchild, Aryia Carolene Ferverda; two sisters, Doris McMillan of Whittier and Eula Sanders of Darrington; two brothers, Burlin Cook and Willard Cook of Washington; and several nieces and nephews.

Private services will be held at a later date.

Crisp Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Ivy Elizabeth Goforth, 57, of Bryson City, passed away Thursday, March 2, 2017 at the Homestead Hospice in Clyde.

She was born Oct. 14, 1959 in Elberton, Ga. to the late J.B. Morrison and Edna Kansas Wilson Morrison.

Ivy is survived by her children, James Lee Goforth, Carolyn Michaela George, Elizabeth Serena George, and Winona Gabrielle George; and four grandchildren, Makenah Goforth, Leland Kane Goforth, Kevin Swailon George, and Ellis Jamison George.

In addition to her parents, Ivy was preceded in death by her brother, Ronnie Morrison; and one sister, Nona Shepherd.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Goforth family.

Nancy Wildcat Biddix, 81, of the Birdtown Community, went home to be with the lord Saturday, March 4, 2017 at the Cherokee Indian hospital after an extended illness with her loving family by her side.

Nancy was born April 9, 1935 to the late Louiza Wildcat. She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Harold Leroy Buster Biddix; and brothers, Charlie, Wilbur, Anderson and John Wayne Wildcat.

She is survived by six children, Garrett and Henderson Biddix of the home, Polly Reed and John Biddix (Elsie) of Cherokee, Harold Biddix Jr. (Sheila) of Asheboro, and Fred Biddix of Warrenburg, Tenn. In addition to her children, she is also survived by one brother, Quincey Wildcat (Jessie) of Cherokee; 15 grandchildren; three step grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; and six step-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Nancy will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandma.

She will be taken to the Acquoni Baptist Church Monday, March 6 at 5pm where she will remain until the hour of service at 11am on Tuesday, March 7. Revs. James (Bo) Parris and Ed Kilgore will officiate. Pall bearers will be members of the family.

Kina B. Swayney, 56, of Cherokee, went home to be with the Lord, Saturday, March 4, 2017. A native of Cherokee, she was the daughter of the late Bernard A. Wilnoty and Harriet Ann Sequoyah James, and Calvin T. James. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by, one brother, Dennis Wilnoty; one sister, Carolyn Wilnoty, and a nephew, Michael Dennis Wilnoty.

Kina was a retired Lieutenant Colonel with the United States Army having served for 24 years. She was a Combat Veteran in Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan. She was very involved in the Steve Youngdeer American Legion Post #143 in Cherokee.

She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Lawrence D. Swayney; one son, Jacent D. Swayney of the home; one special daughter, Kyra Ann James of the home; four brothers, David B. Wilnoty and wife Michelle of Cherokee, Michael D. Wilnoty and wife Savannah of Cherokee, Timothy M. Wilnoty of Cherokee, and Calvin James Jr. of Cherokee, and several beloved nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held 2pm on Thursday, March 6 at Yellowhill Baptist Church. Rev. Forman Bradley will officiate with burial in Yellowhill Veterans Cemetery.

Kina will be taken back to the Church at 5pm on Wednesday by Crisp Funeral Home to await the hour of service.

Roland O. McGregor, of Bryson City, passed away on March 2, 2017 in Bryson City.

He was born in Brunswick, Ga. on April 17, 1935, the son of Ernest and Ola McGregor.  He married Janice Elaine Leggett on May 3, 1959 in Jekyll Island, Ga.  He served in the U.S. Navy as a gunner mate and served in the Korean War.  He retired from the federal government where he worked as a property management specialist for over 23 years.

McGregor is preceded in death by Donald Eugene McGregor, Joan McGregor, and Robert McGregor.

He is survived by Janice Leggett McGregor, Roland O. McGregor Jr., Elaine Butts, April McGregor, Brenda Johnston, Randy McGregor, Lindsey McGregor, Perri Walker, and Alexandra Butts.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given as a small donation to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to be used for trail clean-up.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 10 at 2pm at the Crisp Funeral Home in Bryson City.

Harry Allen Pond Smith, 52, of Cherokee, passed away unexpectedly Friday, March 3, 2017 at his home.

He was born Feb. 12, 1965 in Swain County to the late Lorena Mae Johnson Smith.  Harry was loved by many.  He had a tendency to adopt family and friends everywhere.  He will be missed by many far and wide.

Harry is survived by two children, Tina Smith and Robert Smith; two grandchildren; one sister, Edna Carroll; brother-in-law, Eddie Carroll; special sister, Shauna Tee; numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews; and lots of family.

In addition to his mother, Harry was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Katie Rayne Smith; one sister, Elsie Johnson; and one Aunt, Winnie Eisle.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 8 at Long House Funeral Home from 12-2pm with funeral services to follow at 2pm .  Pastor James “Bo” Parris will officiate.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Smith family.

Kenneth James Kirkland, 65, of Whittier, went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, March 7, 2017. A native of Swain County and longtime resident of Jackson County, he was the son of the late James Harley and Ida Ann McClure Kirkland. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by three sisters, Mary Lee Crisp, Lillian Kirkland, and Fannie Shuler; and two brothers, Arnold and Charles Kirkland.

Kenneth was a veteran of the U.S. Army First Calvary Division.

He is survived by one daughter, Christy Martin and husband Daryl of Bryson City; one son, Patrick Kirkland of Knoxville, Tenn.; three grandchildren, Joshua Crisp of Robbinsville, Kelley Brown of Whittier, and Jennifer Mazur of Fort Carson, Colo.; one brother, Dewey Kirkland of Whittier; one sister, Ivey Ogle of Bryson City; several nieces and nephews; and a special four-legged friend, Willy.

A graveside service will be held at 1pm on Saturday, March 11 at Lauada Cemetery. Rev. Jerry Orr will officiate.

Military graveside rites will be conducted by the VFW Post #9281 in Bryson City.

Christopher Adam Woodard, 30, of Cherokee, is at peace with the Lord. A native of Cherokee, he was the son of Chris Woodard and wife Margaret of Gainesville, Ga., and Sally Price Brady and husband Boone of Cherokee; and husband of Emily Woodard of Cherokee.

In addition to his wife and parents, he is survived by one sister, Kathrine Kuykendall and husband Stretch of Cherokee; one brother, Cole Allison of Cherokee; two step brothers, Nicholas Williams of Gainesville, Tanner Williams and wife Tori of Cornelia, Ga.; grandmother, Marie Pitts; grandfather, Paul Price and wife Helena Price; and grandmother, Ruby Crowe; and all of his blood brothers.

A visitation will be held from 1-3pm Tuesday, March 14 at Crisp Funeral Home.

William David Tucker, 88, of the Dobson Ridge community of Cherokee, passed away Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at St. Josephs Hospital in Asheville.  He had also resided in South Carolina.

William was an Evangelist and a member of the Whittier Church of God.  He was a U.S. Navy veteran.

He is survived by his wife, Lillie Mae Tucker; his children, Carolyn Winstead, Pam Ephrem, Angela Cox, Noel and Miriam Blakely; and four grandchildren, Stephanie Whetsell, Jessica Blakely, Cody Blakely, and Marcos Anthony Cardonne.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, March 10 at 4pm at the Blythe Cemetery.  Pastor Shane Silvers will officiate.  Military honors will be provided by the Steve Youngdeer American Legion Post 143.

Ned David Smith Sr., 82, of Cherokee, was called home peacefully at the church with his loving wife and church family by his side on March 8, 2017.

Ned was a construction contractor and a member of the Cherokee Church of God.

He is survived by his wife, Mary R. Smith; his children, Pat Oocumma (Wilson) of Cherokee, Vicky Reed (Barry) of Cherokee, Ned “David” Smith Jr. (Anita) of Cherokee, Sherry A. Baldwin of Salem, Va., and Dianne “Dee” Smith of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; special daughter, Wendy Sneed and Sherry Oocumma; grandchildren, Tiffani, Ty, Tara, Nastassia, Kiera, Tristen, Nathaniel, Zach,  and Forrest; special grandchildren, Brittany and Kamea; great grandchildren, Silas, Ietan, Hayes, Caiden, Isabelle, Gabbi, Wodi, Hallie, Axxle, Lyric, Fern, Alexander, and Lilyana; special great grandchildren, Harper and Elias; three brothers, Samuel Smith (June), Hillard Smith (Elena), and George Smith; and three sisters, Lillie Mae Tucker, Janie Smith, and Doris Smith; a special brother-in-law, Gene Sutton.

Ned was preceded in death by his parents, John D. Smith and Ollie Smith; one son, Ricky Dale Smith; one brother, John L. Smith; and sisters, Mary Bridges, Dorothy Smith, and Rosie George.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 14 beginning at 5pm at the Cherokee Church of God where the body will remain until the hour of service on Wednesday, March 15 at 1 pm.  Pastor Collins of the Cherokee Church of God, Hillard Smith, and Ned Pressley will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Smith Family Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be grandchildren, great grandchildren, and the Cherokee Boys Club.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Smith family.

LaWanda Sue French Myers, 70, went home to be with the Lord and her heavenly home on March 13, 2017. LaWanda was born Sept. 27, 1946 in Cherokee. She will be greatly missed by the many who knew her. She was a graduate of Cherokee High School and Montreat College. LaWanda was an educator by profession having worked and retired from Cherokee Central Schools. She was also a small business owner, along with her husband Jimmy, having owned several craft shops in Cherokee and Dillsboro. She was always a giving person remembered for putting others needs ahead of her own, and she was affectionately known by her many students simply as “Aunt Wanda” and “Granny.”

She is survived by her sons, James Paxton Myers III of Sylva and Barak Norton Myers of Cherokee; her sister; Karen French-Browning (Johnny) of Cherokee; brothers, Walter French (Brenda) and Richard French (Angie) both of Cherokee; brother-in-laws, Joseph F. Myers (Jane) of Tallahassee, Fla. and Jeffery B. Myers (Ginger) of Bryson City; and sister-in-law, Sharon French of Cherokee. Also surviving are special nieces, Chrissy Owle Lambert (James) of Cherokee, Brittany French Beck (Jordan) and Madisyn French both of Sylva, and Kayla Ann Myers McMahan (Scotty) of Bryson City; special nephews, Hunter Lambert, Trace Lambert (Kacee) and James Tay Lambert all of Cherokee; several aunts and uncles; several other nieces and nephews; as well as several dear friends and her “adopted children” as she referred to them, Brandon Stephens, Jake Stephens, Brian Saunooke, Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, Charles Reagan, and Timiyah Brown.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James “Jimmy” Paxton Myers Jr.; her parents, Rev. Roy D. French and Mary Swayney French of Cherokee; brothers, Edwin LeRoy “Peanut” French and Michael Ray French both of Cherokee; as well as by her father and mother-in-law, James “Jim” Paxton Myers Sr. and Ida Ann Bain Myers of Bryson City along with several aunts and uncles.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 17 at 2pm at Chief Joyce Dugan Cultural Arts Center with burial to follow in the Swayney Family Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 16 from 5-10pm at Appalachian Funeral Services in Sylva.

Pall Bearers are Hunter Lambert, Trace Lambert, Tay Lambert, Jesse Toineeta, T. Brandon Stephens, Jake Stephens, Brian Saunooke, Charles Reagan, Alan B. Ensley, and Michell A. Hicks. Honorary pall bearers are Reign French and Blake French.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org or to the Circles of Hope, Mountain Projects, 2251 Old Balsam Rd., Waynesville, NC 28786

Appalachian Funeral Services and Crematorium is serving the family.

Austina “Rooster” Rashae Bradley, 27, of the Birdtown Community, passed away unexpectedly Monday, March 13, 2017 at St. Joseph Hospital in Asheville.

Austina was a member of the Pentacostal Church.

She is survived by her wife, Allyson Lambert Bradley; her mother, Lillian “Stu” Bradley; two children, Trevan Lambert and Riley Lambert; one brother, Jose Najera; one sister, Maceta Bradley; grandmother, Susie Plummer; and several step-sisters and brothers.

Austina was preceded in death by her father, Omer Buchanan Sr.; and  grandmothers, Naomi J. Queen and Bertha Watty.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 16 at Long House Funeral Home from 1-2pm with funeral services to follow at 2pm.  Richard Sneed will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Birdtown Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be among family and friends.

Maggie Marie Owl, age 91, of Murphy, passed away Friday, March 17, 2017 at Murphy Medical Center. Mrs. Owl was born Jan. 12, 1926 in Jackson County to the late Fidel Reed and the late Addie Hornbuckle. She enjoyed working in her flowers and loved spending time with her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by father, Fidel Reed; mother, Addie Reed; husband, Clifford Owl; sisters, Josie Franklin, Cindy Crowe, Lula Owl, Ann Ammons, Dolly Tchakirides; and brothers, Wilson Reed, Henry L. Reed, and Glen Reed.

Survivors include: sons, Norman Reed, Clifford Owl Jr., Henry Owl, Perry Owl, Kermit Owl, Lex Owl, Raymond Owl; daughters, Alva Chastain, Belva Ashe, Shirley Rogers, Norma Coleman; 20 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; five great great grandchildren; and nieces and nephews also survive.

Pallbearers: Norman Reed Jr., Ben Reed, Jason Cook, Bob Measmer, Keith Cook, and Ryan Cook. Honorary Pallbearers: Joe Lequire and Chuck Medford
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 22 at 2pm at the Cochran Funeral Home of Murphy with Rev. Ben Reed officiating. Interment will follow in Owl Family Cemetery.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Cochran Funeral Home of Murphy. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

Nancy Edwina Jumper Poncho, 59, of Cherokee, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, March 19, 2017 at the Cherokee Indian Hospital.

She was born Aug. 21, 1957 in Swain County to the late Ute Jumper Jr. and Lily Sampson Wolfe.  Nancy worked at the Day Care and at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino.  She also enjoyed baking and cooking.  She loved to do crafts.

Nancy is survived by two sons, Michael Anthony Jumper and Nicholas Tyler Poncho; four grandchildren; brothers, Charles (Hoss) Jumper, Robert Swayney, Ben Swayney, Leroy Jumper, James Jumper, Jim Jumper, Matthew Jumper, and John Paul Jumper; sisters, Mary Poppins Evans and Reba Rattler; two aunts, Gwendolyn Wildcatt and Joann Kalonaheskie; 29 nieces and nephews; 39 great nieces and nephews; three great great nieces and nephews; and her special pet, Jazzy.

In addition to her parents, Nancy was preceded in death by brothers, Gilbert and Talmage Jumper; and one sister, Laura Lee Jumper.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 23 from 1-2pm at Bethabara Baptist Church with funeral services to follow at 2pm.  Pastors Richard Sneed and James “Bo” Parris will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Crowe Cemetery on Bigwitch.  Pallbearers will be among family and friends.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Poncho family.