Rodreques “Rod” Charles Cooper, 44, of Cherokee, passed away Monday, March 27, 2017 at Mission Hospital surrounded by family after an eight-and-a-half-year battle with ALS. Rod was preceded in death by his mother, Ann Lossiah Cooper of Cherokee. He is survived by his wife, Cristin Murphy Cooper and four children, Ashford Smith, Lisa Cooper, Gregory Cooper, and Zachary Cooper.

Rod was a 1990 graduate of Cherokee High School and served in the U.S. Army during the Gulf War. After serving his country, he returned home and joined the Cherokee Indian Police Department. Throughout his career with CIPD, he served as a school resource officer, was a member of the SWAT team, and championed the Cherokee Central School’s DARE program. His hard work and dedication were recognized through his advancements as Sergeant and Lieutenant in the department’s Juvenile Division. Most importantly, Rod was a loving father and husband.

Visitation for family and friends will be held Friday, March 31 from 6-8pm and funeral services on Saturday, April 1 at 2pm. Both will take place in the Chief Joyce Dugan Cultural Arts Center at Cherokee Central Schools.

Luzene L. Thompson, 79, of the Big Y community, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, April 1, 2017. A native of Cherokee, she was the daughter of the late Dave and Lydia Wilnoty Lossiah. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Sambo, Bill, John, and Dickie; one sister, Suzanne; and one great granddaughter, Justice Rain Bark.

She is survived by three daughters, Nadine Lossiah, Brenda Lossiah, Penny Thompson all of Cherokee; one son, Franklin Thompson of Cherokee; 10 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; one sister, Linda Swimmer and husband Dwight of Cherokee; two brothers, Moses Lossiah and wife Carolyn of Cherokee and Paul Lossiah and wife Ruby of Cherokee; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2pm Tuesday at Bigwitch Baptist Church. Revs. Jimbo Sneed, James (Bo) Parris, and Denny Crowe will officiate with burial in the Lossiah Family Cemetery.

Luzene will be taken to the church at 5pm Monday by Crisp Funeral Home to await the hour of service.

Pallbearers will be family.

Priscilla Blanche Sneed Cooper, 88, of Cherokee, went to her heavenly home on March 20, 2017. She was the daughter of the late Cam and Minda Bradley Sneed. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Kenneth Cooper. Also preceding her in death were four brothers, Ernest, Pat and Vernon Sneed; and an adopted brother, Joe Bermuda; and five sisters, Carie Robinson, Pokie Sneed, Claudia Seay, Marie Maney and Winifred Tiger.

Mrs. Cooper was a science teacher and a very successful business woman. She is survived by one daughter, Lawana Cooper Almond (Eddie); two sons Harold Kenneth (Rena) and John Cameron (Katie); one sister, Virginia Dixon; grandchildren, Ashley, Bambi, and Courtney Almond, Chad, Dusty, Laurel, and Tres Cooper, Sonya, Cameron and Tiffany Cooper; and 13 great grandchildren, all of Cherokee.

A memorial service was held on Friday, March 24 at The Cherokee United Methodist church with Rev. John Ferree and Rev. Steve Phillippi officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Cherokee United Methodist Church Building Fund at PO Box 367 Cherokee, NC 28719, or to The Cherokee Boy’s Club (Pricilla Cooper Scholarship Fund), of which she was an emeritus board member, at PO Box 507 Cherokee, NC 28719.

Margaret (Mitch) Lossiah, 74, of the Painttown Community, passed away Saturday, April 1, 2017. A native of Cherokee, she was the daughter of the late Andy and Annie Bird Sherrill. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Lee Andy Bird, David Bird, and John Ute Sherrill; and one sister, Julie Queen.

She is survived by two daughters, Mollie Grant and Tommie S. Lossiah; two sons, Andy David Sherrill and Calvin Lossie; three grandchildren, Christopher Drew Grant (Beth), Vanessa Grant, and Jannie K. Lossie; three great grandchildren, C.J. Grant, Chloe Locust, and Otis Jacob George; sisters, Jessie Wildcatt (Quincy), and Rita Wildcatt; special friend, Jeanne Crowe; and her two special pets, Jordan and Chuby.

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

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the two hospice rooms at Cherokee Indian Hospital or to the Cherokee Wound Care at Cherokee Indian Hospital.

Crisp Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Lex Owl, age 63 of Murphy, passed away Friday, March 24, 2017. Owl was born April 9, 1953 in Swain County, NC to the late Clifford Owl and the late Maggie Reed Owl. He was a member of Kingdom Hall Jehovah’s Witnesses in Marble. He enjoyed making and selling Indian crafts and loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Survivors include wife, Barbara Owl; daughter, Krystal Lequire; brothers, Cliff Owl, Norman Reed, Henry Owl, Perry Owl, Kermit Owl and Raymond Owl; sisters, Alva Chastain, Belva Ashe, Shirley Rogers and Norma Coleman; grandchildren, Natasha Lequire, Jada Lequire, and Isaac Lequire.

Funeral services were held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses on Tuesday, March 28.  Arrangements were entrusted to the Cochran Funeral Home of Murphy. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

Terry “Tyrell” McCoy, 50, of Waynesville passed away Sunday, April 9, 2017.

He was born July 5, 1966 in Edenton to Delena “Gig” Ross McCoy and the late William “Widge” Allen McCoy.

In addition to his mother, Delena, Terry is survived by two children, Lindsey Snyder and Tyler Washington; one granddaughter, Taelyn Washington; one brother, Lil Will McCoy; one sister, Ashley McCoy; aunts, Faye McCoy, Agnes Bradley (husband Herbert), Mary McCoy, Mildred McCoy, Francis McCoy, Maxine Burgess (husband Bud), Peggy Oocumma (husband Mose), Bertha Braddock, Mary Visage (husband Wayne); and Jessie Ross Swimmer (husband Virgil); uncles, Albert McCoy, Jay-Boy McCoy, Ray Bone McCoy, Richard “Greasy” McCoy, and Larry Paul McCoy (wife Jackie); and numerous cousins and friends also survive.

In addition to his father, Terry was preceded in death by one brother, Shane Wilson McCoy; paternal grandparents, William Tom McCoy and Emily Conseen McCoy; and maternal grandparents, Mac Ross and Lillie Mae Wahnetah.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 11 from 6-8pm at Long House Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 12 at 1 pm at Long House Funeral Home.  Pastors James “Bo” Parris and Foreman Bradley will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Birdtown Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be close friends and family.

Theodore Jerome Brady, 80, of Bryson City, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, April 15, 2017. A native of Swain County, he was the son of the late Mary Brady McMillan. He was a member of Cherokee Baptist Church, a member of the Swain County Rescue Squad for 38 years and served two years in the U.S. Army. He was a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and retired from the N.C. Department of Transportation after 35 years of service.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Alfred Brady, Larry, Howard and Earl McMillan; great granddaughter, Kali Cochran; and his father, T.H. Woods.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jean Brady; two daughters, Pamela Brady (Danny), Paula Brady (Tommy); grandson, Joshua Cochran (Lacey); great grandson, Levi Cochran; two step great granddaughters, Gabby and Maya; his aunt, Sally Rogers; sisters, Leola McMillan and Margaret Woods; brothers, Harold Woods, Herman, Wayne and Tommy McMillan; and multiple cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11am on Tuesday, April 18 in the chapel of Crisp Funeral Home. Rev. Mike Cogdill and Joshua Cochran will officiate. Burial will be in the Holly Springs Cemetery with military graveside rites being conducted by the Bryson City VFW Post # 9281.

The family will receive friends from 6-9pm Monday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Swain County Rescue Squad.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Swain County Rescue Squad, PO Box 606, Bryson City, NC 28713.

Rebecca Mary Fuller Barton, age 91, of Murphy, passed away Saturday, April 15, 2017. Mrs. Barton was born Nov. 12, 1925 in Bryson City to the late William Ace and Laura Cochran Fuller. She had worked in Fontana on the construction of the dam where she met and married the love of her life.

Mrs. Barton had attended Fontana Community Church. After moving to Murphy, she attended Peachtree Memorial Baptist Church where she was a member of the Minnie Ferguson Sunday School Class. Rebecca enjoyed cooking, sewing, and making visits to the nursing home.

She was preceded in death by brothers, George Fuller and John Fuller; sisters, Beulah Messer, Emma Barker and Lexie Denny, and husband, Vaughn Barton. Survivors include: daughter, Brenda (Richard) Parson; sons, Gerald S. (Kathy) Barton, Bobby (Janet) Barton; sister, Jean Moose; grandchildren, Christy (Jody) Parson LeCroy, Bart (Meredith) Parson, Brooke Barton (Jeff) Smith, Debbie (Charlie) Busch, Josh Barton, Jennifer Barton, Kyle King, T. J. King, Chase Busch; great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Joseph, and Talmadge LeCroy, Audrey Parson; and sister by love, Verna Wiggins Kirkland.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, April 19 at the Peachtree Memorial Baptist Church, with the Rev. Chris Furl, Rev. Chester Jones, and Gigi Turner officiating. Music provided by Elizabeth LeCroy. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Pallbearers: Eddie Foust, Don Riverbark, Greg Bradshaw, Jeff Fowler, Joe Phillips, Al Lovingood, Blain Barnett and Greg Moore.

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

Jennifer Dugan Toineeta, 34, of Cherokee, went home to be with the Lord, Wednesday, April 19, 2017. A native of Cherokee, she was the daughter of the late Jackie Dugan Queen. In addition to her mother she was also preceded in death by her daughter, Jayda Toineeta, and her grandparents, Jessie Owle Dugan and James Boyce Dugan.

Jennifer was a member of Bethabara Baptist Church.

She is survived by one son, Jayce Boyce Toineeta of the home; her husband, Joel Toineeta; one sister, Jill Sain and husband Jay of Whittier; one brother, Jesse Queen of Cherokee; mother-in-law, Pam Cucumber of Cherokee; two nephews, Bryce and Blake Sain of Whittier; two brother-in-law’s, Nehi Toineeta and wife Reva of Cherokee, and Michael Toineeta of Starkville, Miss.,  nd several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Funeral Services will be held 2pm on Saturday, April 22 at Rock Springs Baptist Church. Pastors Greg Morgan and Danny Lambert will officiate with burial in Joe Cucumber Cemetery.

Jennifer will be taken back to the Church at 5pm on Friday to await the hour of service.

Pallbearers will be family.

Joseph Stephen Watty, 72, of Cherokee, passed away Sunday, April 23, 2017.

He was born Aug. 21, 1944 in Cherokee to the late Steve Watty and Rachel Tooni Watty.

Joseph is survived by his wife, Elsie Marie Thompson Watty; one daughter, Martha Watty; two sons, Michael Watty and Matt Watty; nine grandchildren, Marc Watty, Daliyah Wolfe, Kobe Watty, Jaymian Lambert, Ethan Watty, Adayah Watty, Makenah Goforth, Ian Watty, and Leland Goforth; two great grandchildren; one sister, Maybelle Watty; and two brothers, Samuel Watty and Quincy Watty.

In addition to his parents, Joseph was preceded in death by three sisters, Winnie Watty Long, Lorene Watty Arch, and Yonnie Watty Hill; and two brothers, John Watty and Anderson Watty.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, April 26 at 1pm at the Straight Fork Baptist Church.  Rev. Charles Ray Ball will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Watty Family Cemetery.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Watty family.

Richard Terry Reed, 66, of Cherokee passed away unexpectedly, yet peacefully, in the early hours of Friday, April 28, 2017.

He was the son of the late Noah Reed and Dora (Crowe) Reed of the Cherokee community.  Richard was known as Terry to most that knew him.  He was a member of Waterfalls Baptist Church.  Terry loved life and loved his family.  He will be missed by those that knew and loved him.

Surviving are his daughters, Kim Crowe with husband Bo, Vita Reed and TJ Reed all of Cherokee; brothers, Jessee, Ronnie, Doug Reed and Barry Reed with wife Vicki all of Cherokee; one sister, Pam Reed with husband Norman of Cherokee; grandchildren, Dre Crowe, Boie Crowe, Kinley Crowe, Kimbo Crowe, Acacia Reed, Kaniah Reed, Chayton Ledford and JJ Ledford all of Cherokee.  Terry also leaves behind his friends at Tsali Care and the Dialysis Center.

A visitation is planned for Saturday, April 29 at the Big Witch Baptist Church on Big Witch Rd. in Cherokee.  Start time will be 5pm for the general public.  Terry will remain at the church until the hour of service on Sunday, April 30 at 2 pm.  Pastor Ben Reed will officiate the services.  An immediate burial will take place in the Reed Cemetery along Big Witch Rd. with pallbearers being among the family and friends.

Long House Funeral Home assisted the family in the final arrangements.

Nannie Sue Ball Blanton, 74, of Bryson City, went home to be with the Lord, Friday, April 28, 2017 in a Buncombe County Hospital after a short illness. A native of Swain County, she was the daughter of the late Al and Nota Mae Dowell Ball. She was an active member of Deep Creek Baptist Church, the Jail Ministry, and Church Missionary Work.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, J.C. Ball, and Dan Ball, and a sister Joanne Sutton.

She is survived by her husband of 29 years, Ronnie Blanton; three children, Woover Partridge and wife Caroline of Cherokee, Vera (Mouse) Lequire of Cherokee, and Collette Coggins and husband Barry of Bryson City; eight grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and one brother, Charles Ray Ball and wife Betty of Bryson City.

Funeral Services will be held 2pm on Monday, May 1 at Deep Creek Baptist Church. Rev. Mike Cogdill will officiate with burial in the Lauada Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 11am – 1pm Monday at the Church.

Mary Hazel Lambert, 82, of the Birdtown Community in Cherokee went home Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at her residence with her loving family by her side.

Mary was a foster parent providing care for EBCI children.  She worked outside the home as a factory worker for the Cherokees, manufacturing moccasins.  She departed from this job to care for her father Herman until he passed away in 1985.  Mary was then an employee for Cooper enterprises as a housekeeper until she retired.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Pamela Lambert (Herbert); one son, Steven G. Lambert (Kristi); two special sons, Dale French Jr. and Ronnie Lambert; grandchildren, Shandrea Squirrell, Naschia Lambert, Steven Lambert (Bubba), Phillip Lambert, Meli Lambert, and Nathaniel Lambert; one great granddaughter, Juniper Morales; one brother, Ronald Lambert; a very special sister-in-law, Bernice Lambert; a very special friend, Betty Feather; and numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Herman Lambert and Amanda George Lambert; one sister, Geraldine Jenkins; four brothers, Thomas, David, Leslie, and Michael Lambert; one niece, Theresa D. Brady; and four nephews, Raymond Jenkins, Mark T. Lambert, David H. Lambert (Crock), and Adam E. Lambert.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 4 beginning at 5pm at the Bethabara Baptist Church where the body will remain until the hour of service on Friday, May 5 at 11am.  Pastors James “Bo” Parris and Logan Parton will officiate.  Burial will immediately follow at the Mary Lambert Family Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Silas Brady, Herb Squirrell, Emmett Jenkins, Thomas Lambert, Jim Lambert, and Michael D. Lambert.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Lambert family with the arrangements.

Darrell Katherine Barclay, 87, of Whittier, passed away Tuesday, May 2, 2017. Formerly of Arizona, she had lived in Jackson County for the past five years. She was the daughter of the late Joe and Ina Wallace.

She attended and enjoyed her church family at Cherokee Baptist Church. She loved making toboggan hats to give to the church coat drive. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, William Linwood Barclay, and also by her sister, Elouise Mims.

She is survived by her daughter, Vicki Mitchell (Ray) of Whittier; niece, Rita Ward of Texas; and 20 grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Graveside Services will be held in Texas at a later date.

An online registry is available at www.appalachianfuneralservcies.com.

Wilbur George Long, 77, of Cherokee, passed away Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at Tsali Care Center with his family by his side.

Wilbur was a self-employed carpenter and logger.  He was of the Baptist faith.

He is survived by two brothers, Garfield Long Sr. and John Long; step-daughter, Katherine Russell; and nephews also survive.

Wilbur was preceded in death by his parents, Posey Long and Bessie Catolster Long; and one brother, Roger David Long.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 5 from 7-9 pm at Long House Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 6 at 11am at Long House Funeral Home.  Rev. Noah Crowe will officiate.  Burial will immediately follow at the Long Family Cemetery on Long Branch Road in Cherokee.  Pallbearers will be Garfield Long Jr., James Long, Eugene Long, Farrell Oocumma, Delbert Ross, and Cody Long.

Lucy Lee McLaughlin, born March 11,1940 in Raton, NM, passed away on May 7,2017 at her residence. She was the daughter of the late Ernest and Mildred Buffington McLaughlin.

Lucy grew up in Sulphur Springs, Texas. After high school, she attended East Texas State University where she obtained her bachelor’s of science degree in math and science in 1960. In 1964, she received her master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary on religious education. From 1960-62, she taught school in Lake Jackson, Texas. In 1962, she went on the mission field working with African American children. In 1964, she went to Cherokee as a missionary to Cherokee Baptist Church where she served as director of the day care program. In 1965, she was sent to do mission work in Denver, Colo. in a Hispanic church.

After her time in Denver, Lucy felt led to return to Cherokee so she left the mission board and returned to Cherokee as a missionary and school teacher.  Lucy was a school teacher with Cherokee Central Schools for 37 years. Among all her many accomplishments and recognitions received during her lifetime, Lucy was most honored by being made an honorary member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in 1988, and she was given the Cherokee name for “Beloved Teacher”.  During her time in Cherokee, she was a Sunday school teacher, piano instructor, worked with youth groups, helped at Camp Cherokee, visited shut-ins, served on various boards including VOC, and was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. In the summer when she wasn’t teaching, she continued her mission work by helping with several church camps on other reservations including the Choctaw reservations in Mississippi and Oklahoma and she attended the Indian Baptist Missions Camp meeting annually. She was a humble servant of God who loved her Lord and Savior.

In addition to her parents, Lucy is preceded in death by two sisters, Margaret Driggers and Helen Ferguson; and her “foster” parents, Russell and Elizabeth “Lizzie”(French) Smith that took her into their family when she came to Cherokee as a missionary.

Lucy is survived by a brother, Paul McLaughlin (Millie); and three sisters, Lois Ferguson (Boyd), Joyce Bayless, and Dorothy Weaver (Gene).  In addition to her immediate, family Lucy is survived by numerous nieces and nephews and an extensive foster family in Cherokee as well as friends everywhere.  She will be greatly missed by her best friend, Katherine Smith and her sister Maxine Smith; her foster daughter Lizzie McCoy Bernal; son-in-law German Bernal; grandchildren Malaciah Taylor, Colby Yanez, Omar Yanez, Sidnie Yanez, Rachel Taylor, and Keisha Sogueco; and great grandchildren Evelyn, Gracelyn,Marvin, Dezmond, Levi, and Jaden.

Lucy’s services will be held at Rock Springs Baptist Church. Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 10 from 5-10pm, and the funeral service will be at 1pm on Thursday, May 11. Burial will be at the Russell Smith Family Cemetery on Soco. Pastors Greg Morgan, Ed Kilgore, and Bo Parris will officiate.

Pall bearers will be Malaciah Taylor, Colby Yanez, Omar Yanez, Sam Wolfe, Rick McCoy, Terry Smith, Chebon Postoak, and Dylan Saunooke.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either of the following organizations in memory of Lucy.  Indian Baptist Missions Fellowship PO Box 72 Canadian, OK 74425 or New Kituwah Academy in Cherokee NC for language revitalization.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the McLaughlin family.

William Perry Pheasant, 68, of the Big Cove Community, went home to be with the Lord, Wednesday May 10, 2017.

A native of Cherokee, he was the son of the late Driver Pheasant Sr. and Nettie Swayney Pheasant, both of Cherokee.  In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by one son, William Pheasant, one grandson, Justin Pheasant, both of Cherokee; and brothers, Scotty Pheasant, Charles Pheasant, and Jesse Pheasant.

Perry was well known in the Big Cove Community by his sense of humor and his many forms of transportation.

He is survived by one daughter, Rhonda Pheasant (husband Toni); one son, Thomas “Star” Pheasant; 10 grandchildren; four sisters, Regina Ledford, Lisa Queen, Ollie Pheasant, and Anita Teesateskie; five brothers, George Pheasant (wife Sherry); Daniel Pheasant (wife Amy); Driver Pheasant Jr. (wife Hope), and James Pheasant; and many nieces and nephews also survive.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 12 from 11am – 1pm at Long House Funeral Home.  Funeral services will follow the visitation at 1pm at Long House Funeral Home.  Rev. Charles Ray Ball will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Pheasant Family Cemetery in the Big Cove Community.  Pallbearers will be among family and friends.

Thomas Jay McCoy, 64, affectionately known as “Jay Boy”, went to meet his creator, Friday morning, May 12, 2017.

Jay Boy was born on May 27, 1953 to William Thomas McCoy and Emily Conseen McCoy. A native of Swain County, he was born and raised on the Cherokee Indian Reservation, where he proudly resided his entire life.

In addition to his parents, he is proceeded in death by his brother, William McCoy; his sister, Tommie Ruth McCoy; his three nephews, Shane McCoy, Tom, and Terry Allen McCoy, and his niece Peaches Caso.

He leaves behind one son, Jayson (Dale) and husband Richard Crusenberry of Johnson City, Tenn.; and a step-daughter, Claudette Long of Cherokee. He is also survived by three close nephews whom he loved and cared for like sons, Roger McCoy, Roy Bradley, and Mike Oocumma, all of Cherokee.

In addition, he is survived by several loving sisters and brothers: Bertha Bradock, Richard McCoy,  Maxine and Bud Burgess, Peggy and Moses Oocumma, Albert McCoy, Francis McCoy, Agnes and Herbert Bradley, Mildred McCoy, Larry Paul and Jackie McCoy, Mary Ella McCoy, Carla Faye McCoy, Ray McCoy, and special sister Rose.

Jay Boy was always a proud McCoy.  He loved every member of his family in their own unique way, and being “Uncle Jay” gave him some of the greatest joys of his life. He leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins, and numerous close friends.

He was not only a proud son, brother, uncle, and father, but also friend to many. Formerly a carpenter and wood carver.  Also known for his green thumb, good company, and grand stories, Jay Boy brought a smile to those of us who enjoyed his great sense of humor. He lived his life, loved his life, and left memories with us all that will forever make us smile in our rememberance of him.

The family will receive friends and loved ones from 11am – 2pm on Monday, May 15 with the funeral following at 2pm at Bethabara Baptist Church. Burial will be in the Birdtown Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be friends and family.

Heath “Ty” Oocumma, 41, of Cherokee, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at the Cherokee Indian Hospital.

Ty was a fluent Cherokee speaker, former member of Birdtown Crossing drum group, former member of Warriors of AniKituhwa, former employee of the Cherokee Fire Department, and former supervisor of DBLO Enterprises, L.L.C.

He is survived by his wife, Lucinda N. Bradley; parents, Wilson Oocumma and Pat S. Oocumma; one daughter, Hallie Oocumma (Sherry); three step-sons, Christopher (Ashley), Xaiver (Ashley), and Devan (Ashley); special niece, LeAnn Simpson; special brother, Zach; surrogate sisters, Tiff and Tara; aunts, Vickie (Barry), Diane, Martha, Catherine, Fay, and Sherry B.; uncles, David (Anita), Allan (Brenda); great uncles, Gene, Sam, George, and Hillard; cousins, Nathaniel, Tristan, Joseph, Jason, Janelle, `Stass, Forrest, Kiera, Wendy, Brittany, Kamea, Izzy, Gabby, Wodi, Caiden, and Fern; his extended Choctaw family Wilma (James), Charlie, Jackie, Kendra, Kena, Boy, Sean, Bea and Ron Carson; his Kentucky family Deann, James, Caroline, and Mary; and Godparents, Jim and Ollie Bigwitch.

Ty was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Woodrow, John, and Ned; great grandmothers, Melinda and Mattie; and uncle, Ricky.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 18 beginning at 5pm at the Cherokee Wesleyan Church where the body will remain until the hour of service on Friday, May 19 at 11am.  Rev. Patricia Crockett and Rev. Stacy Woods will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Oocumma cemetery.  Pallbearers will be among family and friends.

In Lieu of flowers, to honor Ty’s life, the family asks that tribute donations be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at www.JDRF.org/tribute; or the food pantry at the Living Waters Lutheran Church in Cherokee, NC, PO Box 2230, Cherokee, NC  28719.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Oocumma family.

Sara Jane Wabagkeck, 78, of Cherokee, passed away Sunday, May 28, 2017 at her residence.

She was born Jan. 8, 1939 in Cherokee to the late Jonah Washington and Luzene Crowe Washington.  She loved her family and enjoyed life.

Sara is survived by one daughter, Mary Swayney (husband Chad) of Cherokee; one son, Clarence Maney; grandchildren, Matthew Carey, Jonah Carey and Nicholas Swayney all of Cherokee, Chanda Bird and Evan Maney of the Snowbird Community in Robbinsville; nine great grandchildren;  three brothers, William Washington, Noah Washington (wife Eunice), and Sam Washington; four sisters, Mabel Parker (husband Carroll), Nora McCoy, Betty Washington, and Mary Saunooke (husband Solomon); special friend, Rebecca Bigwitch; her church family at Yellow Hill Baptist Church where she was a member; and several nieces and nephews and many other friends also survive.

In addition to her parents, Sara was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Wabagkeck; one son, William David Maney; one granddaughter, Tenilla Stamper; and two brothers, Robert Lee Washington and Allen Boyd Crowe.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 1 at Yellow Hill Baptist Church from 12-2pm with funeral services to follow at 2 pm.  Pastor Foreman Bradley will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Washington Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be among family and friends.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Wabagkeck family.