Rafe Allen Rattler, infant son of Jon Rattler and Brandy Keen Rattler, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.

In addition to his parents, Rafe is survived by one brother, Kale Walkingstick; one sister, Zoe Walkingstick; maternal grandparents, Shawn Keen and Tammy King; great grandmother, Sue Rattler; one uncle, Thumper Rattler; aunts, Tiffany Keen, Joy Archer, Kiri Lambert, and Clareece Rattler.

Rafe was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Jonathan Allen Rattler.

Funeral services will be private.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Rattler family.

After a valiant fight with cancer, Geraldine Walkingstick passed peacefully into the hands of the Lord on Aug. 15, 2017.

She was an artist: a gifted basket maker with many other creative talents. Geraldine was known for her green thumb and her appreciation of the natural beauty of plants and flowers. She enjoyed the company of family and friends. When she was having a difficult day due to her illness, Geraldine continued to be a true example of grace and courage, seeking to uplift those around her with kind words. The love and prayers of family, friends, and many supporters kept her spirits up, strengthening her and her family.

Geraldine was preceded in death by her parents, William Wallace Wolfe and Mary Tooni Wolfe; sisters Regina Wolfe, Frances Wolfe, and Emily Smith; and her son, Carl Dale Welch.

Geraldine was the beloved mother of surviving children Betty Maney; Mary Ann Thompson; John Welch; Grace Lauver and husband Robert of Oswego, Illinois; Carlene Welch and partner Edison Wildcatt; Kevin Welch and wife Sarah McClellan-Welch of McGrath, Alaska; Billie Jo Rich and husband Mike; 16 grandchildren; and many great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Her gift of love for her children and grandchildren, shown through her constant support and guidance, will never be forgotten.

She is survived by one brother, Billy Wolfe of Senoia, Ga.; sisters Hazel Howell, Carmen Rosillio-Perez, Velma Taylor, Donna Sue Wolfe; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Geraldine will be missed by those who knew and loved her. Though she resides now in her Heavenly home, she will yet live on in the hearts and memories of her family.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Aug. 18 at the Big Cove Baptist Church beginning at 5pm where the body will remain until the hour of service on Saturday, Aug. 19 at 11:30am.  Pastor James “Bo” Parris will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Welch Family Cemetery.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Walkingstick family.

Shirley Jackson Oswalt (Dodie), 62, of Robbinsville went home to be with the Lord Monday, Aug. 21, 2017 at her residence. A native of Graham County, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Ella Long Jackson. She was a member of Utugi Baptist Church. Shirley was strongly involved in keeping the Cherokee Language alive and wanted God to get all of the glory for everything in her life.

Shirley Oswalt was named a Beloved Woman for her contributions to educating our children and community with her knowledge of cultural traditions and our language. Our language will survive because of her commitment to teaching and her love for our people. Shirley was also an accomplished artist whose work will enrich many people beyond our community. As a Beloved Woman Shirley provided guidance for tribal leaders, teachers, and her community.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, William, Jacob and Frank Jackson; sister, Katie Lambert; and several nieces and nephews.

She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Mack Oswalt; children, Erik Oswalt and wife Melanie, Leslie McEntire and husband Mac, Kenny Oswalt, Shea Redhorse and husband Stacey, Matthew Kennedy, Rick Goodman, Kayla Welch; grandchildren, Jazlyn, Journey, Brooke, Paige, Shane, Luta, Tyler and Logan; sisters, Geraldine Thompson, Edith Crowe, Lou Jackson, Ethel Moose, Esther Dillinger; brother, Gilliam Jackson; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11am on Friday, Aug. 25 at Lone Oak Baptist Church. Rev. Mike McCrum and Rev. Richard Sneed will officiate with burial in the Jackson Family Cemetery.

The family will receive friends starting at 6pm Thursday at the church.

Crisp Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Eloise Cline (Smith) Hicks, 80, of Whittier, peacefully went home to be with the Lord, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. A longtime resident of Swain and Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late Rev. Dewey and step-mother Myrtle Cline. In addition to Dewey and Myrtle, she was also preceded in death by her mother who passed away when she was two years old, Thelma Cline; her first husband, Jarrett Smith; second husband, Cecil Hicks; one son, Eric Smith; two brothers, Bobby Cline, and Joe Billy Cline; and three sisters, Vivian Felker, Marcella Brock, and Romona Hyatt.

Eloise was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a member of the Whittier Church of God for over 50 years where she taught Sunday School. She traveled the continental United States. She loved music and sang with her family for many years.

She is survived by two daughters, Teresa Carvalho (Glenn), and Rebecca Nations (Charles); one son, Reggie Smith (Icey); six grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at 2pm on Thursday, Aug. 24 at Whittier Church of God. Revs. Ned Pressley and Shane Silvers will officiate with burial at Union Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 1-2pm on Thursday at the Church prior to the service.  

David Lamar Wachacha, 47, of Cherokee, went to join family in Heaven, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. A native of Cherokee and Snowbird, he was the son of the late Rev. Tom Wachacha Sr., and Edna Ruth Taylor Wachacha. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by one brother, Tommy Wachacha Jr., and a nephew, Rande David Wachacha.

He is survived by one daughter, Shalana Wachacha, and C.J. Yates; sisters, Christy Wachacha, Gail Wachacha, Mary Jane Smith, and Tina Saunooke; special cousins, Jamie Pheasant, and Doug Pheasant, three nieces, Daryn, Geli, Beatric; one nephew Julian; and a special buddy, Chester.

A graveside service will be held at 5pm on Thursday, Aug. 24 at the Wachacha-Taylor Cemetery. Rev. Noah Crowe will officiate.

A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Sunday, Aug. 27 at Acquoni Baptist Chapel . Revs. James Bo Parris, Jim Park, and Noah Crowe will officiate.

Family and friends will be pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to seven clans Dialysis Center at 53 Echota Church Rd. Cherokee, NC 28719.

Joseph R. French, 65, of Cherokee, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017 at the Cherokee Indian Hospital.

Joseph was born in Cherokee on March 8, 1952 to the late Joseph Smith and Winifred French.

Joseph was an outdoors man.  He loved Ginsenging, fishing, gardening, and Pow Wows.  He was a craftsman and southern singer.

He is survived by four brothers, Michael J. Shell, Elliott Clark Shell, Meroney George Shell, and Perry McKinley Shell; two sisters, Viola Yvonne Garnett and Dolores Lynnette Shell; also surviving are the French Boys.

Per Joseph’s request, no services will be held.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the French family.

Frances Ellen Long Reed, 72, of the Wolftown Community in Cherokee passed away Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017 at Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva following an extended illness.

She was born March 23, 1945 in Cherokee to the late Allen Wilson Long and Dinah Lossie-Wolfe Long.  Frances was a Health Educator and a member of Rock Springs Baptist Church.

She is survived by two children, William D. Reed Jr. (Dorsey Arch) of the home and Lori Reed (JR Wolfe) of the Wolftown Community; three Grandchildren; and two sisters, Elnora Nations (Candler) and Elista Long (Clark Junaluska).

In addition to her parents, Frances is preceded in death by her husband, William D. Reed Sr.; two granddaughters, Robyn Denise Reed and Dinah Renee Reed; four Brothers, Reginald Jerry Long, Will Sawyer Long, Lewis Hilliard Long, and Frank Long; and two sisters, Sarah Jane Poe and Lottie Long.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, Aug. 24 at the Rock Springs Baptist Church from 5-11pm.  Funeral services will be held on Friday, Aug. 25 at the Rock Springs Baptist Church at 2pm.  Pastors Greg Morgan and James “Bo” Parris will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Reed Family Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be nephews.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Reed family.

Annie Wolfe James, 81, of Cherokee passed away Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017 at the Cherokee Indian Hospital.

She was born May 27, 1936 in Cherokee to the late Jonah Mark Wolfe and Minda Hill Wolfe.  Annie will be sadly missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by her son-in-law, James Tooni; special granddaughter, Katherine Armachain; two sisters, Dinah Wolfe and Lillian Wolfe Crowe; and many nieces and nephews also survive.

In addition to her parents, Annie is preceded in death by one daughter, Mary Helen James; one brother, Ned Wolfe; and two sisters, Katie Wolfe Panther and Ollie Wolfe Crowe.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, Aug. 28 at 10am at Long House Funeral Home.  Pastors James “Bo” Parris and Charles Ray Ball will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Soggy Hill Cemetery in the Big Cove Community.  Pallbearers will be among family and friends.

Kenneth Leroy Shiflet, 59, of Cherokee, passed away Aug. 21, 2017 at his home.

Kenneth was born in Anderson, SC to the late John Floyd Shiflet and Rachel Evelena White Shiflet. He was loved by many. Kenneth was a millwright worker and his wife loved him dearly.

Surviving Kenneth is his daughter, Carrie Brown of Williamson, SC; sister, Barbara Bracher of Belton, SC; brother, JD Shiflet of Clinton, SC; stepsons, Timothy Snipes, Anthony Snipes; two grandchildren, and three step grandchildren.

Condolences can be made to the family at www.ashevilleareaalternative.com

James J. Ledford, 59, of Cherokee, went home to be with the Lord, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017. A native of Cherokee, he was the son of the late James and Nellie Goines Ledford. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by one daughter, Angela Jackson Ledford; one sister, Rosie Ledford, and one brother, Eddie Ledford.

He is survived by three sisters, Lawanda Goines, Regina Ledford Rosario and husband George, and Renee Ledford all of Cherokee; two grandchildren, James Bradley, and Antoinette Toineeta; one great grandchild, Astrid Saylor; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services were held Sunday, Aug. 27 at Cherokee Baptist Church. Revs. Percy Cunningham and Danny Sweet officiated.

Rev. Dinah Welch Oocumma, 90, of Cherokee, passed away Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017 at the Cherokee Indian Hospital.

She was born July 20, 1927 in Cherokee.  She was an Assistant Pastor of the Cherokee Wesleyan Church.  Dinah was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great granny, and great great granny.  She was highly loved by everyone who knew her.

She is survived by her children, Martha Vim Oocumma, Catherine Ann Littlejohn, Allan Oocumma (wife Brenda), Wilson Oocumma (wife Patricia), and Olsa Fay Oocumma; grandchildren, Jason Littlejohn, Janelle Maney, and Joseph Littlejohn; great grandchildren, Shelby, Bailey, Davis, Hallie, Me-Li, Julian, Dylan, Triniti, Champ, Calvin, Jesse, Pheobe, and Navaeh; great great grandson, Mitchell Littlejohn; and numerous cousins also survive.

Dinah is preceded in death by her husband, Woodrow W. Welch; her mother, Ollie Squirrel; one grandson, Tyron Oocumma; and one infant great grandson, Jesse Maney.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 29 at the Cherokee Wesleyan Church from 11am – 1pm with funeral services to follow at 2pm.  Pastor Patricia Crockett will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Oocumma Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions to be made to the Cherokee Wesleyan Church to be used for local charities.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Oocumma family.

Gary LeQuire, 56, of the Alarka Community, went home to be with the Lord, Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017. A native of Swain County, he was the son of Arvil LeQuire of Bryson City and the late Shirley Ivans LeQuire. In addition to his mother, he is also preceded in death by three brothers, Billy Ray, Johnny Wayne, and Tony Edward LeQuire; and grandparents, Richard and Mary Davis and Glenn and Mae LeQuire.

Gary loved to attend Sawmill Hill Freewill Baptist Church. He worked at Heritage Quilts as a Quilter Operator and also as a construction worker. He loved passing time watching football and NASCAR, and talking to friends.

In addition to his father, Gary is also survived by one daughter, Garyetta Phillips and husband Jay of Bryson City; three grandchildren; three brothers, Darrell LeQuire and wife Stormie, Brandon LeQuire and wife Gianna both of Bryson City, and Michael LeQuire and wife Thersa of Florence, Ala.; several aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews; and special friends, Freddy, Jack, Harold, Maryln, Tim, Sara, Scotty, Clinton, and many more.

Funeral Services will be held at 5:30pm on Saturday, Sept. 2 at Crisp Funeral Home Chapel. Revs. Gerald McGaha and Percy Cunningham will officiate with burial in Lauada Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 4:30-5:30pm on Saturday at the Funeral Home.

Monica Kristine Singer, 45, of Cherokee, passed away peacefully, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. A longtime resident of Cherokee, she was the daughter of William Richard and Monica Terry Garcia Singer.

She is survived by her fiancée, Jon Smith; one daughter, Delilah Smith of the home; mother-in-law, Mary Rich of Cherokee; and many extended family and friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 1pm on Saturday, Sept. 9 at Crisp Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Merritt Youngdeer will officiate with burial at Crowe Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 12-1pm Saturday at the Funeral Home.

John Michael “Mike/Dobbs” Arkansas, age 57, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017 at Mission Hospital.

Born in Asheville, he was the son of Marjorie Yoder Arkansas of Cherokee and the late John Phillip Arkansas. He was the grandson of Phillip and Kate Arkansas of Cherokee and Phillip and Nellie Yoder of Linville.

Mike was a graduate of Cherokee High School and attended Mars Hill College. Mike was a High School All-American as a baseball pitcher and played on a championship basketball team at Cherokee High School. He was a power lineman for more than 30 years and considered helping others in this way his calling in life.  Mike drove an 18-wheeler for a few years and loved telling stories about his travels.

Mike enjoyed playing guitar and singing. He loved meeting new people and never met a stranger. Mike will be remembered for his easy going nature and love for fun. He was kind and had a great sense of humor. Mike liked to tell stories and jokes.

He is preceded in death by his older brother, Phillip Evans Arkansas. He is survived by sisters, Regina Swimmer and her husband Eddie Swimmer, Ginger Arkansas, Kimberly Arkansas, Angelena Arkansas, and Carmen Nations and her husband Clay Nations. He is also survived by brothers, Steven Arkansas, and Martin Arkansas and his wife Galilee.  He has many nieces and nephews that he loved dearly.

The funeral service will be held on Sept. 15 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Whittier.  Viewing will be at 11am and funeral service will begin at noon.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Cherokee Children’s Home. PO Box 507 Cherokee, NC 28719. Donations can also be made via Paypal at cherokeechildrenshome.com.

Samuel David Taylor, 77, of Cherokee, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017.

He was a U.S. Army veteran, woodcarver, and gardener.  He was a member of the Bethabara Baptist Church.

Samuel is survived by two brothers, Jonah and Truman Taylor; one sister, Betsy Taylor; four grandchildren, two special nieces; and several nieces and nephews.

Samuel was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Frances (Bell) Taylor; one daughter, Tiny Taylor; and his parents, David and Martha Taylor.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, Sept. 17 at 11am at the Bethabara Baptist Church.  Merritt Youngdeer and Logan Parton officiated.  Burial followed at the Saunooke Family Cemetery with military honors by the Steve Youngdeer American Legion Post 143.  Pallbearers were Marty Taylor, Jason Taylor, Nat Taylor, Pepper Taylor, Todd Taylor, Jaden Welch, and TT Taylor.

Long House Funeral Home assisted the Taylor family.

Icey Elizabeth Derreberry, 85, died Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017.  Born in Graham County on June 23, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Robert Game Walker and Bessie Chickalilee Walker.  Icey attended Summit Church and was a proud member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Mrs. Derreberry is survived by her sons, Mendell Derreberry and wife, Camille, and Randy Derreberry, all of Morganton; a daughter, Brenda Komodowski of Asheville; grandchildren, Minda Daniels, Keely Pritchard, Randy Berreberry Jr., Renee Komodowski, and Stefan Komodowski; great grandchildren, Daylin Pritchard, Zaydin Pritchard, Kaydin Pritchard, Skylin Pritchard, and Zakry Daniels; a brother, Elmer Walker of Riverdale, Ga.; and sisters, Loretta Lowe of Sallisaw, Okla., Lavinia Saylor of Illinois, Joyce Penland of Douglasville, Ga., Ellen McConnell of Houston, Texas, and Helen Jones of Winston-Salem.

In addition to her parents, Icey was preceded in death by her husband, Vincent Derreberry; a great-grandchild, Rocklin Pritchard; and brothers, Ronald, Arnold, Larry, and Bill Walker.

The family will receive friends from 2-3pm on Sunday, Sept. 24 at Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center.  The funeral will be held at 3pm in the Colonial Chapel of the funeral home.  Entombment will follow in Burke Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.sossomanfh.com.

Edgar G. (Buddy) Waldroup passed away, Friday, Sept. 22, 2017 at Tsali Care Nursing Facility after a period of declining health.

A native of Swain County, he was the son of the late Jody Cochran Waldroup and Wiley Waldroup. He was married to the late Esther Owle Waldroup for 57 years. He was an employee for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians for 25 plus years; and worked for the Cherokee Boys Club until his retirement. He was a charter member of the Cherokee Rescue Squad, and was proud to serve and work for the Tribe for his entire life from the time he moved to the Qualla Boundary. He was a charter member of Bethabara Baptist Church and sang in the Bethabara Quartet for many years.

Surviving are his children, Barbara Waldroup Miller, of Cherokee, Aneva Turtle Hagberg, of Cherokee, Debra Waldroup Chiltoskie (Wyatt) of Cherokee, William E. (Bill) Waldroup (Jamie) of Cherokee, Brian George Waldroup (Vicki) of Cherokee, Jennifer Waldroup Garafola (Joe) of Nashville, Tenn., and Alysia (Red) Soldier (James) of Dillsboro.

He is also survived by two brothers, Lenard Waldroup (Emma) and Bill Waldroup (Beatrice) as well as one sister, Linda J. Herron. Also, surviving are 17 grandchildren, 25 great children, and one great great grandchild, as well numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of other family members and many friends.

Services will be held on Monday, Sept. 25 at 2pm at the Bethabara Baptist Church. Officiating services will be Reverends James (Bo) Parris, Richard (Duke) Pickup, Jeff Waldroup and Merritt Youngdeer.

Burial will be at the Birdtown Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be grandsons, Chad (Smokey) George, Joshua (Snapper) Turtle, Christopher Dewitt Waldroup, Robert (Bobby) Waldroup, Ryan Curtis Waldroup, and Gavin Major Lambert.

Crisp Funeral Home oversees arrangements.

Dink Sherrill, 50, of Cherokee passed away unexpectedly Friday, Sept. 22, 2017 at his home.

He was born Nov. 4, 1966 in Swain County to the late Robert William Sherrill and Marion Frances Crowe Sherrill.

Dink was a chef and sports guru.  Duke lost their biggest fan. Woooooo.  He belonged to the Kiss Army.  Dink was a member of the Mount Vernon Freewill Baptist Church.

Dink is survived by his companion of 18 years, Sherry Matthews; his children, Scrappy Sherrill, Allison Sherrill, Erin Sherrill, and Stevie Ray Sherrill; 15 Grandchildren; one brother, Spook Sherrill; two “Stinky Butts”, Devan and Amber Sherrill; aunts, Cindy and Jr. Crowe, Esther Barnes, and Eddy and Kermit Jones; and one uncle, Matt Barnes.

In addition to his parents, Dink was preceded in death by “Old Mom” Louisa Barnes.

Visitation will be held on Monday, Sept. 25 from 6-8pm at Long House Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 2 pm at Long House Funeral Home.  Rev. Jim Frady will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Swimmer Family Cemetery on Swimmer Branch.  Pallbearers will be Chip Ledford, Scrappy Sherrill, Brute Crowe, Spook Sherrill, Stevie Ray Sherrill, and Cameron Wiggins.

David Jesse Bales, 67, of the Towstring Community, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017 at his residence. A native of Cherokee, he was the son of Lela Lambert Bales of Cherokee and the late Shady Bales. He was a member of Towstring Baptist Church. David had a great love for music and played the guitar, banjo, and sang in church and with his family. He was also a preacher.

David was preceded in death by his son, David Ethan Bales.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his daughters, Sandra Faye Bales of Asheville, Angela Rose Freeman of Marble, Cynthia Renae Lundy of Hayesville; five grandchildren; three sisters, Gladys Cochran, Glenna Cunningham and Elizabeth Ledford; one brother, Oscar Bales; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11am on Wednesday, Sept. 27 in the chapel of Crisp Funeral Home. Rev. Tim Barker will officiate with burial in the Towstring Cemetery.

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