Greg Allen Smith, 37, of Cherokee, passed away on March 9, 2018. Greg is the son of Buford and Jessie Smith.

Greg is survived by two sons, Seth Allen and Luke James Smith; two sisters, Michelle and Krystal; one brother, Little Bu; his bub, Trevan; and several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

A vistation will be held on Tuesday, March 13 at Long House Funeral Home from 11am – 2pm.  The funeral service will follow at 2pm. Burial will be at the Blythe Cemetery. Pall Bearers will be P-Nut, Bo, Dick, Trevan, Ayden, Lil’ Bill, Jack Wachacha, and Don Fuller.

Long House Funeral Home assisted the Smith family.

William Theodore Taylor, 60, of Cherokee, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 11, 2018.

He had an honorable discharge from the U.S. Air Force.  He was formerly employed by the Cherokee’s, the Cherokee Casino, and the Grand Hotel.  He was an outdoorsman.  He fished, enjoyed watching racing, and also enjoyed playing fast pitch soft ball and any kind of sports.

He is survived by his mother, Jane Lossiah Taylor; two brothers, Jeremiah Taylor and Dennis Taylor, both of the home; one sister, Cynthia A. Meuse of Cherokee; two nephews; six nieces; one great nephew; one aunt, Dolly Taylor; great aunts, Mollie Herbold and Annie French; and uncles, Jack and Willard Lossiah.

He is preceded in death by his father, Jeff Taylor; paternal grandparents, Julius and Julia Taylor; maternal grandparents, John and Charlotte Lossiah; one brother, Michael Taylor; great nephew, Mickey J. Meuse; and several aunts, uncles, and brother-in-law.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 15 at 12pm at Straight Fork Baptist Church.  Pastors Charles Ray Ball and James “Bo” Parris will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Lossiah family cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Bear, Noland, Kirk, Gary, Albert, Earl, Howard Jr., and Eric.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Taylor family.

Dr. Jeremiah “Jerry” Wolfe, 93, of Cherokee, passed away on Monday, March 12, 2018 at Mission Hospital in Asheville with his loving family at his side.

He was born on September 28, 1924 to the late Owen Wolfe and Lucy Ann Davis Wolfe in the Big Cove Community.  He later moved and lived most of his life in the Yellowhill community of Cherokee.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Juanita (Bradley) Wolfe; three sisters, Annie Tsosi, Rose Curley, and Mary Sneed; and three sons, Michael Owen Wolfe, Jeremiah Wolfe Jr., and Dennis Ray Wolfe.

Surviving are three daughters, Vangie Stephens (Tommy), Gerri Grady (Sean), and Robin Wolfe, all of Cherokee; two sons, Joe Wolfe and Tony Wolfe; step-daughter, Jackie Moody; special friend, Nancy Pafford of Lakeland, Ga.; and several grandchildren and great grandchildren also survive as well as relatives across the country.

Jerry grew up in Sherrill Cove on the Cherokee Indian Reservation in western North Carolina.  The family home sat in the middle of what is now the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Jerry started his life on Sherrill Cove as an only child although he had three sisters.  He was the baby and his sisters were usually off at boarding school away from Cherokee.

As he grew into a man, Jerry joined the United States Navy on July 21, 1943.  He proudly served aboard the Queen Mary and worked on an aviation repair vessel and a destroyer escort.  On June 6, 1944, he participated in the invasion of Normandy.  As the only Native American in his division, he gained the respect of the other men as he was able to adapt very well to strenuous work because of his upbringing in the harsh Great Smoky Mountains.  Prior to his discharge from the Navy on Feb. 1, 1950, he married Juanita Bradley on Jan. 2, 1949.  Within a few years, he started a family that grew to five boys and three girls.

Jerry was a mason by trade and was one of the last Cherokee stonecutters.  He built fireplaces, walls, and monuments – works of art.  Jerry retired from the federal service in 1985 and has been working at the Museum of the Cherokee Indians since 1987 as a greeter.

He had traveled the southeast and is often asked to represent the tribal perspective on plants and animals of the Great Smoky Mountains.  He has assisted in translating documents into Cherokee as he reads and writes using the Cherokee Syllabary.  He spent time in local schools teaching the Cherokee Language and telling stories of the Cherokee people to the children.   At home, Jerry dug ginseng, hunted for wishee mushrooms, and kept track of the Russian boars, bears, elk and wild turkey.  He gathered ramps and berries when he had time.

In the spring of 2013, Jerry was named Beloved Man of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians – the first man to receive this honor in over 200 years.  In the same year, he was honored for his military service.  In 2002, he was awarded the Cherokee Heritage Award.  In 2008, he received an award from the North Carolina State Legislator for his contributions to the Eastern Band of the Cherokee as a story teller and a stick ball caller.  In October 2010, he was among a group of veterans to visit Washington D.C. and the World War II memorial.  In 2014, he was awarded the Patriot Award, and in the spring of 2017 was bestowed with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Roy Cooper and also received an Honorary Doctorate of Human Letters from Western Carolina University. The list goes on of his accomplishments and these are only a few.

Dr. Wolfe represented the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians on numerous occasions by offering prayers and smoke as he believed the Beloved Man should help the community and the Tribe whenever possible.  He was passionate in his hope that the Cherokee children learn the Cherokee Language and the traditions and customs of the Tribe.  His loss is a great blow to the Cherokee people and the people of western North Carolina and the nation as a whole.  He cannot be replaced and he will be missed.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 16 from 5:30pm until 12midnight at the Cherokee United Methodist Church.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 17 at 1pm at the Chief Joyce Dugan Cultural Arts Center at the Cherokee Central Schools.  Rev. Ralph Eanes Jr., Bo Taylor, and Derek Robinson will officiate. Burial will follow at the Yellowhill Veterans Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Christopher Reed, Keenan Grady, Faolan Grady, Richard Wolfe, Brandon Stephens, Jake Stephens, and Dennis Tice.

Family welcomes flowers, but in lieu of flowers donations can be made to the New Kituwah Academy at 60 Water Dam Road, Cherokee, NC  28719 or to the Jerry Wolfe scholarship fund established with First Citizens Bank in Cherokee, NC.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Wolfe family.

Carol Ann Romines Gore, 74, of Whittier, passed away Friday, March 9 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.

Carol split her time between Bradenton, Fla. and Whittier. She was a nurse in Bradenton for over 30 years. In her spare time she enjoyed sewing, quilting and antique shopping.  She loved her family and her numerous pets.  She will be missed by all.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Luther Gore of Whittier; a daughter, Cindy Palmer of Bradenton, Fla.; a son, Jack Gore of Hawkinsville Ga.; grandchildren, Christi Palmer, Keith Palmer, Heather Long, and Brooke Gore; and great grandchildren, Natalie, Ayden and Wyatt.

No services are planned.

Long House Funeral Home assisted the Gore family.

Sandra Annette Farris, 57, of the Painttown Community, passed away on March 12, 2018 in Chapel Hill after a short, hard fought battle with cancer.

Sandra is survived by her children, Michelle Queen McCoy of Cherokee (grandchildren, Spencer, Garrett and Emma McCoy); and Tristen and Alyssa Land also of Cherokee; step-children Brandon Crisp of Myrtle Beach, SC, Melanie Thompson, of Myrtle Beach, SC; brothers, Richard (Mary) of Columbia, SC and Jim (Beth) of Cherokee; niece, Joy Farris of Whittier; and nephews, Ricky (Michelle) and Daniel Farris of Columbia, SC.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Freida Chariker Farris; father, Harvey Andral Farris; former husband, Terry Crisp; and nephew, Jacob Farris.

Funeral services will be held at Crisp Funeral Home on Saturday, March 17 from 11 am – 2pm. Burial will follow at Campground Cemetery in Whittier.

Memorial donations may be made to Jackson County Animal Shelter, 463 Airport Road, Sylva, NC 28779. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to everyone for their outpouring of love, support and happy memories of someone we loved so dearly.

WAYNESVILLE – Tony Goodson, age 55, passed away at Cherokee Indian Hospital on Wednesday, March 20, 2018.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Leona Locust Goodson; one niece, Silvia Ann Goodson; a great niece, Karla Buchanan; and his grandparents, Homer and Hazel Locust and John Fannon Goodson and Lucy Inman Shuler.

Tony is survived by his son, Dustin Goodson of Waynesville; two daughters, Leona and Willa Goodson of Rockhill, SC; his grandson, Caine Goodson; four brothers, Robert Lee Goodson, Steve Richard (Barbara) Goodson, all of Waynesville, John Michael Goodson of Sylva and Randy Darrell (Cindy) Goodson of Waynesville; two sisters, Patricia (Jimmy) Hoyle and Kathy (Frank) Deaver, both of Waynesville; and with numerous nieces and nephews

Tony was a small business owner who specialized in flooring with his brother.  He also was a member of Allen Creek Baptist Creek Church and he knew he was saved. Tony loved to be outdoors, fishing, camping and ginseng digging.

Funeral Services will be held at 6pm on Friday, March 23 at Smoky Mountain Chapel with Reverend Kevin Valentine and Reverend Billy Rogers officiating.  The family will receive friends prior to the service from 5 – 6pm.

At all other times, the family will receive friends at 688 Allens Creek Road, Waynesville.

In memory of Tony, memorial may be made to: Four Seasons Compassion for Life Foundation, 221 N. Main Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792, (828) 513-2440.

Smoky Mountain Cremations and Funeral Service of Clyde is caring for the family and the online register is available at www.smokymountaincremations.com.

Linda Kay Tramper Bradley, 59, of the Painttown Community, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday March 20, 2018.

She is survived by one daughter, Norma Kay Driver, of the home; eight grandchildren; one great grandchild; brothers, Daniel Tramper (wife Teresa Reed), Robert “Hoss” Tramper, Ammons “Wagoo” Tramper (wife Thelma Bird); and she is also survived by Kourtney Pooh, Kyle, John Leroy, Marianna “Annie Bug”, Usti, Davyn, Aliyah (her sidekick), Henry, and Brodie “The Great”.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Henry Leroy Tramper and Annie Ruth Tramper; two daughters, Rose Ann Driver and Bobbie Lynn Driver; one brother, Henry James Tramper; and sisters, Nellie Marie Driver and Witchie Ann Tramper.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 23 at 2pm at the Yellowhill Baptist Church.  Pastors James “Bo” Parris and Greg Morgan will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Armachain Cemetery on Swimmer Branch.  Pallbearers will be John Leroy Tramper, Kyle Watty, Davyn Broome, Scrappy Sherrill, Daniel Tramper, Dustin Tramper, Wagoo Tramper, and Auston Tramper.

Steven Darrell Ledford, 38, of Cherokee, passed away Friday, March 23, 2018. A native of Cherokee, he was the son of Gail and Daniel Johnson of Cherokee.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Ruth Ledford Long; and grandfather, James Alvin Long.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his sister, Sandra Robbins of Bryson City; one niece, Briana Bowman; two nephews, Blayne Bowman, Viktor Robbins; one great niece, Aubrey Haynie; grandmother, Annie Jumper Arch; and various other aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 2pm Tuesday at Bethabara Baptist Church.

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

Jim Newcomer, age 42, passed away on March 22, 2018 at his residence in Cashiers.  Jim was born in Cherokee, and was an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

He was the eldest son of John and Shirley Newcomer.  He attended Blue Ridge School in Glenville and was self-employed.

He enjoyed working on cars, camping, hunting, fishing and just generally being outdoors.  He was a family man that enjoyed life and spending time with his children.  He was a wonderful man that had a heart of gold and will be deeply missed by all that knew him.

He is survived by his fiancée, Ashley Graham; five children, Warren, Samantha, John, Sawyer, and Eli Newcomer; one step-son, Ryan Boot; one brother, Phillip Newcomer; two nephews, Andrew Masters and Yona Newcomer; one niece, Saphira Newcomer; seven uncles, Buford, Tom, Gilbert, and Jerry Smith, and Bud, David and Robert Newcomer; five aunts, Janice Faus, Corky Swayney, Alice Caley, Kathleen Smith, and Carolyn Newcomer; and numerous cousins also survive.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, John R. Newcomer Jr. and Shirley A. Smith; his grandparents, Buford and Eleanor Smith and Mr. and Mrs. John R. Newcomer Sr.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 27 from 12 – 2pm at Long House Funeral Home with funeral services to follow at 2pm.  Pastor Dan Conseen will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Smith Family Cemetery.   Pallbearers will be Carmen Welch, Warren Newcomer, Auston Young, Delbert Ward, Ryan Boot and Matt Whattenberger.

Sadie Sue Jackson, 75, of Whittier, passed away on Monday, March 26, 2018 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.

She is survived by her children, Charlene Jackson Otter and Bill Jackson; grandchildren, Paige Jackson Stamper, Me-Li Jackson, Michael Otter, Kerry Hawk Otter; two great grandchildren, Sean Stamper, and Penelope Stamper; sisters, Barbara Robie (husband Barry) of Cherokee and Jean Bryant of Charleston, SC; special friend, Rachel Morgan; and several nieces and nephews also survive.

Sadie was preceded in death by her parents, Jack C. Jackson and Mary Queen Jackson; one son, Charles Dennis Green; brothers, Walter, Boyd, Johnny, and Jack Jackson; and sisters, Naomi Kanott, Lucille “Mackie” Abrams, and Edith Bradley.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 29 from 5 – 11pm at the Acquoni Baptist Church.  Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 30 at 1pm at the Acquoni Baptist Church.  Pastors Jim Parks and James “Bo” Parris will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Jackson Cemetery.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Jackson family.

Mary Jane McMillan, age 71 of Bryson City, went home to be with the Lord on March 29, 2018.

She was the daughter of the late Ted and Irene Cole of Whittier.

She is survived by her husband, Herman James McMillan of Bryson City; son, Derek Mason of Whittier; and one granddaughter, Samantha Deanne Mason.

She is also survived by three sisters, Nancy Salias, Ellen Rogers, Della Cole; and two brothers, Nelson Cole and Perry Cole.

Funeral Services will be held 2pm on Saturday, March 31 at Crisp Funeral Home Chapel. Revs. Perry Cole and Jim Frady will officiate with burial in Union Hill Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Mathew Rogers, Jeff, Casey, Eddie, and Travis Sizemore, and Mark Rogers.

The family will receive friends from 12:30 – 2pm Saturday at the Funeral Home.

Theresa Arch Rattler, 73, of Wrights Creek in Cherokee, passed away Saturday, March 31, 2018 at her residence.

Theresa (aka Nan) was a loving mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend.  She loved to cook, do her bead work, sew, and crochet but most of all playing bingo.  Nan always welcomed everyone with open arms and no one ever left her house hungry.  Although she is no longer with us and no longer in any pain, she will be deeply missed, always.  She was a member of the Cherokee Wesleyan Church.

She is survived by her husband, Walter Rattler; daughter, Dawn and husband Dave Jumper; step-daughters, Debora and Loretta; granddaughters, Clareece Rattler, Karina Squirell, Brionna Jumper, Brianna Lambert, and Ness and husband Frank John; very special great grandsons, Zaynon, Andre, Liam, and Benny; special nieces, Jessica Maney and sons; Arlene Squirrel and family; special nephews, Booger Arch and Horace Arch; special friends, The Golden Girls Mary Oocumma and Mary Jumper, Bo Crowe, Tiff Panther, G-Pa Poke, and Daniel Carrol.

Theresa was preceded in death by her brothers, Bud Arch, Charles, Frederick, Clayton, Trean, and George Craig; and sisters, Sis, Belle, Vang, and Pauline.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 3 beginning at 5pm at the Cherokee United Methodist Church where the body will remain until the hour of service on Wednesday, April 4 at 11am.  Burial will follow at the Rattler Cemetery on Wrights Creek.  Pallbearers will be among family and friends.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Rattler family.

Steve Moon, 67, of Bryson City, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, April 7, 2018. A native of Swain County, he was the son of the late Mell Merritt and Roberta Maney Moon.

Steve was a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. He was a former member of the school board, Swain County commissioner and an avid sports fan. He was a diehard Dodger fan.

He is survived by his wife, Faye Moon; two children, Misty Johnson and husband Hrair of Cherokee, Whitley Smith and husband Justin of Bryson City; two granddaughters, Kaylee Smith and Mika Johnson; brothers and sisters, Don Moon and wife Sheila of Bryson City, Janice Moon of Toccoa, Ga., Randy Moon and wife Maria of Texas, Pam Cunningham and husband Tommy of Bryson City, Richard Moon and wife Leann of Hendersonville; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11am on Wednesday, April 11 in the chapel of Crisp Funeral Home. Rev. Tim Barker will officiate with burial at Swain Memorial Park.

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

Steve’s friends will serve as pallbearers.

Marenna Lynn Jumper, 47, of the Little Snowbird Community of Graham County, passed away Sunday, April 8, 2018 at her home with her children and loving family by her side.

She was born Sept. 17, 1970 in Swain County to the late Joseph N. Jumper and Louisa Wachacha Grindstaff.

She is survived by one daughter, Dara Wolfe; two sons, William Wolfe (wife Kayla) and Joseph Jumper; six grandchildren, Maleigha, Zedaki, Eli, Jayden, Ethan, and Ty; one brother, D.J. Grindstaff (wife Lacy); four sisters, Sandra Teesateskie (husband Ronnie), Maureen Jackson (husband Clarence Jackson Jr.), Mary Fortenberry, Terry Grindstaff and companion Buddy Hornbuckle, all of Robbinsville; step siblings, Rhonda Garrett, Debbie Bird, Telaka Holbrook, Greg Grindstaff, Jeff Grindstaff, and Ryan Grindstaff; best friends, Londa Chekelelee and Judy Bird; and special nieces, Haley Grindstaff, Sasha Jumper, and Rocanne Sneed.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 10 beginning at 5pm at the Zion Hill Baptist Church in the Snowbird Community in Robbinsville where the body will remain until the hour of service on Wednesday, April 11 at 2pm.  Pastors Noah Crowe and Michael Rattler will officiate.  Burial will follow the service at the Ledford Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Buddy Hornbuckle, Kenny Garrett, Jesse Ortega, Jonah Bird, Waylon Long, Dean Hill, Scott Chekelelee, and JR Panther.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Jumper family.

Linda (Luc) Smith Raby, 69, of Cherokee, passed away on Monday April 9, 2018 at Mission Hospital in Asheville following a brief illness.

Linda was the best cook around according to her kids and grandkids.  She loved her grandchildren with all her heart and soul and would do anything for them.  She loved her sisters and her church family very much.  She is now with her love of her life, JD, forever and always.

Linda is survived by her children, James Austin Raby (wife Paislee) and Michelle Lynn Raby (husband Shane Davis); 14 Grandchildren; three great grandchildren; sisters, Joan Henry, Becky Bridges, Nancy Smith, and Connie Cabe; special friend, Joletta Crowe; and many nieces and nephews also survive.

She was preceded in death by her husband, JD Raby; her parents, Charles Smith and Elma Arch Smith; one brother, Delbert Smith; and sisters, Osceola Smith, Jo Lou Bradley, and Fancheon Elders.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 11 from 7 – 11pm at the Yellow Hill Baptist Church.  Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 12 at 1pm at the Yellow Hill Baptist Church.  Pastor Foreman Bradley will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Bethel Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Tony Cabe, Tommy Cabe, Terrence Cabe, Bob Bradley, Dean Bradley, and Jacob George.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Raby family.

Henderson Biddix, 59, of Asheboro, passed away on Wednesday, April 11, 2018.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia White Biddix; four brothers, Garrett Biddix, John William Biddix, Fred Biddix, Harold Ray Biddix Jr.; one sister, Polly Reed; and numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

Henderson was preceded in death by his parents, Harold Leroy Biddix and Nancy Wildcat Biddix; one brother, Michael Lewis Biddix; and one sister, Nora Biddix.

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 13 beginning at 5pm at the Echota Baptist Church where the body will remain until the hour of service on Saturday, April 14 at 11am. Pallbearers will be Buster Biddix, Jeffery Lineberry, T.K. Soap, Jonathan Biddix, Taylor Biddix, and Native Walkingstick.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Biddix family.

Virgil Walkingstick, 86, of Cherokee, passed away on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 after a brief illness.

He was a lifelong resident of Swain County.

He is survived by his niece and caregiver, Martha Sampson, as well as several other nieces and nephews; and many great nieces and nephews also survive and half-brothers.

Virgil was preceded in death by his parents, Bascomb and Alice Walkingstick; brothers, Russell, Thurman, and William Walkingstick; and one sister, Gracia Walkingstick.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 13 at 1pm at Long House Funeral  Home.  Burial will follow at the Birdtown Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be among family members.

John (Johnny) Russell Wolfe Jr., age 86, died Monday, April 9, 2018.  Johnny was born March 20, 1932 in Hulmeville, Pa. to the late John Russell Wolfe Sr. and Sarah Bradley Wolfe, natives of Cherokee, NC.

Johnny graduated from Cherokee High School.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving in the Korean War.  In 1951, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, with service on the USS Dehaven.  He was honorably discharged in 1970.  For the next 20 years, he worked as an electronics engineer for the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.  He resided in Annapolis most of his life.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Van E. Wolfe and wife Lily, of Cherokee.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Ilene Hurley Wolfe; one brother, George S. Wolfe of Robbinsville; two sisters, Mary Wolfe Youngbird and Sadie W. Bradley (husband Tom) of Cherokee; and several nieces and nephews also survive.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 from 6 – 10pm at Long House Funeral Home.  Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, April 18 at 11am at Long House Funeral Home.  Pastors James “Bo” Parris and Gil Breedlove will officiate.  Burial will follow at the John Wolfe Cemetery in the Birdtown Community.  Pallbearers will be among family and friends.

Brandi Melaine Powers, 39, of the Snowbird Community in Robbinsville, went to be with the Lord Monday, April 16, 2018. A native of Graham County, she was the daughter of Joyce Smoker Gregory.

She was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Amanda Smoker.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by four sisters, Brittany, Bethany, Brianna Powers and Rosie Gregory; one brother, Brent Powers; four children, Brina Blauvelt, Bradley Powers, Raven Powers, and Bentley Powers; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2pm Thursday, April 19 at Zion Hill Baptist Church. Brother James (Bo) Parris will officiate with burial in the Hickory Gap Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 – 8pm Wednesday at Crisp Funeral Home where she will remain until placed in the church one hour prior to the service.

Maude Elizabeth Paul, 73, of the Yellowhill Community of Cherokee, went home to be with the Lord in the early morning hours of Friday, April 20, 2018 surrounded by her immediate family and loved ones.

Maude was the daughter of the late Morgan French and Dinah (Crowe) French of Cherokee.   Maude was a member of the Anisahoni/Blue Clan and a wife, mother and grandmother.  She was married to Wilbur for 54 years.  She enjoyed sewing, especially Pendleton creations and her granddaughter’s tear and jingle dresses.  She also taught each family member how to bead.  She was an avid greens hunter which included Bear Grass, Sochan, Poke Salad, Wanegit, Watercress and Branch Lettuce.  She enjoyed feeding the hundreds of hummingbirds that visited her every year.  Maude was Director of the Rez Peggers Cribbage Club that met every Monday, during the season, at Paul’s residence.  One of Maude’s favorite things to do during cribbage fames was to skunk her fellow players.  Maude welcomed all friends of the family into her home and treated them like her own.  She will be deeply missed by them all.

Maude is survived by husband, Wilbur Paul; children, Dawna Paul and Howard “Eddie” Paul, both of Cherokee; grandchild, Karleigh Reeves; brother, Dale French with wife Nora of Cherokee; sisters, Susie Roach of Cache, Okla. and Darlene Defoe and Roberta “Ann” French, both of Cherokee; sister-in-law, Vera Schaaf; and several Nieces and Nephews.

Along with her parents, Maude was preceded in death by twin sons, Harold and Gerald Paul; brother, Eugene “Nick” French; sister-in-law, Shirley Paul; and brother-in-law, Milburn Howard Roach.

Maude will be placed at the Acquoni Baptist Church on Monday, April 23 for a public visitation from 6 – 11pm.  A funeral will follow the next day, Tuesday, April 24 at 11am at Acquoni Baptist with Pastors Ed Kilgore and Jim Park officiating. Maude will be laid to rest in the French Family Cemetery near her home along Lambert Branch Road with Dale French Jr., Alan Rogers, Meredith “MC” Ferrier, Eugene French, John Griffin, and William Cuprak acting as pall bearers.  Honorary pall bearers will be Jonathon French and James “Spooky” Sherrill.

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