Helen Mae Dorothy McCoy Smith, 72, known as “Dorothy”, went home to be with the Lord on Aug. 14, 2018, with her loving family by her side at her sister Rosie’s home in the Birdtown Community.

She retired from the Cherokee School system.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bob” Smith; her parents, Russell and Emmaline McCoy; one sister, Darlene McCoy; two brothers, Dean and Doug McCoy; and a niece, Deanah McCoy.

Dorothy is survived by one daughter, Bobbi Lynn Smith of Cherokee; one son, Travis Kent Smith; three grandsons, Zachary Alexander Smith, Kenton Rayce Smith, and Koen Dash Smith; one great grandson, Brantley Grey Smith; five brothers, Robert McCoy (Helen), Dan McCoy (Rosie), Johnny McCoy (Teresa), Eric McCoy (Wanda), and Joey McCoy; sisters, Rose McCoy, Juanita McCoy Matthews (Brian), and Kathie McCoy (Rich).

In addition, she had a very close and dear friend since the 7^th grade, Duke Raby.

The family will be holding a visitation and funeral service at the Long House Funeral Home in Cherokee from 11am – 1pm on Thursday, Aug. 16 with funeral services immediately following at 1pm with Pastor Bo Parris officiating.  Burial will be at the Bird Hill Road Cemetery located on Adams Creek.  Pallbearers will be family and friends.

Howard Pritchard Melton age 90, of Sylva, passed to his heavenly home on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018. He was a life-long resident of Jackson County. He was born March 23, 1928 to the late Claude and Beulah Hoxit Melton. Howard was married 62 years to his late wife, Violet Buchanan Melton.  In addition to his wife, and parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Kelly and Wayne; two sisters, Louise Buchanan and Wanda Tallent; and one great granddaughter, Sydney.

Howard began his working career at Blackwood Lumber Company and later worked as a Winderman at Mead Corporation where he retired in 1974. He later worked at Hennessee Lumber Company. He was a faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church.  Howard loved gospel music and loved his church.  He also loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them.  He loved to work in the garden, to watch the humming birds, and to sit on the porch and smoke his pipe.

Surviving are Howard and Violet’s two children, Ronnie (Doris) Melton and Suzanne (Keith) Allison of Sylva; six grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and one great great grandson.

The funeral service will be held at 2pm on Friday, Aug. 17 at the Western Carolina Funeral and Cremation Service. Grandsons Michael, Calvin, Jeremy, Jacob, Nathan, Lucas, and Jackson will serve as Pallbearers with Rev. Justin Hall, Rev. Avery Brown, and Rev. Eddie Stillwell officiating.  Burial will follow in the Old Savannah Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, Aug. 16 from 6 – 8pm.

Western Carolina Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with serving the family.  Online condolences may be left by visiting www.westerncarolinafunerals.com

Jess Alvin “Keener” McCoy, 39, of Birdtown, went home to be with the Lord unexpectedly on Friday, Aug. 17, 2018.

A native of Cherokee where he attended Cherokee High School, Keener was an avid outdoorsman who loved to roam the woods for wild mushrooms, family was everything to him as so was the Green Bay Packers.

He was preceded in death by brother, William “Wee” Hartline; grandma, Mary Murphy; grandpa, Fred Locust; and great grandma, Margret Ratcliff.

Keener is survived by his loving mother, Doris “Doe” Sharp; fathers, Norman McCoy and Clarence Murphy; son, William “Jesse Boy” Walkingstick; sisters, Angie McCoy, Brandy Garcia (Miguel), Jamaca Murphy (Estefan), Kelly, Chelsea, and Briana Murphy; grandmother, Lillian Franklin; aunts, Deb Lee “Louie”, Arlene Thomas (Glen), Vera Partridge “Mousey”; special uncle, Will Locust (Nancy); nieces, Cassie, Selena, Alicia, and Analia; nephews, Taylor, Cainyan, Gaston, Giovani, and Brody; several great nieces and nephews; and many cousins and dear friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11am on Wednesday, Aug. 22, at Goose Creek Baptist Church with Rev. Bo Parris officiating.  Burial will be in the Locust Cemetery.

The body will be placed in the church at 5pm Tuesday, Aug. 21 to receive family and friends to await the service hour.

Pallbearers will be Will, Miguel, Estefan, Justin, Taylor, Steve, Dylan, and Bud.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the McCoy family.

Robert Michael “Jose” West, 60, of Leesburg, Fla., passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Aug.  19, 2018.

He was born and raised in the Big Cove Community in Cherokee.  He worked for many, many years at the Cherokee Boys Club.  He enjoyed racing, wrestling, and football.

Jose’ is survived by his children, Charles Ray West (Leigh), Stefanie Arch, Karol Ann Sherlin of Wilmington, Levi West (Sheena), Shoshoni Medina (Marty), and Kiah West; nine grandchildren; brothers, Tracy West (Cindy), Jay Jay Jackson (Pamela), and Travis Jackson (Alyine); sisters, Kathy West, Boomer West, Jabba Smoker (Jack), and Panda Jackson; uncle, Jesse Welch; aunt, Eloise James of California; special friends, Earl Lambert and Jamie Mathis; and several nieces and nephews also survive.

Jose’ was preceded in death by the love of his life, Janet Fie; his father, Jimmie West; mother, Lawanda Jackson; step-father, Marvin Jackson; one son, Robert Michael West Jr.; and brother William West.

Visitation is planned for Thursday, Aug. 23 at 4 – 11pm at Big Cove Baptist Church. Funeral services will be held on Friday, Aug. 24 2pm.  Bo Parris will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Davis Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be the Big Cove free labor group.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the West family.

Vivian Harlan, 83, of Cherokee, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018 at the Cherokee Indian Hospital. Vivian was a police dispatcher and a member of the Wrights Creek Baptist Church.

She is survived by her children, Eugene Harlan of Murphy, John F. Harlan Jr. of Cherokee, James “Arnie” Harlan of Murphy, Victoria Harlan of Cherokee, Birdie Lynne Harlan of Cherokee, and John Moses Harlan of Cherokee; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; two brothers, Paul Ensley (wife Mary) and Dave Ensley (wife Brenda); two sisters, Ann Bradley Rienke and Becky Ensley Butler; nephew, Ronnie Hornbuckle (wife Sue); nieces, Deb Lambert (husband Buddy) and Pam Straughan (husband Tommy).

Vivian was preceded in death by her husband, John F. Harlan Sr.; one daughter, Angie Harlan; and one brother, Charlie Ensley and wife Edgarita.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 28 from 11am – 2pm at Wrights Creek Baptist Church with funeral services to follow at 2pm.  Pastor James “Bo” Parris will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Wrights Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be among family and friends.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Harlan family.

Deborah Rebecca Nelson Grant, 60, passed away Friday, Aug. 24, 2018 at her home in Nantahala.  Deborah is survived by her husband of 40 years, Charles “Chuck” Grant; her parents, Col. David Nelson (USAF Ret.) and Mrs. Ann Nelson of Athens, Ala.; nieces, Annalise Lemay, Gabrielle Grant, Rylee Thompson, Sarah Hefner, and Amanda Nehr; nephews, Heath Lemay and Matthew Thornton; sisters and brothers-in-law, Natalie Grant, Karen Grant, Scott Grant, Robbie and Deanna Thompson, and Tom and Jackie Woodard. She is also survived by her loving caregivers of the past three years, Tracy Jones Kays and Lori Massey.

Deb was preceded in death by her sister, Beth Lemay; grandmothers, Cora Nichols and Margaret King; and grandmothers-in-law, Gladys Morgan and Nannie Grant.

Deborah graduated Summa Cum Laude from Western Carolina University with a BA in accounting and became a CPA. She was employed for many years as the CFO for the Cherokee Preservation Foundation.  Deb loved the natural world and was an expert in local plant lore.  She was also an amateur astronomer.

Deb was a great soul. She also worked tirelessly for the wellbeing of her family and the greater good of the entire human family and will be missed greatly by the people who loved her most.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Deborah’s name to: Jim “Catfish” Hunter ALS Foundation, P.O. Box 47, Hertford, NC 27944

Polly Ann Rattler (Corn Husk Doll Master), 63, of the Birdtown Community, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. A native of Cherokee, she was the daughter of Elsie Wolfe Rattler of Cherokee and the late Leroy Rattler. In addition to her father, she was also preceded in death by her sister, Linda Rattler; niece, Jada Rattler; grandmother, Lula Owl; grandfather, Jacob Wolfe; paternal grandparents, Morgan and Bertha Rattler; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her mother, she is also survived by one son, Zachariah Rattler of Cherokee; grandson, Zebe Rattler of the home; nephew, Cory Rattler and miece, Tierra Rattler both of the home; six brothers, Mickey, Jackie, Jody, Timmy, Harold, and Sammy and wife Kari Rattler all of Cherokee; aunts, Laura Blankenship and husband Bob, and Lucille Wolfe; uncle, Bill Wolfe all of Cherokee; several grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and several cousins in Robbinsville, and a caretaker Suzie George.

Funeral Services will be held 7pm on Saturday, Sept. 1 at Crisp Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends from 6 – 7pm Saturday at the Funeral Home.

A graveside committal service will be held 2pm on Sunday, Sept. 2 at Rattler Mountain Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be family.

Sam Biddix, age 73, of Sylva, passed away on Saturday, Sep. 1, 2018 at Cherokee Indian Hospital surrounded by his loving family after a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Lucy Biddix and the son of the late Newt and Margaret Biddix.

He was a retired mechanic. Sam loved to fish and play banjo, especially all types of old school bluegrass music. He was also a knife collector. Sam dearly loved his family.

In addition to his wife Lucy and his parents, he was also preceded in death by three niece, Vicky Henson, Janet Lynn Rhinehart and Jeanette Gail Rhinehart; Deanna Biddix, a sister-in-law; and Richard Arneach and Glenn Hoyle, brothers-in-law.

He is survived by seven sisters, Bonnie Arneach, Julia Biddix, Helen (Fred) Parker, Jessie Rathbone, Rosemary (Bill) Rhinehart, Ann Reid, and Ruby Melton; two brothers, Johnny Biddix and Jim Biddix; many nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2pm on Wednesday, Sept. 5 at Appalachian Funeral Services Chapel with Rev. Earl Holden officiating. Burial will follow in the Love Cemetery in the Willett’s Community. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, Sept. 4 from 6 – 8pm at Appalachian Funeral Services in Sylva, NC.

An online registry is available at: www.appalachianfuneralservices.com

Appalachian Funeral Services is serving the family.

Barbara Hornbuckle George, 67, of the Birdtown Community, passed away Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018.

She was a homemaker and bead worker.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Johnny and Edna Locust Hornbuckle; two brothers, Jefferson Hornbuckle and Sammy Hornbuckle; and one sister, Carol Hornbuckle.

She is survived by her husband of 48 years, J.C. George; children, Jason, Simon, William (Tara), Jefferson; sister, Lily Bradley; two brothers, Jack Hornbuckle and John Hornbuckle Jr.; grandchildren, Noriah, Amiya, Jayvin, Nahnie, John; and one great grandbaby, Jayda.

Pallbearers will be Billy Jo Hornbuckle, Dennis Hornbuckle, John Tramper, John Cameron George, Little Jo George, Timmy Ray Smith, Buford Smith Jr., and Bucky Squirrel.

Funeral services will be held at 2pm Thursday, Sept. 6 at Old Antioch Baptist Church. Pastor Denny Crowe and Bear Lambert will officiate with burial in the Barbara H. George Cemetery.

Barbara will be taken to the church at 4pm Wednesday by Crisp Funeral Home to await the hour of service.

Jerri Lynn Smith Reed, 41, of Cherokee, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018 at the Cherokee Indian Hospital following a brief illness.

She is survived by her parents, Jerry Smith and Mona Smith; two sons, Gary Lee Reed II and Austin Lee Reed both of Cherokee; four Grandchildren, Laylin Reed, Kyler Reed, Brooklynn Reed, and Carmen Reed; one sister, Stephanie Hornbuckle; aunts and uncles, Corky, Alice, Janice, Kathleen, Gilbert, Buford, Tom, Angie, Evonda, Dana, and Dee Dee; two nephews, Jacob Smith and Dustin Smith; special friend, Tracy Tiger; and special mom, Corky Swayney.

Jerri was preceded in death by her husband, Gary Lee Reed I; her grandparents, Buford and Eleanor Smith, Charles Green, and Mildred Cloer; and two brothers, Possum Smith and T.J. Smith.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, Sept. 13 from 11am – 1pm at Long House Funeral Home with services to follow at 1 pm.  Pastor Charles Ray Ball will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Reed Cemetery on Mink Branch.  Pallbearers will be Austin Reed, Jacob Smith, Bill Caley, Gary Reed II, Kerry Swayney, and Buford Smith Jr.

Mickey Edward Rattler, 61, of the Birdtown Community, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. A native of Cherokee, he was the son of Elsie Wolfe Rattler of Cherokee and the late Leroy Rattler of Snowbird.

In addition to his father, he was also preceded in death by one son, Mickey Mario Rattler; two sisters, Linda and Polly Rattler; two nieces, Jada Rattler and Justina Rattler; grandmother, Lula Owle; grandfather, Jacob Wolfe; paternal grandparents, Morgan and Bertha Rattler; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his mother, he is also survived by three sons, Brandon Burgess (Keredith) of Cherokee, Mitch Rattler and wife Erica of Blowing Rock, and Tristin Rattler and wife Amanda of Blowing Rock; one daughter, Kelsie Crowe of Cherokee; 15 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; five brothers, Jackie, Jody, Timmy, Harold, and Sammy and wife Kari Rattler all of Cherokee; aunts, Laura Blankenship and husband Bob, and Lucille Wolfe; uncle, Bill Wolfe all of Cherokee; several nieces, nephews, and several cousins in Robbinsville.

Funeral Services will be held 7pm on Thursday, Sept. 20 at Crisp Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Jim Parks will officiate.

The family will receive friends from 6 – 7pm Thursday at the Funeral Home.

A graveside committal service will be held 10am on Friday, Sept. 21 at Rattler Mountain Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be family and friends.

Ethan David Ross LaFontaine died unexpectedly in Mandaree, ND on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018 at the age of 21.

Ethan is survived by his parents; Shanna Keeswood of Mandaree, ND and Loren LaFontaine of Rolla, ND; his siblings, Sheldon Keeswood Sr. ( Mesha Camp), Kevin Keeswood, Shalynne “Shay” Nipwater (Ryan Schoenfeld),  LaShanda LaFontaine (Travin Fox), Brooklynn Hairychin and Kaylie Hairychin.

Ethan was born on April 4, 1997 during a blizzard and flood in Fargo, ND to Shanna Keeswood. He attended middle and high School in New Town, ND.

Ethan was enrolled in the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

A wake is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 27 at 6pm at Thomas Jonny Bird Veterans Memorial Hall, New Town ND. The funeral is to take place at St. Anthony’s Church, Belcourt ND Saturday, Sept. 28 at 1pm.

All are welcome to attend and celebrate Ethan’s life.

The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks and deep gratitude for all expressions of sympathy and acts of kindness shown during their time of bereavement.

Cartersville, Ga. – Steven Timothy Cramer Jr., 48, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018 after a lengthy illness.

Steven was born Feb. 13, 1970 in Cherry Point.   He graduated from Cole High School in Fort Sam Houston, Texas.   He earned his Master’s Degree in Corporate Accounting from Kennesaw State University.   He was a veteran having served in the U.S. Army.

Survivors include his parents, Nina Sue Lossiah Cramer and Steven Timothy Cramer Sr., both of Cartersville; two sisters, Stephanie Rebaza and her children, Alexander, Ana, Angelina, and Corina, all of Elk Ridge, Md. and Simone Cramer and her children, Phoenix, Sienna, and River, all of Cartersville; a brother, Samuel Cramer and his wife, Holly, and their children, Lorraine, Zoe and Cramer, all of Louisville, Ky.; grandmother, Dorothy Lossiah of Macon, Ga.; two uncles, Alvin Lossiah of Byron, Ga. and Marshall Davis of Dry Branch, Ga.; aunts, Alice (Danny) Ryal of Gordon, Ga., Henrietta Nelson of Dublin, Ga. and Loretta Smith of Gray, Ga.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Adam Ross; great-grandson of Aggie and Henry Ross Lossiah; and great-great-grandfather, Chief John Ross.

The funeral mass will be held on Saturday, Oct. 6 at 1pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Cherokee.   Burial will follow in Yellow Hill Veterans Cemetery.

It is respectfully requested that all flowers be omitted and those desiring may contribute to the American Liver Foundation (Liverfoundation.org) in memory of Steven Timothy Cramer Jr.

Angie Teesateskie, 41, of Robbinsville, passed away on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018.

She is survived by her parents, Willie Teesateskie and Rachel Smoker Teesateskie; one son, Storm Teesateskie; one sister, Ella Mae Teesateskie; nieces, Shantel Teesateskie, Tosha McCarter, and Summer Teesateskie; nephews, Corey Jumper and Justin McCarter; great nieces, Vaniya Teesateskie, Cassidy Sudderth, and Kenzy McCarter; great nephews, Wesley Jumper and Kyzik Teesateskie; aunts and uncles, Myrtle Smoker, Irene Smoker, Tony Smoker, Richard Smoker, Roger Smoker, Maybelle Welch, and Lane Smoker.

Angie was preceded in death by one sister, Sally Jo Anderson.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, Sept. 30 at Zion Hill Baptist Church in the Snowbird Community of Robbinsville beginning at 4pm.  The body will remain at the church until the hour of service on Monday, Oct. 1 at 1pm.  Pastors Michael Rattler and Furman Bradley will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Little Snowbird Baptist Church Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Corey Jumper, Justin McCarter, Paden Welch, Bucky Brown, Shane Welch, Chris Thompkins, and David Carter.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Teesateskie family.

Dorothy “Boots” P. Swimmer, 89, went home to the Lord Sept. 28, 2018 from injuries sustained in a car accident. 

She was the daughter of the late Ben and Kina Powell.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Isaac D. Swimmer; one son, David P. Swimmer; one grandson, Tsa-ni A. Youngdeer; and a great grandson, Cayden T. Lossie. 

Boots was lovingly known to a couple of her grandsons as “Granny Grump” and to many simply as “Mom”.  Boots was a home maker.  She worked as a guide at the Indian Village for a number of years.  She was an avid bead worker, and a master maker of pickled beans, krout, and anything that could be pickled, canned, or frozen. 

She is survived by sons, Ben, William, and James (Dean) Swimmer (wife Lola); her daughters, Bobbi and Russell George, Kina Swimmer, Anita Thompson,  Bonnie and Barney Youngdeer of Cherokee, Dinah and Jerry Melton of Puryear, Tenn.; 10 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and many special friends. 

Funeral services were held at Long House Funeral Home on Tuesday, Oct. 2.  Pastors Bobby Watts and James “Bo” Parris officiated.  Burial followed at the Ike Swimmer Cemetery.  Pallbearers were among family and friends.

Larkin Fourkiller, 78, of Franklin, passed away Sept. 29, 2018, battling cancer.

He was born in Tahlequah, Okla., the son of Judge Fourkiller and Daisy England Fourkiller.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, Billy Fourkiller, Commodore (Red) Fourkiller, and his sisters Florence Soap, JoAnn Maclamore, Jon-Ann Wolf, and Marie Fourkiller Wilson, and a daughter Tonya.

He is survived by two sons, Larkin and Shawn, and daughter Sherry of Kokomo, Ind., and Paislee Fourkiller-Raby of Cherokee, 13 grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

Larkin, a full-blooded Western Cherokee, was taken from the home around age 8 and placed into Winedot boarding school and later returned to graduate from Stilwell High School, Stilwell, Okla.

After school he pursued masonry and moved from Okla., to Kokomo, Ind. He continued to use his masonry skills throughout his lifetime.

In 1974, he moved to Cherokee and contracted for, and bricked, the first 200 native American government homes built on the Qualla Boundary.

Larkin was well known in the five western North Carolina counties.  He was a fluent speaker and taught the Cherokee language in local schools.  Larkin enjoyed playing golf and watching Oklahoma University football, and also making fine jewelry.

He loved this area for its mountains and beauty and enjoyed sitting on the back porch of his cabin in the Cat Creek area overlooking his pond for the last 22 years.  His charisma allowed him to communicate with people and also wildlife.  Larkin’s ability to make you feel special was a knack that served him well. He was also a spiritual man who believed in eternal life.

Upon Larkin’s request, his remains are being donated to MedCure, a company who will study his body to help understand the native-American anatomy.

A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, Oct. 6 from 5 -6pm on the Oconaluftee Island Park in downtown Cherokee. All friends and relatives are invited. Condolences can be sent to four.killer4@gmail.com.

Larkin did not want a formal funeral. He looked at the word funeral and pronounced it “FUN-u-all.”  (I had FUN you all.)

John Moses Harlan, 39, of Cherokee, passed away Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018.

He is survived by his father, Moses Lossiah; several Harlan family aunts and uncles and several Lossiah family aunts and uncles; and many cousins.

John was preceded in death by his mother, Angela Harlan; and his grandparents, John and Vivian Harlan.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 3 from 11am – 12pm at Long House Funeral Home with funeral services to follow at 12 noon.  Pastor James “Bo” Parris will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Wrights Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be among family and friends.

Robert “Bob” D. Parker, 57, of Cherokee, passed away Monday, Oct. 1, 2018 after an extended illness.

Bob was a member of the Cherokee Methodist Church and a self-employed mechanic and truck driver.

He is survived by his son, Robert “Bo” Claude Parker of Okeechobee, Fla.; one daughter, Kansas Leigh Parker of Cherokee; two grandchildren; sister, Claudette “Cookie” P. Williams of Willis, Texas; brother, Ben D. Parker of Cherokee; close family friend, Annie Dale Lawrence; and several nieces, nephews, and countless friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Jean Craig Parker; grandson, Christopher Henry Parker; brothers, Donald L. Parker, Michel J. Parker, and Claude E. Parker; sisters, Mary Ann “Susie” Parker and Louise Parker; grandparents, Ben and Flora Parker, Don and Bertha Craig; and special mention Emmaline Cucumber.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Oct. 5 from 11am – 1pm at the Cherokee Methodist Church with funeral services to follow at 1 pm.  Pastors Steve Phillipi and John Feree will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Craig Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be among family and friends.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Parker family

Dianne Sue Wildcatt, 54, of Cherokee, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018 at the Cherokee Indian Hospital after a brief illness.

She is survived by her children, Elisha Wildcatt, Jami Kirkland (husband James Marlin Panther), Chris Kirkland, Stephen Kirkland (wife Erin), and Carrie Wildcatt; 13 grandchildren, Byron Locust, Laila Locust, Jalee Panther, Marla Panther, Arthur Locust, Shawnee Kirkland, McKyan Panther, Blake Sequoyah, Khloe Sequoyah, Parker Kirkland, Ohnalise “Timbi” Panther, Addison Wildcatt, and Jaxson Wildcatt Kirkland; sisters, Hattie Milholen, Melitia Lossiah, Sally Davis, and Kathleen Mendez; aunt, Gwen Wildcatt; brother-in-law, Soberio; and several nieces and nephews.

Dianne was preceded in death by her parents, Boyd (Bodie) Wildcatt and Bessie Jackson Wildcatt; brothers, Johnson Lee Wildcatt, Abraham Wildcatt, and Jack William Wildcatt; one sister, Lucy Wildcatt; niece, Amy Arch; grandbabies, Danner and Danya Kirkland; and uncle Raymond Jackson.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, Oct. 7 at 2pm at Long House Funeral Home.  Pastor Dan Conseen officiated.  Burial followed at the Ben Family Cemetery on Fisher Branch in the Birdtown Community.  Pallbearers were Stephen Kirkland, Byron Locust, Dee Dee Wildcatt, Christopher Kirkland, Richie Kirkland, and Johnny Wildcatt.

Robert “Squinch” Edward Long, 77, of Cherokee and Stanley, NC passed away Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018.

He loved his family and loved fishing.  He was a master carpenter for many years and a machinist at Gaston County Dyeing Machine Company.  He was a member of TERO Board for several years.  He loved his Yorkie Bo.

Squinch is survived by his wife of 50 years, Kay Sherrill Long; two children, Laraine Josie Long and Leonard Long (wife Rose); six grandchildren, Samuel Lloyd Owle “Jim Bob”, James Edward Owle “Joe Don” (wife Keyonna), Tre Owle, Miranda Ray Long Stamper (husband Rob), Michelle Lynn Long, and Madison Hye Long; nine great grandchildren; brothers, James “Butch” Long (wife Carol), Charles Hornbuckle, David Hornbuckle, Paul Hornbuckle (wife Mary); sisters, Glenda Crowe (husband Mark), Rosie Hornbuckle, Gaynelle Saturday, and Sherry Hornbuckle; also surviving are many nieces, nephews, and cousins in Cherokee and Robbinsville.

Squinch was preceded in death by his parents, Ed Anderson and Laura Long Hornbuckle; one brother, Glenn Long; and two sisters, Marilyn “Sis” Crowe and Danita Chiltoskie.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Oct. 6 at the Rock Springs Baptist Church. Pastors David McClure and Scott Chickalelee officiated.  Burial followed at the Long Cemetery on Bigwitch.  Pallbearers were Samuel Lloyd Owle “Jim Bob”, James Edward Owle “Joe Don”, Tre Owle, Rob Stamper, Jim Owle, and Dave Stamper.

Long House Funeral Home assisted the Long family.