Charles “Chino” Ray West, 39, of Cherokee, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.

Chino was a master carpenter and roofer.  He was one of the most genuine, kind, absolutely hilarious and coolest people to be around.  He was such a beautiful person that always had a smile for everyone he was around.  There was never a dull moment in his presence.  He filled so many lives with happiness and laughter.  He could turn your grey skies blue with just a smile or a joke, Chino is truly one of a kind.  He’s a ray of sunshine and a rainbow after a storm.  He will be incredibly missed and forever loved, gone but never forgotten.

He is survived by his wife, Leigh Ann Owle West; his children, Ayianna West and Philip West; brothers, Dondi Crowe, Levi West, Kiah West, and Newt Jackson; sisters, Heather Gloyne, Kim Crowe, Hilda Crowe, Shoni Medina, Karol Anne Sherlin, and Stefanie Arch; aunts and uncles, Mama Hatt, Boomer West, Mama Hutt, Panda Jackson, T-Bear Jackson, J.J. Jackson, and Tracy West; uncle Jesse Welch, uncle Bo Parris, aunt Eloise James of California; mother and father-in-law, Patricia and Clifton M. Owle; special niece, Aisha L. Owle; many nieces and nephews, and cousin Bruce Martin Jr. “Cricket”.

Chino was preceded in death by his father, Robert “Jose’” M. West; mother, Lawanda D. Jackson; Brother, Robert “Paco” M. West Jr.; paternal grandfather, Jim West; step-grandfather, Merv “Poppy” Jackson; and cousin, Roman “Booda” West.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, Nov. 15 beginning at 5 p.m. at the Big Cove Baptist Church where the body will remain until the hour of service on Friday, Nov. 16 at 2 p.m. at the Big Cove Baptist Church.  Pastor James “Bo” Parris will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Davis Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Tracy West, Jimmie Gloyne, Newt Jackson, and Willie Troy.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the West family.

Nicolasa Lucille Librado Anastasio, 35, of Cherokee, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018 at her residence.

She is survived by her husband, Emiliano Anastasio; her parents, Arnulfo Luis Librado Sr. and Frances Owle Librado; her children, James Isaiah Browning, Emilio Javier Librado, and Ethan Cisneros; one brother, Simon Librado II; aunts and uncles, Nicolasa, Felix, Thomas, and Paul Librado, Phillip Owle Jr., and Melinda Owle; friends, Marcelina Armachain and Donna Armachian; and the Torres family.

Nicolasa was preceded in death by one brother, Arnulfo Luis Librado Jr.; paternal grandparents, Josefina Marcelino and Jose Isidro Anastasio; maternal grandparents, Phillip Owle Sr. and Geneva Queen Owle; and great grandparents, Abraham Queen and Nannie Calonaheskie Queen.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, Nov. 19 at 2pm at Long House Funeral  Home.  Pastors Dan Conseen and James “Bo” Parris will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Librado Family Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be among family and friends.

Rosie Mae (Sequoyah) Hornbuckle, “Granny” as she was lovingly known by all, 75, of the Big Y Community, entered her heavenly home surrounded by family on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018 at the Cherokee Indian Hospital.

Born on March 27, 1943 to Lloyd and Lizzie (Runningwolf) Sequoyah, she was the last of 12 children. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ed Hornbuckle; two daughters, Rosemary Mejia and Ruby Hornbuckle; and two grandsons, Steven Catolster and Matthew Catolster.

“Granny” is survived by daughters, Katherine Dimas (Punkin) and Sharon Brown (Yogie); sons, Norman Walkingstick and Calvin Walkingstick (Lil’ Ed); and one aunt, Amanda Swimmer, all of Cherokee. She had 13 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

She will be brought to Wrights Creek Baptist Church at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 20. Family will receive friends beginning at 5 p.m. Services will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. Pastor James “Bo” Parris and Pastor Eddie Sherrill will officiate.  Burial will follow the services at the Ed Hornbuckle Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Adam Brown, Duane Brown, Darrin Brown, Derek Torres, Gary Driver, Danny Driver, Cory Walkingstick, Chino Castro, Dean Swayney, Herbie Lossiah, JR Hornbuckle, John Murphy and Carey Swayney.

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

Iva Lucille Reed Gentry, 66, of Cherokee, passed away Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018 at the Cherokee Indian Hospital.

She was an avid Duke and Cowboys fan.

Iva is survived by her children, Tracy, Sam, Jr. (Renee), Jeff (Consie) and children; grandchildren, Megan, Thomas (Nicy), Dusty (Izzy), Jerico, Ki Ree, Landon (Lucy), Samantha (Jake), Seth, Shavella, and Braden; great grandchildren, Madison, Sade’, Jakiaz, and Gabby; great grandson to be Marcelle Ballard; brothers and sisters, Bessie, Mary, Matilda (Pat), Linda, Bruce (Jessica), and Ernie (Kirk); many nieces and nephews also survive.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Gentry; her parents, Samuel and Lucinda Reed; one brother Bill; two sisters, Ollie and Sharon Faye.

Services were held on Sunday, Nov. 25 at the Cherokee Pentecostal Holiness Church.  Pastors Tim Melton and Betty Drake officiated.  Burial followed at the Reed family cemetery.  Pallbearers were Mike Rich, Dusty, Jerico, Ki, Landon, Seth, and Braden.

Long House Funeral Home assisted the Gentry family.

God called in his time and grace on Saturday, Nov. 24 for Amanda Sequoyah Swimmer, 97 years old. Born on Oct. 27, 1921 to Molly Davis Sequoyah and Runningwolfe Sequoyah, she was preceded in death by her husband, Luke Swimmer; one daughter, Mary Ellen Wolfe; and sons, Johnny, Ronald, Herbert, and McKinley Swimmer.

Amanda is survived by daughters, Marilyn Swimmer, Merina Swimmer, Flora Bradley and husband, H.J.; two sons, Virgil and Don Swimmer; 31 grandchildren; great grandchildren to the fourth generation; her extended family as loyal friends and mentors, Ray Kinsland, Chief Patrick Lambert and Aaron Bradley; and Like daughters, Ila Coleman and June Smith.

Amanda, a renowned potter, shared her creative abilities which allowed a time-honored tradition to survive. Recognized as an outstanding individual contribution to the preservation of the history and culture of Southern Appalachia, she was awarded the following honors:

• 1994 – The NC Folk Heritage Award
• May 25, 2005 – The Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters form UNC-Asheville
• 25, 2009 – The Mountain Heritage Award from Western Carolina University
• 2003 – Senior Miss Cherokee
• February 2018 – Named Beloved Woman of the Eastern Band of Cherokee.

But, mostly she’ll be remembered as a homemaker, a grandma to all and as an advocate for the safety of School Children and Community.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29 at Yellowhill Baptist Church. Revs. James (Bo) Parris and Forman Bradley will officiate with burial at Swimmer/ Sequoyah Family Cemetery.

Amanda will be taken back to Yellowhill Baptist Church at 5 p.m. Wednesday by Crisp Funeral Home to await the service hour.

Pallbearers will be Amanda’s Grandsons.

Rev. Winford D. Sanders, 87, of Cherokee, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. A native of Little River, Tenn., he was the son of the late James and Berthie Winchester Sanders. He was a member of Towstring Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Floyd, Don, Edward, Carl, and Ira; and his sister, Opal.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Tinsa Sanders; daughter, Cora Sanders Crowe; granddaughter, Kristin; two brothers, Mark and Wayne Sanders; one sister, Mary Davis; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27 in the chapel of Crisp Funeral Home. Revs. J.T. and Danny Lambert and Raymond Matthews will officiate with burial in the Towstring Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 12 to 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Roseann Mechele Fish Long, age 54, of the Painttown Community in Cherokee, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018.

Rose was a strong, compassionate, independent, loyal, brave and very hardworking woman. She was a great example of what a wife, sister, mother, and granny should be. She enjoyed her time, her special friends, and her students from the time she worked at Smoky Mountain Elementary school. She also worked at the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort where she made great friends as well. If she wasn’t working you could find her riding in the mountains, cruising on the lake, making crafts, having a house full of family, and listening to music. She was very caring and her family always came first. Rose obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Montreat College and later in life retired from Smoky Mountain Elementary School and Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort.

Rose is survived by her husband, Leonard Long; her father, Curtis Ray Fish; her mother, Annette Faye Fish; her children, Miranda Long Stamper, Michelle Lynn Long, and Madison Hye Long of Cherokee; four grandchildren, Matix Danger Stamper, Joscelyn Kierce Stamper, Cambry Amarra Stamper, Joe Keet Long; sister, Beatrice May Locust and her husband Luke Locust; sister-in-laws, Sammi Saunooke and husband Brian Saunooke, and Josie Long; nieces and nephews, Jim-bob, Joe-Don, Tre, Crystle, Luke, George, Utsela; and many great nieces and nephews.

Rose was preceeded in death by her brothers, Joe Curtis Fish and Barry Curtis Fish, as well as her niece, Justice Rain Bark.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Bethabara Baptist Church. A service will follow directly after starting at 6 p.m.

Long House Funeral Home assissted the family with the final arrangements.

Cynthia L. Crowe, 59, died unexpectedly but peacefully in her Father’s house, surrounded by her beloved church family on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018.

Born on June 24, 1959 in Alameda County, Calif., she moved back to North Carolina later that year.  Her mother was Louisa Barnes and she had three sisters, Marion, Edwina, and Esther, and two brothers, Clayton and Matt and a twin brother that passed at birth.  She graduated from Cherokee High School in 1977 and worked various jobs but favored the Indian Village job where she had many friends.  She married Warren Crowe Jr. on Feb. 9, 1979.  She had two sons and raised one from the Children’s Home, Shorty Kirkland, Warren the 3^rd, and Nick Crowe.

She was an active member of the Big Y Community Club, receiving the Quiet Hero Award in 2016.  She was a faithful member of the Bigwitch Baptist Church, and a Sunday School Teacher.  She was also a talented craftsman.

Cynthia is survived by her husband, Warren Crowe Jr.; her children, Warren H. (Brute) Crowe III of Cherokee, Nick Crowe of Tennessee, and Shorty Kirkland of Robbinsville; eight grandchildren; one brother, Matt Barnes; two sisters, Edwina Jones and husband Kermit, and Esther Barnes.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Louisa Barnes; one brother, Clayton Crowe; one sister, Marion Sherrill; and a nephew, Dink Sherrill.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Nov. 30 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Long House Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 11 a.m. at Long House Funeral Home.  Pastors Jimbo Sneed, Ben Reed, and James “Bo” Parris will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Yellow Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Bo Crowe, Mason Driver, Scrappy Sherrill, Stevie Sherrill, Jesse Sneed, and Alan Rogers.

Laverne Huskey Land, age 85, was welcomed into the presence of her beloved Lord and Savior on Monday, Dec. 3, 2018, at the Cherokee Indian Hospital surrounded by her loving family.

Having grown up in the Yellowhill Community, she graduated from the Cherokee Indian School.  During her earlier years she worked for the Cherokees, then, as a young entrepreneur, she managed the old Cherokee Bus Station with her late husband, Ruble.  Later, she invested in the Shaklee Corporation and became a lifelong distributor.  While working as a teacher at the Qualla Boundary Headstart, she obtained a B.S. degree and retired as the nutritionist from the program.

Laverne was the daughter of the late Birdie (Hill) and Bruce Huskey; the granddaughter of the late Callie and Wallace Huskey and the late Luzene (Sequoyah) and Blaine Hill Sr.  She was previously the wife of Ruble Dunlap.  Her brothers, Stanley, Henry, and Mickey preceded her in death.

She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Wayne Land; her sisters, Loretta (Sylvester) Crowe, and Arlene (Fred) Cochran; her brother, Robert Bruce Huskey; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and one special life-long friend, Tracy Owl.

Monday afternoon graveside services were conducted by her pastor, Tim James at the Huskey Cemetery on Rattlesnake Mountain with her family, her Sequoyah Church family and close friends attending.

Long House Funeral Home assisted the Land family.

Larry Robert Hornbuckle, 59, of Cherokee, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018.

He was retired from the EBCI.

Larry is survived by his children, Jessica Kimberly Hornbuckle George and John Robert Hornbuckle; five grandchildren, Kyla George, Makayla George, Rosa Reyes, Maria Reyes, and Joshua Hornbuckle; two great grandchildren, Addisyn Teesateskie and Hashiya Daxton-Mark Davis; and one uncle, Alex Hornbuckle.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Nora Lou Hornbuckle; and special friend, Judith Ollie Roberts Hornbuckle.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at Long House Funeral Home from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. with funeral services to follow at 2 p.m.  Pastor James “Bo” Parris will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Hornbuckle Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be among friends and family.

David Jeff Blackfox, 49, of the Wolftown Community in Cherokee, passed away Monday, Dec. 3, 2018.

He is survived by his children, Kristan Blackfox and Cornelia Rattler; grandchildren, Shaelynn Postoak, Hayven Inoli Johnson, Dylan Wachacha, and Ethan Armachain; brothers, Noel Coon Bigmeat, John Allen Bigmeat, and Eddie Bird; great uncle, Wiggins Blackfox; great aunt, Sara Blackfox Wildcatt; and his dog Buddy.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Robert “Bob” Bigmeat and Nancy Blackfox Bigmeat; two daughters, Linda Armachain and Cassandra Blackfox; his companion Minda Armachain; and one brother, Dewayne Bird.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, Dec. 6 at the Macedonia Baptist Church from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with funeral services to follow at 2 p.m.  Pastor Dan Conseen and Merritt Youngdeer will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Armachain Cemetery on Swimmer Branch Road.  Pallbearers will be among friends and family.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Blackfox family.

Annie Oocumma, 69, of the Wolftown Community in Cherokee, passed away Friday, Jan. 25, 2019 at the Cherokee Indian Hospital after a short, courageous battle with cancer.

Annie was the most fun loving, warm-hearted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, coach, teammate, friend, breast cancer survivor, or whatever you needed her to be.

She loved softball, Cherokee Braves, Bingo and her Bingo family, senior games and senior friends.  But most of all, she loved her family especially her grandkids, nieces and nephews Kaden and Carter.  They were her guiding stars.  She put them on a pedestal unknown to most.  They never had to hurt or want for anything “Sissy” could fix anything and left that impression on all of them making them feel invincible and anything was possible.

She loved unconditionally and would give you the shirt out of her trunk or go buy you one; feed you or give you her last dollar.  She never knew a stranger and was special to many.  If you were a “victim” of her crude and gutter mind, then you were super special to her.  She joked in a special way that made everyone laugh.  She will be missed by all that knew her.

She attended Bethabara Baptist but was a life coach at Cherokee Methodist in her early years.

Annie is survived by her daughter, Jeannie “Jen” Oocumma-Driver and husband Jerry “Bear” Driver of Cherokee; two grandchildren Elizabeth “Liz” Oocumma and Jamison “Cain” Oocumma both of Cherokee; one great grandchild Preeya Oocumma; brothers, Mose Oocumma (Peggy), Clint Oocumma, Joe Oocumma Jr., Ray Oocumma, Dave Oocumma, and Jerry Oocumma; sisters, Peggy “Dolly” Littlejohn, Nellie Ahli-sha Littlejohn Stephens (Jake), Norma Oocumma, Susan Oocumma, and Caroline Oocumma; aunt Myrtle Bird; great uncle Simpson Queen; special grandsons, Tavi Rivera and Raymond Taylor; and best friend Honey, her dog.

Annie was preceded in death by her mother, Kina Queen Littlejohn; step-father, Boyd Littlejohn; biological father, Joseph Oocumma; one daughter, Kina Darlene Young Dog; and brothers, Levi Oocumma, Henry Queen Littlejohn, Wild Bill, John Jr., and Henry Oocumma.

Visitation will be held on Monday, Jan. 28 at Bethabara Baptist Church beginning at 5 p.m. where the body will remain until the hour of service on Tuesday, Jan. 29 at 2 p.m.  Pastor James “Bo” Parris will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Annie Oocumma Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Cain Oocumma, Frank Oocumma, Jim Oocumma, Mike Oocumma, Ray Oocumma, Troy Arch, Moose Littlejohn, John Martin, Justin Lambert, Jake Stephens, Duke McCoy, Chad George, Bear Driver, Frank Driver, Blaine Wolfe, Tim Smith, Tavi Rivera, Raymond Taylor, Omar Yanez, German Bernal, Lil Kallup McCoy, Mike Caldwell, Ed Thompson, Mark Littlejohn, and Coon Bigmeat.  Honorary pallbearers will be Kaden Stephens and Carter Stephens.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Oocumma family.

Stephen S. Queen “Bubba”, 29, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2019 at Mission hospital in Asheville.

He was born to Loretta A. Queen and the late Charles S. Queen on July 18, 1989. Stephen resided in the Wolftown Community of Cherokee and he worked at Holiday Inn Express and Suites. He was a loving son, brother, friend, and father. He was a unique soul who was taken too soon, and he will always be loved and missed by many.

In addition to his mother Loretta, Stephen is survived by his son, Galvin Reed; his sister, Amber Sneed and husband Jimmy Farris; one niece, Kaneetha Bradley; one nephew, Cole Bradley; aunts, Rosie M. Hornbuckle (Clyde Locust), Valane “Molly” Bowman, Sue Long, Kate Cooper (John Cooper); uncle, Larry Hornbuckle; great aunts, Mable Frizzell, Frances “Pokie” Cucumber; Nanny Suzanne Hornbuckle; and many cousins.

In addition to his father Charles, Stephen is preceded in death by his grandparents, Martha and Bascom Queen, Calvin and Ollie Hornbuckle, Peggy Hornbuckle, and Jim Hornbuckle; and three uncles, Clarence “Bridges” Cucumber, John Henry Queen, and James “Buggs” Queen.

Visitation will be held at Long House Funeral Home on Wednesday, Jan. 30 from 11 a.m. until 12 noon with funeral services to follow at noon. Pastor Danny Lambert will officiate.

Carol Ann Bottchenbaugh Teesatuskie, 62, of the Big Cove Community in Cherokee, passed away Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019.

She is survived by her mother, Helen Wanetta Bottchenbaugh; one daughter, Misty Teesatuskie Callaway and husband Robert Callaway of Cherokee; one son, Richard James Teesatuskie of Cherokee; grandchildren, Gabrielle Teesatuskie (Gabby), Shanali Ann Teesatuskie Taylor (James Taylor), No-la Da-na-li Teesatuskie, Kaos Gsu-da-tsi Teesatuskie, u-we-na-i Kain Teesatuskie, and Logan Ryyd Callaway; great grandchildren, Nickyle Reuben David Teesatuskie and Avaleena Ann Teesatuskie Taylor; brothers, Harold Bottchenbaugh and children, Rick Bottchenbaugh (wife Bernice) and children; one sister, Wanetta Sue Davis; also survived by Glen and Jessica Davis, Vinny Davis (wife Bree) and Benny Davis, Austin Davis (wife Erica) and Nixon Davis, Karli Sue Davis, Kaydince and Xavi Davis.

Carol was preceded in death by her father, Harold James Bottchenbaugh.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, Jan. 31 from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. at the Long House Funeral Home with services to follow at 2 pm.  Pastor James “Bo” Parris will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Helen Bottchenbaugh Cemetery in the Big Cove Community.  Pallbearers will be among family and friends.

Stanley Tooni Sr., 87, of the Wolfetown Community, went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. A native of Cherokee, he was the son of the late Larch and Agnes George Tooni. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy; two sons, Ammons and John David Tooni; one brother, Ike Tooni; two sisters, Rachael Reed, and Annie Driver; and one step-daughter, Bernice.

He is survived by his wife, Dianne Garner Tooni; two sons, Stan Tooni Jr., and Larch Tooni and wife Carolyn; one daughter, Agnes Tooni and companion Rick all of Cherokee; two step-daughters, Brenda of Alabama, and Rebecca of Michigan; two step-sons, Tracy, and Andy both of Georgia; one daughter-in-law, Alyne Tooni; 11 grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; two sisters, Dinah George, and Eva Reed both of Cherokee; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1 at Rock Springs Baptist Church. Revs. Greg Morgan, Dan Conseen, and Keith Carson will officiate with burial at Reed Family Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. Thursday at the Church.

Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

All singers are welcome.

Special Flute music will be played at the graveside by his grandson Matthew.

Jamie Everett Reagan, 47, of Whittier, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019 at his residence.

Jamie had a wonderful sense of humor and the world was his son.

He is survived by his son, James Reagan of Cherokee; his father, Everett Reagan; step-mother, Shirley Reagan; brothers, Bobby Reagan (Rachel) of Cherokee, Kasey Reagan (Christina) of Lakeland, Florida; sisters, Mary Mata, Felisa Mata, and Erin Kirkland (Stephen) all of Cherokee; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.

Jamie was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Hornbuckle Mata; brother, Shawn Reagan; maternal grandparents, Ben and Mary Hornbuckle; and paternal grandparents, Emmett and Mary Reagan.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, Feb. 2, from 12 noon until 2 p.m. at Long House Funeral Home with funeral services to follow at 2 p.m.  Pastor Randall Miller will officiate.

Mary Ann Crowe Rich, 74, of Cherokee, passed away Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019 at the Cherokee Indian Hospital. 

She is survived by her children, Robin Lambert, Julie Smith, Richard Smith, Greg Smith, Crystal Rich, Michael Rich, Shawn Rich, and Walter Rich; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; and one sister, Martha Sherrill. 

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin Rich; her mother, Katie Jessan; one son, Jon Smith; one daughter, Monica Singer; and brothers, Ossie Crowe, Mike Crowe, and Denny Crowe. 

Memorial services will be held at Long House Funeral Home on Friday, Feb. 1 at 3 p.m.   

Krystopher Scott Storm, 52, of Cherokee, went home to be with the Lord, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019. A lifelong resident of Cherokee, Scott was an artist, florist, dancer, and costume designer who loved computers. He was a true southern gentleman.

He is survived by his mother, Wynne Jones of Cherokee  and his loving companion Montana of the home.

He had many very close friends who will miss him dearly.

A  Celebration of Life for Scotty will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5 in the Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Services with the Rev. Ben Reed officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the Service at the Funeral Home.

Xavier Ryan French, 30, of the Wolfetown Community, passed away Friday, Feb. 8, 2019.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Mike French, Diann Bark and John Henry Watty; grandparents, Guy and Martha Bark and Roy and Mary French; uncles, Peanut French and Don Reed; and aunt, Lawanda Myers.

Xavier is survived by his sister, Monika French Toineeta (husband Ben); nephew, Jesse Toineeta (wife Jordyn); great nephew, Easton Toineeta; aunts, Ruby, Thelma, Velma and Roberta Bark, Genevive Lambert, and Karen and Sharon French; and uncles, Goodlow Bark, Richard and Walter French.

Visitation will be held at 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 12 at Macedonia Baptist Church. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 13.  Burial will follow at the Bark Family Cemetery.  Dan Conseen and James Bear Lambert will officiate.

Pallbearers will be Brandon Bark, Woodrow Teesateskie, Chris Sun Rhodes, Darius Lambert, Hunter, Trace and Tay Lambert.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the French family.

Joann “Jobee” S. Kalonaheskie, 79, of the Wolftown Community in Cherokee, passed away Saturday, Feb. 9 at Tsali Care Center after an extended illness.

She was a member of Wrights Creek Baptist Church.

She is survived by her children, Wanda Kalonaheskie, David Kalonaheskie (Luchene), Kathryn Kalonaheskie, and Jerry D. Sampson (Doris); grandchildren, Billy Wachacha, Jack Wachacha, Joanna Kalonaheskie, John Perry Sampson, Dustin Sampson, Jordan Sampson, Cherice Huskey Parker, Chase Kalonaheskie, Zane Kalonaheskie, Cassidy Kalonaheskie, Stephanie Maney, and Donnie Maney; 17 great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren; one sister, Gwen Wildcatt; and a special niece, Stacy S. Ledford.

Jobee was preceded in death by her husband, David J. Kalonaheskie; her mother, Leauna Crowe Littlejohn; son, Sgt. John Earl Sampson; brother, Duffy Sampson; sisters, Lily Wolfe, Elsie Martin, Micky Sampson, Tunnie Catt, and Wanda Maney; and granddaughter, Maverick Sampson.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 13 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Long House Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Feb. 14 at 2 p.m.  Pastors Dan Conseen and Foreman Bradley will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Leauna Crowe Littlejohn Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Billy Wachacha, Dustin Sampson, Jack Wachacha, Chase Kalonaheskie, John Perry Sampson, Jordan Sampson, and other grandsons and nephews.