Glenda Crowe, 66, of the Wolfetown Community, went home to be with the Lord, Sunday, June 23, 2013. A native of Cherokee, she was the daughter of the late Davis and Betty Crowe George. She was preceded in death by a son, Jason Miles Crowe; two brothers, Don Crowe, John Delbert Crowe.

She is survived by two children, Delmar Niccum of Cherokee, Georgina Niccum; fiancee David Darnell of Cherokee; five grandchildren, Angel Huerta, John Bustos, Charles Bustos, Austin Niccum, Taylor Niccum; five great grandchildren; three sisters, Kathryn Verran (Bo Peep) of Grapevine, TX, Donette Lossiah, Aubrey Bigmeat, both of Cherokee; one brother, Charles Albert Crowe of Morganton; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at 2pm on Wednesday, June 26 at Old Antioch Baptist Church of which she was a member. Rev. Denny Crowe will officiate with burial in the Crowe Family Cemetery. The body will be taken to the church at 4pm on Tuesday, June 25 by Crisp Funeral Home to await the hour of service.

Mike Elliot Littlejohn, 58, of Cherokee, passed away unexpectedly on June 20, 2013. Mike is the son of the late Jim Littlejohn and Mollie Taylor Littlejohn. Mike is also preceded in death by brothers; Jim and Leonard Littlejohn, a sister; Elsie Wolfe.

Mike is survived by his wife Sharon Littlejohn and children; Mike D. and Jim Littlejohn, of the home, Charlene “Chipper” Littlejohn, Joshua Little and Stephen Little, all of Cherokee. Mike is also survived by two brothers; David Taylor Sr. and Burton Littlejohn, four sisters; Nellie Littlejohn, Molly Littlejohn, Charlotte Littlejohn and Mary Jane Smith. Mike also leaves behind 8 grandchildren.

Mike will remain at the Piney Grove Baptist Church until hour of service on Sunday, June 23. Burial followed at the Piney Grove Cemetery. Friends and family acted as pall bearers. Pastor Ed Kilgore, Pastor Joe Wolfe and Pastor John Norman Driver officiated.

Long House Funeral Home assisted family with arrangements.

Mary Marie Lambert Keener, 93, of Cherokee, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 24, 2013 surrounded by her family.  She was born May 10, 1920 in the Tow String community to the late Thomas Raper Lambert and Nancy Elizabeth Younce Lambert.  She was also preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Wayne Keener; by three sons, Gilbert Smith, Robert Keener, and Clyde Smith; by a grandson, two sisters, and three brothers.

Mary Keener  is survived by two daughters, Mary Ruth Hyatt and her husband David of Leicester, and Nancy Forrester and her husband R.L. “Happy” of Highlands; by six sons, Wayne Keener and his wife Linda of Cherokee, Richard Keener and his wife Revina of Cherokee, Johnny Keener and his wife Debbie of Lakeside, CA, Tommy Keener and his wife Karen of Escondido, CA, Troy Keener and his wife Pat of Bryson City, and David Keener and his wife Susie of Cherokee; by eleven grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Keener was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend, she will be greatly missed.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, June 28 at 2pm in the chapel of Bryson City Funeral Home & Memorial Services, with Revs. Brad Burns and Jimbo Sneed officiating.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday evening from 7-9pm.  Burial will be at Birdtown Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be her grandsons.

Online condolences can be made to the Keener family at www.brysoncityfuneralhome.com

Roy David Driver, 55, of the Big Y community, passed away on June 24, 2013 at the Cherokee Indian Hospital following a brief illness. 

Roy is the son of the late John G. Driver and Nellie Thompson Driver and was a member of the Old Antioch Baptist Church.

Roy is also preceded in death by his brother, Joe Driver;  brother-in-law, Adam Blackfox;  sister, Jeanette Sue Jumper and niece Angel Driver.

Roy is survived by his children, Kathleen Driver of Cherokee, Roy David Driver Jr. of Robbinsville, and Michael Ray Driver of Robbinsville; brother, John Norman Driver and wife Linda; sisters, Alice Driver, Lucille Blackfox, Carolyn Tooni and husband Larch, all of Cherokee.  Roy also leaves behind seven grandchildren, six nieces, six nephews, three great nieces and five great nephews.

The funeral service will be held at Long House Funeral Home on Thursday, June 27 at 2pm. An immediate burial will follow at the Driver Family Cemetery. Pall bearers will be Frank Driver, Eric Driver, Bear Driver, Gary Driver, William Driver, Michael Thompson, Will Tushka and Clement Calhoun. Pastor Jimbo Sneed and Pastor Foreman Bradley will officiate the funeral services.

Long House Funeral Home assisted family with arrangements.

William “Bill” Reed passed away on July 2, 2013 at the Cherokee Indian Hospital. Bill was a resident of The Hermitage retirement facility in Sylva, NC and is also a US Army veteran, who served in the Korean War.

Bill is the son of the late Cornelia Reed and is also preceded in death by his sister, Peggy Reed Peabody.

Bill is survived by his daughter, Kelly Reed Flanagan of Winston-Salem, and a grandson, Josiah Reed Flanagan. Bill also leaves behind many friends, he will be missed.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 3 at Long House Funeral Home from 5-7pm. In lieu of flowers please make donations, in the name of William Reed, to the Cherokee Hospital and/or Cherokee EMS.

Long House Funeral Home assisted family with arrangements.

Zebulon Doyle Alley, age 84, of Waynesville and Raleigh, passed away at Rex Hospital in Raleigh on Thursday morning, July 11, 2013. He was born in Sylva on Aug. 9, 1928 to Doyle Davis Alley and Edith Purcell Alley. He is survived by sons Doyle D. Alley II, Randall G. Alley and wife, Ann M. Hoover, granddaughter Miranda Alley, brothers John (“Jack”) Hampton Alley and Charles Purcell Alley, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister Corrine (“Connie”) Killian Withers. Zeb was a son, a brother, a husband, a father, an uncle and a grandfather. He was a war hero, an FDR democrat, a Tar Heel, a lawyer, a state senator, a mentor to many and one of the most successful legislative lobbyists North Carolina has ever seen. He had a legendary wit and a gift for story-telling, demonstrated great skill in strategy and negotiation, but above all, he had an infectious love of life, family and people in general. He was loyal, generous to a fault, and a friend to everyone he met, humans and cats alike. His brother Charles recounted that many times he told his family and friends “You’ve got to be good to people.”

He received his BA degree in 1953 and LLB degree in 1955 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 1948, to help ease the family’s financial difficulties, Zeb interrupted his education and joined the Army. He left active service in 1950, entering the enlisted reserves, and prepared to return to UNC. However he was soon called back to active duty when the Korean War broke out, and within two months found himself in his first firefight serving as a forward observer in the 38th Infantry Regiment. On March 3, 1951 he was involved in an intense battle in which he distinguished himself heroically, risking his own life for his fellow soldiers. He was seriously injured, but recovered, and carried pieces of shrapnel in his back, head and neck the rest of his life. He was awarded the Bronze Star with the “V” device for valor and the Purple Heart for his service. He returned home with a renewed enthusiasm for life and college.

Zeb began his legal career as Assistant Director of the Institute of Government in Chapel Hill and later as an associate in the law offices of future NC Supreme Justice Joseph Branch in Enfield, NC. He was North Carolina attorney at the Federal Land Bank in Columbia, SC before returning home to Waynesville to begin his own law practice. Eventually, he formed a partnership with his nephew Leon M. “Chip” Killian. He practiced there for approximately 20 years before moving his practice to Raleigh. Like his father, Zeb engaged in the general practice of law, helping people with all the serious and occasionally humorous legal problems of a small town. In 1971, Zeb was elected to the NC General Assembly as the senator from the district including Haywood County. He sponsored legislation lowering the voting age to 18 and improving minimum housing standards for migrant laborers. In 1981, Zeb became Legislative Counsel to Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., where he assisted in the passage of seat belt legislation in 1986 and the Good Roads Act providing revenue to repair potholes and improve the State’s road system.

His past public service also included serving as the Chairman of the State Capitol Foundation Board of Directors, Chairman of the Task Force on Governmental Relationships of the Board of Visitors of the UNC Chapel Hill, a member of the NC Board of Alcohol Beverage Control, and commissioner of the NC Courts Commission. As Legislative Counsel at the State Legislature, he ranked high for the Krispy Kremes he brought in frequently for legislators and staff. His St. Patrick’s Day parties became legendary, as did his master recipe for his eastern North Carolina barbeque, despite being a mountain boy from Waynesville.

There will be a celebration of Zeb’s life at the NC State University Club in Raleigh on Tuesday evening, July 16, at 6pm. Services will be held at Wells Funeral Home in Waynesville on Sunday, July 21. Receiving will begin at 2pm with the service at 4pm. The interment will follow in the Veteran’s Plot of Green Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the VFW Relief Fund, VFW Dept. of NC, www.vfwnc.org – See more at: http://www.wellsfuneralhome.com/obituary/Zebulon-Doyle-Alley/Raleigh-NC/1224796#sthash.42z0NqQH.dpuf

ASHEVILLE – Nancy Foltz led a very full life, enriched with a wonderful family, dear friends, and dogs who meant the world to her. 
Born in 1950, she lived in many parts of the country- Washington, Alaska, Colorado, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and North Carolina. A move back to Colorado was next on her list, but she was unable to make the trip as she died on Monday, July 8 in Asheville.

Nancy’s travels took her around the world, widening her perspective and fueling her creativity. Fiercely independent, she moved to Asheville in 2000 and began her own business in communications and public relations- Communicatia.

Having received her MBA from Temple University, Nancy was highly respected for her integrity and intellect and recognized as an extraordinarily high achiever, never shying away from a challenge or conflict that needed resolution.

Nancy was also known for her tender side- she was extremely generous with a desire to help people and animals. She was one of a kind- the best kind -and her last chapter will take place in Fairview on her slice of the Blue Ridge Mountains that she loved.

Nancy, daughter of the late Harry Foltz, is survived by her mother, Betty; brother, Gary (Janie); sister, Janet (George); nieces, Amy, Megan, and MacKenzie and their families, as well as her beloved dogs, Ozzie and Cooper.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Animal Compassion Network.

Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family.

Terry Lee Beck, 50, of Easley, SC went home to be with the Lord, Tuesday, July 16, 2013 at his residence.  A native and lifelong resident of Easley, SC, he was the son of Jackson and Lottie Raby Beck of Cherokee.  Terry was an employee of the City of Easley for 18 years.  He was a United States Army Veteran.  He was a member of Easley Church of God.  He was preceded in death by a brother, Ted William Beck and sister Evelyn Jackie Beck.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by a son: Jarrett Thomas Lance of Salem, SC, two sisters: Teresa L. Beck of Easley, Patricia Ann Beck of Cherokee.

Funeral Services will be held 2p.m. on Saturday, July 20 in the Chapel of Crisp Funeral Home.  Revs. Eddie Stillwell and J.T. Lambert will officiate with burial in Tow String Cemetery.  Family will receive friends from 7-9p.m. Friday at the Funeral Home.  

Angela Tindall Morris, 54, of Whittier, passed away at her residence on July 14, 2013 following an extended illness.  Angela is the daughter of the late Ramsey Walkingstick and Mabel Walkingstick, she was a member of the In Touch Ministries Church and was an employee at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino for many years.

Angela is survived by her son; George Adam Morris of Wintersprings, Fla. Also surviving are brothers; Owen Walkingstick, Moses Walkingstick, Tony Walkingstick and Bruce Walkingstick; two sisters, Ann Arneach and Lois Lambert; four grandchildren and other family members; Stacey Rodgers, many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles; and special friend, Mary Alice.  Angela also leaves behind many friends who will miss her.

Angela is preceded in death by her sister, Geneva Walkingstick and brother, Chief Dean Walkingstick.  The funeral service was held at Long House Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 17.

Long House Funeral Home assisted family with arrangements.

James Edward Bigmeat II, 44, passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 9, 2013 from injuries sustained from a vehicle accident while traveling in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  James is originally from Flint, Mich., but made Cherokee his home for several years. James is the son of James Edward Bigmeat and Norma Molina Bigmeat. 

James is survived by his wife, Angie Murphy Bigmeat; children, Isaiah King Bigmeat, Mark Sequoyah Bigmeat, James Wally Bigmeat, Mykeal Kenny  and Gracie Murphy; one grandchild, Mykela Kenny. Also surviving are brother, Matthew Daniel Bigmeat; sisters, Elizabeth Guerra Bigmeat and Crystal Lynn Waldroup.  James also leaves behind two special people whom he considered his parents, Leroy and Rechanda Bigmeat Waldroup as well as three nephews and one niece.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, Aug. 15 at Rocksprings Baptist Church  starting at 9am. James will remain at the church until hour of service on Friday, Aug. 15 at 11am. Pallbearers are Matthew Daniel Bigmeat, Patrick Kazhe, Leroy Patton Waldroup, Michael Aaron Bigmeat, Jeff Murphy and Robert Hutchinson. Pastor Greg Morgan will officiate.

Long House Funeral Home assisted family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, family has requested donations to help with the funeral costs. Donations of any amount can be made to, Long House Funeral Home, 407 Wolftown Rd, Cherokee NC, 28719.

Ann Springer Randall, 72, passed away July 12, 2013 in Bessemer City, Ala.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Hazel King of Cherokee.

Ann is survived by two daughters Beth and Jenny and one son, Jerry and wife Vicki, two grandchildren Joe and Cody all of Bessemer City, Alabama.  Two sisters, Peggy Angel of Rock Hill, S.C., Jean Holt, of Cherokee, and one brother Jan Springer, of Sacramento, California. 

Memorial Services will be held at the Cherokee Church of Christ, Hwy 19N at 2p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 18.  Internment will be at the Campground Cemetery located on Hwy 441 in Whittier. The Reverend Jim Sexton will officiate.

Justina N. Rattler, 31, of the Birdtown Community, passed away unexpectedly in a Buncombe County Hospital, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2013. A native of Cherokee she was the daughter of Gloria “Punkin” Griffin of Cherokee, and Jody Rattler of Cherokee. She was a member of Boiling Springs Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her grandfather Frank Griffin and grandmother Julia Griffin and one uncle Mack Griffin.

In addition to her parents she is survived by two children, Timber and Kylana Sampson Rattler, both of the home; Paternal Grandmother, Elsie Rattler of Cherokee; Paternal Great Grandmother, Lula Rattler of Cherokee; one sister Kandace Griffin of Cherokee; one brother Kenny Griffin of Cherokee; seven uncles, Frank Griffin Jr., Riley Griffin, Mickey Rattler, Jackie Rattler, Timmy Rattler, Harold Rattler, and Sammy Rattler; and three Aunts, Polly Rattler, Nancey Griffin, and Martha Ledford.

Funeral Services will be held 2pm on Thursday, Aug. 22 at Bethabara Baptist Church. Rev. Dan Conseen will officiate with burial in the Birdtown Cemetery.

The body will be taken to the Church at 5pm on Wednesday, Aug. 21 by Crisp Funeral Home to await the hour of service.

Haze Lynn Ayen, 10, went home to be with Lord on Wednesday, Aug.21, 2013.  She is now united with her baby brother, Blake Lee, in a place of supreme bliss.  Haze is the daughter of Lori Lee Carroll and husband Beau Carroll of Cherokee and John Ayen of Cherokee.

Also surviving are brother, Damon Ayen; sister, Chelsey Ayen; grandparents, Sharon and Tony Hickey, Randy and Brenda Lee, Donna and Ray Messer, Janet Smith and Howard Wahnetah; great-grandfather, Richard Cody. Haze leaves behind many other family members who loved her dearly and will miss her every day.

Haze was a talented softball player with a bright future, playing for Jackson and Swain County teams. She had previsiouly attended Jackson County Schools, but presently was attending Swain County East Elementary School.  She was to start the 5^th grade.  Haze had a sweet disposition, a kind person with a big heart so she leaves behind many friends who will greatly miss her. Haze loved animals, especially horses, she would go riding any chance she got, and Haze adored her dog, Prince.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 27 at Rocksprings Baptist Church starting at 5pm. Haze will remain at the church until hour of service on Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 2 pm. A burial will follow at Wilmont Cemetery. Pall bearers are Chad Crowe, Dalton Crowe, Victor Jones, Trevor Worley, Hollis Ayling and Johi Griffin. Pastor Greg Morgan will officiate.

Long House Funeral Home assisted family with arrangements.

Jesse Toineeta, 66, of the Yellowhill Community went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013.  A native of Cherokee, he was the son of the late Howard and Tiny Smith Toineeta. He was a retired employee with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with 28 years of service and most recently was employed at Cherokee Central School for the past 11 years. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran having served in the Vietnam War. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Johnny and Jimmy Toineeta.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Betty Jo Toineeta; four sons, Jonathan Toineeta, Jesse Toineeta and wife Monika, Bruce Toineeta and wife Tonya, Chris Walkingstick and wife Denise all of Cherokee; two brothers, Joseph and Charlie Toineeta both of Cherokee; seven sisters, Georgia Hunter, Tiny Armachain, Gail Parker, Brenda Toineeta, Barbara Toineeta all of Cherokee, Patsy Palmer of Korea, Frances Tahbonemah of Lawton, Oklahoma; five grandchildren, Victoria, Jordan, Jesse, Kendall, and Anthony; and two great grandchildren, Jesse John and Boyd.

Funeral services will be held at 11am on Saturday, Aug. 31 in the chapel of Crisp Funeral Home. Revs. Randall Watkins and James (Red) Bradley will officiate. Burial will be in the Shell Family Cemetery with military rites being conducted by the Steve Youngdeer American Legion Post 143.

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

Pallbearers will be Brian Mathews, James Plummer, Theodore Toineeta, Donald Parker, George Toineeta, James Toineeta, and Sam Tioneeta.

Sergio Taylor Hernandez, 18, of Cherokee passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 27, 2013 at Cherokee Indian Hospital.  He was a student and also a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. 

He is survived by his mother, Cheryl Taylor; girlfriend, Michele Bird; children, Makira Taylor, Jalen Taylor, and Jada Taylor; brother, Kenny Taylor; sisters, Sherayne Taylor and Chavella Taylor; nephew, Kenneth Smith; niece, Eailana Blythe; aunt, Orlena Vallejo; and uncle, Carmelo Martinez.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Bernadette and Collins Taylor, and his aunt, Emma “Rae-go” Taylor.

The family received friends at Rock Springs Baptist Church on Thursday, Aug. 29.  The body will remain at the church until the service hour of 2pm on Friday, Aug. 30. The Rev. Greg Morgan will officiate.  Pall Bearers will be the Wolftown Stickball Team.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.  An online memorial page is available at www.longhousefuneralhome.com.

Lula Wachacha Rattler, 72, of the Snowbird Community in Robbinsville, passed away Friday, Aug. 30at her home. She was preceded in death by her parents John Wayne and Martha Welch Wachacha; father of her children Nelson Rattler; her son Timothy Earl Rattler; three sisters Susie Reed, Edna Chekelelee, and Stacey Rattler, and three brothers Micheal, Jerome, and Dewitt Wachacha.

She is survived by a daughter Theresa Rattler Jerkins (Mike Askew); three sons Tony Rattler, Terry Rattler (Crystal) and George Rattler all of Robbinsville; one daughter-in-law Amy Brown Rattler of Andrews; two sisters Gertrude Jumper and Margaret (Margie) Wachacha, and a brother Wayne Wachacha, all of Robbinsville.

She had 13 well-loved grandchildren who loved her; Austin Rattler of Sylva, NC, Magel Perez of Hendersonville, Cheyanne, Shahannah, Shaylon, Chanteau, Chandler Rattler of Andrews, Xavier, Blaizeo Rattler, Skylar Jerkins, Timothy Jerkins-Askew of the home, Michael Bowen of Robbinsville, and Christina Bowen of Virgina.

Funeral Services were held at 11am on Monday, Sept. 2 at Buffalo Baptist Church of which she was a member. Rev. Noah Crowe, Jimmy Lambert, and Henry Ethridge will officiate with burial in the Rattler Family Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Andy Jackson, Mike Bowen, Alvin Wachacha, Melvin Wachacha, Tommy Chekelelee, Robin Jumper, Jeremy Wachacha, and Scott Chekelelee, and one honorary pallbearer Don Chekelelee.

Lewis Queen, 85, of Cherokee passed away on Aug. 29, 2013 following a brief illness. Lewis is the son of the late Jasper Queen and Luzene Reed Queen.

Lewis is also preceded in death by brothers, Blaine Queen, Jesse Queen and Tom Queen; sisters, Eva Q. Wolfe, Minnie Q. Smith and Annie Q. Powell.

Lewis is survived by one brother, Henry Queen and two sisters, Kina Q. Littlejohn and Myrtle Q. Bird. Also surviving are many other family members and friends who will miss him.

Visitation was held at Acquoni Baptist Church on Sept. 1 starting at 4pm.  Lewis remained at the church until hour of service on Sept. 2 at 2pm. Burial followed at the Yellowhill Cemetery Veterans Section. Nephews and great nephews acted as pall bearers.  Pastor Ed Kilgore, Pastor Eddie Sherrill and Ray Kinsland officiated.

Long House Funeral Home assisted family with arrangements.

Charles Edward Swayney, age 56, of Maryville, Tenn., formerly of Cherokee, died Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013 at the family home.  Charles loved music and was a wonderful, self-taught musician.   His other passions were riding his motorcycle and his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Ollie Swayney; brothers, Lee and Calvin Swayney; grandson, Estevan Guillien.

Survivors include his daughter, Stephanie Swayney of Maryville, daughter and son-in-law, Tiffany and Alberto Hernandez; daughter, Becky Swayney; sons, Joshua and Mallie Swayney; grandchildren, Jessica, Daisy, Charlie, Kayla, Luis, Jonathan; brother and sister-in-law, Billy Joe,(Corky) Swayney; brother, Dausey Swayney; sister and brother-in-law, Joyce and Wallace Bryant; previous life partners, Katie (T.) Hensley and Kaye Swayney.

After a simple goodbye viewing for family and close friends, Charles was cremated on Wednesday, Aug. 21.   The family had a burial of the cremated remains on Friday, Aug. 24 at  Swayney Cemetery in Cherokee.   Online condolences may be sent to dotsonfh@yahoo.com   Arrangements were entrusted to Dotson Funeral Home, Maryville, TN. 

Daniel “Pickle Barrel” Walkingstick, 43, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2013 at his residence in the Big Cove community. Daniel is the son of Daniel Walkingstick Sr. and the late Roberta George Walkingstick.

Daniel is survived by, brothers, Will Walkingstick, Danette Walkingstick, John Adam Walkingstick, Shane Walkingstick and Nicky Jack Walkingstick; sisters, Carla Walkingstick, Ongee Quax Walkingstick and special sister, Marie Walkingstick Pheasant. Also surviving are aunts, Emily Weot, Bellie Dunn, Mabel Dunn, Sally Shehan and Evertle Walkingstick; one uncle, John Ed Walkingstick; grandmother, Emma Walkingstick.  Daniel also leaves behind a special friend, Scott Dodson.

Daniel is preceded in death by grandparents, John Walkingstick, Guy and Sally George.

A memorial service was held at Straightfork Baptist Church on Saturday, Sept. 14. Pastor Charles Ray Ball, Pastor Timothy James and Brother James “Bo” Parris officiated.

Long House Funeral Home assisted family with arrangements.

John R. “Junnie” Hornbuckle, Jr., 69, of Cherokee, passed away on Sep. 17 ,2013 following a brief illness at the Tsali Care Ctr. in Cherokee.

John was the son of the late John Russell Hornbuckle, Sr. and Stacey Florence (Crowe) Hornbuckle of Cherokee.  He was fire fighter in days passed and a “Gun Fighter” at the old Frontier Land themed park in Cherokee.  John lived most of his last years with family and remained close with many cousins, nieces and nephews.

John is survived by son Freeman Bradley, one brother, Alexander Hornbuckle and one sister, Francis Wahnetah; nieces, Stacey Hornbuckle, Joyce Bowman, Loretta Kirby, Freida Huskey, Paula Holloway, Stacey Louise Harsh and Bobbi Wahnetah; nephews, Howard Wahnetah, Lee Wahnetah, Mingo Hornbuckle, Buddy Hornbuckle, Allen Hornbuckle, Jeff Hornbuckle, Wahnetah Curtis, Taylor Bridges, Ronnie Hornbuckle, Larry Hornbuckle and David Youngbird.

He is also preceded in death by three brothers, Clifford Earl Hornbuckle, Van Hornbuckle and Lauren Hornbuckle and three sisters, Jean Hornbuckle, Nora Hornbuckle and Marie Cole

Services will be held in the Chapel of Long House Funeral Home at 2pm on Wednesday, Sept. 18 with a visitation the same day from 10am to 2pm the start of the service.  An immediate burial will follow in the Amazing Grace Cemetery near niece Joyce Bowman’s home on Bradley Branch in Cherokee.  Brother Greg Morgan will officiate and the Pall Bearers will be among the family, free labor group and staff of Long House.

Long House is assisting the family in the arrangements of services.