Lucille Cucumber, 73, of Cherokee, passed away on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019 after battling a terminal illness.

Lucille was a fluent speaker of the Cherokee language and was a fan of the UNC Tarheels and Cherokee Braves.  She enjoyed gathering greens, mushrooms, and visiting her friends.

She is survived by her children, Clement Cucumber Jr., Lisa Youngdeer (Bopper Youngdeer), and Tammy Cucumber (fiance’ Boo Davis); nine grandchildren, Jukas Arch, Kenny Rodriguez, Devon Cucumber, Chad Cucumber, Nickolas Cucumber, Eva Gagama, Danielle Toineeta, Kyle Pete, and Noah Pete; four great grandchildren; special friend, Debo Toineeta; and her pet baby girl (Chihuahua).

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clement Cucumber Sr.; her parents, Henry Calhoun and Amanda Driver Calhoun; brothers, Robert Lee Calhoun and John Calhoun; sisters, Annie Marie Swayney and Stacy Lambert.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, Feb. 14 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Long House Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be held on Friday, Feb. 15 at 1 p.m. at Long House Funeral Home.  Pastor James “Bo” Parris and Joe Wolfe will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Clement Cucumber Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be among family and friends.

Mary Rodriguez Lambert, 47, of Cherokee, passed away Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019 at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill.

She is survived by her husband, Joseph Lambert; her children, Anthony Kyle Smith, Tyler Edward Toineeta, and Sierra Storm Lavonne Rodriguez Davis; two grandchildren, Mason Kade White II and Alex Johnson Rodriguez-Davis; one brother, Jose Orlando Rodriguez; one sister, Michelle Lavonne Rodriguez; one aunt, Gwendolyn Wildcatt; and nephews, Kenny Cucumber and Mason Kade White I.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, David Johnson Catt and Mary Lavonne Catt.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, Feb. 21 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Wrights Creek Baptist Church where the body will remain until the hour of service on Friday at 11 a.m.  Pastors Dan Conseen and Noah Crowe will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Leauna Crowe Littlejohn Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Ryan Sampson, Jeff Girty, Mason Kade White I, Michael Bradley, Cory Walkingstick, and Cody Gloyne.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Lambert family.

Nancy Audena Smith, 80, of Cherokee, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, at the Cherokee Indian Hospital.

She was a lifelong resident of the Cherokee community and the Yellowhill Baptist Church.  Mrs. Smith worked at the Cherokee Elementary School as a teacher’s aid for 35 years.  She was also a part-time employee of Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort.   After her retirement from the school, she became a full-time homemaker.  Nancy was active in the Cherokee Chapter of NAIWA for many years.  She enjoyed her friendships and community service and often traveled with them.

She is survived by her husband, Kenneth “Feet” Smith; one daughter, Pamela Smith; one granddaughter, Sydney Bird; three sisters, Charlene Cabe, Joan S. Henry and Rebecca Bridges; and several nieces and nephews.

Nancy was preceded in death by her son, David Edward Smith; her mother, Elma Arch Smith; her father, Charles Smith; sisters, Fancheon Elders, Osceola Smith, Wanda Lee Bradley, Linda Sue Raby; and one brother, Charles Delbert Smith.

Visitiation will be held on Monday, Feb. 25 from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Yellowhill Baptist Church.  Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 26 beginning at 1 p.m. at the Yellowhill Baptist Church.  Pastors James “Bo” Parris and Foreman Bradley will officiate.  Burial services will follow at graveside on Old River Road.  Pall bearers will be her nephews, Dean Bradley, Bob Bradley, Tony Cabe, Tince Cabe, Tommy Cabe, and James Raby.

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

Ocean Zaelynn Crowe, treasured daughter of Kaniah and Dodge, born Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2019, died peacefully in the arms of her parents after six beautiful and unforgettable hours.

A beautiful baby girl who touched so many lives in such a brief time, Ocean experienced holding hands with mommy and daddy and many hugs and kisses from her family, listening as her mommy and daddy sang her songs, read her books and being told “I love you” countless times.

Ocean is deeply loved by her mommy; daddy; her maternal grandparents, Abe and Sarella Jackson and Calvin “Bug” James; great grandparents, Abe Queen and Lou Jackson, Linda “Nin” Lambert; special grandma, Phyllis Shell; special uncle, Michael Abraham George, all of Cherokee; paternal grandmother, Tina Crowe; great grandparents, Joe and Linda Crowe; great aunt, Cathy Watkins of Walhalla, SC; great aunts and uncles, Tavish and Robbie Brown, Keahana Sluder, Lisa Young, Justin Lambert, and Sharlotte Jackson; uncles, Brenn Si Jackson, Braylon and Cyrus James; aunts, Jacelyn, Kailey, and Kyra James; cousins, Elias, Jessica and Ilawi Huskey, Anehi and Wadulisi Sluder, Brooklyn and Noland Brown, Fawn, Lars and Zephyr Edvardsen, Caine Lambert, Isabella and Gabrielle Garcia all of Cherokee; and many other cousins and lots of friends.

She was preceded in death by her great grandma, Ethel Lambert; great grandpa “J” (Frank) and granny “J” (Elizabeth) Bigmeat Jackson; great grandparents, Robert and Lana Lambert; great grandparents, Butch and Harriet Sequoyah James; great aunt, Bernice Swayney; and cousin, Dennie Wilnoty.

Pallbearers will be Noland Brown, Brenn Si Jackson, Braylon James, and Dawson Wilnoty.

Family will receive friends at 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28 in the chapel of Crisp Funeral Home.  Funeral services will begin in the chapel at 2 p.m.  Pastor Ben Reed will open with prayer.  Pastor Ricky Stepp will officiate with burial in the Birdtown Cemetery.

Carolyn Klinefelter Hill was received into the loving arms of her Lord on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. The daughter of the late Robert and Leona Brass Klinefelter, Carolyn was predeceased by her husband, William; a son, Jeff; a granddaughter, Felicia; brothers, William (Bill), Wilbur (Webb), James (Jim), and Richard (Dick); and sisters, Helen Ravert, Betty Ranck and Elizabeth (Liz) Sellers.

She is survived by children, William Jr. (Germaine), Garry (Nancy), Debbie Maynard (Tim), and Scott (Ruth). She was Grandma to 14 grandchildren and Gram to 22 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 9 at 3:30 p.m. at Grace Community Church of Cherokee, 84 Recreation Park Rd., Cherokee, (Norman Maney Recreation Park). Pastor Merritt Youngdeer will conduct the service.

Memorials can be made to Smyrna Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 32 Smyrna Road, Newberry, SC 29108.

Crisp Funeral Home is assisting the Hill family.

William “Billy” Dennis Calhoun, 58, of the Big Cove Community in Cherokee, passed away Friday, March 1, 2019 at the Cherokee Indian Hospital.

He is survived by one brother, Clement Calhoun; two sisters, Annabelle Calhoun Shuler and Susanna Calhoun Finger; and several nieces and nephews also survive.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Smathers Calhoun and Savannah Driver Calhoun; two brothers, Frank Calhoun and Shawn Calhoun Sr.; one sister, Flora Mae Calhoun Shelton; and one nephew, Shawn Calhoun Jr.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 4 at 1 p.m. at the Straight Fork Baptist Church.  Pastors Charles Ray Ball and James “Bo” Parris will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Smathers Calhoun Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be among family and friends.

Michael Montelongo, age 23, of Cherokee, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, March 7, 2019 at his home.

Michael is the son of Cleto Montelongo and Rebecca Watty Montelongo. Michael was a life-long member of Rock Springs Baptist Church.

Along with his parents, Michael is survived by his sisters, Kyleigh and Bekka Montelongo; his fiancé, Abigail Long; grandparents, Samuel Watty and Percy Lopez; aunts and uncles, Tina Cruz, Angie Montelongo, Wetha Montelongo, Mayta Montelongo, Yona Montelongo, Elaina Montelongo, Mato Montelongo, Rudy Lopez, Regina Watty, Dennis Watty, Samuel Watty, and Charles Watty; and his nephews, Samuel Lomas, Aeson Lomas, and Cassius Ross.

Michael was preceded in death by his aunts, Anna Watty and Mary Montelongo; his grandmother, Elsie Watty; and his grandfather, Anacleto Montelongo.

A visitation will be held on Monday, March 11 from 5 p.m. at Straight Fork Baptist church. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 12 at 1 p.m. Pastor Charles Ray Ball will officiate.

The pall bearers will be as follows: Tavi Rivera, Jamison Oocumma, Ike Long, Raymond Taylor, Joseph Lomas, Kirsh Bird, Raymond Montelongo, Rudy Lopez, and Dyland Thompson.

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

Mary Green Ward, 88, known to most as Mamaw Ward, entered into the presence of her Lord, at Mission Hospital, Sunday, March 10, 2019. A lifelong resident of Jackson county, she was an avid gardener and homemaker and loved bingo in her later years. She was preceded in death by her husband David Ward, and daughter, Barbara Gail Carnes.

Left to cherish her memory, a son, John David (Amy) Ward; three daughters, Wanda (Leonard) Dills, Geraldean (Delbert) Webb, JoAnn (Steve) Austin; son-in-law, Cance Carnes; sister-in-law, Mytrle Green, 10 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 13 at Hyatts Chapel Baptist Church at 3 p.m. with Reverend Eugene Ridley officiating.  Burial will be at Ward Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. prior to the service.  Pallbearers are: Jason Webb, Josh Carnes, Blake Ward, Ricky King, John Hill, Justin Hunt, Brent Stewart, and Josh Bryson.

In lieu of flowers, make donations to Hyatts Chapel Baptist Church, PO Box 632, Whittier, NC 28789.

Western Carolina Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting the family.

Nancy Jane Driver, 61, of the Big Cove Community, went home to be with the Lord, Tuesday, March 19, 2019. She was a member of Rock Springs Baptist Church. A native of Cherokee, she was the daughter of the late Jim and Ina Driver. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by siblings, Jim Driver, West Driver, John Ed Driver, Ollie Sequoyah, and Elisie Locust.

She is survived by her children, Eddie (Christine), James (Alicia), Marlena, and Melonie Bradley; grandchildren, Jay Bradley, Ethan Jackson, Demetryus Bradley, Tierney, Emily, Raymond, Malla, Kennica, Jameson, Dalton, Ami, James Jr., and Ana Bradley, and Harold Bubby, Elliott, and Ella Smith; one great grandbaby on the way; brothers, James (Clara), William (Kim), Frank (Diane), and Jerry (Jen); sisters, Melinda Mayhan, Betty Morales (Jose); many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces and nephews. She was also very blessed to have a lot of family at Rock Springs Baptist Church.

Funeral Services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, March 21 at Rock Springs Baptist Church. Revs. Greg Morgan, Keith Carson, and James (Bo) Parris will officiate with burial at Driver Cemetery.

Nancy will be taken back to the Church at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 20 by Crisp Funeral Home to await the hour of service.

Pallbearers will be Family and friends of the family.

Dora Estelle Smith, 54, of Cherokee, passed away Sunday, March 17, 2019 at the Cherokee Indian Hospital.

She is survived by her parents, John Wilbur Smith Sr. and Joy Armachain Smith; her children, Kiri Lambert, Jon Jon Rattler (Brandy), Thumper Rattler, and Joy Archer (Steven); grandchildren, Acecia, Robert, Abigal, Hailey, Rhyder, and Haiden Lambert and Janiyah Rattler, Kristaleena Archer, and Briar Rattler; one brother, Jimbo Smith; and sisters, Dezi George, Pam Smith, and Angie Smith.

Dora was preceded in death by a grandson, Rafe Allen Rattler; and one nephew, Gary Lambert.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, March 20 at Long House Funeral Home.  Pastor Dan Conseen officiated.  Burial followed at the Smith Cemetery.  Pallbearers were John Cameron George, Doober George, Dana Brent Bryant, Steven Archer, Michael Lambert, Michael Long, and Anthony Smith.

Noah Ledford Jr., 71, of the Birdtown Community in Cherokee, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, March 15, 2019 after a short-term illness.  He was a resident of Tsali Care Center.

He liked working on hot rods.  Noah served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, the screaming eagles.

He is survived by two brothers, Lloyd Leslie Ledford and Daniel Lee Ledford; three sisters, Vera Ann George, Betty Jane Cucumber, and Golinda Ledford; and many nieces and nephews also survive.

Noah was preceded in death by his parents, Noah Ledford Sr. and Geneva Teesateskie Ledford; three brothers, Jake Allen Ledford, Charley Ledford, and John Richard Ledford; four sisters, Ruth Helen Long, Annette Marie Brown, Polly Marie Ledford, and Virginia Lee Blythe; one niece, Rhonda Jean Cucumber; and one nephew, Ray Ledford.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, March 19 at the Bethabara Baptist Church.  Noah was laid to rest at the Ledford Family Cemetery. Pallbearers were Fred George, Steven Teesateskie, Mernie Taylor, We-la-lah Sampson, Raul Padron, and Daniel Ledford.

Long House Funeral Home assisted the Ledford family.

Dorothy Shuler Blythe, 88, of the Coopers Creek Community, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, March 23, 2019 at Harris Regional Hospital after a short illness.

A lifelong resident of Swain County, she was the daughter of the late Hurschell and Laura Wiggins Shuler.

She was a member of Antioch Baptist Church on Coopers Creek.

Dorothy is survived by one sister, Beulah Wiggins of Candler; three sons, Ronnie Blythe and wife Judy of Cherokee, Larry Blythe and wife Wanda of Robbinsville, and William Blythe of Coopers Creek; grandchildren, Anita Vestal, Chloe Blythe, Emma Blythe, Sam Blythe, Josh Taylor, Laura Blythe, Lloyd Blythe, Driver Blythe, Stewart Jackson, Kelly McCoy, Blaze Powers, Blake Powers, Marcie Blythe, William Blythe, Caleb Crawford, and Josh Sutton; 23 great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 27 at Antioch Baptist Church. Rev. Danny Lambert will officiate with burial in the Pegg Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Crisp Funeral Home.

At other times, the family will be at 1070 Coopers Creek Road, Bryson City, NC 28713.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons.

Ava Christine Sneed, age 60, of Chapel Hill, Tenn., went to her new home in heaven on March 26, 2019.

Ava was born June 10, 1958 to Hillard Sneed and the late Thadress Green Sneed in North Carolina. She graduated from Sylva Webster High School and went on to work at Kansas University and was currently employed with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Nashville, Tenn.

She is survived by her loving husband, Johnnie Stephens; father, Hilliard Sneed and wife Sandra; sisters: Hillane (Sam) Lambert, Sally (Fred) Penick, Lisa (Ed) Weatherford and Deborah (Mouse) Thompson; brothers, Ernest (Carlene) Sneed, Paul (Robin) Sneed, Jeff Thompson and Will Thompson; mother-in-law, Dorothy Stephens; sisters-in-law, Elaine (Bill) Wells, Phyllis (Kenneth) Clark; granddaughter, McKenzie and grandson, Bubby; and many nieces and nephews that she loved dearly and always gave good advice.

She is preceded in death by her mother, and father-in-law, Melton Stephens.

Visitation will be at Williams Funeral Home, Columbia, Tenn. on Thursday, March 28, 2019 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visitation will be held in North Carolina on Friday, March 29 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Cherokee United Methodist Church. Service will be Saturday, March 30 at Cherokee United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. with John Ferree officiating. Burial will follow at Sneed-Holly Bush Cemetery in Cherokee.

Pallbearers will be Jarret Sneed, Jayson Sneed, David Bradley, Jeff Thompson, Will Thompson and Josh Weatherford.

Eric Spencer Driver, age 60, of the Big Cove Community in Cherokee, passed away in the early morning hours on Thursday, March 28, 2019.

He is survived by his son, Jeremiah Pheasant (wife Brandy); four grandchildren; one brother, Mooney Swayney (wife Linda); sisters, Dorothy West, Donna Teesateskie (Steve), and Bessie Smoker (Lane); special nephew, Gary Driver; special nieces, Elaine Driver and Samantha Driver; and several nieces and nephews also survive.

Eric was preceded in death by his parents, Spencer Driver and Lucy Sequoyah Driver; one son, Charles (Chuck) Pheasant; brothers, Dennis, Rex, Johnny, Abraham, and Kenneth; and two nephews, Dennis Teesateskie and Randy Driver.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 30 at the Straight Fork Baptist Church beginning at 5 p.m. where the body will remain until the hour of service on Sunday, March 31 at 1 p.m.  Pastors Charles Ray Ball and James “Bo” Parris will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Driver Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be among family and friends.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Driver family.

Shelby Jean Lambert Hughes, 81, of Clayton, Ga., passed away at North East Georgia Medical Center.

Shelby was born in Cherokee to the late Andrew Jack Lambert and the late Nola Griffin. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, loved music, and wanted her family to live for the Lord. Shelby was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister.

In addition to her parents Shelby was preceded in death by brother Huey Lambert; and two sisters Lois McMahon, Kathy Lee Lambert.

She is survived by her loving Husband Frank Hughes of Clayton, Ga.; one son, Tommy Lee Hughes (Sandy) of Franklin; three daughters, Linda English (Louis), Sandra Burrell, Brenda McCrackin (Joe) of Clayton, Ga.; two sisters, Wilma Lambert of Cherokee, Vivian Downs of Franklin; nine grandchildren; t22 great grandchildren; and one great great-grandchild.

The family will receive friends Saturday, March 30 at Beck Funeral Home from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. with a funeral service to follow at 4 p.m. in the Chapel of Beck Funeral Home with Rev. Hank Conner and Rev. Adam Wright officiating. Burial will follow in the McCrackin Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Peoples Baptist Church in memory of Shelby Jean Hughes.

Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Ga., is in charge of the arrangements. If there are any questions, please call 706-782-9599. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.

Catherine Redcloud, 70, of the Big Cove Community, went on to a better place free from pain on Monday, April 8, 2019.

She was the daughter of the late Couney and Joyce Simmons Shell. She was a member of Goose Creek Baptist Church.

Catherine is survived by her husband, Joseph Redcloud; three daughters, Elizabeth (Victor), Johnny (Bruce) and Tawnia (David); five grandchildren; four sisters and two brothers.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 10 at Redcloud Cemetery.

Crisp Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Albin Rex Gwaltney passed away Tuesday, April 3, 2019 at the age of 64. Diagnosed with cancer, he battled it for nearly four months. Monday night he was admitted into Cherokee Indian Hospital and passed Tuesday around 6:30 p.m.

He was born in Norfolk, Va.  on March 27, 1955 to Mamie Lois Rogers and Albin Gwaltney.

He was preceded in death by a son, Jamie Paugh, and wife, Mary Ellen Gwaltney. He is survived by a daughter, Amber Marie Gwaltney of Auburn, Ga.; a brother, William Gwaltney of Ashland, Ky.; and sister, Sandra Wilson of Conway, S.C. He also had eight wonderful grandchildren, Destini and Megan Paugh, J.J. Paugh, Parker Paugh, Seth Gwaltney, Jamie Gwaltney, Lauren Voyles, and Jordan Voyles.

He was a very successful business owner on the Cherokee Indian Reservation and then again in Whittier. He owned and operated an auto repair shop, Rex’s Auto Repair. During that time, he made a lasting impression on many different people and it showed.  While open, his shops were considered to be top notch and had outstanding reputations. Fixing cars was second nature and he did it very well, but his real passion was helping people. After retiring, he continued to help others and showed kindness to everyone he met. Possessing a very good sense of humor, he always enjoyed joking around with close friends and family.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 in the chapel of Crisp Funeral Home, with Pastor James “Bo” Parris officiating.  The family will gather with friends, prior to the service, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Susie Bradley Jones, of the Big Y Community, went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, April 10, 2019. A native of Cherokee, she was the daughter of Charlotte Ann Ensley Bradley and the late Glen Joe Bradley. She was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Herman B and Clydia Mae Ensley; paternal grandparents, Nick and Edith Bradley; and brother, Chic Crowe.

Susie is a graduate of Cherokee High School and the University of Florida -Tampa. She worked as Director of Economic Development and Qualla Housing Authority of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians for many years and retired after 20 years of service. Her many contributions to the Cherokee Community include the development of the Oconaluftee Islands Park, the improvements to Mingo Falls trail and overlook, creation of the John Crowe Ball Parks, improvements to the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds, and development of the Ginger Lynne Welch Tribal Complex. She was instrumental in the purchase of the race track and land that is currently the Sequoyah National Golf Course and many other economic development projects. Susie also contributed her talents to raising funds through the Island Park Gala. Susie was a member of the Wrights Creek Baptist Church.

Susie is survived by her husband of 25 years, David Jones; son, Cage Bradley Jones and Stormy; grandchildren, Lula and Everleigh; sisters, Jody Bradley Lipscombe (Gene), Sharon Bradley; brothers, Glenn Joseph Bradley (Christine) Judson Bradley (Shira); nephews and nieces, Joshua Adams (Lauren) Kaitlin Bradley, Elle Bradley, Tallmon Bradley and Tso Bradley all of Cherokee.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 13 at 11 a.m. at Rock Springs Baptist Church. The Reverend Steve Gunter will officiate. Susie will be taken to the church at 6 p.m. Friday to await the service hour with burial to follow at the Bradley Cemetery in Cherokee. Pallbearers will be Bear Allison, RD Allison, Chad Cooper, B Ensley, Denny Ensley, Judson Bradley, Dean Bradley, and Eddie West.

David “Dave” Ensley, 67, of the Painttown Community in Cherokee, North Carolina went to be with the Lord Saturday, April 13, 2019 after a courageous battle with cancer. Dave was the son of the late Herman B and Clydia Mae Hornbuckle Ensley.

Dave is survived by his wife of 25 years, Brenda Ensley; children, Brian (Michelle) Ensley and Rebecca Ensley, Trina Thomasson; and grandchildren, Dwight Winchester, Mitchell and Gracie Ensley, Briann Teesateskie, Siddalee Thomasson, and Gus Burgess; sisters, Charlotte Ann Bradley (Carlton) and Rebecca Ensley Butler; brother, Paul Ensley (Mary); and several nieces and nephews and their families. He also had adopted family in Oklahoma. Dave was blessed with many friends who brought fellowship and good memories to him and his family throughout his life.

He was preceded in death by son, Jordan Ensley; sister, Vivian Harlan and husband John; brother, Charlie Ensley and wife Edgarita; and nieces, Angie Harlan and Susie Jones.

Dave was an avid outdoors man. He served the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians for more than 30 years as a game warden, manager of the Fish and Game program and as Chairman of the Cherokee Indian Police Commission. Dave created the Talking Leaves Children’s Trout Derby, helped to develop the reintroduction of elk in conjunction with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and promoted fishing, camping and hiking in western North Carolina.

Services will be held at Wright’s Creek Baptist Church on Wednesday, April 17 at 11 a.m. Revs. James (Bo) Parris and Eddie Sherrill will officiate with burial in the Wrights Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday at the church.

Pallbearers will be among family and friends.

Duffy Leon Sampson, 54, of Wrights Creek in Cherokee, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva.

Duffy was a surveillance officer at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino.  He was also a veteran of the US Army.

He is survived by his daughter, Jeanette Faye Sampson Dills of Bryson City; one brother, Alan Rocky Sampson of Bryson City; sisters, Penny Johnson, Reba “Lisa” Sampson, and Tamara L. Sampson, all of Cherokee; one aunt, Gwen Wildcatt of Cherokee; nieces and nephews, April Shuler, Austin Sampson, Andrew Sampson, Alyssa Streets, Amanda Tabor, Matthew Tabor, Jake Buchanan, Samantha Johnson, Brandy Johnson, Tiffany Kaitlyn Johnson, Terra Miller, Sierra Sampson, and Aurora Martinez; and several great nieces and nephews also survive.

Duffy was preceded in death by his parents, Duffy and Helen Sampson; and ex-wife, Angela Faye McMahan Johnson.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 16 beginning at 5 p.m. at the Rock Springs Baptist Church where the body will remain until the hour of service on Wednesday, April 17 at 1 p.m.  Pastors Greg Morgan, Dan Conseen, and Ernest Stiles will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Sampson Family Cemetery with military honors provided by the American Legion Steve Youngdeer Post # 143.  Pallbearers will be Christopher Miller, George Cruse, Abraham Rojas, Austin Sampson, Andrew Sampson, Sierra Sampson, Jose Rodriguez, and Aurora Martinez.

Long House Funeral Home is assisting the Sampson family.