Obituaries

Recent Obituaries in Franklin, NC

Browse recent obituaries and death notices for the Franklin, NC area. Each tribute honors a life lived and reflects the diverse traditions, cultures, and stories that shape our community.

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Emma Guest

Emma Guest

Mar 20, 2017

Emma Guffey Guest, 92, of Franklin, passed away Monday, March 20, 2017. Born in Macon Co, she was the daughter of the late Ben Guffey and Laura Sorrells Guffey. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Warren Williams Guest who died in 1984. Emma enjoyed playing bingo, cards, wrestling and sewing. She loved her...

Clara Thompson

Clara Thompson

Mar 20, 2017

Clara Thompson, 98, of Franklin, passed away Monday, March 20, 2017. No local services will be held. Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Katherine Baumann

Katherine Baumann

Mar 20, 2017

Katherine Marie Baumann, 79, of Franklin, passed away Monday, March 20, 2017. She was born in Dayton, OH, to the late Ernest and Bernice Fink Keethler on December 23, 1937. Kathy's family moved to Dania, Florida in 1942; she graduated from South Broward High School in Hollywood, FL. After graduation, she attended Sophie Newcomb College (Tulane University) until her mother's...

Betty Jean Burgess

Betty Jean Burgess

Mar 20, 2017

Betty Jean Lazenby Burgess, 85, of Franklin, passed away Monday, March 20, 2017. Born in Statesville, NC, she was the daughter of the late James Stewart Lazenby and Viola Stewart Lazenby Messick. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Lee Burgess who died February 8, 2004; brothers, James, Stewart and Bill and sisters,...

Evelyn  Mills

Evelyn Mills

Mar 17, 2017

Evelyn Jane Mills, 75, of Otto, passed away on Friday, March 17, 2017. Born in Diamond, OH, she was the daughter of the late Edward Simpson and Nora Hartzell Simpson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Alfred. She is survived by sister, Ethel Adcock of Franklin; niece, Ellen Sullivan and husband Tim of...

Denver Brooks

Denver Brooks

Mar 17, 2017

Denver Edward Brooks, 62, of Franklin, passed away Friday, March 17, 2017. Born in Swain Co, NC, he was the son of Myrtle Nations Brooks of Franklin and the late Rev. James Paul Brooks. Denver loved spending time with his friends and family, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed woodworking and small construction projects. Denver was a member of Franklin Church...

William "Gene" Shields

William "Gene" Shields

Mar 15, 2017

William "Gene" Shields, 67, of Franklin, passed away Wednesday, March 15, 2017. Born in Macon Co, he was the son of the late Rev. William Shields and Clara Kiser Shields. Gene served the people of Macon County and surrounding areas for many years with Shields Monument Company. He was a member of West Franklin Church. He is survived by his...

Francis Venticinque

Francis Venticinque

Mar 13, 2017

Francis Charles Venticinque, 70, of Franklin, passed away Monday, March 13, 2017. Born in Lake Orion, MI, he was the son of the late Dominic and Rosemary Joyl Venticinque. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Ruth Randall Venticinque. Francis was a US Navy veteran of the Vietnam Era. He worked as an electrician...

Claude Allen

Claude Allen

Mar 13, 2017

Claude Allen, 84, of Franklin, passed away Monday, March 13, 2017. Born in Macon County, he was the son of the late Dewitt Allen and Lula Buchanan Allen. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Nancy Millstead and Edna Ferguson and brothers, Cecil and John and a baby brother, Roger. Claude was a U.S. Army...

Geraldine Drinkwater

Geraldine Drinkwater

Mar 13, 2017

Geraldine Frances Drinkwater, 92, of Cullowhee, NC, passed away Monday, March 13, 2017. Born in Excelsior Springs, MO, she was the daughter of the late V. Lewis Drew and Gladys Lucille Rouse Drew. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Richard Milligan. Geraldine enjoyed painting and wood carving. She was a member of Christ...

Rodney Watts

Rodney Watts

Mar 12, 2017

Rodney Keith Watts, 56, of Franklin, passed away Sunday, March 12, 2017. Born in San Pedro, CA, he was the son of the late Clyde Wesley Watts and Mary Evelyn Groom Watts. Rodney enjoyed fishing, painting, drawing, surfing, and watching NASCAR. He is survived by three children, Crystal Watts Hayes, Rodney Watts and Corey Watts all of Franklin; one brother,...

William Claude Ashe

William Claude Ashe

Mar 8, 2017

William Claude Ashe, 97, of Franklin, passed away Wednesday, March 8, 2017. Born in Macon County, he was the son of the late William Lonnie Ashe and Elmina Wilkes Ashe. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Harold, Terrell, Paul and an infant brother and sisters, Pallie Ghormley and Hallie Ashe. Claude was a U.S....

Sally  Cook

Sally Cook

Mar 8, 2017

Sally Queen Cook, 64, of Franklin, passed away Wednesday, March 8, 2017. Born in Bryson City, she was the daughter of the late Robert Lance Queen and Arbutus Anne Holden Queen. Sally was a well-known and respected hairdresser; some would even say she was the "best" during the 80's. She was the first to restore the McCollum House in Franklin....

Lena Garren

Lena Garren

Mar 8, 2017

Lena Childers Garren, 84, of Highlands, passed away Wednesday, March 8, 2017. Born in Glennville, NC, she was the daughter of the late Hayes and Lou Stewart Childers. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Harold Earl Garren and five brothers and sisters, Aldon, Neal, Jessie, Mary "Hurble" and Lucille. Lena was a member...

James Keener

James Keener

Mar 7, 2017

James Willard Keener, 84, of Highlands, NC, passed away Tuesday, March 7, 2017. Born in Macon County, he was the son of the late James Robert Keener and Grace Talley Keener. He is survived by his wife Lois Marie Potts Keener; son, James Keener, Jr. (Leslie) of Brevard; daughter, Tammie Hall (Sandy) of Tucson, AZ; two sisters, Ruby Watts of...

Mary  Roylston

Mary Roylston

Mar 7, 2017

Mary Slagle Roylston, 84, of Franklin, NC and most recently, Simpsonville, SC, passed away Tuesday, March 7, 2017. Born in Macon Co, she was the daughter of the late Fred Moore Slagle and Lida Alexander Slagle. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Stephen Roylston and sisters Betty Kemper and Margaret Bulgin. Her life...

Clifford Bilger

Clifford Bilger

Mar 5, 2017

Clifford Ralph Bilger, 93, of Franklin, passed away March 5, 2017. Born in Germantown, Philadelphia, PA, he was the son of the late Ralph Lewis Bilger and Beatrice Emily Boulder Bilger. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Bilger who died, April 2, 2014 and two brothers, Richard Wayne Bilger and Robert John...

Carlo Pastore

Carlo Pastore

Mar 4, 2017

Carlo Joseph Pastore, 88, of Franklin, N.C., passed away on Saturday, March 4, 2017. He was born in New Rochelle, NY, the son of the late Carlo Joseph Pastore Sr. and Domizia DiBianco Pastore. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Andrews. He was raised in the Catholic faith. Carlo was a beloved...

Joseph  Dawiczyki

Joseph Dawiczyki

Mar 3, 2017

Joseph Alec Dawiczyki, 92, of Franklin, passed away Friday, March 3, 2017. Born in Terryville, CT, he was the son of the late Walenty Dawiczyki and Dorota Kornieski Dawiczyki. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Julia; his second wife, Ruth and eleven brothers and sisters, Steven, Walter, Frank, Aloysius, John, Edward, Rose,...

Robert Wayne Queen

Robert Wayne Queen

Mar 3, 2017

Robert Wayne Queen, 65, of Franklin, passed away on Friday, March 3, 2017. Born in Macon County, he was the son of the late Fred Wilson Queen and Ruth Houston Queen. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Paul, Kenneth, Jimmy and Loyd and sisters, Judy Henry and Lou Anne Stockton and father-in-law, Jack Stamey....

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