Bette Balmer
Jul 4, 2024
Bette Jean Balmer, born on November 16,1952, peacefully passed away on July 4, 2024, at her mountain-top home surrounded by loved ones. She leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and compassion that touched the lives of all who knew her. Bette often quoted, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but...
Phillip Rumans
Jul 4, 2024
Phil Rumans, age 75, passed away July 4, 2024 under the care of the Asheville VA Medical Center, after a long fight with health issues. Phil was born in Warrensburg, Missouri to the late Aubrey Dale Rumans and Faye Ozell Garrison Rumans. He proudly served his Country at a young age in the United States Marine Corps where he received...
Earl Simons
Jul 3, 2024
Earl Simons, age 86, passed away Wednesday, July 3, 2024 following complications from a fall. Earl was born in Bryson City to the late Thomas Burton Simons and Dicie Charlotta Clark Simons. He served in the United States Army and was a heavy equipment operator with APAC- Harrison. Even though he wasn't able to see them in his later years,...
Ronald Smith
Jun 30, 2024
Ronald Allen Smith, age 73, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, June 30, 2024 after a period of declining health. Ron was born in Darlington, South Carolina to the late Emory Smith and Agnes Lloyd Smith. As an insurance agent, he was well known throughout the Darlington and Florence communities where he helped...
Joseph Plant
Jun 28, 2024
Joseph Miers Plant III, 77, of Franklin, NC, passed away June 28, 2024, after a three-year battle with cancer. He was born June 25, 1947, in Auburn, AL, to Joseph Miers Plant, Jr. and Helen (Beard) Plant, and grew up in Tallahassee, FL, where he graduated from Florida High School. After subsequently graduating from Florida State University, he joined the...
Louie Michaud
Jun 26, 2024
Maurice Joseph Michaud, affectionately known as Louie, stepped onto the first tee in Heaven on June 26, 2024. Louie was born in Bordeaux, France on July 23rd, 1934. He loved and excelled in all kinds of sports including hockey, skiing and golf. He was an accomplished skier and, in his younger years, competed in ski jumping competitions. As an amateur...
Mary Wooten
Jun 16, 2024
Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Gaines Wooten, a devoted Christian who found joy in her role as wife, mother, and supporter of the church, passed away on June 16 in Asheville, N.C. She was 98. Betty was born on March 8, 1926, to Worth and Marjorie Linscott Gaines in St. Augustine, Florida, the place that was always the home of her heart....
Ashley Smith
Jun 15, 2024
Ashley Marie Smith, 32 of Cullowhee, NC passed away on June 15, 2024. Ashley was born in Clearwater, FL on November 30, 1991, to Jefferson Smith and Laura Barsic Smith. After graduation from TC Roberson High School in Arden, NC she went on to express her love of serving others in a variety of capacities, most recently as a beloved...
April Ray
Jun 14, 2024
April Crunkleton Ray, 47, of Charleston, South Carolina, entered into eternal rest on Friday, June 14, 2024. April was born March 18, 1977, in Franklin, North Carolina, daughter of Kenneth Crunkleton and Judy Moffitt Combs. April was the most thoughtful, caring, loving person anyone could be fortunate enough to know. She was devoted to her husband, her son, her daughter...
Colbert Henson
Jun 11, 2024
Colbert Rodney Henson, 88, of Franklin NC, went to be with Jesus on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. Colbert was born in Macon County to the late Grady and Eula Ledford Henson. In addition to being preceded in death by his parents, he was the youngest and last survivor of nine siblings. He was a member, deacon, and trustee at Longview...
Michael Welch
Jun 10, 2024
Michael "Mike" D. Welch, 73, of Sylva NC, passed away Monday, June 10, 2024. Mike was born to the late Dover and Dorothy Evans Welch. He loved woodworking, music, fishing, camping and family. He is survived by his children; Mike Welch (Tammy) of Franklin, Julie Welch of Sylva, Scott Welch of Asheville, Leah Welch of Sylva, Austin Welch of South...
Mertis Gibson
Jun 10, 2024
Mertis Loretta Gibson (Cagle) passed away on June 10, 2024, at the age of 80 in Franklin, North Carolina. She was born on March 12, 1944, in Franklin, NC. She is survived by three daughters, Wanda Todd and husband Mike of Franklin, Judy Beechley of Franklin, Pamela Mason and husband Joe of Mount Pleasant, SC; two sons, Alfred Gibson of...
Betty Warstler
Jun 9, 2024
Betty Warstler, age 95, of Franklin, passed away on Sunday, June 9, 2024. Betty was born in Shelby, Montana on May 7, 1929, and was the eldest daughter of the late Rev. Walter and Josie Miller. She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Harold Warstler, by three sisters, Roberta McInnis, Bonnie Krall, Ilene Junker, and two...
Virginia Gamble
Jun 9, 2024
Virginia B. Gamble went to join her husband of 68 years to be with the Lord on June 9, 2024, with her family by her side. She was born to the late Herbert and Jenny Bevis in Gainesville, Florida . Ginger was beloved by many family and friends. She will be remembered as a kind, loving and beautiful woman with...
Faye Dillard
Jun 8, 2024
Marjorie Faye Allen Dillard, 88, of Cashiers NC, passed away surrounded by friends and family on Saturday, June 8, 2024. Faye was born in Jackson County to the late Frank and Marjorie Baumgarner Allen. Her dad was Sherriff of Jackson County. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Thomas F. Dillard and six siblings. She attended...
Irene Huggins
Jun 6, 2024
Irene Stevenson Huggins, 88, of Franklin, passed away on June 6, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was a dedicated wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother. Irene was born September 1, 1935, to Grayborn and Grace Stevenson. She grew up in Bryson City and graduated from Swain County High School and Blanton Business College. She worked as a legal secretary...
Linda David
Jun 6, 2024
Linda Wright David, 79, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and long-time resident of Highlands, NC, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, June 6, 2024. Linda was born in Greenwood, SC, on December 26, 1944, to the late Chester Nicholas and Ersie Vereen Wright. Growing up, Linda spent summers and weekends with her sister and cousins in Highlands. Her...
Dorothy Hays
Jun 5, 2024
Dorothy Ann Hays, 68, of Franklin, NC, passed away Wednesday, June 5, 2024. She was born in Mobile, Alabama, on March 20, 1956, to the late Oscar Williamson and Mae Ella Sunshine. She loved fishing, gardening, and spending time with her family. She is survived by her daughter; Sonya Hays (Andrew); five grandchildren, Kasey Daughtery (Ian), Kaitlyn Harper (Austin), Kristen...
Marie Ledford
Jun 3, 2024
Marie Holt Ledford, 65, of Franklin, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 3, 2024, after a battle with lung cancer. Marie was a Franklin native who loved Elvis, reading, gardening, and especially spending time with her children and grandchildren. She made friends wherever she went, but particularly at her jobs over the years at places like Walmart, Smokey Mountain Healthcare...
James Ashe
Jun 2, 2024
James "Jim" Robert Ashe, 63, of Franklin, NC, passed away Sunday, June 2, 2024. A native of Macon County, Jim was the third child born to the late Wiley Robert and Dorothy Daves Ashe. Jim was an outdoorsman most of his life. He enjoyed hunting for deer and turkey, but fishing was one of his favorite pastimes. He graduated from...
