Newman Gary Mathis
Aug 14, 2026
Newman Gary Mathis went home to be with the Lord on Friday, August 14, 2026, at the age of 91.
Newman was born and raised here in the Caney Fork Community. He was the son of the late Johnie and Gurtie Mathis. Newman had nine brothers and two sisters. He will be joining seven brothers and one sister in Heaven. Leaving...
Richard Mansfield Zeek
Aug 12, 2026
Richard "Dick" Mansfield Zeek, age 95, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Angel Medical Center.
Born in New York City, New York, on April 4th, 1931. Dick was the beloved son of the late Donald and Marion (Nochbur) Zeek. A man of integrity, intellect, and faith, he was a devoted member of the Methodist church throughout his life....
Debra Hall Payne
Aug 10, 2026
Debra "Debbie" Hall Payne, 63, of Franklin, NC, beloved wife, partner, and friend, is resting peacefully after a life defined by love, grace, and resilience. She passed away Monday, August 10, 2026, surrounded by the comfort of Care Partners Hospice and the unwavering devotion of her husband and full-time caregiver, John.
Debbie was born in Sylva, NC, to Zeb Hall and...
Kelly Anne Barrow
Aug 4, 2026
Kelly Anne Barrow, 57, of Franklin, NC, peacefully passed away Tuesday August 4, 2026, at Mission Hospital.
Kelly was born in West Palm Beach and grew up in Winter Haven, Florida. She was a Guardian a Litem and then transitioned to teaching. She moved to Macon County in 2021.
Kelly was preceded in death by her daughter, Megan Barrow and her grandparents,...
Steve Robert Hedden
Jul 30, 2026
Steve Robert Hedden, 78, of Anderson, AL, passed away on Thursday, July 30th, 2026, at Athens-Limestone Hospital. He was born on March 10th, 1948, in Franklin, NC, to Ernest and Elmira (Berry) Sylvester Hedden.Mr. Hedden is survived by his wife, Viola Hedden; sons, Jonathon Hedden (Kimberly) and Steven Andrew Hedden (Samatha); daughters, Valarie Thornton (Jay) Nicole Woods (Kevin), and Sonia...
Mary Dawn Giles
Jul 29, 2026
Mary Dawn Giles (née Galloway), 61, entered the presence of her Lord and Savior on July 29, 2026, in Franklin, North Carolina.
Mary was born on June 11, 1965, at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, to Mary Ilene Williams (McGinty) and Hoke Galloway.
Mary’s greatest calling and deepest joy was her family. She loved her children with all her heart, and...
Dwight Preston Wood
Jul 29, 2026
Dwight Preston Wood, age 76 of Tiger, Georgia passed away on July 29, 2026.
Dwight was born May 16, 1950 in Clarkesville, Georgia to the late Hubert Lee Wood and the late Lola Velma Shook Wood.
Dwight dedicated many years to working in small engine repair with Amrine Equipment and Rentals. He also proudly served his country in the United States Army...
James "Dallas" Sanders
Jul 29, 2026
Mr. James Dallas Sanders, age 82, of Franklin, NC, passed away Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at the Macon Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Franklin, NC.
He was born April 19, 1944, in Franklin, NC, to the late James Logan Sanders and Rena Ledford Sanders Peek.
Dallas spent his early life working on dairy farms throughout Macon County. Later, he joined the...
Pamela Majors
Jul 27, 2026
Pamela Swymer Majors, age 76, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 27, 2026, at Grandview Manor.
Born on November 5, 1949, in Tampa, Florida, Pamela was the daughter of the late Sylvester and Ikylee Swymer. In 1980, she made Jackson County, North Carolina her home, where she built a life centered around her family, her career, and her deep love for...
Matthew Schylar Burton
Jul 26, 2026
Matthew Schylar Burton, age 38, passed away peacefully at his home in Franklin, North Carolina, on Sunday, July 26, 2026.
Born in Rome, Georgia, on September 16, 1987, Matthew was the cherished son of Phyllis Jane Barnes Burton and the late Charles Benjamin Burton. He grew up in Lyerly, Georgia, and was a graduate of Lafayette High School. Matthew also served...
Keith Noil Maddox
Jul 24, 2026
BRYSON CITY - Keith Noil Maddox, 80, went to be with the Lord on Friday July 24, 2026.
Born in Rebecca, GA, he was the son of the late, Webster Carter Maddox and Frances Keen Maddox.
In additon, he was preceded in death by his wife Peggy Adams Maddox, sister-in-law Lacy Maddox and brother-in-law Jerry Luther Adams.
He is survived by his children,...
Mary Lanman McClure
Jul 17, 2026
Mary Lanman McClure, 79, of Franklin, NC passed away Friday, July 17, 2026.
She was the daughter of the late James and Velma Mangham Lanman.
No local services are planned at this time.
Doyle Ronald Woods
Jul 16, 2026
Doyle Ronald Woods, 82, of Franklin, North Carolina, passed away on Thursday, July 16, 2026.
A lifelong resident of Macon County, Doyle was born to the late Earl Woods and Mildred Rogers Woods. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Rex Woods.
Doyle dedicated many years of service as the manager of Freeman Gas before his...
Charles "Chuck" Young
Jul 16, 2026
Charles "Chuck" Lawson Young, 77, of Macon County, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2026, at the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville, North Carolina.
Born on August 27, 1948, in Macon County, Chuck was the son of the late Hunter Young and Lucille Young.
A proud veteran, he honorably served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam...
William George Higdon
Jul 15, 2026
The Higdon family, with heavy hearts, announces the peaceful passing of our beloved brother, William George Higdon, on July 15th,2026. George was born in Asheville, N.C. on July 13th,1964 to his loving parents Joseph Huffman Higdon Jr. and Carolyn DeWeese Higdon. He was a 1982 graduate of A.C. Reynolds High School, he then went on to receive a degree in...
John Posey Woods Jr.
Jul 12, 2026
John Posey Woods, Jr, 84, of Glenville NC, passed away on Sunday July 12, 2026, after an extremely short illness. He was the son of the late Martha Connally Woods and late John Posey Woods, Sr. He was also proceeded in death by his daughter, Nancy Woods Stamp.
John is survived by his wife of almost 57 years, Elizabeth Anderson Woods...
Jimmie Johnson
Jul 3, 2026
Jimmie Johnson, affectionately known to family and friends as "Hoss," "JJ," "Jimmie J” passed away peacefully on July 3rd, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of cherished memories and the love of those who knew him.
Born on February 6, 1955, in Macon County, Jimmie was the son of the late Mattie Pearl McCall Johnson and the late Lemmie Houston. He was...
Cora Ann Queen Raby
Jul 1, 2026
Cora “Ann” Queen Raby, 91, of Franklin, North Carolina, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
Born and raised in Macon County, Ann was the daughter of the late Derrel and Effie Hall Queen and remained a lifelong resident of the community she loved. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her...
John Scott
Jun 30, 2026
John Richard Scott, age 77, passed away on June 30, 2026, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.
Born in Ohio on August 10, 1948, John was the beloved son of the late Richard and Angela Scott. He proudly served his country in the United States Army. Following his honorable discharge from the military, John channeled his skills and work ethic into entrepreneurship,...
Larry Coleman Sheffield
Jun 28, 2026
Larry Coleman Sheffield, 75, of Franklin, passed away on Sunday, June 28, 2026. He was born in Macon County to the late Grover Sr. and Hassie Sheffield on November 10, 1950.
Larry (also known as Grub) was a native of Macon County. He spent his whole life farming and was an excellent cattleman. In addition, he spent fifty-one years operating his...
