Horace Hurst
Jan 16, 2026
Mr. Horace A. Hurst, age 86, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2026, at Grandview Manor surrounded by his family. Born on December 9, 1939, in Macon County, he was the son of the late Henry and Frances Hurst.
Horace was a devoted member of Watauga Baptist Church for many years, where he faithfully served as a deacon. His quiet strength,...
William Patrick Ramey
Jan 16, 2026
Patrick Ramey, 70, passed away on January 16, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Born on July 27, 1955, in Macon County, he was the son of the late Venice Alexander and Beulah Hazel Lowe Ramey.
Patrick lived a full and hands on life. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing pool, racing, carpentry, and could often be found tinkering...
Patricia Ann Craig
Jan 15, 2026
Patricia Ann McConnell Craig, 76, of Franklin, NC, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 15, 2026.
Born in Macon County, she was the daughter of the late Fred McConnell Sr. and Dorothy Mae Long McConnell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bruce Tallent, and her brother, Freddie McConnell. Patricia was a devoted member of...
Charles Dwight Southard
Jan 15, 2026
Charles Dwight Southard, 80, of Franklin, NC, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, January 15, 2026.
Born in Macon County to the late Roy and Ruth Dills Southard, Dwight lived his entire life rooted in the community he loved. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Edna Southard, and his brother, Raymond Southard.
Dwight was a lifelong and...
John Wymer McClure
Jan 14, 2026
John Wymer McClure, 74, of Franklin, North Carolina, passed away on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. A lifelong resident of Macon County, John was the son of the late William Howard McClure and Alma Hastings McClure. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Billy McClure and Charlie McClure; his sister-in-law, Patti McClure; and his brother-in-law, Gary Boston.
John spent most...
Barnard Bruce Bryant
Jan 13, 2026
Barnard Bruce Bryant, 72, of Asheville, NC, passed away Tuesday, January 13, 2026, after an extended illness. Barney was born October 2, 1953, and was the son of the late Bruce and Freda Bryant. He grew up in Franklin, NC and graduated from Franklin High School in 1970. Barney attended Mars Hill College and later graduated from Sandhills Community College...
Brannon Jeffrey Keener
Jan 11, 2026
Brannon “Jeff” Keener, 48, passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2026. Born in Macon County, he was the son of the late Maurice “Biff” Keener and Linda Joyner.
Jeff was a man who loved the outdoors and the simple joys of life. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, spending time with his dogs, and playing the drums. He was a talented carpenter during...
Pauline Starling Luke
Jan 9, 2026
Pauline Starling Luke, 100, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, January 9, 2026.
She was born in Valdosta, GA, October 15, 1925, to her parents, Juniper and Maggie Starling. She was preceded in death by three sisters, Grace Smith, Alzada Davis, her twin, Irene Luke, (who passed at the age of 93), and two brothers, Johnny...
Reba Talley
Jan 9, 2026
Reba Blackwell Talley, 62, of Highlands, NC, passed away Friday, January 9, 2026.
She was born in Oconee, SC, to the late Joseph and Amy Wilbanks Blackwell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Rickey Talley and son, DJ Talley. She always wanted to make people laugh and saw her children’s friends as her own....
Reverend Ronnie Owens
Jan 9, 2026
Ronnie Owens passed away peacefully on January 9, 2026, at the Elizabeth House in Flat Rock, NC.
Born in Macon County to the late Euell Cordell and Blanche McCoy Owens. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters: Sandy Owens Tippett, Patricia “Tootsie” Akin, and Beverly Owens.
Surviving Mr. Owens are his wife Kathy Angel Owens; son Joshua...
William Harold McGaha
Jan 8, 2026
Mr. William Harold McGaha of Franklin, NC born November 26th, 1947, passed away Thursday January 8th, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
Harold was the son of the late Felton and Ruth McGaha. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister Barbara Posey and nephew Tony Posey.
Harold is survived by; son, William Todd McGaha with wife...
Tessie Evelyn Walters
Jan 7, 2026
Tessie Hickman Walters, 88, of Franklin, NC, passed away Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
Tessie was preceded in death by her husband, Chris Walters. She liked to watch gameshows, complete crossword puzzles, and reading the Bible. She had a pet cat “Ivan”,
She is survived by her children, Rick Harville, Dianne Carroll (Alan), Alan Harville (Robin); sister, Carolyn McCoy; five grandchildren; and six...
Marissa Carmella Burton
Jan 4, 2026
Marissa Carmella Johnson Burton, “Mamaw”, 55, of Highlands, NC, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 4, 2026.
Born in Buncombe County, to Lucille McClure Johnson and the late Charles Johnson. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her father‑in‑law, Chuck Burton, and her uncle, Curtis Dodgins.
Marissa worked as a dedicated tax consultant for H&R Block, where she...
Tasha Denise Hardeman
Jan 3, 2026
Tasha Denise Roberts, 52, of Franklin, NC, passed away Saturday, January 3, 2026.
She was born to Ethel Bernard Snyder in Missouri. She moved to Franklin around 15 years ago. She longed to be with her father, Grant Snyder, who preceded her in death. She had an inspiring personality and loved her children and grandchildren. Her passion was being a mom...
George Thomas Sherrill
Jan 2, 2026
George Thomas Sherrill passed peacefully on January 2, 2026. He was born on July 2, 1947 in Clayton, Georgia. Raised mostly in Macon County, he was preceded in death by his parents, B. L. “Buck” Sherrill and Florence Stalkup Sherrill.
George majored in Philosophy and Keyboard Performance at St. Andrews and attended graduate school at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley,...
Scott Paul Wheeler
Dec 31, 2025
Scott Paul Wheeler, 74, passed away peacefully at his residence on December 31, 2025. Born on February 17, 1951, in Brecksville, Ohio, he was the son of the late John Edward Wheeler and Evelyn Celeste Brocco Wheeler.
Scott built a long and dedicated career with The Hershey Company, where he worked for 25 years and earned the title of manager through...
Frances Ellen Hatch
Dec 30, 2025
Frances Ellen Reed Hatch, 99, of Franklin, NC passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 30, 2025.
She was born in Dorsett, Ohio, to the late William and Mabel Little Reed. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by thirteen siblings and daughter in law, Joan Hatch. She was a member of Mount Hope Baptist Church.
She is survived by...
Odell James Bolick
Dec 29, 2025
Odell James Bolick, 91, of Franklin, NC, closed his eyes and opened them in the Glory of God on Monday, December 29, 2025. A lifelong resident of Macon County, he was a devoted member of Buck Creek Baptist Church.
Born to the late Carl and Eva Rogers Bolick, Odell built a life marked by faith, family, and hard work. He served...
Terry Gene Ray
Dec 29, 2025
Terry Gene Ray, 90, of Highlands, North Carolina, passed away on December 29, 2025, after living with Lewy Body Dementia.
Born on December 13, 1935, in Livingston, Tennessee, Terry was the son of Burris Eulon Ray and Malinda Jane (Savage) Ray. He served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. Following his service, he built a long career as...
Mary Ann Thompson
Dec 29, 2025
Mary Ann Compton Thompson, 91, of Franklin, NC, passed away on Monday, December 29, 2025.
Born in Nashville, Tennessee, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Marie Rucker Compton. She was also preceded in death by her husband, James Robert Thompson; her son, Byron Thompson; five brothers; and two sisters.
Mary Ann dedicated her life to caring for others. She...
