Earl Horsley Thomas
Dec 13, 2025
Earl Horsley Thomas, 72, of Franklin, NC, passed away on Saturday, December 13, 2025.
A native of Macon County, Earl was born to the late Porter Charles and Ethel Moffitt Thomas. He was a devoted husband and a proud “Dad” to Ava. Earl loved life and found joy in the outdoors—whether fishing, hunting, or working with his hands to fix anything...
Lytha Dean Hughes
Dec 13, 2025
Lytha Dean Smith Hughes, 86, of Franklin, NC, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 13, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Born and raised in Macon County, she was the daughter of the late Jewel and Gertrude Hall Smith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Terry “Tom” Smith; infant brother, Billy; brother in laws,...
Jean Bragg Wallace
Dec 12, 2025
Jean Bragg Wallace, age 93, of Highlands, North Carolina, went to her heavenly home on Friday, December 12, 2025. Jean was treasured by her friends and family for her generous, caring heart, her sweet spirit, and the genuine interest, love and encouragement which she offered joyfully to others.
A faithful Christian from childhood and throughout her life, Jean loved children and...
Charles Robert Shope
Dec 12, 2025
Charles Robert “Bobby” Shope, 90, of Franklin, NC, passed away peacefully at Angel Medical Center on December 12, 2025, surrounded by his family. Born September 8, 1935, in Macon County, he was a son of the late Charles Prioleau Shope and Queenie Elizabeth Ledford Shope.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Charles “Billy” Shope, and a sister,...
Kay Ann Dunlap
Dec 9, 2025
Kay Ann Jorgensen Dunlap, 84, of Franklin, NC, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.
She was born on July 2, 1941, in Norfolk, Nebraska, to the late Philip Kenneth Hillerup Jorgensen and the late Mildred Rebecca Salisbury Jorgensen. Kay was baptized at Bethany Lutheran (Danish Lutheran Church) in Copenhagen, Nebraska, a congregation founded in 1874 by her great-grandfather.
She graduated...
Patricia Ann Thomas
Dec 9, 2025
Patricia “Pat” Ann Thomas, age 89, entered the arms of her Savior on December 9, 2025, at Angel Medical Center.
Born September 6, 1936, in Detroit, Michigan, she was the daughter of the late Decimer Beatty and Lucille Marie Koob Beatty.
She is lovingly remembered by her two daughters, Jann Smith (Vince) and Cindy Carmichael (Rick), along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and...
Thomas Gary Hedden
Dec 6, 2025
Thomas Gary Hedden, 78, of Franklin, NC, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Born in Macon County, he was the son of the late Aaron and America Potts Hedden.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Barry Hedden; and granddaughter, Morgan Hedden.
Gary retired from the U.S. Postal Service and was a member of Louisa Chapel Methodist...
William James "Jim" Lopes
Dec 6, 2025
William James “Jim” Lopes, 70, of Franklin passed away December 6, 2025
Jim was born in Florida to the late William Julius and Edna Spires Lopes. Jim worked as an auto body technician for over 35 years. He was also a Boy Scout leader for over 20 years. Jim was very creative, fabricating many of his ideas into reality. He could...
Eva Jane Williams
Dec 1, 2025
Eva Jane Pittman Williams, 104, passed away peacefully at her residence on December 1, 2025. Born on March 31, 1921, she was the daughter of the late George Pittman and Rachael Bailey Pittman.
Eva was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Clarence Leon Williams, in 1966; her grandson, Anthony Williams Spaduzzi; and all eight of her siblings, of whom she...
Joyce Ann Taylor
Dec 1, 2025
Joyce Ann Taylor, age 81, passed away peacefully at Angel Medical Center on December 1, 2025.
Born on Sept 5th, 1944, in Chester, Pennsylvania, Joyce was the beloved daughter of the late Robert “Doc” Taylor and Lillian Dillard Taylor.
Joyce was a devout Christian whose greatest wish was to serve the Lord. She led several ministry outreach programs and enjoyed volunteering. She...
Peter Edwin Privette
Nov 30, 2025
Peter Edwin Privette, 72, of Homosassa, Florida, went peacefully on Sunday, November 30, 2025. Pete was born on July 15, 1953, in Ansbach, Germany. He was the loyal son of Doris Haynsworth and the late Ed Privette. He graduated from Mannheim American High School in Germany and received a Paramedic degree from Southwestern Community College in Sylva, North Carolina in...
Clyde Phillips
Nov 30, 2025
Clyde Aladdin Phillips, 74, of Franklin, NC, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 30, 2025, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Born in Asheville, NC, Clyde was the son of the late Werner and Bonnie Byas Phillips. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Donald and Jean Williams. He was the...
Alza Simonds
Nov 29, 2025
Alza Eunice Watson Johnson Simonds departed this life and went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 29, at Franklin House Assisted Living in Franklin, NC. Alza was born December 12, 1924, in Glenville, NC to the late Louie Homer and Beulah Stewart Watson. She often told stories of growing up on Pine Creek with her extended family...
Melissa Jones
Nov 28, 2025
Melissa Osborne Jones, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 28, 2025, in the Franklin, North Carolina home she nurtured and cherished for more than sixty years. She was 87 years old. Born on October 7, 1938, Melissa was the only daughter of Blanche and Elmer Osborne. She grew up surrounded by the warmth of family...
Mertis Crawford
Nov 27, 2025
Mertis Angel Crawford, age 90, of Hiawassee, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 27, 2025.Born in Macon County, North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late William Lloyd Angel and Dolly Holland Golightly. She was also preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert "Bob" Lee Crawford; her brother, Morris Lloyd Angel; her sister, Meda Angel Meadows; and...
Randy Berry
Nov 22, 2025
George Randall "Randy" Berry, age 61, of Macon County, passed away on November 22, 2025. He was born on October 6, 1964, in Macon County, the son of George Andrew "Andy" Berry and Joyce Elders Berry. Randy was larger than life. He was the kind of person who lit up every room. He never met a stranger, loved everyone he...
Harlan Magers
Nov 21, 2025
Harlan Paul Magers, 44, of Franklin, passed away on November 21, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born October 16, 1981, in Murphy, NC, he was the beloved son of Michael Magers and Melanie Stern. Harlan had a deep love for the outdoors, especially hiking and camping, and found joy in playing video games, writing, and making music with...
Shirley Bowman
Nov 21, 2025
Shirley Loraine Calloway Bowman, age 78, of Franklin, North Carolina, passed away on November 21, 2025. Mrs. Bowman was born on November 18, 1947, the daughter of the late Jeff Calloway and Ruth Cordelia Mchann Calloway. She was preceded in death by three sisters, Delia Bunch, Elizabeth Geames, and Mary Helen Norman; and two brothers, Larry G. Calloway and Robert...
Charles Bauknight
Nov 20, 2025
Bill Bauknight passed away on November 20, 2025, of natural causes at the age of 66. Bill was a complicated man who struggled with bipolar disorder for most of his life. He had difficulty with social interactions due to ongoing paranoia. Those who got to know Bill knew he was brilliant, kind, generous, artistic, and sensitive, with a wonderful sense...
Christine Sorrells
Nov 15, 2025
Christine Kell Sorrells, 85, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away unexpectedly after a brief illness on November 15, 2025, at Mission Hospital. Born to the late Donald and Grace Chastain Kell, Christine was a woman of quiet strength, deep faith, and boundless love. She was preceded in death by her husband, Huel Warden Sorrells (2015); her sisters, Katherine...
