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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Kay Ann Dunlap

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

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

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

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...

Joyce Ann Taylor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...

Michael Clark

Michael Clark

Nov 15, 2025

Michael Steven Clark, 56, of Franklin, NC, passed away Saturday, November 15, 2025. Michael was born in Macon County to the late Dewey and Lois Ruth Holland Clark. He attended Oakdale Baptist Church and was a fire fighter at one time with Cowee and Burningtown fire departments. He loved fishing, hunting, Nascar and football. He is survived by his wife,...

Conda Vaughn

Conda Vaughn

Nov 15, 2025

Conda Juanita Vaughn, 80, was born in Macon County to the late Clyde & Mildred (Mashburn) Vaughn. She peacefully entered the presence of Jesus on Saturday, November 15, 2025. She graduated from Franklin High School and attended Western Carolina University. She was a science teacher in Anderson, South Carolina. After retiring she returned to her beloved mountains of Macon County....

Barbara Mccall

Barbara Mccall

Nov 13, 2025

Barbara Holbrooks McCall, 78, of Macon County, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 13, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Born and raised in Macon County, Barbara was the daughter of the late James Wade and Bonnie Stanley Holbrooks. She remained a proud lifelong resident of the community she cherished. Barbara was preceded in death by her devoted husband of...

John Stokes

John Stokes

Nov 12, 2025

John Arthur Stokes, Sr., 90, of Franklin, NC, passed away peacefully on November 12, 2025, at Care Partners Solace Center. Born in Everett, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Edgar Frederick Stokes and Edith Shirley MacDonald Stokes. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Shirley Phyllis Cowin. John proudly served his country as a Staff Sergeant...

Lois Ledford

Lois Ledford

Nov 12, 2025

Lois Stockton Ledford, 93, of Franklin, NC went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. She was a lifelong residence of Macon County, born to the late Ervin and Bertha Carpenter Stockton. She was preceded in death by her parents; loving husband of 63 years, Reverend Charles Ledford; infant son, William Ernest Ledford; sister, Vaughn Sanders; and...

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