Obituaries

Ethel O'Berry

Aug 1, 2021

Ethel Robin O'Berry, 69, of Cashiers passed away on Sunday, August 1, 2021 at The Elizabeth House.

Further details are pending at this time.

Velvet Griffith

Jul 30, 2021

Velvet Messer Griffith of Glenville went home to be with lord on July 30, 2021. Velvet was born on November 27, 1979 in Sylva, NC She was preceded in death by her father, Charles Messer of Sylva, NC and brother, Robert Lee Messer, Jr. of SC, Her survivors include her daughter, Victoria Messer of Franklin, NC, her son, Eli...

Jason Roland

Jul 26, 2021

Jason Alan Roland Payne passed away on Monday July 26th,2021, in a terrible drowning accident. He was preceded in death by his father, Garland Wayne Payne. Survived by Mother, Rhonda R Payne. Two brothers, Wayne Payne, Andrew Joseph Baxley, and one sister Sheena  R Payne Moore. He was a great son, brother and friend. He was 34 at the time...

Lester Stephenson

Jul 24, 2021

Lester “Warren” Stephenson of Asheville, NC passed away at his home Saturday, July 24, 2021

Warren was born August 19, 1938 in Washington D.C. to Robert and Clara Stephenson. While growing up in the D.C. area, Warren would frequent Potomac Beach and Chesapeake Bay to crab for his family. As a teenager, he was a skilled athlete...

Justin Hirsch

Jul 22, 2021

Justin Tyler Hirsch, 36, of Hendersonville died on July 22, 2021 at Pardee Hospital.

No services are planned at this time.

Jamie White

Jun 6, 2021

Jamie Caldwell White passed away on June 6, 2021, at her residence in Leicester NC. Jamie was born in Asheville, NC on December 17th 1961. She was preceded in death by her father Reed Howard Caldwell.

Her survivors include her daughters, Jackie Buckner of Leicester NC and Jennifer Ogle and her husband Bryan of Marshall, NC; sisters, Joyce Hazel...

Wanda Trull

Jun 5, 2021

Wanda Marie Brown Trull, best friend and loving mother, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 5, 2021.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Berlin and Maude Brown; lifelong friend and husband, Grover Cleveland Trull Jr.; one brother, Frank Brown (Mossy); and one sister, Myrtle Hilton.

Wanda leaves behind one...

Michael Banks

May 31, 2021

Michael Maurice Banks from Tampa Bay, Florida, passed away May 31, 2021.

He was a worldwide known retired tattoo artist, with former shops in Columbus, N.C. and Lake Lure, N.C.

He leaves behind his wife, 4 sons, his mom and his brother.

A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held on Sunday, June...

Haydee Gonzalez

May 29, 2021

Haydee Pita-Gonzalez, affectionately known as “Mama” by those that loved her, passed away on Saturday, 05/29/2021.

Haydee was born on 10/05/1932 to Epifanio and Flora Pita and eventually had seven siblings: Rigoberto Pita, Eluterio Pita (deceased), Berta Roig (deceased), Emelina Betancourt, Felix Pita, Dora Pita (deceased), and Marta Cuadras.

Haydee had four children...

Cynthia Fantoli

May 24, 2021

Cynthia Louise Fantoli, aged 61 , passed away on Monday, 5/24/2021 in Candler, North Carolina.

Cynthia, born in New Jersey, grew up in New York before moving to Candler, NC. She was the daughter of the Barbara Jeanne Fantoli, nee Wranovics and Stelio Fantoli.  She was preceded in death by her mother and father and most recently,...

Shirley Russell

May 11, 2021

Canton – Shirley Trantham Russell, 82, passed away on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at her residence.

Shirley was a native and lifelong resident of Haywood County and a daughter of the late Clayton and Hazel Rogers Trantham.  She was a 1958 graduate of Clyde High School, a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Sonoma Chapter #254,...

Bruce Long

May 3, 2021

Bruce moved to Biltmore Lake from the Maryland Eastern Shore six years ago. Prior to that, he lived in Northern Virginia and commuted to Washington, DC where he worked for the Federal government.

Bruce’s social conscience was born in his youth in Mississippi from 1954 to 1962, a particularly challenging time in modern race relations.  He later graduated from the University...

Mark Roberts

Apr 25, 2021

Heaven’s gate opened this past Sunday, April 25, 2021 to allow William Mark Roberts to enter bliss.  After about three years of fighting metastatic melanoma, he looked forward to joining all his family, friends and neighbors that had gone on before him.

He was born July 3, 1959 to the late Billy Gene and Ruby Hylton Roberts...

John Peters

Apr 24, 2021

John Kevin Peters, 66, of Morganton, NC, passed away at his home on April 24, 2021.

Born November 24, 1954, John was the son of the late Nolan and Faye Peters, of Marion, NC.

He is preceded in death by one brother, Melvin Peters, and one sister, Donna Brooks.

John is survived by his wife,...

Lowell Williams

Apr 11, 2021

Asheville- Lowell James Williams, 53, went to be with Jesus on Sunday, April 11, 2021 at John F. Keever Solace Center after a long, courageous battle with cancer.

A native of Candler, James was the son of the late Lowell Williams and Carolyn Murray Williams. In addition to his mother, he is also survived by a sister, Linda...

Carin Engen

Apr 4, 2021

Candler resident, Carin Engen, 74, passed away on April 4, 2021 at her home surrounded by family.

Carin was born in Sacramento, CA but lived much of her life in Garberville, CA. She was the Daughter of her late parents, Clarence Engen and Betty Matson.

She was an amazing felt artist and taught many workshops...

Arquilla Lance

Mar 30, 2021

Arquilla Wood Lance, 81, of Asheville, passed away on March 30, 2021 after a long illness.

She was the daughter of the late Ingle S. Wood of Sylva, NC and Mary Ella Painter Wood of Asheville, NC. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale Lance of Asheville, NC and her son, Jeffery D. Deitz of Candler,...

Michael Calloway

Mar 25, 2021

Michael Edward Calloway, 57, born in Asheville NC.

Fisherman, free spirit, hard worker and father of four passed away Thursday, March 25th 2021. Mike made an impact on everyone he met throughout his life. He was known for his work ethic, giving nature and his ability to catch a fish regardless of where he cast his pole. Anyone...

William Justice

Mar 19, 2021

William Earl Justice 71, of Asheville, passed away on March 19, 2021, at Memorial Mission Hospital due to a chronic heart condition. He was born September 8, 1949, in Waynesville, to the late Bill Justice and Wanda Parris. He was a 1968 graduate of Pisgah High School. William is survived by his two daughters Kimberly Justice Dechant of Asheville...

Philip Herndon

Feb 19, 2021

Phillip D. Herndon

Canton – Phillip Duncan Herndon, 73, passed away on Friday, February 19, 2021 at his residence.

Phillip was a native and lifelong resident of Haywood County and was a son of the late Erasmus Duncan and Annie Louise Hutchinson Herndon.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a...