Kathy Lavera Ledbetter Hurst
Kathy Lavera Ledbetter Hurst, 70, of Franklin, N.C., passed away Friday, Sept. 3, 2021.
She was born in Macon County to the late Lawrence and Pearl Frazier Ledbetter. In addition to her parents, she was preceded by siblings, Geneva Stanfield, Jane Brookshire, Larry Ledbetter, and Max Ledbetter.
She was lifelong resident of Macon County and a member of Louisa Chapel United Methodist Church. She was a Mars Hill College graduate and devoted her career to teaching. She enjoyed playing Bingo and loved spending time with her family.
She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Andy Hurst; children, Adam Hurst, Andrew Hurst, and Rhyan Hurst; brother Charles “Buck” Ledbetter; grandchild, Jaydison Adam Hurst; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A graveside service was held Wednesday, Sept. 8, at Liberty Baptist Church with Rev. Don Bates will officiating.
The family served as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to a charity of one’s choice.
Online condolences can be made at www.maconfuneralhome.com.
Macon Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements.
Betty Zane Henry Hunter Butts
Betty Zane Henry Hunter Butts, 80, went home to be with Jesus on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
She was born on Jan. 15, 1941, to the late Edd and Alma Barnes Henry of the Clear Creek Community, Highlands, N.C. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Timothy Edwin Hunter; sister, Clara Jane Henry Edens (W.T.) of Pickens, S.C.; and brother, Clem, L. Henry of Highlands, N.C.
She was a member of the Shortoff Baptist Church. She was an inspiration to many that knew and loved her. To her family she was Grannie Boo, Uncle Betty, mom, aunt, counselor, sister, comedian, and friend. She will be greatly missed.
She is survived by a daughter, Pamela (Irvin) Smith of Clayton, N.C.; a sister, Helen Henry Talley (Zane) of Highlands; two brothers, Malcom Fred Henry of Highlands, and Eddie (Doris) Henry of Easley, S.C.; three grandchildren, Amber Engert, Caleb Hunter, Savanah Hunter; six great grandchildren, Destiny Sanders, Cayden Engert, Hudson Engert, Paisley Hunter, Kaine Hunter, and Jocelyn Sanders; and several nieces and nephews that loved and adored her.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, Sept. 11, at Macedonia Baptist Church, Clayton. Rev. Zane H. Talley and Rev. Andy Cloer officiated. Burial followed at Clear Creek Community Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Clear Creek Community Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 1321, Attention Joan Hicks, Highlands, NC 28741
Online condolences can be made at www.maconfuneralhome.com.
Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Mary Hopkins Young Berry
Mary Hopkins Young Berry, 90, recently of Atlanta, Ga., died peacefully in Florence, S.C., on Sept. 9, 2021.
She was born in New Orleans, La., to Barbara Linton Eskrigge Young and John Livingston Hopkins Young on June 5, 1931. She graduated from Washington Seminary in Atlanta, and attended the University of Georgia, majoring in landscape architecture.
On March 27, 1951, she married John Broadus “Jack” Berry Jr. at St. Philips Church in Charleston, S.C., and moved to Fort Monmouth, N.J., where Jack served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
After Jack’s Army service, Mary moved with Jack during his telephone company career to Nashville, Birmingham, Lafayette, Cincinnati, Atlanta, and Cooperstown. Settling back in Atlanta, she became active at the St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church, serving on the Prayer Garden committee, the Flower Committee, and the Vestry. She volunteered for the Budget Helper Shop, the FISH organization, as well as school fund raisers, scouting organizations, and the Civil Air Patrol. After their retirement to Highlands, she was active at the Church of the Incarnation as an usher, vestry member, and Flower Guild member; the Laurel Garden Club, the Highlands Historical Society, the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, Highlands Meals on Wheels, and a bridge club.
She is survived by her five children, John Donaldson Berry (Jane), David Andrews Berry (Carrie Duncan-Berry), Virginia “Ginny” King Berry Jones (Ken), Alan Broadus Berry (Debra), and Brian Hopkins Berry (Jennifer); grandchildren, John Ferguson Berry, William Logan Berry, Edwin Neicy Berry (Justine), Robert Emory Jones (Jessi), Michael Livingston Jones, and Madison Paige Berry; brothers, Robert Eskrigge Young (Nell), and John King Logan Young (Janet); sister-in-law, Clare Terrell Berry; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She will be long remembered as one who lived the Golden Rule and one who had a servant’s heart, always looking for ways to care for others, especially the uncared-for. She leaves us with an incredible legacy of kindness, generosity, and family strength.
A funeral service was held on Wednesday, Sept. 15, at the Church of the Incarnation, Highlands. In lieu of flowers, it was Mary’s wish that donations be made to either the Church of the Incarnation Bell Tower Endowment fund or to the Highlands Meals on Wheels.
A second service will be held on Thursday, September 16 at Saint Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church, Atlanta, at 11 a.m. Masks are required indoors. A private burial will be performed at Arlington Memorial Park, Sandy Springs, Ga. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Suthers Center for Christian Outreach, which follows in the footsteps of the Budget Helper Shop.
Funeral services are provided by Bryant-Grant Funeral Home.
Jason Christopher Dennis
Jason Christopher Dennis, 34, of Franklin, N.C., passed from this life to an eternal one in Glory on Thursday, Sept. 9, after a three-week battle against illness and complications.
He was born Sept 17, 1986, in Seattle, Wash., to the late Craig Dennis and the late Carrie Swanson.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his beloved wife Jessica; his precious sisters, Heather and Emily; and his twin brother and lifelong friend, Carson and sister-in-law, Pauline; maternal grandmother, Shirley Shaffer, father and mother-in-law, Sam and Tracye Criswell; brother-in-law Zach Criswell; six nieces and nephews as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and a great many friends who are loved as family.
He was always one to serve and help those around him in any way he could, a true example to us all, of a life lived with Christ-like kindness, grace, and love. He was a faithful long-time member of Franklin Truth Church.
A service to celebrate the life of Jason was held on Sunday Sept. 12, at Franklin Truth Church with Pastor Burtt Johnson officiating.
Frances Annette Henderson Ledford
Frances Annette Henderson Ledford, 85, who was born on Dec. 21, 1935, went on to Glory on Sept. 10, 2021. She was predeceased by her husband and her parents along with her siblings, John H. Henderson, Jr., Eunice Roberts, James E. Henderson, Ed Henderson, and Mary Nell Henderson, who died as an infant.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”-Psalm 116:15. What better legacy to have than being remembered as a sweet, precious child of God? Frances Annette Henderson Ledford leaves that legacy. The most important part of her life was her Christian walk; and, in 1971, she became a member of Iotla Baptist Church. There she made many friends and was known as a kind, approachable lady. She took her discipleship seriously, enjoyed reading the Bible, and was an active prayer warrior. She regularly retreated to her prayer closet, furnished with a table, scriptures, and names of those in need of prayer. Her love for God and her enduring faith directed her life.
Second was her love of family. She was fortunate to be born into a loving close-knit family. Her parents, John Henry Henderson Sr., and Annie Rebecca Cates Henderson, reared Frances and her siblings in Knoxville, Tenn. She always loved to keep in touch, and one of her favorite things to do was chat with her sisters on the telephone. In 1955, she met the love of her life, Spence Roosevelt Ledford, and they married in Walhalla, S.C., in 1956. They were married for 51 years until his death in 2007. Frances and Spence were parents of a son, Tony Ledford. She absolutely adored Tony and his wife, Wanda.
She was such a gentle person. She always cautioned, “Be careful,” to everyone she came in contact with. When teased about being a worrier, she explained she was not worried, she was just concerned.
She loved Christian literature and songs. She especially enjoyed reading Guidepost magazines and listening to music from the Gaither Gospel Series. If her television was on, you could be sure she was watching old game shows or the RFD channel; or, even better than television, she took pleasure in watching the hummingbirds at their feeder and the other birds enjoying the suet feeder.
Surviving are her son, Tony, and his wife, Wanda; her siblings, Betty Hambrick, Patsy Henderson, and Diana (Bumpy) Henderson all of Strawberry Plains, Tenn., and Dorcas Sanford of Parrish, Ala.
A service was held at Iotla Baptist Church on Tuesday, Sept. 14. Burial was in the church cemetery. Pastor Brandon Breedlove, Rev. Steve Reeves, and Rev. Kevin Roberts officiated. Pallbearers were nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Iotla Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 1537 Iotla Church Road, Franklin, NC, 28734.
Moffitt Family Funeral Care is serving the Ledford family.
Harry E. Morrow
Harry E. Morrow, 85, of Apopka, Fla., passed away on Aug. 31, 2021. He was born on Jan. 26, 1986, in Aliquippa, Pa.
He was an active member of the Junaluskee Masonic Lodge, Oasis Shrine and Smoky Mountain Shrine Club. He was also a retired veteran from the Air Force and United States Postal Service.
He is survived by his children, Richard (Robin) Morrow and Laura Cascaddan; siblings, Robert Morrow and Edith Hites; three grandchildren as well as six great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Shriners Transportation at Bahia Shriners Office.
Helen Tallent Neal
Helen Tallent Neal, 77, of Franklin, N.C., went home to be with Jesus on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021. Born in Macon County, she was the daughter of the late R.L. and Lucille Cunningham Tallent. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Dale Tallent.
She enjoyed working in her garden with her flowers and watching the hummingbirds. She loved everyone, especially her nieces and nephews.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Doug; one brother, Kalen Tallent of Franklin; four sisters, Loleta Hodnett of Willow Spring, N.C., Shirley Cope, Joyce Tallent and Katrina “Tinker” Dehart all of Franklin; sister-in-law, Tina Tallent of Franklin; her numerous nieces and nephews, who loved her dearly, and great nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A graveside service was held Friday, Sept. 10, at Windy Gap Baptist Church Cemetery. Rev. Mark Bishop officiated.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Windy Gap Baptist Church Cemetery.
Online condolences can be made at www.maconfuneralhome.com.
Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Eric (E Rock) Urrutia
Eric (E Rock) Urrutia passed unexpectedly Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. Our family loss was purchased by his release to eternal glory in the new body he so deserved. He survived three open heart surgeries over his short life, then a debilitating stroke finally giving way to a failed heart.
As a “service brat” he was born in Asheville and after living in many stations in the U.S. and overseas he came to rest in the mountains he loved, second to his love of surfing in Florida where he lived many years. He was full of life constantly looking for an opportunity to share his genuinely wonderful sense of humor as well as his love of family and most important his heart for all who needed to hear him laugh. Die-hard Dallas Cowboy and New York Mets fan, he enjoyed a full repertoire of sports facts. He will be missed by many, and we all know he is waiting at the gate for the rest of us to catch up. He is preceded in death by his mother, Belinda Peele Urrutia.
He is survived by his father and “mom” Ron and Lee Urrutia; his sister and family Griffin and Kimberly Urrutia Lloyd, Caitlin Urrutia (and Brandon) Waite; step siblings, Justin (and Jill) Lloyd, Melody Lloyd, Gina (and Wes) Peer; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
All who knew and loved Eric are invited to a celebration of his life Saturday, Sept. 18, at 2 p.m., at Franklin Covenant Church.
Bryant-Grant Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Urrutia family. Online condolences can be made at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com.
Morris Lee Stiwinter
Morris Lee Stiwinter, 73, of Otto, N.C., passed away on Thursday Sept. 9, 2021.
He was born in Macon County to the late Len and Ethel Lousie Patterson Stiwinter. He was a founding member of the Otto Fire Department, a founding member the Otto Community Club, Cemetery Trustee at Wright Cemetery and Dryman’s Chapel Building Trustee. He loved spending time outdoors, farming and working with his tractor, and camping.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Pauline Dowdle Stiwinter of Otto; daughters, Phyllis Castle (Ronnie) of Otto, Kathy Fountain (Kevin) of Otto, and Gail Stiwinter of Otto; sister, Jessie Henson of Dillard, Ga.; and grandchildren, Terri Fountain, Dakota Fountain, Leigh Castle, and Mia Castle.
A service was held Monday, Sept. 13, at Macon Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Robert Dryman and Rev. Don Moffitt officiating. Burial followed at Wright Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Dakota Fountain, Kevin Fountain, Ronnie Castle, Bill Harkins, Jamie Wiggins, and Terry Rholetter
Honorary pallbearers were Bill Williamson, Bobby Brabson, Roy Chastain, James “Punkin” Wiggins, Mick Mason.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Dryman’s Chapel Church or Wright Cemetery.
Online condolences can be made at www.maconfuneralhome.com.
Macon Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements.
Dana Phillip Bellavance
Dana Phillip Bellavance, 60, of Franklin, N.C., passed away Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021
He was preceded in death by his fathers, Hollis Williams, and Paul Bellavance.
He graduated from New Hampshire Technical Vocational College with an associate degree in Mechanical Drafting. He was the former owner of the Franklin Billiard Club and worked for Architectural Visions Inc. for many years as a territory sales representative.
He is survived by his wife, Charlene; children, Lydia Marie and Nicholas Ray all of Franklin; his mother, Mary Jo Wilcox Williams; sisters, Carol Charbonneau, Cynthia Williams both of Florida; brothers, David Bellavance of Florida, and Dwayne Williams of Vermont; as well as many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life service was held Thursday, Sept. 9, at the Chapel of Macon Funeral Home.
Online condolences at www.maconfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Dana Bellavance’s Go Fund Me page and Messino Cancer Center, 10 One Center Court Franklin, NC 28734
Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Horace Vaughn Neely
Horace Vaughn Neely, 52, of Highlands, N.C., passed away Sept. 10, 2021. He was the son of the late Carl Neely and Geraldine Tritt Neely. He was also preceded in death by one brother Dale Neely.
He enjoyed coon and bear hunting, he loved his dogs and all animals. He was a friend to everyone, and loved his family and friends. He will be deeply missed by everyone.
He is survived by one sister, Denise Zachary and husband Ben Zachary of Highlands; one brother, Terry Neely of Clayton, Ga.; three nieces, Candace Keener, Michaela Kaim, Alexis Neely; two nephews, Kyle Keener, and Quinton Neely.
A graveside service was held Tuesday, Sept. 14, at Clear Creek Community Cemetery in Highlands with Johnny Owens officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Beck Funeral Home to help with Funeral expenses.
Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Ga., is in charge of the arrangements.
An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.
Sara Violeta Pautrat De Ronceros
Sara Violeta Pautrat De Ronceros, 95, of Franklin, N.C., died on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021.
Born in Lima, Peru, she was the daughter of the late Carlos A. Pautrat and Sara S. Carrion. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Guillermo Ronceros. She was of the Catholic faith, and she would often say “Long presence of Jesus in our hearts” and “Jesus, I trust in you.” She loved the Cowee Valley, its people, and its generous community.
She is survived by her son, Juan Guillrmo Ronceros of Lima, Peru; and daughters, Violeta E. Ronceros of Los Angeles, Calif., Elena Ronceros Carlson of Franklin, and Gloria Zevallos of Orlando, Fla. Among her 11 grandchildren are Walter Herz and Sara Carlson of Franklin; nine great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.
No local services are planned at this time.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to KIDS Place, PO Box 693, Franklin, NC 28744.
Online condolences can be made at www.maconfuneralhome.com.
Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.Rev.
Rev. Norman Rix Meservey
Rev. Norman Rix Meservey, 84, passed away Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, after a long battle with cancer and now rests in the arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the son of the late Norman Baldwin and Lydia Rix Meservey.
He spent his teenage years in the Boy Scouts receiving the rank of Eagle Scout and the God and Country award. One of his favorite past times was bowling. He served this country in the Army Reserve for six years. He sang in the Western Carolina Community Chorus and in the choir at First Baptist Church of Sylva. He received his Doctorate of Music/Organ from Boston University and a Master of Divinity from Episcopal Divinty School Boston at the age of 40. During his career, he served in several churches, and locally he served at St. Agnes Episcopal Church in Franklin for eight years, before retiring from the ministry in 2003.
He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Lorie Smith Meservey. They were married April 22, 1995, at the First Presbyterian Church in Franklin with an attendance of 350 people from as far away as England.
He is also survived by three grown children, Elizabeth McCoy, Christopher Meservey and wife Jen both of Philadelphia and Kevin Meservey and his wife Hanh Tran of London, England; and six grandchildren, Sean, Megan and Molly McCoy of Philadelphia and Leo, Thomas and Alexander of England.
A Celebration of Norman’s life with the Word of God and lots of good music will be held Saturday, Sept. 18, at 1 pm at First Baptist Church of Sylva with Dr. Jeff Mathis and Father Jonathan Stepp officiating. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Franklin.
Bryant-Grant Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Meservey family. Online condolences may be made at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com.
