Jessie Brown, age 76 of Marble, NC passed away Sunday, July 21, 2019 at her residence surrounded by family and friends.

She was born in Towns County, GA to the late Ed Dills and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Garrett Dills Newton. Jessie fought a long battle but she always kept the faith no matter what problem or situation she was facing. She always had a smile on her face and was a blessing to all who knew her. Upon first meeting Jessie, her sweet loving spirit was obvious. When others were worried she would often say, “You have to keep looking up.” Jessie always put others before herself. She was a devoted wife, mother and nana to her grandchildren whom she loved so very much. Jessie retired from Levi Strauss. She was an active member of Tomotla Baptist Church. The church was a big part of her life.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her step-dad, Johnny Newton; one son, Ronny Brown; two brothers, Gerald and E.J.; four sisters, Geneva, Jeanette, Eva and Ruby; and one granddaughter, Leah Brown.

She is survived by her husband, Allen Brown; one son, Randy Brown and wife Jimmie who was more like a daughter; one daughter, Karen Hogsed; one brother, Lamar Newton and wife Susie; and grandchildren, Colby, Jacob, Katie, Isaac and Jessie.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 pm, Thursday, July 25, 2019 at Tomotla Baptist Church. Pastor Harold Stiles will officiate. Burial will be in the Tomotla Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Colby, Jacob, Isaac and Robert Brown, Billy Ray Palmer, Phil Craig and Mike Welch. Honorary pallbearers will be Sam Brown, Lloyd Clark and Dan Brown.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm, Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at Tomotla Baptist Church.

Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

Jean Dell Dotson, age 89 of Woodstock, GA and formerly of Murphy, NC passed away Sunday, July 21, 2019 at the Powder Springs Nursing and Rehab in Powder Springs, GA.

She was born in Cherokee County, NC and the daughter of the late James and Willie Haygood Cook. Jean was a member of the National Honor Society and a member of Macedonia Baptist Church. Her profession was a real estate agent.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, James Walter Dotson; and brothers and sisters, Alden, Robert, Charles and James Cook and Geneva Mills and Anita Pontwood.

She is survived by one son, Stephen Dotson and wife Sara of Woodstock, GA; one daughter, Karen D. Doerrer and husband Greg of Ackron, OH; six grandchildren, Jennifer Goodman (Keith), Heather Hufstetler (Neil), Ashley Baggett, Jarad Doerrer (Jennifer), Jonathan Doerrer (Jennifer) and James Doerrer and 12 great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at 1 pm, Thursday, July 25, 2019 at the Macedonia Baptist Church. Charles Cook will conduct the service. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm, Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home in Murphy.

Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

You may send tributes to the family at www.mem.com

Bonnie Lou Luther 92, of Andrews passed away on July 18th at her residence surrounded by her loving family after several years of declining health.

Bonnie was born December 11th 1926 in the Fires Creek Community of Clay County the daughter of the late William Taylor and Edna Mae Roach Brendle. She was the second of four siblings. In 1946 she married Giles Luther of Andrews and had made her home there ever since. Over the years she held various employments at places such as Berkshire Knitting Mills and Jack’s Five and Dime, and most notably helping to keep the family farm running by always keeping the work hands well fed. Her greatest success however came at raising and caring for her family. Bonnie was a gifted painter, quilt maker, basket weaver, gardener and very talented cook. She was a long time member of the Valley River Baptist Church and was a strong and devout Christian devoted to her Bible until the ravages of Alzheimer’s took that joy from her.

In addition the her parents, Bonnie was preceded in death by her loving husband Giles Vinson Luther and sons Corbert Cecil Luther and Hardy Cline Luther, a granddaughter, Sonia Lynn Gregory, her brother Fred Edward Brendle, and sisters Flora Elender Ledford, and Nettie Lee Stalcup.

Bonnie is survived by a daughter, Deborah Young and husband James, and daughters-in-law Shelia Luther and Marilyn Luther all of Andrews; a granddaughter Tonia Lands and husband Tommy of Hayesville; a grandson David Williams and wife Tina of Andrews; a grandson in-law Jeff Gregory of Andrews; a step granddaughter Kimberly Young of Corolla and step grandson Edward Young of Clayton, GA; three great granddaughters, Heather Rogers and husband Dylan of Hayesville, Hannah Bowers and husband Drew of Bryson City and Lauren Lands of Hayesville; a step great granddaughter Blake Hamilton and family of Robbinsville; two great grandsons, G. Lukus “Luke” and Zachariah “Zack” Williams of Andrews; great great grandchildren Mason and brother Luke Bowers and Kynlee Rogers as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 21 from 2 pm until 3 pm at the Valley River Baptist Church with a funeral service commencing immediately following visitation The Reverend Roy Phillips will officiate. Interment to take place following the service in the Valley River Baptist Church Cemetery with Brian Darcy, Jeff Gregory, Tommy Lands, Cecil Warren, David and Luke Williams serving as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers the family encourages you to make a donation in her memory to Valley River Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, PO Box 1189, Andrews, NC 28901.

Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

You may send tributes to the family at www.mem.com

Stella Mae Burgess Stiles of Peachtree passed away Saturday, July 20, 2019 at her home surrounded by her family.

She was the daughter of the late Winslow and Dovie Burgess and a native of Cherokee County. Stella is preceded in death by her loving husband of 61 years, Charles Arvil Stiles who passed away on May 5, 2007; brothers, Weldon Burgess and Arnold Burgess; and sister, Ruth Burgess Lankford.

Stella worked hard starting as a young child and instilled hard work to all of her family as a necessity to life. She worked at Peachtree Products where she retired only to continue hard work homemaking and always making sure the family was loved, taken care of and most importantly fed. Stella was an avid member of South End Baptist Church until she was unable to go. She loved attending church, singing in the choir with her buddy Trevor Grant and preparing meals for homecoming dinner with an all-time favorite banana pudding.

After a long life of hard work and dedication she leaves behind two sons, Pastor Harold C. Stiles and wife Brenda of Marble and Jearold Stiles and wife Sally of Murphy; two daughters, Carol Hale and husband William of Chapel Hill, TN and Brenda Mathis and husband Richard of Peachtree; six grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren which she loved each and every one of them the same. Also surviving three sisters and one brother.

For the past year Stella was taken care at home by her family with special care from Linda Gentles, Kathy Leitner and Sheila Jones. The family cannot express how thankful they are to these special people and her granddaughter Tammy Powell and staff of Personal Touch Assisted Living. Stella leaves behind a lifelong legacy and will be greatly missed by all those that knew and loved her.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 pm, Tuesday, July 23, 2019 at Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Murphy. Rev. RL Martin and Rev. Ronald Patterson will officiate. Burial will be in the Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Arron, Adam, Jimmy Joe, Kevin, Mason and John. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe, Brian, Jeremy, Brian, James, David, Stevie and Paul.

The family will receive friends from 7-9 pm, Monday, July 22, 2019 at Townson-Rose Funeral Home in Murphy.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, TN 38105 or to Four Seasons Hospice, 571 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731.

Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

You may send tributes to the family at www.mem.com

Gary Douglas Jenkins, age 68 of Simpsonville, SC passed away Thursday, July 18, 2019.

He was born in Polk County, TN and the son of the late Winford and Lorraine Clore Jenkins. Gary was a contractor and an auto mechanic.

He is survived by his wife, Rhonda Jenkins; children, Christy Jenkins, Jenny Jenkins and Aaron and Jackie Patterson.

Funeral Services will be held at 4 pm, Tuesday, July 23, 2019 at the Harris Chapel Church of God. Rev. Jim Hall will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Rick Gingrass, Dewayne Darty, Tommy Schaffer, Ray Outzs and Nick Collins.

The family will receive friends from 3-4 pm, Tuesday, July 23, 2019 at the Harris Chapel Church of God.

Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

You may send tributes to the family at www.mem.com

Kathryn Ann Stevens, age 60, of Pendergrass, Georgia passed away Saturday, September 14, 2019 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center – Braselton.

Kathryn was born August 22, 1959 to the late Frank and Margarett “Susie” Calhoun in Murphy, North Carolina.  She was a purchasing analyst for Kubota Manufacturing for 13 years.  She loved pandas, bells, boating, and riding her motorcycle.  She enjoyed camping for many years and was an avid clogger in her younger years.  She and Greg enjoyed gardening and kept all the neighbors and friends fed from their garden.  She and Greg participated in a lot of car shows over the years, showing a 2001 bright yellow Corvette.

She is survived by her husband of 34 years, Greg Stevens of Pendergrass; dogs, Skipper and Harley; brother, David Calhoun of Cartersville, Georgia; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Carl and Edith Stevens; sister-in-law, Carla Stevens of Norcross, Georgia; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Vickie and Sam Hinegardner of Woodstock, Georgia; and nephews, Alex and Ryan Hinegardner.

Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 21, 2019 at the Pavilion in Memorial Park South Cemetery in Flowery Branch, Georgia.  The family will receive friends following the service.

An inurnment will be held Saturday, September 21, 2019 in Sunset Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hall County Humane Society, 845 W Ridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30501, (770) 532-6617.

Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy in charge of local arrangements.

Juanita Bryson, age 86 of Murphy passed away Sunday, September 15, 2019. She was the daughter of the late James and Lillie Beaver. Juanita was of the baptist faith. She loved her flower garden, doing crafts, and shopping at thrift stores.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Hoyt Beaver and Howard Beaver; half brother, Lester Brannon; sister, Margie Morrow and half sister, Amilee Brannon.

She is survived by her brothers, Charles Beaver, Austin Beaver, Melvin Beaver and wife, Shirley; sisters, Linda Patterson and Opal Chambers and husband, Jr. and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at 2pm, Thursday September 19, 2019 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Murphy. Rev. Nathan Rose will officiate. Pallbearers will be nephews. Burial will be in Unaka Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends 12-2pm, Thursday September 19, 2019.

Ricky E. Crawford, 67, of Murphy passed away Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at his residence. He was a native of Jackson County, Georgia. Ricky lived in Athens, Georgia for more than 20 years while working for Bridges Funeral Home. He then moved to the area in 1996, where he worked for Ivie Funeral Home for more than 20 years. He was a member of Tomotla Baptist Church, where he enjoyed playing the bass guitar. Ricky enjoyed building model cars, collecting old cameras, and especially photography.

He was the son of Mattie Crawford of Athens, Georgia and the late Howard Crawford. He was also preceded in death by a son, Avery Crawford.

Surviving, in addition to his mother, are his wife of 44 years, Debra Crawford; two sons, Emery Crawford of Murphy and Aaron Crawford and wife, Rei of Berea, Kentucky; a sister, Marsha Waters and husband, Tommy of Athens, Georgia; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 14, 2019 at Tomotla Baptist Church with the Rev. Harold Stiles officiating.

The family will receive friends from 12-1:45 Saturday afternoon at the Tomotla Baptist Church prior to the services.

Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy in charge of all arrangements.

Lorraine B. Stiff, 94, of Murphy passed away Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at her residence.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced by Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy.

Frederick Leroy Foland, age 78 of Hayesville, NC passed away Sunday, July 14, 2019 at his residence.

He was born in Dayton, Ohio to the late Frederick O. and Lula Mae Roberts Foland. He was an Army veteran. He was a long time meat manager at Kroger while he lived in Ohio and at Publix while living in Florida. He loved fast cars, loved to grill, and loved to joke.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 35 years, Marjorie Foland, who he greatly missed; and his sister, Georgia Ann Parsons.

He is survived by his two sisters, Sharon Lee Smith and Barbara Ellen Foland; special nieces, Ashley Nishimura and husband Toshiya, Taylor Burns and husband Ty, and Tami Baughman and husband Buzz; and many other nieces and nephews.

No services are planned at this time.

Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Travis Gene McGrady, age 41 of Murphy, NC passed away Friday, July 12, 2019 at his residence.

He was a native and lifetime resident of Cherokee County, NC and the son of the late Robert and Linda McGrady.

He is survived by his companion, Athena Cook of 13 years; one son, Robert Helton; one stepson; four daughters; three brothers, Mickey, Jason, and Shawn McGrady; one sister, Robin Whitener; and many beloved family members and friends.

The family will receive friends from 5 until 6 on Tuesday, July 16 at Little Brasstown Baptist Church. The Memorial Service will be held at 6:00pm. Rev. Aud Brown will officiate.

Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

You may send tributes to the family at www.mem.com

Vernon Howard, age 69 of Marble passed away Monday September 9, 2019 in Chattanooga, TN.

Vernon was the son of the late Greely Howard and Joyce Wiggins Howard. He enjoyed fishing and loved his family, especially his grandchildren. He worked for Mayfield Milk for many years and was known as “The Milkman”. He was an US Army Veteran. Vernon loved the Lord and was a member of Tomotla Baptist Church where he was a deacon, and choir director.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ella Howard; daughter, Vicki Olive and husband Brad; sons, David Howard and Richard Howard and wife, Ashley; grandchildren, Sara Hardy, Christian Olive, Tori Olive, Lily Howard, Molly Howard and Serenity “Pickle” Howard; brothers, Ed Howard and wife, Jan and sisters, Sheila Morris and husband,  Bobby and Gladys Waldroup and husband, Nathan.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm, Thursday September 12, 2019 at Tomotla Baptist Church. Rev. Doug Howard and Rev. Harold Stiles will officiate. Pallbearers will be Lonnie Mintz, Bobby Stalcup, Phil Craig, Richard Mathis, Alan Williams and Jim Palmer. Honorary pallbearers will be the mens Sunday School class of Tomotla Baptist Church. Burial will be in Tomotla Community Cemetery with military graveside rites being conducted by the American Legion Post #96 Murphy, American Legion Post 532 Hayesville, VFW Post 6812, Hayesville, NC and the Marine Corp League Marble, NC.

The family will receive friends from 6-8pm, Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at Tomotla Baptist Church in Marble.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa FL. 33607.

Townson-Rose Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

You may send tributes to the family at www.mem.com