Larry Charles Swinnerton

06/23/1941 – 02/24/2019

Larry Charles Swinnerton, age 77, of Murphy, NC passed away Sunday, February 24, 2019 at his residence.

He was a native of Omaha, Nebraska and the son of the late Charles W. and Betty Jane Reed Swinnerton. Larry was retired from the US Navy and had been a supervisor for the US Postal Service.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly Ann Swinnerton; son, Daniel Swinnerton and wife Dawn; daughters, Pamela Miller and husband Chris and Michelle Johnson; stepson, Henry Johnson and wife Jo; stepdaughter, Dawn Wiloth and husband Larry; brother, Jeffrey Swinnerton and wife Kathy; sister, Christine Frye and husband Dean and four grandchildren.

No Services and planned.

Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Faye Lee Beaver

10/19/1924 – 02/27/2019

Faye Lee Beaver, age 94, of Dewy Rose, GA and formerly of Murphy passed away at her residence.

She was a native of Cedar Town, GA and the daughter of the late Walter and Allie Little Dempsey. She was a self-employed interior decorator. Faye was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church where she had been the pianist.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her brother, M.B. Dempsey; and sisters, Susie Redden, Ruth Brock, Eva Stevens and Betty Rawell.

She is survived by her husband, Arnold Beaver; daughter, Nata Kimbrough and husband Larry of Dewy Rose, GA; grandchildren, Ashley Wilson, Pepper Wilson and Alleah Crawford; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 am, Monday, March 4, 2019 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home in Murphy, NC. Rev. Calvin Murphy and Rev. Sonny Beaver will officiate. Burial will be in the Violet Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm, Sunday, March 3, 2019 at the Townson-Rose Funeral in Murphy.

Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Valdis Lusis

01/27/1936 – 02/21/2019

Valdis Lusis, age 83 of Hayesville, NC passed away Thursday, February 21, 2019 at the Murphy Rehab & Nursing.

He was born in Aloja, Latvia to the late Karlis and Elza Spelman Lusis. Valdis was a US Army veteran. He retired from General Electrics in St. Petersburg, FL before moving to Hayesville 25 years ago.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Lusis; son, Jeff Lusis and daughter, Sandra Knapp.

No services are planned at this time.

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

Jennifer Lynn Martin

November 9, 1971 – February 5, 2019

Jennifer Lynn Martin, age 47 of Murphy, passed away Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at her home. Jennifer was born November 9, 1971 in Andrews, NC to Randall Davidson and Cathy Holloway Davidson. A member of Little Brasstown Baptist Church, Jennifer worked as an LPN. In her spare time, she enjoyed spending time with family and friends, gardening, hiking and traveling. She was a talented singer and she loved to care for others.

Survivors include her parents, Randall and Cathy Davidson of Murphy, one son, Justin Martin of Murphy, two brothers, Jeffery Martin (wife Tracy) and Joseph Martin (wife Robin) one sister, Jeannie Pumphrey (husband Guy), one nephew, Jonathan Pumphrey, one niece, Sarah Martin and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 10:00 am at the Cochran Funeral Home with Rev. Aud Brown officiating. Interment will follow in the Holloway Family Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Justin Martin, Jonathan Pumphrey, Ray Gutierrez, Matt Gutierrez, Korey Eller and Brian Jackson.

The family will receive friends at the Cochran Funeral Home on Friday, February 8, 2019 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Logans Run or the humane society. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

Lou Montgomery Graves Ledford

10/21/1921 – 02/17/2019

Lou Montgomery Graves Ledford, age 97, of Murphy, NC passed away Sunday, February 17, 2019 at Murphy Rehab and Nursing after an extended illness.

She was a native and lifelong resident of Cherokee County, NC and the daughter of the late Waysell and Birdie Hartness Montgomery. She was a seamstress most of her life retiring from Levi Strauss Company. She loved to quilt, work in her garden, canning her green beans and taking care of her farm animals. She enjoyed milking her cows and gathering eggs and most of all feeding her family from the fruits of her labor. She would churn her own butter and at one time sold butter, milk and eggs locally. She was of the Baptist faith.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husbands, Garland Graves Sr (a WWII veteran) and Winfred Ledford; two sons, Jerry Graves and Jimmy Graves; one daughter, Juanita Killian; one grandson, Jeremy Graves; one brother, Ray Montgomery; and three sisters, Betty West, Edith Martin and Hazel Cornwell.

She is survived by sons, Garland Graves Jr. and wife Nina of Murphy, Johnny Graves and wife Debbie of Nokomis, FL and Jamie Graves and wife Suzie of Etowah, TN; sister-in-law, Barbara Graves of Andrews, NC; daughters, Judy Griggs and husband Robert of Murphy, NC, Janet West and husband William of Andrews, NC and Jackie Graves of Murphy, NC; one sister, Faye Hall of Murphy, NC; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 pm, Friday, February 22, 2019 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Warren Golden and Dr. Eddis Dockery will officiate. Music will be provided by Kathy Gentry and Steve and Blanche Coleman. Burial will be in the Grape Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Floyd Worley, George Sneed, Robert Griggs, Paul Hall, Jeff Martin and Levi Killian.

The family will receive friends from 12-2 pm, Friday, February 22, 2019 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home in Murphy, NC.

Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Geraldine Grace Swartz

03/26/1927 – 02/10/2019

Geraldine Grace Swartz, age 91 of Murphy, NC passed away Sunday, February 10, 2019 at PruittHealth –Town Center in Harrisburg, NC.

She was born in Crow, West Virginia to the late William and Bertha Boley Redden. Geraldine was an insurance agent for Independent Life and also worked several years for the Social Security Office. She was an ordained minister with the Church of the Science of Minds. Geraldine traveled extensively. She was a member of the Alcohol Anonymous for 47 years and attended the Church of the Science of Minds in Blairsville, GA.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Cleo W. Swartz; and four brothers and five sisters.

She is survived by three sons, Jerry Carpenter of Ocala, FL, Merle Radford of Concord, NC and Franklin Radford of Ft. Myers, FL; one sister, Marie Oaks of Shady Springs, WV; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2 pm, Saturday, February 16, 2019 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Murphy. Speaker J.J. Carpenter will conduct the service

In lieu of flowers donations may be made from the AA members only can be made to: Alcohol Anonymous, 444 Hill Street, Murphy, NC 28906.

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

Billy Ray Mashburn

Billy Ray Mashburn, age 66 of Murphy went home to be with the Lord on Friday, March 15, 2019.

He was the son of the late Leonard Jackson and Lillie Melinda Farmer Mashburn. Billy was of the Baptist faith and a member of the Ogreeta Baptist Church. He enjoyed socializing at the Unaka Community Center and visiting with his large extended family. Billy worked in the carpet mills in Dalton, Ga, drove a bus for Cherokee County Schools and worked at Mundy’s Lumber Company.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Harold Leonard Mashburn and a nephew, Jonathan Edward Carroll.

He is survived by four sisters, Wilma Mashburn Beaver of Marble, Lois Mashburn Sneed and husband Stanley and Thelma Mashburn Allen and husband Robert all of the Ebenezer community and Doris Mashburn of Trenton, FL; two brothers, Herman Mashburn and wife Elaine and Paul Mashburn and wife Regina all of the Unaka community; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 3:30 pm, Sunday, March 17, 2019 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Murphy. Rev. Calvin Murphy will officiate. Music will be provided by David Lovingood. Burial will be in the Unaka Baptist Church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Adam, Jerry, Melvin, David and Jason Mashburn and Tyler Dockery. Honorary pallbearers will be James Sneed and Tripp Beaver. The family will receive friends from 2 pm to 3:30 pm, Sunday, March 17, 2019 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
You may send tributes to the family at www.mem.com

Sylvania “Boots” Stiles

05/03/1935 – 02/17/2019

Sylvania “Boots” Stiles, age 83 of Murphy, NC passed away Sunday, February 17, 2019.

She was born in Madison County, NC to the late Milton Edd and Johnnie Ballard English. Sylvania worked for Outboard Marine Company as a gear matcher. She loved line dancing and was of the Methodist faith.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her brother, Charles English.

She is survived by one son, David Stiles and wife Donna; one daughter, Marian Murphy and husband Bill; four grandchildren, Hannah Talon Stiles, Micah Murphy, Jason Murphy and Daniel Murphy and three great-grandchildren, Sarah Murphy, Jacob Murphy, and Hadalie Murphy.

Funeral Services will be held at 7 pm, Tuesday, February 19, 2019 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Murphy. Rev. Lawrence English will officiate. A private family graveside service will be held in the Stiles Family Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Micah, Jason, Daniel and Jacob Murphy, Cody Moore, Benjamin English and Trevor Grant.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm, Tuesday, February 19, 2019 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home.

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

Jane Wilson

12/24/1925 – 02/11/2019

Jane Wilson, age 93 of Marble, NC passed away Monday, February 11, 2019 at her home.

She was a native and lifelong resident of Cherokee County and the daughter of the late Sidney and Iowa Harbin Wilson. Jane worked for Clifton Precision. She loved gardening and canning. As well, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great- grandchildren. Jane was a member of the Peachtree United Methodist Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Johnnie Wilson, whom she was married to for 57 years; a son, Richard Wilson; and two brothers, James and Bill Pendley.

Jane is survived by a son, Harold Wilson and wife Carolyn; one sister, Jean Pendley Ingram: four grandchildren, Dwayne Wilson and wife Samantha, Trent Wilson, Kristi Mingus and husband Michael, and Brad Wilson and wife Kimberly. She also is survived by six great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 3 pm, Thursday, February 14, 2019 at the Peachtree United Methodist Church. Pastor David Feathers will officiate. Burial will be in the Peachtree Memorial Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Dwayne Wilson, Trent Wilson, Brad Wilson, Nathanael Wilson, Noah Wilson, Reggie Pendley, and Michael Mingus.

The family will receive friends from 12-2 pm, Thursday, February 14, 2019 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home in Murphy.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Peachtree Memorial Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Jim Hendrix, 3195 Old Peachtree Road, Murphy, NC 28906 or to The Gideon International for Bibles, PO Box 164, Murphy, NC 28906.

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