Shirley Martin Simonds, 80, of Andrews passed away Monday, October 1, 2018 at her residence. A native of Beckley, West Virginia, Shirley lived in Baltimore, Maryland before moving to Andrews in 1976. Shirley and her husband, Bishop Jack Simonds dedicated their lives to the Church of God. They were responsible for the founding and development of the Andrews Church of God. Shirley was currently a member of Peachtree Church of God.

She was the daughter of the late Cecil Wade Martin and Emma Davis Martin Wright and the wife of the late Bishop Jack A. Simonds, who died May 15, 2010. She was also preceded in death by two great grandchildren, Jacob Laney and Marcus Jett; and a sister, Christine Smith.

Surviving are seven daughters, Evelyn Anthony and husband, Bob of Calhoun, Georgia, Patricia Pritt of Charlottesville, Virginia, Jackie Smith and husband, Jerry of Hickory, North Carolina, Linda Waldroup of Murphy, and Carolyn Anderson, Roxanne Cosner and husband, Ed, and Loretta Huskins and husband, David, all of Andrews; two sons, Jack Simonds and wife, Tammy of Magnolia, Kentucky and David Simonds of Bryson City, North Carolina; two sisters, Wanda Ranson and Carol Cutsal, both of West Virginia; two brothers, Wayne Wright and Jimmy Wright, both of West Virginia; 19 grandchildren, Viten and Jack Anthony, Tina Fann, Jerry and Joseph Moneymaker, Dyan Hoke, Amanda Thomasson, David and Andrew Jett, Shirley Rogers, Crystal McCabe, Wade Hamby, Andrew and Drew Simonds, Cynthia Hollif, Marty and Michael Huskins, Pamela Greer, and Jennifer Nelson; 32 great grandchildren, and 22 great great grandchildren. Shirley is also survived by 76 foster children including Elizabeth Sutherland and Tony Goodson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 5, 2018 in the Chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews with the Revs. Curtis Ledford and Kevin Crooks officiating. The interment will be in Valleytown Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Michael Huskins, David Jett, Wade Hamby, Jerry Moneymaker, Viten Anthony, and Drew Simonds. Kaleb Laney will serve as honorary pallbearer.

The family will receive friends from 5-8 Thursday evening at the Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews.

Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews in charge of all arrangements.

Jim Wood, 87, of Aquone passed away Tuesday, September 25, 2018 in a Clyde, North Carolina care facility. He was a native and lifetime resident of Macon County. Jim worked construction for ten years and also worked at Magnavox for ten years. He was a mail carrier with the United States Postal Service until his retirement. Jim was a member of the Aquone Baptist Church.

Jim enjoyed researching local history and making it available to everyone on his webpages, www.nantahalanc.com and www.aquonenc.com.

He was the son of the late Ralph and Della Martha Jones Wood and the husband of the late Savannah Faye Jacobs Wood, who died November 8, 2017. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Sue Nance; and three brothers, John Wood, Jack Wood, and Bob Wood.

Surviving are a daughter, Suzie Roper and husband, Frank of Weaverville, North Carolina; two grandchildren, Sandi Faye Roper of Wesley Chapel, Florida and James Frank Roper of Weaverville.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Jim Wood to the Aquone Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 71 Old School Road, Topton, NC 28781.

Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews in charge of all arrangements.

Dorothy Swanson, 88, of Hayesville passed away Monday, September 17, 2018 in a Towns County, Georgia care facility. She was a native and lifetime resident of Clay County. Dorothy had worked in the dress factory for over 25 years. Her most enjoyable job followed her retirement when she was able to care for and take part in all her grandchildren’s upbringing. She was a member of New Hope Baptist Church, where she was the preschool teacher for 25 years. Dorothy was devoted to her family and loved hosting Sunday lunches.

She was the daughter of the late Joe and Lou Garrett and the wife of the late Everett Swanson, who died March 18, 2012. She was also preceded in death by an infant daughter, Mary; a sister, Hazel York; and a brother, Calvin Nichols.

Surviving are three daughters, Glenda Cheeks and husband, Herbert, and Teresa Davenport and husband, Kenny, all of Hayesville, and Gloria Swanson of Hiawassee, Georgia; a son, Marvin Swanson and wife, Christine of Locust, North Carolina; a sister, Clara Kell of Cumming, Georgia; a brother, Don Nichols and wife, Jean of Lawrenceville, Georgia; and nine grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 19 in New Hope Baptist Church with the Revs. Brian Davenport, Johnny Foster, and Robbie Moss officiating. The interment was in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were Brian and Austin Davenport, Glen Cheeks, Stephen and Curtis Swanson, Chris and Conner Bradley, and Jerry York. Honorary pallbearers were Scotty Robinson, Randolph Cunningham, Eddie Ferguson, Carroll, Farrell, and Allen Curtis, and David Swanson.

The family received friends from 6-8 Tuesday evening at the Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville where the body remained until placed in the church at the service hour.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Dorothy Swanson to the New Hope Baptist Church, c/o Gloria Swanson, 147 Highway 180, Hiawassee, GA 30546.

Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville in charge of all arrangements.

Oliven Thomas Cowan, 95, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 16, 2018.

He was the son of the late Henry Cowan and wife, Lucy Hall Cowan.

Dr. Cowan served in the United States Army Air Force during World War II as a member of the 388^th Fighter Squadron of the 365^th Fighter Group of the 9^th Air Force. He was a fighter pilot and flew a P-47 Thunderbolt in 88 combat missions over Europe. Dr. Cowan was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal plus 12 Oak Leaf Clusters, a Presidential Unit Citation as well as citations from Belgium and France.

Dr. Cowan was a graduate of Western Carolina Teachers College, received a Master’s Degree from George Peabody College for Teachers, in Nashville, Tennessee, and received a Doctoral Degree in Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

During his 44 year career in education Dr. Cowan served as principal of Webster School, principal of Oakboro School, the first principal of West Stanly High School, as well as Assistant Superintendent of Stanly County Schools and Associate Superintendent of Burlington City Schools.

Dr. Cowan was a member of the First Baptist Church of Waynesville and previously a member of the First Baptist Church of Burlington.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Louise Edwards Cowan, and by his brothers, Hoyt Cowan and Edward Cowan.

Dr. Cowan is survived by his sister, Mary Sue Cowan Norris, his son, Mack Cowan and wife, Betty Sue Cowan, his daughter, Angelique Cowan Kymmell and husband, Max Kymmell, five grandchildren, David, Joe and Andrew Cowan, and Hannah and Allison Kymmell, and eight great grandchildren, Elizabeth, Natalie, Jonathan, Liam, Julia, Chloe, Rachel and Stephanie Cowan.

The family received friends from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 18, 2018, at Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, North Carolina.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 19, 2018, at Peachtree Memorial Baptist Church, Murphy, North Carolina, with Reverend Chris Furl officiating.

Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, was in charge of all arrangements.