Barbara Jean “Bobbie” Parker, age 82, of Hayesville passed away Saturday, July 28, 2018 at a Murphy hospital. She had lived most of her life in Clay County. Bobbie was a kind and loving woman with a heart of gold. She worked in order to help support her siblings and family. Bobbie would often send clothing and money to ensure her brothers and sisters would have a normal childhood. Bobbie was a Christian of the Baptist faith.

She was the daughter of the late Dr. Samuel Patton and Christine West Mason and the wife of the late George O’Neil, who died October 30, 1977 and Eugene Parker, who died December 13, 2014. She was also preceded in death by an infant sister, Mary Catherine Mason.

Surviving are two step-daughters, Sherry Kay and husband, Jimmy of Winston Salem, North Carolina and Vicki Anderson and husband, Tony of Murphy; a step-son, Captain Michael Parker and wife, Heather of Greensboro, North Carolina; a sister, Elizabeth “Tootsie” Burch and husband, David of Hayesville; two brothers, James Harold “Buddy” Mason and wife, Joyce of Young Harris, Georgia and William Grant “Bill” Mason and wife, Mary of Hayesville; a special friend and caregiver, Geneal Patterson of Hayesville; six step-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 1, 2018 in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville with the Revs. Richard Roberson and Phil Goble officiating. The interment was in Shady Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers were Mike Parker, Tracy Hogsed, Bill and Greg Mason, Wade Brown, and Rex Ledford.

The family received friends from 6-8 Tuesday evening at the Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Barbara Jean “Bobbie” Parker to the Shady Grove Cemetery Fund, c/o Bruce Fowler, 39 McCracken Cove Road, Hayesville, NC 28904.

Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville in charge of all arrangements.

James Donald Taylor Sr., 69, of Andrews, known to friends and family as Donny, passed away Sunday, July 15, 2018 at his home after an extended illness. He was a foreman with Pike Electrical Contractors. Donny was a spirited, kind-hearted, and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He was a man of honor, who loved his family. Donny was of the Baptist faith.

He was the son of the late Wallace Taylor and Willie Kay Taylor Coffey. He was also preceded in death by his step-father, Clyde Coffey; a son, J.D. Bryant; a brother, Jerry Coffey; and a sister, Linda Rhodes.

Surviving are his wife of 40 years, Christine Taylor; two daughters, Denise Collins and Lisa Moore; two sons, James Donald Taylor Jr. and Marcus Amos; a step-daughter, Michelle Amos; two sisters, Wanda Phillips and Debbie Lee; three brothers, Danny Taylor, David Coffey, and John Coffey; ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 19, 2018 in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy with the Revs. Eddie Cook and Clark Taylor officiating. Grandsons and granddaughters served as honorary pallbearers.

The family received friends from 6-8 Wednesday evening at the Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of James Donald “Donny” Taylor Sr. to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy in charge of all arrangements.

Betty L. Elrod, 77, of Murphy went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, July 03, 2018. Betty was a native and lifelong resident of Cherokee County. Betty had worked in manufacturing throughout her life until her retirement. She enjoyed reading the Bible, crocheting, and working crossword puzzles. She was of the Baptist faith. Betty was a loving mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, and aunt.

She was the daughter of the late Thomas David and Oma Mae Ledford Elrod. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Joy Brown; and three brothers, Tom, Kenneth, and Dan Elrod.

Surviving are a daughter, Debbie Allen and husband, Darrell of Murphy; a sister, Wanda Kephart and husband, Joe of Murphy; two brothers, Charles Elrod and wife, Sheila of Murphy, and Paul Elrod and wife, Diane of Holly Springs, Georgia;  two grandchildren, Matthew Allen of Woodbine, Georgia, and Chris Allen and wife, Cait of Greenville, SC; two great grandchildren, Adriana Allen and Ezra Allen; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Thursday, July 05, 2018 in the chapel of the Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy with Rev. Eddie Trentham officiating. Interment will be held in the Elrod Family Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Blake, Chance, and Baron Roberts, Nick and Doug Elrod, and Randy Brown. Jamie Elrod served as honorary pallbearer.

The family will receive friends from 12:00-1:45 Thursday afternoon, July 05 at the Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy prior to the services.

Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy in charge of all arrangements.

James Ralph Walker, 77, of Brasstown passed away Sunday, May 27, 2018 at his residence. He was a native of Cherokee County, and had lived in both Florida and Colorado before moving back to this area in the late 90s. Ralph was a hard-working construction worker and was a jack-of-all-trades. Ralph enjoyed hot rods and restoring old cars. Ralph also enjoyed family cookouts.

He was the son of the late John Emery and Florence Jane Floyd Walker. He also was preceded in death by a sister, Linda Kay Gibby; and a brother, Charles Walker.

Surviving are four daughters, Debra Burt and husband, David of Riverview, Florida, Sherrell Kundick and husband, Steven of Lexington, Kentucky, Joyce Ellen Goodman of Riverview, Florida, and Peggy Sue Walker of Riverview, Florida; two sons, James Emery Walker of Riverview, Florida, and Michael Scott Walker of Riverview, Florida; his former wife, Betty Joy Walker of Riverview, Florida; three sisters, Dora Belcher of Hayesville, Carolyn Beard of Murphy, and Emily “Blondie” Baxter of Murphy; three brothers, Joe Walker of Murphy, John Stephenson of Mineral Bluff, Georgia, and Bobby Doggett of Riverview, Florida; nine grandchildren and ten great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 2, 2018 in the Chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy with the Rev. Steve Ware officiating. The inurnment will be in Bear Paw Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 1-1:50 Saturday afternoon at the Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy prior to the services.

Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy in charge of all arrangements.

Harold H. Johnson, 73, of Rossville, Georgia, formerly of Murphy, passed away Wednesday, May 23, 2018 in a Chattanooga, Tennessee hospital. He was a native of Cherokee County, where he had lived most of his life. Harold was a graduate of Western Carolina University and was the first of his family to graduate from college. Harold was a United States veteran who was stationed in Korea during the Vietnam Era. Harold worked for the Tennessee Valley Authority at Hiwassee Dam for 25 years and retired as an Administrative Officer. Harold was a long-time member of Murphy First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and was currently a member of the Elizabeth Lee United Methodist Church in Chickamauga, Georgia. He served as a Sunday School teacher and choir member in both congregations. Harold enjoyed dredging for gold and fishing.

He was the son of the late Woodful and Belle Carringer Johnson. He also was preceded in death by many brothers and sisters.

Surviving are his wife, Nancy Johnson; a daughter, Carol Campbell and husband, Keith of Marble; two sons, Mark Johnson and wife, Kelly of Cody, Virginia, and Daniel Johnson and wife, Leah of Tuckasegee, North Carolina; a sister, Eunice Ledford of Murphy; a brother, Jack Henry of Detroit, Michigan; nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, May 27, 2018 at Murphy First Baptist Church with the Revs. Randall Moss and Jimmy Tanner officiating. The interment was in Moss Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by the Murphy American Legion Post 96 and Andrews VFW Post 7620. Pallbearers were William Campbell, Austin Campbell, P.A. Ledford, Donnie Wayman, Bobby Roberson, and Cecil Lovingood. Honorary pallbearers were Aaron Klopher, Wyatt Johnson, Dan Potts, and Robert Rippy.

The family received friends from 6-8 Saturday evening at the Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy where the body remained until placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the services.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at Elizabeth Lee United Methodist Church, 139 Cove Road, Chickamauga, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Harold H. Johnson to the Elizabeth Lee United Methodist Church Building Fund, PO Box 126, Chickamauga, GA 30707.

Richard F. Labens Sr., 72, of Hayesville passed away Thursday, May 24, 2018 at his residence. Richard was a native of Dearborn, Michigan and had lived in West Palm Beach, Florida before moving to Hayesville in 1976. Richard was a Vietnam veteran, having served in the United States Army. He was a retired carpenter. He enjoyed hunting and wood working. Richard was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather.

He was the son of the late Charles Richard and Pearl Hansel Labens. He also was preceded in death by a sister, Shelly Fry; a brother, Charlie Labens; and a nephew, David Kile.

Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Linda Labens; a son, Richard F. Labens Jr. of Hayesville; three granddaughters, Ashley Labens, Shelby Wickware, and Jordan Labens;  a great grandson, Brantley Wickware; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 27, 2018 in the Chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville with Mark Arnn officiating. The interment will be in Shooting Creek Memorial Garden with military graveside rites conducted by the Hayesville VFW Post 6812, American Legion Post 532, and Murphy American Legion Post 96. Pallbearers will be Tommy Wimpey, Al Ohana, Chris Ledford, Andrew and Matthew Barrett, and Barry McClure. Honorary pallbearers will be Brent McClure, Thomas Wimpey, and Danny Kile.

The family will receive friends from 12-1:45 Sunday afternoon at the Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville prior to the services.

Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville in charge of all arrangements.

Patricia Diane Whitaker Anderson, age 65, of Hayesville, passed away Saturday, May 5, 2018 at Murphy Medical Center. She was a native of Canton, North Carolina and had moved to Hayesville in 1960. Diane was a retired pharmacy technician with Murphy Medical Center. She was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Hayesville.

She was the daughter of David Whitaker of Blairsville, Georgia and the late Faye Price Whitaker. She was also preceded in death by a brother, David Whitaker.

Surviving, in addition to her father, are her husband of 46 years, Edgar Anderson; a daughter, Dawn Ledford and husband, Jeff of Marble; two sons, Daniel Anderson and Brian Anderson, both of Hayesville; a brother, Don Whitaker and wife, Shirley of Murphy; four grandchildren, Kayla, Nate, Emma, and Austyn; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at Shiloh Baptist Church with the Revs. Clark Moss, Fred Lunsford, and Kyle Cody officiating. The interment will be in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Donald and Charlie Cheeks, Jason and Jared Shook, Harold Anderson, and Johnny Hall. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Clay County Fire Department.

The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at the Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville where the body will be until placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the services.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Patricia Diane Whitaker Anderson to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 42040, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-3000.

Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville in charge of all arrangements.

Leonard Talmadge “Pete” Miller, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, age 83, of Clay County, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, April 21, 2018. Pete served in the United States Navy and was a Korean War veteran. He worked for Kearfott for over 35 years and retired in 1998. Pete loved working on the farm and gardening. He was a member of Pine Log Baptist Church, where he took part in singing, cooking, and providing food for the church and community.

He was the son of the late Charles Russell and Eula Vaughn Reece Miller. He also was preceded in death by a sister, Evelyn Goforth; and three brothers, Richard, Keith, and Patt Miller.

Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Irene Harris Miller; four children, Cameron Miller and wife, Cheryl of Hayesville, Teresa Pearce and husband, Jared of Asheville, North Carolina, Daryl Miller and wife, Joy of Candler, North Carolina; and Pamela Worley and husband, Kenneth of Swannanoa, North Carolina; a sister, Joyce Ware of Clay County; three brothers, Charles Miller of Houston, Texas, and Gene Miller and B.N. Lygh, both of Clay County; six grandchildren and two great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 29, 2018 in Pine Log Baptist Church with the Rev. Kevin Miller officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Leonard Talmadge “Pete” Miller to the ABCCM Veterans Restoration Quarters, 1329 Tunnel Road, Asheville, NC 28805.

Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville in charge of arrangements.