Brooks Speer, age 85, of Andrews, passed away Thursday, May 10, 2018 in a Clay County care facility. He was a native of Lawrence County, Arkansas, but had lived in Cherokee County since 1971.  He was a retired supervisor with Baker Furniture.  He served in the United States Army. His hobby was fishing, fishing, and fishing.

He was the son of the late Dorman and Mae Lawson Speer and the husband of the late Irma Helen Reusch Speer, who died August 17, 2017.

Surviving are two daughters, Sharon Bevins of Andrews and Sandra Dunn of Jasper, Georgia; four grandchildren, Amanda Smith and husband Nick, Ryan and Zach Bevins, and Matthew Curtis and wife Tina; a step grandson, Matthew Dunn and wife, Samantha; three great grandchildren, Summer Smith and Madison and Molly Dunn.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 20, 2018 in the Chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews with Rev. Eric Byrd officiating. The interment will be in Valleytown Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 12:00-1:45 p.m. Sunday at the Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews prior to the service.

Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews in charge of all arrangements.

Ruth Day Wheeler, 95, of Andrews passed away Tuesday, May 8, 2018 in a Murphy care facility. She was a native of Swain County, but lived in Andrews her entire life. Ruth had worked at Baker Furniture until her retirement. She also worked for Andrews Elementary for several years. She was a member of the Andrews United Methodist Church.

She was the daughter of the late Guin Edward and Essie Carolyn Keith Day and the wife of the late Clyde Henry Wheeler, who died September 5, 1963. She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Maxine Conley; three sons, Gwynn Samuel, Joseph, and Jack Wheeler; a sister, Margaret Jacobs; and six brothers, Edward, Wayne, Cecil, Joe, John, and Jimmy Day.

Surviving are a sister, Willa Dean Mashburn of Waynesville; a granddaughter, Crystal Wheeler of Gainesville, Georgia; two great grandchildren, Skyler Bruce Keck and Jayla Ann Hicks; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. The inurnment will be in Valleytown Cemetery.

Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews in charge of all arrangements.

Walter Edward Puett, 61, of Murphy passed away Thursday, May 3, 2018. He was a native of Murphy, but lived in Stone Mountain, Georgia for 12 years where he worked for Shepherd Construction as a silk screener for highway signs. Ed moved back to Murphy in 1995. Ed loved playing the guitar and enjoyed the outdoors and walking.

He was the son of the late Walter Ray and Moselle Moore Puett.

Surviving are a sister, Terelle Harr and husband, Bruce of Murphy; a brother, Terry E. Puett of Murphy; two nieces, Tiffany Puett and Katy Beaver Butterworth and husband, Craig, all of Boone, North Carolina.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Friday, May 25, 2018 in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy with the Rev. Denny Smith officiating. A private inurnment will be in Sunset Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 3-3:50 p.m. Friday, May 25 at the Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy prior to the services.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Walter Edward Puett to the Hurlbert-Johnson Homeless Shelter, 119 Peachtree Street, Murphy, NC 28906.

Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy in charge of all arrangements.

Ernest Lloyd Stiles, 85, of Murphy passed away Tuesday, April 24, 2018 in a Murphy care facility. He was a native and lifetime resident of Cherokee County. He was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the United States Navy on the USS Stembel (DD644). Lloyd worked with Remco for 14 years and the North Carolina Department of Transportation for 20 years, where he retired. He was a member and deacon of the River Valley Baptist Church.

He was the son of the late Ernest Clayton and Icey Payne Stiles. He also was preceded in death by a sister, Wilma Seabolt; and a brother, Homer Stiles.

Surviving are his wife of 61 years, Maggie Raper Stiles; a daughter, Sandra Kay Rogers and husband, Ronnie of Murphy; a son, Donald Stiles and wife, Sharlene of Murphy; four sisters, Alma Ivey of Hixson, Tennessee, Thelma “Dean” McDonald of Murphy, Jearlean Holbrooks of Dawsonville, Georgia, and Doris Roberson of Murphy; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 29, 2018 in the Chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy with Revs. Richard Roberson, Jonathan Ledbetter, and Charles Raper officiating. The interment was in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens with military graveside rites conducted by Murphy American Legion Post 96, Hayesville VFW Post 6812, and Hayesville American Legion Post 532. Pallbearers were Nathan Harbin, Kevin Roberson, Clinton, Matthew, and Jeff Raper, and Tim Davis. Honorary pallbearers were Dewayne Plemmons, Marty Jones, and Lewis Voyles.

The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, April 28 at the Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy.

The family requests memorials be made in memory of Ernest Lloyd Stiles to the River Valley Baptist Church, 211 Raper Road, Murphy, NC 28906.

Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy in charge of all arrangements.

Barbara Ann Walsh, 89, of Hayesville passed away Thursday, March 29, 2018 in a Chattanooga hospital. She was a native of Cleveland, Ohio, but had lived most of her life in Mentor, Ohio. Barbara had worked as a bookkeeper throughout her career and was a loving homemaker. She moved to Clay County in 1990. Barbara had volunteered locally at Granny’s Attic and Clay County Food Pantry. She was a member of Hayesville First United Methodist Church.

She was the daughter of the late Harold J. Romanis, and wife of the late Russell Robert Walsh, who died July 12, 2009.

Surviving are two daughters, Michelle Baker and husband, Paul of Port Orange, Florida, and Cindy Becker of Hayesville; three grandchildren, Shane Sisi-Helfrich, Brandy Baker, and Paul Baker, Jr.; two great grandchildren, Calder and Cornell Helfrich; and several nieces and nephews.

No services are planned at this time. Interment will be in the Jacksonville National Cemetery in Jacksonville, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in loving memory of Barbara Ann Walsh to the Clay County Food Pantry, PO Box 853, Hayesville, NC 28904 or to the Granny’s Attic, 200 Hwy 64, Hayesville, NC 28904.

Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville in charge of arrangements.

Sara Curtis, 84, of Murphy passed away Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at her residence. She was a native of Jackson County, North Carolina, but lived in Cherokee County since 1951.

She was the daughter of the late Jake Parris Sr. and Bethel Crawford Parris and the wife of the late Bob Curtis, who died October 22, 1994. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Jake Parris Jr.

Surviving are a daughter, Cheryl Wood and husband, Charles of Inman, South Carolina; a son, Barry Curtis of Murphy; a sister, Phyllis West of Balsam, North Carolina; two brothers, Bill Parris of Dillsboro, North Carolina and Donald Parris of Sylva, North Carolina; a special friend and caregiver, Linda Scalzo; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, March 31, 2018 in the Chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy with Pastor Derek Tilley and Jason Killian officiating. The interment will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Kent Moffitt, Bruce Yonce, Larry and Dennis Curtis, and Charles and Bob Wood.

The family will receive friends from 1:30-2:45 Saturday afternoon at the Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy prior to the services.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Sara Curtis to the Peachtree Memorial Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Jim Hendrix, 3195 Old Peachtree Road, Murphy, NC 28906.

Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy in charge of all arrangements.

Reba Hollifield Nichols died peacefully on June 23, 2018 in her home where she had lived for the past sixty-six years.  Reba loved the Lord, her family, her church, and her fellow man.

She worked hard and was generous with her time and assets.  Everyone was always welcomed at her table.  Saturday was always “Grandma Day” as her family gathered around her for a family day and meal.

She was a loving care provider for her family and accepted care from others with dignity and grace.  She never complained but continued in her final days and years with a sweetness that made her a joy to be around.  The peace of God dwelt within her.  She was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.

She was a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church for over sixty years where she had worked tirelessly in Sunday School, Bible School, and in the nursery.

She was the daughter of the late Jack A. and Annie Mae Ledford Hollifield and the wife of the late Huston W. Nichols, who died November 10, 1995. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Kevin Welch; a great granddaughter, Jessica Duckworth; son-in-law, Bruce A. Dayton; a sister, Blonde Cage; and three brothers, Robert, Phillip, and Frank Hollifield.

Surviving are two daughters, Iris Nichols Dayton of Hiawassee, Georgia and Jane Penland and husband, Thomas of Hayesville; three sons, Gary Nichols and wife, Deborah of Hayesville, William “Bill” Nichols, and Clarence Nichols and wife Diane, all of Corsicana, Texas; a sister-in-law, Ruth Hollifield of Hayesville; eleven grandchildren; twenty-two great grandchildren; and ten great great grandchildren.  She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church with Rev. Danny Hollifield, Rev. Danny Burch, and Rev. Phil Goble officiating.  The interment was in Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery.  Pallbearers were Johnny Nicholson, David Dayton, Nick Welch, Joe Barnes, John Hoyle, and Cory Duckworth.  Honorary pallbearers were Aaron Payne and Derek Welch.

The family received friends from 12:00-1:45 p.m. Wednesday, June 27^th at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Reba Nichols to Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Youth Program, 50 Marvin Cabe Lane, Hayesville, NC  28904.

Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville in charge of all arrangements.

Richard Kerr “Richie” Story, 87, of Hayesville passed away Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at Erlanger Murphy Medical Center. He was a native of Queens, New York. Richie and his wife, Carolyn, live in Largo, Florida but are seasonal residents of Hayesville. He was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the United States Navy. Richie was an electrician with IBEW Local No. 3 in New York City, retiring with 42 years of service. He was of the Christian faith.

He was the son of the late Edwin D. and Helen Catherine Kerr Story.

Surviving are his wife of 31 years, Carolyn Bruns Story; a daughter, Lisa Kitner of Fort Myers, Florida; a son, Richard E. Story and wife, Patricia of Freeport, New York; two step-sons, Sean P. MacGilvray and wife, Teresa, and Shannon J. MacGilvray, all of Queens, New York; a brother, Edwin D. Story and wife, Joan of Ocala, Florida; and ten grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at a later date in both North Carolina and Florida. An inurnment will be in Bay Pines National Cemetery in Saint Petersburg, Florida.

Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville in charge of arrangements.