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.

Tony Ellis, age 58, of Hayesville went home to be with the Lord, Friday, September 28, 2018 in a Gainesville, Georgia hospital. Tony had lived in Clay County throughout his life.  He began his career as a dispatcher with Clay County Sheriff’s Department in 1991.  Tony went on to serve as a road deputy, D.A.R.E. instructor, and investigator before returning to a D.A.R.E. instructor as working with the children was his passion.  Tony also operated Tony’s Garage for many years.  Tony enjoyed going to car shows, antique cars, and restoring and showing antique cars.  He was a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church where he had been a substitute Sunday School teacher and also worked in the Grapple youth program.  Tony was also involved with Rock Bottom Recovery and Support.

He was the son of James Edward Ellis of Hayesville and Barbara Ann Adams Ellis Townson of Murphy.  He was preceded in death by a son, Mitchell Anthony Ellis and two brothers, Bryan Eugene Ellis and Duane Stephen Ellis.

Surviving, in additon to his parents, are his wife of 34 years, Vikki Ellis of Hayesville; four grandchildren, Caleb, Brenson, Adam, and Layla Ellis; Tommy Brown, who was like a son to Tony, and Fred Green, who was like a brother. He is also survived by several nephews, aunts, and uncles.

A Celebration of Life service was held at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church with Rev. Phil Goble and Rev. Jim Payne officiating.

The family received friends from 5:00-6:50 p.m. Tuesday, at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Tony Ellis to the Rock Bottom Recovery and Support, 182 West Vineyard, Hayesville, NC  28904.

Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville in charge of all arrangements.

Patricia Quinn Werdin, 75, of Hayesville passed away Sunday, September 16, 2018 in a Chattanooga, Tennessee hospital. She was born in Iowa, but lived many places with her father and family who were serving in the United States Navy. Pat moved to Hayesville in 1990. Pat and David operated Oaks Home & Yard Maintenance for many years together. Pat was a member of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church where she sang in the choir. She also enjoyed taking part with the Licklog Players and the Peacock Playhouse.

She was the daughter of the late Robert and Viola Quinn.

Surviving are her husband, David Werdin; two daughters, April Worshner and husband, Phil of Mableton, Georgia and Amy Center and husband, Tim of Tallahassee, Florida; two sons, David Subers of Stuart, Florida and Eric Owen and wife, Mari of Marietta, Georgia; a sister, Kay Krohne and husband, Ted of Coronado, California; a brother, Robert Quinn Jr. and wife, Karen of Atlanta, Georgia; and three grandchildren, Hayden Center, and Neil and Dain Owen. She is also survived by step-daughters, nieces, and nephews.

A memorial service was held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, September 22, 2018 in the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church.

A reception followed in the parish hall and an Irish wake was held at the residence following the reception.

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

Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville in charge of arrangements.