Willie Lee Birchfield
Construction worker
Willie Lee “Hoppy” Birchfield, 91, of 63 Dock Ratcliffe Road, Waynesville, died July 6, 2000, at Haywood Regional Medical Center.
A native of Swain County, he was the son of the late Jimmy and Amanda Cooper Birchfield. He was a construction worker. He worked in the Eagle Creek Copper Mine in 1925 and was the last known survivor of the group he worked with.
He was preceded in death by his son, Donald Birchfield; and three brothers, Clyde, Glenn and Cleve Birchfield.
Surviving are his wife, Helen Laney Birchfield; two daughters and their husbands, Linda and Terry Warren of Waynesville and Norma and Rick Kerby of Dover, Pa.; five sons, James Birchfield of Candler, Charles, Earl, Carroll and Ernest Birchfield, all of Waynesville; two sisters, Edna Williams of Padan City, W.Va., and Thelma Birchfield of Union City, Ga.; one daughter-in-law, Betty Ann Birchfield of Waynesville; 15 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Garrett Funeral Home. The Rev. Ray Willett officiated. Burial was in Greenhill Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Danny, Freddie and Michael Birchfield, Doug Christopher, Matt Pressel and Glenn Browning.
The family received friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. At other times they were at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Terry Warren, Ranger Drive in Waynesville.

Bonnie K. Clark
Haywood County native
CANTON -- Bonnie Kuykendall Clark, 83, of Sawmill Acres Lane, Canton, died Saturday, July 8, 2000, at Haywood Regional Medical Center.
A native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, she was the daughter of the late Joeberry Columbus and Bertha Deaver Kuykendall. She was a former employee of Springdale Country Club and a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Benjamin Clark, who died in 1997; four sisters and five brothers.
Surviving are one son and his wife, Eric and Sandy Clark of Canton; one daughter and her husband, Melissa and David Coman of Canton; and three grandsons.
Services were held at 11 a.m. Monday at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. The Rev. Perry Brindley officiated. Burial was in New Cruso Cemetery.
The family received friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Wells Funeral Home in Canton, where the body remained until placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to Mt. Zion Building Program, 261 Dix Creek Road, Canton, N.C., 28716.

Lois P. Mershon
Chicago native
ASHEVILLE -- Lois Mershon, 90, of Givens Estates, died Thursday, July 6, 2000, at Givens Estates Health Center.
A native of Chicago, after high school, she worked as a secretary with Allied Mills where she met her husband Richard E. Mershon. The two were married Nov. 24, 1931, for 62 years. She contributed to her church and the Red Cross.
Surviving are one son and his wife, John R. and Barbara Mershon of Waynesville; two grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Asbury Chapel, Asbury Hall, Givens Estates. The Rev. Oscar Dowdle will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Red Cross.
Morris Funeral Home, Merrimon Avenue is in charge of arrangements.

Fannie H. Burnette
Graham County native
CANTON -- Fannie Mae Huffman Burnette, 95, of 39 Loving Way, Clyde, formerly of Canton, died Friday, July 7, 2000, at Silver Bluff Village.
A native of Graham County, she was the daughter of the late John and Margaret Watson Huffman. She had resided in Haywood County most of her life. She was a homemaker and attended Ridgeway Baptist Church.
Surviving are one daughter, Lula Mae Sanford of Canton; one son and his wife, Julious and Blanche Huffman of Canton; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
Services were held at 3 p.m. Monday at Crawford/Ray Funeral Home. The Rev. Virgil Holloway officiated. Burial was in Morning Star Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Kenneth, Terry, Johnny and Heath Sanford, Michael Clontz and Tim Angel.
The family received friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Morning Star Community Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 1746, Canton, N.C., 28716.

Pearl Higgins
Yancey County native
BURNSVILLE -- Pearl Higgins, 89, of Lankford Branch, Burnsville, died Thursday, July 6, 2000, in Yancey Nursing Center.
A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late Sam and Elminer Higgins Hilemon.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Higgins, who died in 1980.
Surviving are one daughter, Zetta Marie Higgins of Canton; one son, Keith Higgins of Burnsville; one sister, Maggie Meadows of Asheville; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.
Services were held at 3 p.m. Sunday in Elk Shoal Baptist Church of which she was a member. The Revs. Frank Murphy and Ronnie Jenkins officiated. Burial was held in Clyde Higgins Family Cemetery.
The family received friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home.

Robert D. Smith
Mechanical engineer
Robert David Smith, 61, of Canton, died Saturday, July 8, 2000, at his home.
A native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, he was the son of the late David Marion Smith and Elsie Dalton Smith. He was employed as a mechanical engineer with American Enka Corp. for 13 years and he had also worked at Perfection Gears and Singer-Kearfott.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Pauline and Betty Smith.
Surviving are one daughter, Heather A. Smith of Asheville.
Services will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Wells Funeral Home in Canton.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Roger L. Best
Champion retiree
CLYDE -- Roger Lee Best, 77, of 4900 Crabtree Mountain Road, Clyde, died Monday, July 10, 2000, at Mission St. Joseph’s Health Care System.
A native of Haywood County, he was the son of the late Hugh Carroll and Bertie Davis Best. He had been a resident of Pasadena, Texas, for 45 years and returned back to Haywood County in 1985. He was a former shift foreman with Champion International with 42 years of service. He was a U.S. Navy veteran serving in World War II.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Howard, Phil and Hugh Carroll Best; and one sister, Helen McCracken.
Surviving are one daughter and her husband, Shonnie and Marcus Henley of Fulton, N.Y.; four sons, Roger Ronald and Liz Best, Carroll Michael and Kay Best, Boice Watts Best, all of Houston, Texas, and Bruce Allen and Connie Best of Spring, Texas; two sisters, Betty Terrell of Clyde and Alpha Williams of White Oak; one brother, Jesse Sam Best of Clyde; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
The graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Upper Crabtree Community Cemetery. The Rev. Dr. Charles H. Mercer will officiate.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Wells Funeral Home in Waynesville.
Memorials may be made to Upper Crabtree Cemetery Fund, 537 Ball Creek Road, Clyde, N.C., 28721.

Marcellus Buchanan
Retired district attorney
SYLVA -- Marcellus Buchanan III, 76, of Sylva, died Friday, July 7, 2000, at his residence.
A native and lifelong resident of Jackson County, he was the son of the late Marcellus and Rebecca Cathey Buchanan. He was a lawyer, former state legislator and retired district attorney. He was a veteran of World War II, member of the Dillsboro Masonic Lodge No. 459 and member of the Sylva First United Methodist Church.
Surviving are his wife, Jane Poteet Buchanan; one son, Marcellus Buchanan IV of Hayesville; one daughter, Christina Buchanan Matheson of Sylva; one brother, Francis Buchanan of Hendersonville; four grandchildren; and two step-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 9, at Sylva First United Methodist Church.
The family will receive friends following the service at the church.
Honorary pallbearers are judges, assistant district attorneys and sheriffs with whom he served, M.V. Jones, Hayden Ferguson, Jack Cabe and Mrs. Ethel Sutton.
The family requests that flowers be omitted.
Memorials may be made to Oxford Orphanage, c/o Dillsboro Masonic Lodge No. 459, P.O. Box 181, Webster, N.C., 28768.
Moody Funeral Home, Sylva, is in charge of arrangements.

Ruth G. West
Graham County native
ROBBINSVILLE - Ruth Grindstaff West, 84, passed away Monday, July 10, 2000, at Murphy Medical Center.
A native of Graham County, she was the daughter of the late Charlie and Cora Ellis Grindstaff. She was a member of Sweetgum Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William R. “Big Will” West.
Surviving are three daughters, Mildred Hooper and Louise Jordan, both of Robbinsville, and Wilma Parris of Waynesville; three brothers, Luther, Leonard and Lyle Grindstaff, all of Robbinsville; two sisters, Lois Almond of Robbinsville and Helen Bradley of Gastonia; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Townson-Smith Chapel. The Revs. Tommy Joe Martin and David Anderson will officiate.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. before the services. Committal services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Bear Creek Cemetery.
Townson-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Mary K. Wilde
Georgia native
PISGAH FOREST -- Mary Ruth Kuykendall Wilde, 59, of Pisgah Forest, died Monday, July 10, 2000, in a Brevard hospital.
A native of White County, Ga., she was the daughter of the late Thomas M. and Bertha Ann Allen Kuykendall.
Surviving are her husband, Elzie F. Wilde; one son, Thomas Kitchen of Florida; one brother, Thomas Kuykendall and wife Cindy of Saluda; one stepson, Scott Wilde and wife Torrie of Cullowhee; four half sisters, Virginia Lyle of Fort Mill, S.C., Betty Raines of Canton, Ann Hill of Waynesville and Lois Roberts of Robbinsville; two grandchildren; and two step-grandsons.
Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Pisgah Gardens. The Rev. Tommy Owen officiated.
The family received friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Moody-Connolly Funeral Home.

Ralph J. Garrett
Retired brick mason
SYLVA -- Ralph “Snuffy” Jennings Garrett, 79, of Old Dillsboro Road, Sylva, died Sunday, July 9, 2000, at Skyland Care Center.
A native and lifelong resident of Jackson County, he was the son of the late Cole and Tabitha Davis Garrett. he was a retired rock and brick mason. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in World War II.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie O’Dear Garrett.
Surviving are one son, Leonard “Sonny” Garrett of Dillsboro; two daughters, Linda Caldwell of Dillsboro and Nancy Cagle of Sylva; two half sisters, Annette Caldwell and Betty Shuler, both of Waynesville; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were held at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Fairview Memorial Gardens. The Rev. Pervie Stines officiated.
The family received friends from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday at Moody Funeral Home in Sylva.
Memorials may be made to Gideon’s International, c/o Kelly Bradey, Harold’s Super Market, 80 W. Main St., Sylva, N.C., 28779.

Tommy Surrett
CANTON -- Tommy Surrett, 67, of 63 Gold St., Canton, died Friday, July 14, 2000, at Haywood Regional Medical Center.
Wells Funeral Home in Waynesville is in charge of arrangements.

H. Ronald Failen
Painter
Harvey Ronald Failen Jr., 39, of 123 Edwards St., Waynesville, died Tuesday, July 11, 2000, at his home.
A native of Gaston County, he was the son of Harvey Ronald Failen Sr. and Jearline Willard Failen of Canton. He was a painter and a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Surviving are to his wife, Krista Rhinehart Failen; one daughter Jennifer Rene Failen of Sylva; and a brother, Mitchell D. Failen of Candler.
A memorial service was held at 4 p.m. Friday at Wells Funeral Home in Canton. The Rev. Virgil Holloway officiated.
The family will receive friends following the service.

David R. Messer
Haywood County native
David Ralph Messer, 51, of 105 Upchurch Road, Waynesville, died Tuesday, July 11, 2000, at the V.A. Medical Center.
A native of Haywood County, he was the son of the late James Harrison and Printha Ann Johnson Messer. He was a former employee of Putnam’s Body Shop in Asheville, a sergeant in the U.S. Army serving during the Vietnam War in Germany. He was a coin collector.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Oscar and Ernest Messer; and one sister, Ethel Lillion Messer.
Surviving are his wife of 23 years, Barbara Mintz Messer; three sons, Roger and Robert Fleming, both of Waynesville, and Randy Fleming and his wife Charlotte of Asheville; four sisters, Jane Curtis, Bonnie Wood and Bobbie Parker, all of Waynesville, and Hattie Garland of Candler; four brothers, Verlin, John, Tommy and James Harrison Messer Jr., all of Waynesville; and six grandchildren.
Services were held at 2 p.m. Friday at Wells Funeral Home in Waynesville. The Revs. Billy Ferguson and Ernest Messer officiated. Burial was in Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. The Waynesville VFW Post 5202 and American Legion Haywood Post 47 conducted graveside military rites.
Pallbearers were Chase Fleming, Dusty Hickman, Anthony Rector, Brian Buchanan, Verlin and Jimmy Messer. Honorary pallbearers were Mark Hendricks and James Messer.
The family received friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Joseph D. Cagle
Infant
CLYDE -- Joseph Dewayne Cagle, infant son of Stacy and Kristen Rathbone Cagle of 918 Fines Creek Road, Clyde, died Saturday, July 8, 2000, at Haywood Regional Medical Center.
Surviving in addition to his parents are his maternal grandparents, Patty and Ted Rathbone of Clyde; maternal great-grandparents, Leona and Glen Rathbone of Clyde; paternal grandparents, Teresa Parris of Canton and Kerwin Cagle of Maggie Valley; paternal great-grandparents, Margaret and Tom Wilson of Canton, Guy Ward of Canton and the late Phyllis Ward.
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Crawford/Ray Memorial Gardens. The Rev. Clay Morgan will officiate.
Crawford/Ray Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Thomas W. Shelton
Madison County native
LEICESTER -- Thomas Wesley Shelton, 92, formerly of Sluder Branch Road, Leicester, died Wednesday, July 12, 2000, at The Oaks at Sweeten Creek.
A native of Madison County, he had lived in Buncombe County since 1950. He was a member of Mt. Sheba Baptist Church and the Men’s Bible Class. He was a son of the late Enoch and Anzo Bailey Shelton.
He was preceded in death by three daughters and two grandchildren.
Surviving are his wife, Winnie Hensley Shelton; two daughters, Myrtle Sluder and Patricia Dennie, both of Leicester; three sons, Earl James Shelton of Asheville, Larry Shelton of Clyde and Vaughn Shelton of Fairview; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home . The Revs. Vince Keith, James Parham and Keith Shelton will officiate. Burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Pisgah View Memorial Park with grandsons and sons-in-law serving as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Ned L. Caldwell
Ecusta retiree
CANTON -- Ned Leroy Caldwell, 68, Cruso, died Tuesday, July 11, 2000 at Haywood Regional Medical Center.
A native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, he was the son of the late Ruben and Sarah Caldwell. He had been employed by Ecusta for 37 years, retiring in 1987. He was a member of Pisgah Freewill Baptist Church and was a U.S. Marine Veteran serving during the Korean War.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Leaetta Caldwell Henson; and two granddaughters, Jennifer and Tracy Henson.
Surviving are his wife of 47 years, Dolores “Roonie” Caldwell; two sons, Terry and Mark Caldwell, both of Cruso; one daughter, Yvonne Caldwell of Cruso; one brother, Doice Caldwell of Canton; two sisters, Mamie Brown of Lake Logan and Cordie Lovelace of Clyde; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Services were held at 2 p.m. Friday at Wells Funeral Home in Canton. The Revs. Jake Cagle, Bob Littrell and Calvin Owenby officiated. Burial was in Bon-A-Venture Cemetery on the Old Clyde Road.
The family received friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 50 South French Broad, Asheville, N.C., 28801

Homer L. Franklin
Sylva native
NAMPA, Idaho -- Homer Lee Franklin, 78, died Saturday, July 8, 2000 in Nampa, Idaho.
A native of Sylva, he was the son of the late Ira Evander and Dona Franklin. He was employed by Dobbs Oldsmobile then at Edmark Chevrolet. He was stationed in Fort Warren in Cheyenne, Wy. in 1949. After his retirement in 1966 the family made their home in Nampa.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Coy Elmer, William and Ira Evander, Jr.; and sisters, Bertha and Ora.
Surviving are his wife, Dottie May Cole; five children, Barbara Franklin of Nampa, Robert Franklin and wife Julia of Boise, Idaho, Debbie Mashburn and husband Dave of Boise, Lana Oklepek and husband Roy of Boise, Mike Franklin and wife Cheri of Nampa; one sister, Mildred Settlemeyer of Sylva; and 10 grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Person Funeral Chapel in Nampa, Idaho.
Garrett Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.

Kenneth B. Blalock
Durham County native
EFLAND -- Kenneth Bruce Blalock, 62, of Efland, died Tuesday, July 11, 2000, at his home.
A native of Durham County, he was the son of Pansy Cochran Blalock and the late Hugh Allen Blalock. He was a member of the Congregation of God in Statesville and employed by Blalock Bookkeeping Service.
He was preceded in death by a son, Tony Kenneth Blalock.
Surviving in addition to his mother are his wife, Doris Cecil Blalock; two daughters, Brenda Overton and Sarah Butcher, both of Efland; one son, Kevin Blalock of Efland; one sister, Patricia Hill of Efland; one brother, Terry Blalock of Efland; 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Services were held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Walkers Funeral Home of Mebane. The Rev. Henry Nix officiated.
The family received friends from 8 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Triangle Hospice.

Gerald V. Vitiello
New Jersey native
ASHEVILLE -- Gerald “Jerry” Victor Vitiello, 64, died Tuesday, July 11, 2000, in a Morganton hospital.
A native of Newark, N.J., he was the son of the late Albert A. and Helen Roth Vitiello.
Surviving are two daughters, Alicya Simmons and husband David of Longwood, Fla., and Krystyna Vitiello of Apopka, Fla.; one son, Victor Gerald Vitiello of Altamonte Springs, Fla.; three sisters, Rose Marie Vitiello Duda of Asheville, Gloria Tyson of Waynesville and June Stephens of Sylva; two brothers, Alexander Vitiello of North Hollywood, Fla., and Carl Vitiello of West Orange, N.J.; two grandchildren; and his former wife, Krystyna Vitiello.
A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Eugene’s Catholic Church. The Rev. John Tuller will officiate. Burial will be in Pisgah View Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home.

James H. Carver
CLYDE -- James Henry Carver, 77, died Thursday, July 13, 2000, at Haywood Regional Medical Center.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Wells Funeral Home in Canton.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Pauline R. Clement
Pauline R. Clement, 80, of 119 Clement Drive, died July 16, 2000 at Haywood Regional Medical Center.
A native of Haywood County, she was the daughter of the late Cauley and Ruth Ferguson Rogers. She was a housewife and member of the First Baptist Church in Waynesville.
She was preceded in death by Kenneth Rogers.
She is survived by her husband, Kenneth Clement of Waynesville; two brothers, Paul Rogers of Waynesville and Bill Rogers of Lake Junaluska; and three sisters, Edith Ferguson, Mary Davis, and Nellie Bly Cathey, all of Waynesville.
Services will be held in the chapel of Garrett Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 19, 2000 at 2:00 p.m. Rev. Jack Bishop and Rev. Billy Ferguson will officiate. Burial will be in Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Charles Rogers, Ronald Rogers, David Rogers, Don Cathey, David Clement, and Reeves Ferguson.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. prior to the service.

Joseph Daniel Lee Rogers
Waynesville student
Joseph Daniel Lee Rogers, 12, 51 Macs Lane, died July 16 at Memorial Mission Hospital, Asheville, where he was being treated for a gunshot wound.
Rogers was visiting relatives in McDowell County when the accident occurred.
A native of Haywood County and a varsity running back at Waynesville Middle School, he was the son of Kim Welch and John Huene, and Randy and Ann Rogers, of Waynesville. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.
He also leaves three brothers: Jeffery Thompson, Austin Rogers and Levi Rogers, all of Waynesville; maternal grandparents Peggy and Kenneth Brown of Clyde, and Randy and Kathy Welch of Marion; maternal great-grandparents, Carl and Nellie Stanley of Waynesville and Cub and Dot Williams of Candler; paternal grandparents, Joe and Shirley Rogers of Waynesville; and maternal great-grandmother, Ina Sawyer of Waynesville.
Visitation will be held from 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday, July 20, at Garrett Funeral Home, Waynesville.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 21, at Garrett Funeral Home. The Revs. Gary Putnam and Billy Rogers will officiate. Pallbearers will be David Brown, Scott Welch, Stephen Daily, Anthony Sorrells, Aaron Putnam, Ryan Putnam, Steve Bradley and Danny Rogers.
Internment will be at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.