Obituaries

Lori Walker Kilby, 49, of Murphy, NC, passed away Sunday, May 2, 2021.  She was born August 16, 1971 in Copperhill, TN to Sherdie Walker and the late Erma Wright Walker.  She was a lifelong resident of Cherokee County, NC.  Lori was of the Christian faith.  She worked as a CNA in nursing, had worked in housekeeping and restaurants.  She loved kayaking, watersports and just sitting by the water.  She also loved her dog, Brooklyn. Lori is survived by children...

On May 1, 2021, Eugene “Ted” Gilbert Spring passed away while at home with his family and pets Holly, Bella, Zeus and Willow. His family finds comfort knowing that he is in Heaven and at peace with the love of his life, Cher.  Ted is preceded in death by his beautiful wife Cheryl, many beloved fur babies, parents Gladys and Elmer, sister Cookie; survived by brother Robert (Linda); children Michael Spring (Karen), Kirk Spring (Karen), Sandy Harvey (Tim), Jim Heberger...

Charles "Scoon" Verlin Nichols, 71, of Franklin, NC, passed away Saturday, May 1, 2021.  He was born November 25, 1949 in Macon County to the late Charles Martin Nichols and Bitty Jo McCoy Nichols.  In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Barbara Jean Moses Nichols.  Mr. Nichols was a member of Victory Baptist Church.  He was a probation officer and had worked in real estate and as a trucking dispatcher; he was also a notary, a...

Blanche Smith Morgan, 78, of Franklin, NC, passed away on Tuesday, April 27, 2021.  She was born on November 5, 1942 in Franklin, NC to John Doyle and Dove (McCoy) Smith.  On October 20, 1962 she married Lyman Dale Morgan.  Blanche was an honest, loving, and hard-working wife and mother.  A talented seamstress and cook, she created a happy home for her loved ones.  Blanche enjoyed music, crossword puzzles, reading, and keeping her home spotless.  Her...

Diana Marie Schardt Bernard, 62, of Franklin, NC, passed away Tuesday, April 27, 2021.  She was born January 8, 1959 in San Francisco, CA to Barbara Janicki Schardt and the late Dick Schardt.  Mrs. Bernard was an accountant, she attended the First Pentecostal Church, and she liked to make jewelry boxes. In addition to her mother, she is survived by her husband, Albert Joseph Bernard, Jr.; daughters, Caitlin McKenzie and Christina Schardt; brothers, Jeff Schardt and Stephen...

Sandra "Sandy" Ellenburg, 71, of Franklin, NC, passed away Tuesday, April 27, 2021.  She was born July 3, 1949 in Macon County, to the late Frank Raby and Alice Cabe Frazier.  Mrs. Ellenburg was a homemaker and a lifelong resident of Macon County.  She was an avid reader and a country music fan, she loved growing roses and cross stitching. She is survived by her mother, Alice Cabe Frazier of Franklin, NC; her husband, Julius Ellenburg; sons, Jason Ellenburg...

Mrs. Virginia Furnish Beu Caskey, 93, passed away Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at the Franklin House in Franklin, NC.   Mrs. Caskey was born June 24, 1927 in Cardington, Ohio to the late Arthur Furnish and Wilda Haynes Furnish. She was married to the late Walter Beu who passed away April 8, 1969 and to the late Glenn E. Caskey for 45 years who passed away in 2017.  Mrs. Virginia was a member of First United Methodist Church in Franklin. She worked as a leader in the Head Start program...

John Huscusson, 89 of Franklin, NC passed away Tuesday, January 5, 2021. John was born February 28, 1931 in Macon County, NC to the late John Calvin Huscusson and Bertha Roper Huscusson. Mr. Huscusson was married to the late Elizabeth Cook "Lib" Huscusson who preceded him in 2018.  He was a Navy Veteran and worked as a repair technician for Sears. John had many hobbies including, woodworking, making knives, fishing, gardening, raising tomatoes and loving on...

Garrett Daniel Siek, 18, of Franklin, NC passed away Saturday, April 24, 2021. Garrett was born February 21, 2003 in Winston Salem, NC to Daniel Siek and Mary Trese Zint Siek. He found his first love of Motorcross racing in 2nd grade, Garrett enjoyed soccer, golf, fishing and snowboarding. He always enjoyed new adventures and was up to trying new things. He loved his dogs, Sadie and Boo. Garrett was a Senior in High School.  Garrett is survived by his parents, Daniel and Trese Siek; a...

James Joseph Granato, 76, of Franklin, NC, passed away Thursday, April 22, 2021.  James was born September 16, 1944 in Trieste, Italy to the late Francesco Granato and Lidia Fratte.  Mr. Granato was retired after 30 years from Illinois Bell Phone Company.  He loved the mountains, and loved to cook; he was a member of Knights of Columbus and a Catholic by faith. He is survived by his daughters, Lora Morrison (Sean) and Lisa Vines (Michael); three sisters, Aussunta Granato...