Obituaries

Lillian Elise Baty, age 100, of Highlands, NC, passed away Tuesday, January 31, 2023.  She was born October 8, 1922 in Habersham, Georgia to the late Marvin Tatum Gragg and Mamie Ethelene Chambers Gragg. Mrs. Baty had worked as a nursing assistant and also at Rabun Mills and Cashiers Plastic.  She was a member of Blue Valley Baptist Church In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, William H. "Joe" Baty, who died in 1989,; a son, Charles...

Jeanne Barnes Woodard, 78, of Franklin, NC, passed away Monday, January 30, 2023.  She was born June 26, 1944 in Jackson County, NC to the late Cliff and Edith Guest Barnes.  She was a bookkeeper and was of the Baptist faith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Edward (Ed) Woodard who died in 1985. She is survived by her daughter, Nina Gibson of Franklin, NC; grandson, Jonathan Gibson, Jr. of Franklin, NC; a brother, Rich Stewman. The...

Vincent Barrett (Barry) Jones of Highlands, NC, passed away Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at age 83.  Barry was born in Jackson, GA to the late Vincent S. and Sue Pope Jones.  In his youth he was most proud to be a member of his local Boy Scout Troup and achieved the ranking of Eagle Scout before going on to Emory at Oxford Prep School, then graduated from Emory University in Atlanta. His career included advertising and film making for PBS. A documentary on Grandfather...

Mary Leola Talley, 83, of Franklin, NC, passed away Sunday, January 29, 2023.  She was born July 31, 1939 in Macon County to the late Fred and Bertie Holland Dills.  Mrs. Talley worked in nursing and was a CNA.  She volunteered at the Highlands Emergency Council and was on the Board of Directors.  She loved working in her garden and loved all her family and friends.  She was a member of Buck Creek Baptist Church.  She is survived by her daughter, Mary Barnes of...

Kenny DeWitt Youmans was born on May 5, 1941, in Swainsboro, GA. His family moved to Pooler, GA after the end of WWII, and later moved to Savannah where he graduated from Savannah High School. After high school, Kenny attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College for two years and later graduated from The University of Georgia with a degree in Business. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity and the Gridiron Society and made lifelong friends from his time at UGA. Kenny served in the...

Elaine Westphal Reynolds was a caring wife, step-mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was a patient and kind-hearted person, witty, and a joy to know. She passed away peacefully on January 25, 2023, at age 89. The youngest of seven siblings, she was born December 22, 1933, in Zimmerman, Minnesota, to the late Edward and Caroline Leider Westphal. She was married to the late William Lee Reynolds, of Highlands NC. Elaine had the heart of a servant and spent much...

 Jean Reid Shuman              4/17/36 - 1/25/23 Jean “Gaboo” Reid Shuman passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, Jan. 25th, at the age of 86. Jean was born in Montclair, New Jersey, the only child of Fred and Jessie Reid Harvey. The family relocated to Miami, FL in 1946, where Jean lived for over 40 years. In 1954 she married Vernon Ray Shuman at Highland Park Baptist Church, and together they raised 3 daughters in Hialeah,...

Mary Jo Masullo Adams (nee Preast) 75, passed suddenly and unexpectedly Sunday, January 22, 2023. She was born in Miami, Florida, to John Edward Preast and Pauline Yambor of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, as number 5 of 8 children. She is survived by her husband of 10 years, Ray and sister Pat (brother-in-law Brian). She had 3 adult children, John, Christie, Lara (Son-in-law Shane), 8 grandchildren, Aidan, Talia, Logan, Gavin, Portia, Olivia, Vincenzo, Giovanni and nephew, Anthony, and...

Willene (Heidi) Boggs,age 83, of Highlands, NC, passed away Sunday, January 22, 2023.  She was born March 10, 1939 in Olympia, Washington to the late William Louis Graythen and Mary Zorah Williams Graythen. Mrs. Boggs had worked as a legal research consultant for the gas and oil industry and worked in commercial and residential real estate. She loved fine arts, arts and crafts, restoring antique furniture, collecting antique toys and flower gardening.  She was a Methodist by...

Daniel Boyd Coffeen 8.12.1954 – 1.21.2023 Daniel “Danny” Boyd Coffeen, 68, of Highlands, North Carolina sadly and unexpectedly left this world Saturday, January 21st, 2023, at his home. He was preceded in death by his parents Thomas Lund Coffeen and Bettye Jane Coffeen, of Highlands. Danny was a Navy Veteran who loved the outdoors and spending time with his family. He left behind two sons Jesse Coffeen and Lee Coffeen, three grandchildren, Ben Sullivan, Eliza Mae Coffeen,...