Willie Kendall Barnett: Obituary
Obituaries August 16, 2019
Willie Kendall Barnett, age 88 of Marble, NC passed away Thursday, August 15, 2019.
He was native and lifelong resident of Cherokee County, NC and the son of the late Aurther and Nettie Queen Barnett. Kendall was a US Army veteran; he served in the Korean War. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and farming. Kendall attended Vengeance Creek Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death three brothers, Joe, Ralph and Roy Barnett and four sisters, Lillie Mae Wilson, Ellen Palmer, Bernice Huskins and Kate McClure.
He is survived by wife, Sarai Barnett; one son, Stanley Barnett and wife Michele; four daughters, Inas Couey and husband Scott, April Roberson and husband Jeff, Hope Garrett and husband Harold and Vandia Sneed and husband Nathan; six grandchildren, Brandi, Justin, Kent, Jacob, Caity, Issac and two deceased grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, Riley and Colby; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at 3 pm, Saturday, August 17, 2019 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Ethan Story and Rev. Jim Pressley will officiate. Music will be provided by the Vengeance Creek Baptist Church Choir. Burial will be in the Canyon Road Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Rex, Blaine, Jimmy and Josh Barnett, Danny Wilson and Bucky Kelly. Honorary pallbearers will be Jan Barnett, Buddy Wilson and Marvin Guffey.
The family will receive friends from 1-3 pm, Saturday, August 17, 2019 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
You may send tributes to the family at www.mem.com
Clay County Sheriff’s Office releases statement regarding stolen U-Haul & Officer Involved Shooting
News March 22, 2019
Hayesville, NC FYN received the following Press Release from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office
March 22, 2019
In the early afternoon hours of March 21, 2019, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office took a report of a stolen
U-Haul truck. Later that afternoon, Clay County dispatch center received a report of a U-Haul truck in the
Shooting Creek Community that matched the description of the one that was reported stolen earlier in
the day. Deputies initiated a traffic stop on the U-Haul on Highway 64 East at the Shooting Creek Market.
Before it came to a complete stop in the parking lot, it immediately left and continued west on Hwy 64 at
a high rate of speed. Deputies pursued the vehicle down Highway 64 and onto Old Highway 64 East where
it sped through a construction zone. It continued towards Highway 175 and eventually turned onto Elf
School Road. The stolen U-Haul turned around in a field at the end of Patterson Road and traveled back
out Elf School Road.
Fearing the U-Haul would go back into the construction zone and strike pedestrians, a deputy was blocking
a portion of Elf School Road. The U-Haul then accelerated directly into the path of the deputy who was
out of his vehicle. The deputy fired his service weapon at the U-Haul. The U-Haul turned into a field and
the driver attempted to run from deputies on foot but was taken into custody. The female passenger was
flown to Northeast Georgia Medical Center for treatment and was released a short time later. During the
pursuit the U-Haul struck two patrol cars, one of which was totaled, and almost ran over pedestrians in
the construction zone.
The NC State Bureau of Investigation was immediately notified and responded to the scene.
Michael Paul Ledford, 36 of Murphy NC was charged with Driving While License Revoked, Reckless Driving
to Endanger, Reckless Driving With Wanton Disregard, 2 counts of Injury to Personal Property, Felony
Flee/Elude Arrest, Felony Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle, and 5 counts of Assault With a Deadly
Weapon With Intent to Kill. Ledford was given a $350,000 secured bond and a court date of April 4, 2019.
Ledford also had active warrants for arrest out of Cherokee County for Resisting Public Officer, Felony
Break and Enter, Larceny After Break and Enter, Injury to Real Property, Possession of Methamphetamine
and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was given a secured bond of $8,500 on those charges and a court date of April 2, 2019.
Cherokee County Sheriff’s office warns of Possible Police Impersonator
News March 5, 2019
Murphy, NC The Cherokee County Sheriff’s office states it has received reports of a white 2019 Ford Explorer with a regular car tag on it operating blue lights that has been stopping individuals in the Cherokee County Area. They do not have a vehicle as described above. If you should encounter that particular vehicle please contact Cherokee County Emergency Communications at 828-835-3144 so that they can determine if this an official vehicle or an impostor (blue light bandit).
If for some reason an unmarked car attempts to stop you in an area that you feel unsafe please call 911 and find a safe area to stop until such time as they can ensure the stop is legitimate.