Mary F. Crain

Mary F. Crain, 77, of Murphy passed away Saturday, February 23, 2019 in a Murphy hospital.

Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy in charge of arrangements.

Jamie Beth Bryant

Jamie Beth Bryant, 43, of Murphy was called home by her Lord and Savior on Monday, February 18, 2019. Jamie was born on January 12, 1976 in Marietta, Georgia, but was raised in Murphy from the age of two. She was a 1994 graduate of Murphy High School. She attended Young Harris College and later graduated from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Jamie worked for Randstad as a human resource manager for the past 15 years. She was exceptional at drawing, enjoyed music, and was an avid Georgia Bulldog fan. Jamie loved her family very much.

She was the daughter of James L. and Barbara Verner Bryant of Murphy.

Surviving, in addition to her parents, are her fiancé, Eddie Temple; a daughter, Harper Madeline Temple of the home; a step-son, Isaiah Temple of the home; a sister, Heather Lepper and husband, Cory of Excelsior, Minnesota; a niece, Hutton Hadley Lepper; a nephew, Asher Alexander Lepper; a favorite aunt, Linda Ledford; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

Memorial services were held at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, February 23, 2019 in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy with the Rev. Jerry Helton officiating.

The family received friends from 5-6:45 Saturday evening at the Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy prior to the services.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made payable to Harper Madeline Temple and taken to any State Employees’ Credit Union or mailed to the Murphy branch at PO Box 1038, Murphy, NC 28906.

Martha Ann Whitener

Martha Ann Whitener, 68, of Murphy, passed away Sunday, February 17, 2019 at her residence. She was a native and lifetime resident of Murphy where she had lived for over 42 years at her home on Reservoir Road. Martha loved her Lord and Savior and showed that same love to her children and grandchildren.

She was the daughter of the late Stanley and Eunaiviee Clark Whitener. She was also preceded in death by a son Edward Lynn Johnson, Jr., two sisters, Wilma York Whitener and Joy Faye Whitener and a brother, James Ted Whitener.

Surviving are a daughter, Eunaiviee Raper and husband, Jeff of Murphy; a son, Stanley Johnson of Murphy; a brother, Tex S. Whitener of Blue Ridge, Georgia; five grandchildren, Jesse James, Jordan and Alyssa Johnson, Tara and Tasha Raper; her special nieces and nephews, James Ted Whitener, Jr., Gloria Whitener Lewis and her 3 children, Steven, Matthew, and Anna Lewis, Rodella Sunshine Patterson and her 2 children, Kayla and Dusty Patterson, William Howard Ledford, Jr., and is also survived by several other nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held at 7:00 p.m. Monday, February 18, 2019 at the Chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy with Rev. Doyle Lloyd officiating, and music was provided by Erica Tague, Frankie Sneed, Rev. Doyle Lloyd and his family.

Wilma Doris Carroll

Wilma Doris Carroll, 79, of Murphy passed away, Thursday, February 14, 2019 in a Blairsville hospital. She was a native of Cherokee County, but had lived most of her life in Brevard County, FL, before returning to Murphy in 1996. Wilma was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling, gardening, and working in her flowers. She was a family-oriented lady and had been a caregiver to her many children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, whom she loved.

She was the daughter of the late Richard and Ruth Reid Cobb, and the wife of the late William Filo Carroll, who died May 31, 2008. She was also preceded in death by three sons, Timothy, David, and John Tarbox; a daughter, Teresa Hensley; and three brothers, Jerry, Donald Gene, and Stephen Cobb.

Surviving are a daughter, Nita Tarbox of Cape Canaveral, FL; two sons, Carl Carroll and wife, Katie of Orlando, FL, and Gene Tarbox and wife, Shirlene of Bethany, OK; two sisters, Diann Bullington of Maryville, TN, and Judy Dacus and husband, Jerry of Orlando, FL; a brother, Bobby Joe Cobb and wife, Joan of Phoenix, AZ; and over 13 grandchildren, and many great grandchildren.

A memorial service and inurnment will be at Sarasota National Cemetery at a later date.

Eunice Aileen Ledford

Eunice Aileen Ledford, 85, of Murphy passed away Thursday, February 14, 2019 in a Murphy hospital. She was a native and lifetime resident of Murphy. Eunice was well known for her employment at the local Levi Strauss and Company, where she had retired as an Assistant Plant Manager after 34 years. In her youth, Eunice was an avid lake enthusiast particularly for skiing and camping. Eunice loved cooking, gardening, and working in her flowers around her home. She was a member of Murphy First Baptist Church.

She was the daughter of the late Robert and Belle Carringer Henry. She was also preceded in death by five brothers, Herbert, Pless, and John Henry, and Harold and Woodford “Jr” Johnson.

Surviving are a daughter, Sandy Forrister and husband, Steve of Murphy; a son, Paul “P.A.” Ledford of Murphy; a step-daughter, Debbie Jones of Annapolis, MD; two step-sons, Kyle Ingram of Navarre Beach, FL, and Tot Ingram of Gainesville, GA; a brother, Jack Henry of Hamtranck, MI; a special sister, Billie Simonds, formerly of Copperhill, TN, now of Yorktown, VA; five grandchildren, Chris Ledford of Murphy, Brittney Forrister of Nashville, TN, Jordan Winston and husband, Dave of Tampa, FL, Abigail Williams and husband, Adam of Charlotte, NC, and Hudson Forrister and fianceѐ, Jillian Moorhouse of Maryville, TN; two great grandchildren, Sadie Winston, and Clare Williams; special friend and caregiver, Barbara Rhodes; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at 3:00 pm Sunday, February 17, 2019 in the Chapel of the Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy with Revs. Aud Brown, and Jimmy Tanner officiating. Honorary pallbearers were Bill Carringer, Max O’Dell, Larry Henry, Harold Wilson, Donnie Wayman, Junior Graves, Jerry Johnson, Franklin Barnett, and Ronnie Clayton.

The family received friends from 1:00-2:45 Sunday afternoon at the Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy prior to the services.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Food Bank at Murphy First Baptist Church, 517 Hiwassee Street, Murphy, NC 28906.

Clinton Strand

Clinton Strand, age 48, of Murphy, passed away Friday, February 1, 2019 at his residence.

No services are planned at this time.

Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy in charge of arrangements.

Ruby Paschal Ivey, age 88, of Murphy, formerly of Riverview, Alabama, passed away Friday, December 14, 2018 in a Blairsville, Georgia hospital. She was a native of Riverview, Alabama, but had lived most of her life in Maryland before retiring in Riverview.  Ruby was a homemaker and was of the Baptist faith. Ruby was an avid gardener and enjoyed spending time with her family.

She was the daughter of the late Grady B. and Kate Smith Paschal and the wife of the late Thereay Ivey, who died June 17, 2007. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Gwendolyn Lull.

Surviving are a daughter, Nanette “Nan” Gouge and husband, Charles of Murphy; three sons, Ricky Ivey of Baltimore, Maryland, Don Ivey and wife, Monika of Murphy, and Jerry Ivey and wife, Roxanne of Elkton, Maryland; three brothers, Wallace Paschal and wife, Loreen of Opelika, Alabama, Holland Paschal and wife, Faye of Valley, Alabama, and Leon Paschal and wife, Dorothy of Tiger, Georgia; 10 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and 6 great great grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at a later date in Opelika, Alabama.  The interment will be in Shady Grove Cemetery in Opelika, Alabama.

Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy in charge of arrangements.

Neva Jean Bates Whitener

Neva Jean Bates Whitener, 81, of Murphy passed away Tuesday, February 5, 2019 in a Murphy care facility. Neva Jean was a native and lifelong resident of Cherokee County. She worked at Clifton Precision until retirement. Neva Jean was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter No. 10 and the Grape Creek Homemakers Club for more than 70 years. She was a member of the Ogreeta Baptist Church for 46 years, where she served as church clerk and taught Sunday School for more than 40 years. Neva Jean was currently a member of the Boiling Springs Baptist Church. She loved her family heritage and exploring geneology.

She was the daughter of the late Mattie LouBell Graves Bates Baker and the step-daughter of the late Rufus Wesley Baker and the wife of the late Robert Elee Whitener, who died May 14, 1999. She was also preceded in death by two daughters, Nancy Ann Whitener Golden and Neva Sue Whitener Ellison; and a son, Robert William “Bobby” Whitener.

Surviving are a grandson, Cody Shea Golden and wife, Shelby of Murphy; five granddaughters, Kayala Renee Golden Messer and husband, Cody, Porschia Dawn Mathis and husband, Bobby, Lexus Mackenzie Ellison Stewart and husband, Willie, Madison Cheyenne Ellison, and Lillian Grace Whitener, all of Murphy; seven great grandchildren, Charlie, Hailey, and Hope Mathis, Harper, Paige, and Talen Messer, and James Golden; and two sons-in-law, Ned Golden and Mike Ellison.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Sunday, February 10, 2019 in the Chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy with the Revs. Eddis Dockery and Warren Golden officiating. The interment will be in Grape Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Cody Golden, Cody Messer, Bobby Mathis, Willie Stewart, Matt Helms, and Derik Messer. Honorary pallbearers will be Ned Golden, Mike Ellison, and Garland Graves Jr.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 Saturday evening at the Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Neva Jean Bates Whitener to the Grape Creek Homemakers Club, 5506 Joe Brown Highway, Murphy, NC 28906.

Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy in charge of all arrangements.

Shirley Hood, 100, of Murphy went home to be with her Lord and Savior Thursday, December 6, 2018. She was a native of Totowa, New Jersey, where she had lived throughout most of her life. She was a loving mother and homemaker. Shirley had an artist’s appreciation of nature which she shared with her family and through her paintings. She was proud of the time she served as president of Women’s Club of Little Falls, New Jersey. Shirley later moved to Largo, Florida, where she lived for 20 years before moving to Murphy in 2009. She attended Saint William Catholic Church with her family. Shirley celebrated her 100^thbirthday surrounded by four generations of family. She was loved by everyone who had the pleasure of meeting her.

She was the daughter of the late William D. and Catherine Berdan O’Brien and the wife of the late Charles William Hood who died March 27, 2009. She was also preceded in death by a son, Charles Wayne Hood; a sister, Katherine O’Brien; and two brothers, Ellis and Wayne O’Brien.

Surviving are a daughter, Iris DeRosa and husband, Jim of Murphy; a daughter-in-law, Sylvia Hood of Ocklawaha, Florida; three grandsons, Christopher Wayne Hood and wife, Danielle of Largo, Florida, William J. DeRosa and wife, Samantha, and James G. DeRosa and wife, Amy, all of Charlotte; five great grandchildren, Christian and Connor Hood, and Josephine, Eva Marie, and Aubrie DeRosa; and several nieces and nephews.

An inurnment will be held at a later date at Bay Pines National Cemetery in St. Petersburg, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Shirley Hood to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.

Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy in charge of arrangements.

Ralph Hardin

Ralph Hardin, 87, of Topton passed away Friday, February 1, 2019 in a Chattanooga, Tennessee hospital. He was a native and lifetime resident of Cherokee County. Ralph worked at his father’s trout pond and in his apple’s trees. He gave a lot of apples and grapes to his friends and neighbors. Ralph loved his neighbors and their kids and some of his neighbors were there to give Ralph a helping hand when he needed it. He was a member of the Red Marble Baptist Church. Ralph’s family and friends will see him later in Heaven.

He was the son of the late Dillard and Eunice Hardin. He was also preceded in death by three sisters, Dartha Haught, Mary Lou Hardin, and Evelyn Teague; and two brothers, Carl and J.D. Hardin.

Surviving are two sisters, Virginia Webb and Eula Nelson; and many nieces and nephews.

Graveside services were held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 6, 2019 in Valleytown Cemetery with the Rev. Scott Roper officiating.

The family received friends from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at the Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews.