James Anderson Saunooke, 73, of Chicago, Ill., passed away unexpectedly following a brief illness on Sept. 19, 2014. He made his home in Illinois, but was from Cherokee, NC.
Known as Jimmy to his family, he was the son of the late Joseph Anderson Saunooke and Stacey (Powell) Saunooke. He left home as a young man just after high school in the late fifties in pursuit of training for his future and only returned for visits with his family.
James is survived by one sister, Edna Goshorn of Whittier; nieces, Diane L. Goshorn of also of Jackson Co. , Debrah S. with husband Tom Pendergraft of Tulsa, Okla., Donna Beck of Jackson Co., Sherry Young of Cherokee, Sophia and husband Bill Lequire, of Swain Co., and Stacy Washington with husband Josh of Cherokee; nephews, Kirk G. Saunooke of Cherokee and Robert “Bob” Price of Cherokee.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Robert and Joseph Saunooke and one sister, Valeria Saunooke.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, Nov. 1 from 12-2pm at the Cherokee Baptist Church. A funeral service will follow at 2pm in the church with Rev. Percy Cunningham and Pastor Merritt Youngdeer officiating. An immediate burial will follow in the Saunooke Family Cemetery with T.W. Saunooke, Tivon Saunooke, Harley Young, Josh Washington, Derick Jenkins and Kirk Saunooke act as pall bearers.
Long House Funeral Home of Cherokee assisted in bringing James home to be placed at rest.