James “Matt” Barnes, 68, of Cherokee, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at Maggie Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation.

Dawn “Sissy” West, a diehard Duke fan, 50, of Cherokee, started her new life on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. A native of Cherokee, she was the daughter of the late Paul “Buck” West and Mary Jackson West.

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our husband, father, brother, and friend, Gary French, who began his next journey on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026.

Services in honor of Troy Wayne Poteete will be held Friday, Feb. 13 at 1 p.m. at the Sequoyah High School Gym in Tahlequah, Okla.

Paul Ferree Hornbuckle Sr., 67, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, at his home in Whittier, N.C.

Jack Allen Lambert, 67 of the Birdtown Community, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026.

Richard Joseph Meuse Jr., 37, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, at his residence.

Amanda Sue Lambert, 62, of Cherokee, N.C., passed away on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at Tsali Care Center in Cherokee, N.C., after an extended illness.