Rafael Cruz Ramirez, 37, of Cherokee, passed away at Duke University Hospital on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, after an extended illness. 

Katie Rebecca Hensley, 53, a native of Cherokee, passed unexpectedly at her residence on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023.  She was Born Sept. 9, 1970 to the late Mable Littlejohn. 

Stella Kansas Watson, 70, of Cullowhee, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. She was born on September 27, 1943 to the late John Robert and Mary Lee Hooper Watson.

Shirley Jane DeHart Summey, 70, passed away on Tuesday, Dec, 26, 2023 at CarePartners Solace Center.

Gail Lynn Ledford-Johnson, 61, of Cherokee, passed away peacefully Saturday, Dec. 23, 2003 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.  She was born Dec. 24, 1961, to the late Norman Bergerone and Ruth Ledford.  

Larry Phillip “Phil” Allen Maney, 82, of Fall Branch, Tenn., passed into the loving arms of his Savior on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. A native of Cherokee, Phil was born May 24, 1941, to the late Jesse J. Maney and Muriel Smith Maney.

Clifton M. Owle, 75, of the Birdtown Community, passed away due to an extended illness, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. A native of Cherokee, he was born April 2, 1948, to the late Jack Clifton Owle and Pauline Lambert.  

Ellen Cathey Rhodarmer, a woman of faith, love, and adventure, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, at Silver Bluff Nursing Home.