Wilburn James Wiggins, 67, of the Galbreath Creek Community, passed away peacefully on Friday, Jan.  5, 2024, at the Elizabeth House in Flat Rock, N.C. after a courageous battle with cancer.

Kathy “Momma Hatt” West, 66, of the Big Cove Community, went home to be with the Lord Sunday Dec. 31, 2023.

Louise Ann Reed, 65 of the Snowbird Community, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at Cherokee Indian Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. 

Julia Ardell Biddix, 88, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023 at Cherokee Indian Hospital.

Helen Sue Wahnetta Bottchenbaugh passed on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023. Helen was a proud respected Cherokee woman, who took great pride in being called Mom, Grandma, Lala, and Grandma Helen.

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.