Obituaries

Birch Criss

Birch Criss passed away peacefully on Nov. 22, 2021. During his time with us he was a loving son, husband, father and a good friend. Edgar Birch Criss was born on Dec. 28, 1935 in Cleveland, Miss. to Helen Davis and G.D.Criss, who taught him to love God and his neighbor.

Maria Cortes

Maria Cortes, 88, of Hayesville, passed away on Friday, April 29, 2022. Townson-Rose Funeral Home: www.townson-rose.com is in charge of the arrangements.

Dexter Dean Hubbard Jr.

Dexter Dean Hubbard Jr., 39, of Murphy, N.C., went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 7, 2022. He was the son of Gwen Rose and Terry Waggoner and Dex and Ginger Hubbard. He was a member of Meadow Grove Baptist Church and knew the Lord from a young age.

Betty Jean Ditmore Allison Wheeler

On May 9, 2022, Betty Jean Ditmore Allison Wheeler, 84, of Young Harris, Ga. met her Lord and Savior face to face whom she had played the guitar and sung about for most of her life.

Raymond F. Cotton

Raymond F. Cotton, 78, of Hayesville, passed away Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at his residence. Ray was born in Mobile, Ala. He served in the United States Air Force. Raymond began his career with IBM and later owned and operated a real estate company in Hayesville.

James L. Padgett

James L. Padgett, 86, of Hayesville, passed away Friday, April 29, 2022. He was born in Hayesville to the late James Guy and Lucille Young Padgett. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his elder sister, Clara Winchester.

Howard Edwin Bruner

Howard Edwin Bruner, 79, formerly of Millville, N.J. passed away peacefully Saturday, Dec. 18. 2021 at Hayesville House. He was born Sept. 23, 1942 in Dauphin County, Harrisburg, Pa. to the late Joyce E. Bruner and Anna E. Smith. He attended school in Millville.

Paul Madison Purvis

Paul Madison Purvis, 47, of Hayesville passed away Saturday, April 16, 2022. Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

Westley Scott ‘Skeet’ Whitaker

Westley Scott "Skeet" Whitaker, 51, of Hayesville, passed away on Friday, April 22, 2022 peacefully in his sleep. Scott was born in Hiawassee, Ga. to Joyce Scroggs Shelton and the late Charles Whitaker.  He dedicated his life to helping others as a social worker.

Tammie Sue Garrett

Tammie Sue Garrett, 52, of Hayesville, passed away Sunday, April 24, 2022. She was born in Clayton, Ga. to Harriett Cox Lygh.