Wells Funeral Homes Inc & Cremation Services - Waynesville

08/21/2026

08/21/2026

Jarvis Dean Brock

Jarvis Dean Brock, 74, of Asheville NC, passed away peacefully on August 19th, 2026. Dean was born April 30th, 1952, to Jarvis Sr. and Mildred Brock in Waynesville, NC. Throughout his life, Dean was known as a man of great intelligence and kindness, bringing humor, wisdom, and warmth to the lives of those who knew him.

Dean was a remarkably bright and charming kid. He moved around North and South Carolina with his family growing up. He received a National Merit Scholarship to attend Duke University, completing his B.A. in Mathematics in 1974. He went on to earn his PhD in Computer Science at MIT in 1983.

Dean loved sharing his knowledge with others and pursued teaching in various forms throughout his life. He traveled internationally teaching Unix before becoming a professor at UNC Chapel Hill and later UNC Asheville. He cared deeply about his students and would work hard creating inventive activities to get them excited about learning up until he retired in 2020.

Outside of academics, Dean also had a lifelong passion for music and dancing. He came from a musical family, singing and playing hymns growing up. At Duke he sang in the University Chapel Choir, and while teaching at UNC Chapel Hill he took part in Gilbert and Sullivan productions with the Durham Savoyards. At home, he played guitar, piano, and sang, and throughout his life he regularly attended contra, Scottish, and English country dances. He passed his love of music and dance to his children, who fondly remember dancing and singing around the house with him.

Above all, Dean loved his family. He treasured being a father and playing with his children. He would always make time to visit his extended family and devoted many hours to genealogy, researching both his and his wife’s family.

Dean is survived by his wife Rebecca Bruce; his children Ghilman Brock (Melissa Chin) and Janet Brock (Tyler Trejo); and his brothers Zane and Truett.

A memorial service celebrating Dean’s life will be held on Saturday, August 29th, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Hazelwood Baptist in Waynesville, NC. Burial to follow at Greenhill Cemetery. We invite all who knew and loved Dean to join us in honoring his memory and we encourage attendees to wear color in tribute to his love of fun colors.

In lieu of flowers, we encourage you to honor Dean’s legacy by learning something new, dancing to your favorite song, or spending a little extra time with your family. We believe this would be the best tribute to his extraordinary life and what he would have wanted for all whose lives he touched.

The care of Mr. Brock has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville

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08/18/2026

Charles Baiera, Jr.

Charles Baiera, Jr., 75, passed away on August 12, 2026, at Forsyth Medical Center. A Native of Brooklyn, NY, Charles has been a resident of Haywood County since 1989. Charles was the son of the late Charles & Rose Fiore Baiera and preceded in death by a son, Charles Baiera III.

Charles proudly served his country in the US Army, during the Vietnam era. Professionally, Charles dedicated his career to the US Postal Service, working at the Lake Junaluska Post Office and ultimately serving as the US Postmaster until his well-earned retirement. This role allowed him to serve the community he called home, always with integrity and diligence.

Faith was central to Charles's life. As a long-standing member of Faith Community Church, he found purpose and camaraderie through his work on the prayer team and altar ministry team. He also invested 25 years in the Haywood County Bible Club, an accomplishment for which he was especially proud, reflecting both his dedication and his firm belief in supporting his community through faith and fellowship.

Charles was a man who took joy in the simple beauties of life. He cherished time spent outdoors and fostered many memorable family gatherings at the pool, treasuring these moments of connection and laughter with those he loved most.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 55 years, Barbara Ann Harvey Baiera. Daughters, Cheryl Harris (John) and Sharon Tolles (Silas), sons, Daniel Baiera (Larissa) and David Baiera (Heather), sisters, Joyce Patterson and Donna Baiera; and brother, John Baiera (Lynn) and a foster brother, Jack Catanzaro.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Faith Community Church with Reverend Matt Pruett officiating. Visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. prior to service. Burial will take place at Dawn Memory Gardens with Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Haywood County Bible Club, 136 Rainbow Acres Lane, Clyde, NC, 28721; or Faith Community Church Missions Fund, 289 Industrial Park Drive, Waynesville, NC, 28786.

As family and friends gather to honor and remember Charles Baiera, Jr., the love he shared and the example he set will continue to light the path for those he leaves behind, echoing his spirit of kindness, service, and unwavering faith.

The care of Mr. Charles Baiera, Jr. has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville

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08/14/2026

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08/07/2026

Linda Ann Manes

Linda Ann Manes, 69, of Haywood County, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2026, at her home with her loving family by her side. She was born on July 29, 1957, in Haywood County, North Carolina, to Charles and Mary Ann (Massie) Way. She was a lifelong resident of Haywood County and cherished the community she called home.

Linda met the love of her life, Harry Manes, in Waynesville, and the two were married at First United Methodist Church in Waynesville. Together, Linda and Harry shared a wonderful life filled with love, family, and many memorable adventures. They enjoyed traveling together and had the opportunity to visit many places, including Europe and the Caribbean, often accompanied by Linda’s parents, Charles and Mary Ann.

Linda graduated from Tuscola High School in 1975 and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in social work from Columbia College in 1979. Her caring nature and compassion for others were evident throughout her life. She was a generous and loving woman who was always willing to help those around her.

Linda was an active member of First United Methodist Church and enjoyed volunteering during Pancake Days, where she humbly gave her time to support her community. She found joy in serving others and making a difference in the lives of those around her.

Linda also had a special love for dachshunds, having shared her life with many of them over the years. She leaves behind her beloved dachshund, Annie, who held a particularly special place in her heart.

Linda will be remembered for her compassionate heart, generous spirit, and unconditional love for her family, friends, her unwavering faith in Christ, and all those fortunate enough to know her.

May God Bless the memory of Linda Ann Manes.

Left to celebrate Linda’s life is her spouse, Harry Manes; mother, Mary Ann Way; sister, Harriett Way; as well as many other relatives. She was preceded in death by her father, Charles Way; and a brother, Charles “Chuck” Way, Jr..

A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church, in Waynesville, on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 11:00 AM. Visitation with the family will immediately follow the service in the reception hall. Officiating Mrs. Manes service will be Rev. Wil Posey and Rev. Rob Blackburn.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution can be made to Sarge’s Animal Rescue, 256B Industrial Park Dr, Waynesville, NC, 28786.

The care of Mrs. Linda Manes has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.

View Linda Ann Manes's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/30/2026

Elizabeth Illingworth

Elizabeth Illingworth of Lake Junaluska, age 94, passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Haywood Regional Medical Center. A native of Clyde, North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Thomas Spurgeon and Nancy Robinson Ensley. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband David Marr Illingworth who passed away in 2015. Her siblings, Richard Ensley and Mary R***r, also preceded her in death.

She was the perfect image of what you would hope for in a mother, wife and friend. She took great pride in her family and was always there for each of them. Elizabeth was the most selfless, supportive and endearing lady you would ever meet.

She is survived by a son John Illingworth, of Lake Junaluska; a daughter, Mary Jesse and her husband, Dann, of Clyde; one granddaughter, Heather Blessman and her husband Kyle and one great-grandson Atlas of Raleigh; and several nieces and nephews.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church General Fund (785 Paragon Parkway, Clyde, NC 28721) or a charity of your choosing.

The care of Mrs. Illingworth has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.

View Elizabeth Illingworth's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/29/2026

Katherine D Calhoun

Katherine Dunning Calhoun, age 97, passed peacefully from this world on July 26, 2026, at her home.

Katherine was born in Summerville, SC to Herbert and Adella Dunning. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Sam, an infant daughter Lauren, and her sister Patsy Stalvey.

Katherine followed in her father's footsteps and attended the College of Pharmacy at the Medical University of South Carolina, where she was only one of three women in her class. She graduated in 1951.

By this time she had met the love of her life, a mountain boy named Sam, and they married in September of 1951. They enjoyed 54 years together and raised 4 children in Waynesville, NC. Katherine was a devoted mother and encouraged her children to be creative and shared with them her love of reading and curiosity about the world. She was a talented seamstress, making clothes for her children and herself. She was the Director of Pharmacy at C.J. Harris Hospital in Sylva, NC from 1970-1989. She and Sam were members of Grace Episcopal Church in Waynesville since 1954. Katherine not only loved her family and her church, but also her friends, especially the bridge club ladies, who were her dear friends for over 70 years.

Katherine and Sam celebrated their 50th anniversary with a trip to Pawley's Island with all of their children, sons and daughters-in-law, and grandchildren, where amid lots of love and laughter, everyone joined in eating part of their 50 year old wedding cake that they had carefully kept frozen all those years. Katherine and Sam thought it still tasted great.

Katherine is survived by her children Keith Calhoun (Regina) of Maggie Valley, Lanier Colgan (Tim), Lisa Calhoun, and John Calhoun (Cynthia), all of Waynesville; her brother Buzzy Dunning (Sheila) of Greensboro, NC; and her grandchildren Cal Colgan, Katherine Colgan, and Mark Colgan (Zella).

A private family burial will be held, with a Celebration of Life service at 4:00 on Friday August 14th, at Grace Episcopal Church in Waynesville, N.C. with a reception afterwards.

Memorials may be made to Grace Church 394 N. Haywood St, Waynesville, NC 28786 or to Doctors Without Borders (doctorswithoutborders.org) or Mercy Ships (mercyships.org).

The care of Mr. Lindsey has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.

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07/14/2026

Bennett "Ben" Best

Ben Best, 97, lifelong resident of Crabtree, passed from his home on Bald Creek to his heavenly home Sunday morning, July 12 with his family around him.

Born on Crabtree Mountain on January 6, 1929, to George and Cecile Hill Best, Ben grew up during the Great Depression with his brother, Gerald, and his sisters, Martha (Hawkins) and Barbara (Brown) and two next farm cousins, Hillary and Bill Medford. The four boys spent many happy hours roaming over the mountains, possum hunting and trapping muskrats to earn a few dollars. They would be teenagers before electricity and indoor plumbing reached the community.

When Ben was five, the Best family moved to Liner Creek, near Rock Springs Church and three-room school. As his two older siblings crossed the creek to attend school, he would follow and sit on the foot log, eager to join the other children at play. The teacher enrolled him a year early and he attended until the school consolidated with the new Crabtree School when he was in third grade.

Rock Springs Baptist Church played an important role in Ben's Life. His family began attending services there when he was five years old. When he was a little older, the church paid him fifty cents weekly to sweep the church and build a fire in the huge wood stove. As a young teenager, Ben made a profession of faith in Jesus and was baptized in a fishpond at the pastor, Rev. Pink McCracken’s home.

Always faithful in attendance at Rock Springs, Ben held many positions, including that of deacon for 68 years, chairman of the building committee, and once giving a year of labor acting as building contractor for a major addition to the church. At the time of his death, he was the oldest member of the church, having attended there for 92 years.

Ben graduated in 1947 from Crabtree Iron-Duff High School in a class of 13 students. A year later he volunteered to join the United States Army. He served his country in Germany, dismantling weapon depots left from World War Two. Upon discharge from the Army, he worked as a carpenter and farmer and as a substitute mail carrier where he met his future wife, Clarine Greene.

In 1955, Ben and Clarine were married and moved to Bald Creek where they lived for 71 years. Ben began work at Champion Paper and Fiber Company in Canton, where he helped organize the trucking department from which he hauled the first load of board paper to the new Champion facility in Waynesville to be coated with plastic for making milk cartons.

Retiring after 36 years at Champion, Ben continued to work as a farmer, driving a tractor and baling hay until he was 95 years old.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Gerald Best, a sister, Martha Best Hawkins and a granddaughter, Rachel Best.

He is survived by his wife, Clarine Greene Best, three sons, Marty Best (Karen Smathers), Randy Best, and Tracy Best (Gwen Norris) and a sister, Barbara Best Brown. He is also survived by a grandson, Jeremy Best (Caitlin Hensley) a granddaughter, Maggie Best, step grandchildren, Christian Hunt and Helena Hunt and five great grandchildren, Haiden Woods, Jake Woods, Palmer Best, Jace Bennett Best and Tyler Best. Also left to remember him is a host of other relatives, neighbors and friends.

Sincere thanks to all the people (too many to mention) who helped him through the pain of living with prostate cancer, and who helped the family bear the burden of losing our guiding light.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 17, 2026, at Rock Springs Baptist Church, 2554 Liner Creek Road, Clyde. The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. prior to service. Burial will follow at Upper Crabtree Community Cemetery with Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Upper Crabtree Community Cemetery, C/O Jerry Sutton, 64 Footsy Drive, Clyde, NC 28721.

The care of Mr. Best has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.

View Bennett "Ben" Best's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.