Obituary of Boyd Buford Sossamon Sr.

Boyd Buford Sossamon Sr.,  95, of Webster passed away on Wednesday June 7, 2017 after a period of declining health.

He was born on in Cabarrus County, North Carolina and moved to Sylva in 1944 to open Sossamon Furniture in partnership with his brother Leroy.  He immediately became very active in the community becoming involved in the Lions Club, Boy Scouts, Fire department, Rescue Squad, and more.  He, along with other area businessmen formed Jackson Industries and worked to recruit companies to come to Jackson County.  He was Fire Chief of the Sylva Volunteer Fire Department for many years and was instrumental in organizing many of the satellite departments in the surrounding areas.  He was a 32° Mason with Lodge 459.  He served on numerous boards including local financial institutions, Chamber of Commerce, Mountain Projects, Sylva Merchants Association, and C. J. Harris Hospital. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Allison, and 2 brothers, Leroy Sossamon and Baine Sossamon.  He is survived by two sisters; Ethel Hammill of Brevard and Helen Neill of Hendersonville, one son; Boyd Sossamon Jr (Lynda), one daughter; Jayne Gillett, both of Sylva, two grandchildren; Josh Gillett (Tabatha) and Amy Scherman (Ernie), four great grandchildren; Brody Scherman, Lyndsay Scherman, and Autumn Scherman Porter (Jake) and Layla Gillett, and one great-great granddaughter; Sophia Marie Porter.  He is also survived by his friend and caregiver; Beatrice Buchanan. 

Services will be held at the Sylva First United Methodist Church at 2pm, Saturday June 10, with Reverend Mike Shuford officiating, assisted by Reverend Dan Stiles.  The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service.  A private interment service will be held at a later date.