Barbara Ammons

Barbara Ann Ammons

Cherokee - Barbara Ann Ammons, 68, of Shoal Creek died after a long illness on Saturday, September 28th, 2013. She was the daughter of the late John and Erma Chickilelie Ammons.

She is survived by two daughters, Keterri Bradley of Whittier and Tammy Cagle of Cherokee; five grandchildren, Britnee Gibson, Rhiannon Hull, KaShayla Lossiah, Chantele Lossiah and NeKyle Lossiah; four great grandkids, Wyatt Caley, Colton Wilnoty, Kyrie Lossiah and Makray Lossiah; two sisters, Louise Parris of Cherokee and Faye Moon of Bryson City, three nieces and one nephew.

She retired from, Indian Health Services in 2003 after 38 years of service. She was a 1963 graduate of Swain County High School and attended Haskell Indian University in Kansas, and graduated from Western Carolina University with a BS degree majoring in social work. During her employment with Indian Health Service Cherokee Hospital and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, she served on the child protective service teams for both Swain and Jackson County, Co-chaired the BIA-IHS Child Protection Team, served two-terms on the Cherokee childrens home board, was the co-founder, along with a Swain County Social worker of the Swain-Qualla SAFE shelter for victims of Domestic Violence, served on the Advisory board for the Ernestine Walkingstick Domestic Violence Shelter, a former member and secretary of the NAIWA Organization, served as Yellowhill Community Club Secretary, represented the elders at the National Council on Aging, coordinated St. Jude Bike-A-Thon for six years and was a member of the Swain County Cancer Society.

Since retiring, she volunteered at various organizations and fundraisers, made crafts and traveled.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday at Crisp Funeral Home. Rev. James (Bo) Parris and Ray Kinsland will officiate with burial in the Drama Cemetery in Cherokee.

The family will receive friends from 10 until 11:00 AM Tuesday at the Funeral Home.