Frank James Briggs

Frank James Briggs, age 85, of Green Mountain, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at his home surrounded by his loving family. A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late Jay and Mary Cooper Briggs. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Lee Briggs; sisters, Bula Carroll, Edna Peterson, Pat Boccoli and Ruby Peterson.

Frank was a faithful member of North Bend Freewill Baptist Church. He loved attending church with his wife, Betty which was very important to him. In the most recent years when he could no longer attend due to health issues, he would tell people "If you are able to go to church, you need to go to church." He loved his family, neighbors and friends. If you visited him, he always wanted to give you something to take with you and would always send you off with his familiar words, "You be careful out there on the road and come back anytime."

He retired after 33 years of service with the NC Department of Transportation. After retirement he found great joy in working outdoors in his garden, growing vegetables and sunflowers and keeping a pristine yard, often with his beloved Jack Russell Terrier, Jasper, faithfully by his side. His daughter fondly said, "He grew the best tomatoes ever."

Many people have stated that Frank was always the same every time you saw him. He lived a simple life, never complaining and was always content. Philippians 4:12 "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation."

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 58 years, Betty Ann Hughes Briggs; daughter, Staci Briggs Ammons (Garry Johnson, Special Friend) of Asheville; sister, Kathy Kimery (Gary) of Limestone, TN; sister-in-law, Flora Briggs of Cherryville, NC; "god-grandchildren", Laiken, Peyton and Paxton McKinney as well as several nieces, nephews and friends.

The family would like to express sincere gratitude to all the staff at Compassionate Care of WNC for the exceptional care given to Frank in the past eleven months. A very special thank you to his nurse, Tish Trescott, who will always hold a very special place in our heart. We are also extremely grateful for his caregivers, Rhonda Johnson, Heather Huskins, June Ayers and Nikki McKinney. The wonderful care and love shown to Frank and his family was truly a gift from the Lord.

A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, February 13th at 2:00 pm in the chapel at Yancey Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 pm prior to the service. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery. Pastor Trent Honeycutt, Laiken McKinney and Mike Thomas will officiate. Pallbearers will be Jamie McKinney, Josh McKinney, Laiken McKinney, Paxton McKinney, CJ Peterson, Joseph Renfro and First Sergeant Kent Vanover.

Memorial donations may be made to Compassionate Care of WNC at 856 Georges Fork Road, Burnsville, NC 28714.