Sonja Dyer Silvers, 70, a native and lifelong resident of Hayesville, passed away on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer. Sonja will be remembered for the large, close-knit family she raised and for the way she welcomed others into it. She created a legacy of kindness, inclusiveness and open-hearted hospitality. Her deep love for her community and the little town she called home will be remembered by all who knew her.
She was the daughter of the late Willard and Lucille Ledford Dyer. Sonja was born on Sept. 7, 1955. She married the love of her life, Larry Silvers on May 5, 1973 and together they shared 52 years of devotion, family and partnership. They were blessed with four children and seven grandchildren.
Surviving is her husband, Larry Silvers; three daughters, Missy Silvers Johnson and husband, Brad, Mandy Silvers Lowe and husband, Matthew, and Melody Silvers Morgan and husband, Michael Ray; one son, Anthony ""A.J."" Silvers and wife, Christine; seven grandchildren, Keana Lowe, Dylan Johnson and wife, Faith Trammell, Bailey Johnson, Gavin and Averie Morgan and Max and Tristan Silvers and by many nieces, nephews, sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, cousins, aunts and uncles.
The Silvers family extends their heartfelt gratitude to all who have been part of her care, prayed for her and loved her throughout her life.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 20 in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville with the Rev. Chris Rumfelt officiating. Interment will be in Sweetwater Methodist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be A.J. Silvers, Brad Johnson, Michael Ray Morgan, Matthew Lowe, Max Silvers, Gavin Morgan and Dylan Johnson. Honorary pallbearer will be Tristan Silvers.
The family received friends from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19 at Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made in memory of Sonja Dyer Silvers to Sonja Silvers Realty Group Scholarship Fund, payable to Sonja Silvers Realty Group, Memo: Scholarship Fund, 57 Main Street, Hayesville, N.C. 28904.
Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville:
iviefuneralhome.com is in charge of all arrangements.
Published by Clay County Progress from Nov. 18 to Dec. 17, 2025.