Claude Trantham age 89, of Maggie Valley passed away July 1, 2014 following a brief illness.

He was the son of the late Albert and Gladys Trantham and a native and lifelong resident of Haywood County.

He served his country proudly in the U.S. Army during WWII with the Combat Engineers of the 3rd Army in the European and Asiatic Pacific Theatres. After returning from the war, he worked briefly for the International-Harvester Co. in Illinois before returning home to marry the love of his life, Helen Marie Hannah in 1947.

Claude spent the rest of his life in Maggie Valley. In addition to being a part-time farmer, he worked many years for Unagusta Furniture Manufacturing and later Dayco where he retired in 1986. He was a charter member of Victory Baptist Church in Maggie Valley. His weekly visits to nursing homes and those in need of loving support will be greatly missed by those he touched. He was a faithful servant of the Lord.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife Helen Hannah Trantham; second wife Laura Betsy Stokes Trantham; son Larry Dean Trantham; sisters Fannie Hall and Wilma Glaspey.

He is survived by his son Ronnie Trantham and wife Dusti of Raleigh; grandchildren Larry Trantham of Raleigh and Cristen Saunders and husband Mickey of Oxford, NC; brothers in law and sisters in law Don and Lois Hardison, Harold and Ethel Hannah, Lillian Stokes, Joyce Smith, Lowell Hannah, Don Hannah and Lee Glaspey; and a host of nephews, nieces and cousins.

A celebration of Claude's life and homegoing will be held in the chapel of Garrett Funerals and Cremations on Saturday, July 5, 2014 at 3PM officiated by Rev. Jerry Nelson. Interment will follow at Garrett Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Source Citation: Garrett Funeral Home