Daniel W. Rattler, 87, went to his Heavenly Home on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022.
A native of Graham County, Daniel was born on April 22, 1935, to the late George Rattler and Hattie Cornsilk Smoker Rattler Smoker.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Stacy Wachacha Rattler; his sisters, Dinah Smoker Gloyne (Daniel), Iva Rattler Rattler (Willie), and Eunice Lois Rattler Calonehuskie (Simon); and his nephews, John Rattler, Richard Rattler and Jeremiah Gloyne.
He is survived by his baby sister, Helen Rattler Jackson of Robbinsville, N.C.; nephews, Geoffrey Gloyne of Cherokee, N.C., and George Calonehuskie, Donald Rattler, Allen Rattler, Howard Jackson and Andy Jackson, all of Robbinsville, N.C.; nieces, Roberta Gloyne and Helen Snow of Cherokee, N.C., Connie Cogdill of Sylva, N.C., Paulette Cox of Asheville, N.C., Loretta Sequoyah of Robbinsville, N.C., and Dorothy Baker of Mars Hill, N.C.
Dan was a kind, gentle soul who always had a big smile on his face. He was an active, longtime member of Buffalo Independent Baptist Church.
He was also an avid NASCAR fan. In his earlier years, he raced at Murphy Speedway. He loved going to the races, taking family and friends with him. Sunday afternoons were spent watching the races.
Daniel didn’t finish high school, but he went back and in 2009, he earned his GED at the age of 74. He continued to take classes at Tri-County Community College.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, at Buffalo Independent Baptist Church.
The Rev. Jake Easter officiated.
Burial followed in the Cornsilk Cemetery. The family received friends from 5-8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, at Townson-Smith Funeral Home.
Townson-Smith Funeral Home was honored to serve the Rattler family.
An online register is available at townson-smithfuneralhome.com.