Kortne Waginger

   After battling seven cancers with immeasurable courage, dignity, grace and humor, Kortne Walsh Waginger of Cullowhee, N.C., entered her eternal home on Friday, Dec. 31. 2021, at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla.
   Kortne was born in Sylva, N.C., in 1990. She was a 2008 graduate of Hayesville High School and a graduate of Western Carolina University’s class of 2012, where she received her BSN.
   While attending university, Kortne met the love of her life, Brigham Waginger. He was a player on the WCU Men’s Basketball team, and Kortne was a WCU cheerleader.
   Following her graduation, Kortne pursued her passion for caring for others at Hope Women’s Cancer Center, Mission Hospital, and Mission Cancer Center in Asheville, N.C.
   Kortne is survived by her husband, Brigham Waginger; her parents, Dee and Tonia Walsh of Peachtree, N.C.; a brother, Alex Walsh and wife Savannah of Robbinsville, N.C.; one sister, Katie Walsh of Knoxville, Tenn.; one bonus sister, Quincey Patterson Rickett (Jason) of Hayesville; grandmother, Jo Ford Smith of Scottsdale, Ariz.; aunt, Vickie Walsh of Robbinsville; Debbie Reighard Duran of Scottsdale, Ariz.; Gaye and Benny Orr of Robbinsville; Dale and Susie Walsh of Robbinsville; cousins, Kyle Orr (Christy) of Robbinsville, Keenan Walsh of Robbinsville, Alexis Duran of New River, Ariz., Harley Duran of Scottsdale, Ariz.; her mother-in-law, Jeanette Waginger of Ironton, Ohio; father-in-law, John Waginger of Hanging Rock, Ohio; bonus mother and father-in-law, Gary and Debbie Hanes of South Webster, Ohio; her brother-in-law, Josh Waginger (Courtney) of Hanging Rock, Ohio; her brother-in-law, John “Bub” Waginger (Kayla) of Hanging Rock, Ohio; nephews and niece, Beckham Waginger, Bentlee Waginger, Barrett Waginger, Boston Waginger and Kase Waginger. Kortne leaves behind her beloved three fur babies, Wyndsor, Yeti and Cabella (Belly).
   She was preceded in death by grandparents, Modal and Irene Walsh, Jimmy Reighard and Bill Smith; and cousins, James Orr and Loudon Orr.
   On Saturday, Jan. 8, the family will receive friends from 1-3 p.m. at Lone Oak Baptist Church in Robbinsville. A celebration of life
will follow, officiated by Pastor Josh Hyde of The Bridge Church of Cullowhee, N.C. Kortne was baptized at age 9 at Truett Baptist Church in Hayesville, NC. Kortne and Brigham attended The Bridge Church in Cullowhee.
   In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Graham County Cancer Support Group in remembrance of Kortne Waginger. Donations can be sent to: P.O. Box 1084 Robbinsville, NC 28771.