Honoring those who pioneered the rugged mountains of Graham County
Doyle Ruben Brock
Sept. 8, 1925- April 29, 2026
A message from Edd Satterfield, President GCHA:
Doyle was a founding member of the Graham County Historical Association. He was a walking history book and helped me innumerable times get past something historical that I was hung up on. He never failed to provide the information I needed. A three-hour conversation with Doyle seemed like minutes. Graham County lost an invaluable and beloved citizen and I lost a great Friend.
Doyle Ruben Brock, born September 8, 1925 in Proctor, NC ‒ referenced often by himself as "born on Hazel Creek" ‒ son of Ruben and Maggie Brock of the Milltown Community in Robbinsville, NC, passed away at the age of 100 on April 29, 2026. He attended Robbinsville High School and studied at Blanton’s Business College.
Doyle enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II, from 1943 until his discharge on April 18, 1946.
An article in The Graham Star newspaper in 2022 stated:
“Way out in the Pacific Ocean, the forces of history drew at least eight Graham County servicemen to the island of Iwo Jima.” Robbinsville resident Doyle Brock remembered Iwo Jima like it was yesterday. “They were fanatics,” Brock said of the Japanese. “They would rather die than surrender to Americans.” In the end, 22,000 Japanese were killed, as well as more than 6,800 Americans. Brock said that perhaps 10 servicemen from Graham County participated in the epic battle. “To think there were that many people from Graham County on that Island,” Brock said. The known servicemen on the island were Doyle Brock, Leonard Lloyd, Ray Wiggins, Charles Phillips, Hobart Stewart, Eston Hooper, Arnold Jenkins and William Green.
After returning to Robbinsville from World War II, he met "the prettiest redhead he'd seen in ages," he commented about Helen Cole, whom he married on October 1, 1947. They were married for 69 years. Doyle and Helen had one son, Tim Brock, and two daughters, Kim Brock Williams and Karen Brock Ingram.
He worked with Bemis Lumber Company for 43 years until retirement and then worked 17 years with Havco Wood Products.
Doyle was also a member of Robbinsville First Baptist Church for 90 years, active as a deacon, teacher and a member of various church committees, the Lions Club for 67 years, the District Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees for 27 years, as well as other community functions.
TRIBUTE PAGE
T.J. HOLLAND
June 16, 1976- Sept. 12, 2020
The Graham County Historical Association is deeply saddened by the passing of T.J. Holland of Robbinsville, NC.
T.J. was a great friend to all and he passed away unexpectedly Saturday, September 12, 2020 at his residence. He was 44.
He was the son of Tommy and Patricia Long Holland of Robbinsville, NC. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Ned and Shirley Massey Long and his paternal grandfather, Rev. Lennox Hedrick.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his loving wife, Caroline Peay Holland; his son, Andrew Jonathan Holland of Robbinsville, NC; his daughter, Emma Kate Harrison of Robbinsville, NC; his brother, John David Holland of Robbinsville, NC; his aunts, Brenda Long-Norville (Todd), and Donna Brown (Jody), all of Robbinsville, NC; his uncles, Ned Long (Robin), and Johnny Long, all of Robbinsville, NC; his paternal grandmother, Sue Hedrick of Robbinsville, NC; and his mother in law, Kathy Everette of Madison, NC. T.J. also leaves many nephews, cousins, family members, friends, co-workers, and tribal members who will cherish his memory.
T.J. was a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians where he worked as the Cultural Resources Supervisor/Junaluska Museum Manager. As a valued member of his tribe, he served the EBCI in many capacities including serving on the Tribal and Medical Institutional Review Boards, the Tribal Historic Properties and Preservation Committee, the NC Trail of Tears Association, the WCU Center for Native Health, the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, the WCU Cherokee Studies Program, Snowbird Fading Voices Committee and he worked with the Smithsonian Institute regarding Cherokee History, along with serving in other various roles and activities.
Funeral services were held September 16, 2020 at Robbinsville First Baptist Church, of which he was a member. Burial followed at New Hope Baptist Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in T.J.’s memory to benefit the Junaluska Museum. Those donations may be mailed to the Robbinsville Branch of First Citizens Bank, 248 Rodney Orr Bypass, Robbinsville, NC 28771, or they can be dropped off at any First Citizens Branch by referencing the memorial fund for T.J. Holland for the Junaluska Museum.
Diane Duane Buchanan
June 12, 1936- May 9, 2019
A message from Edd Satterfield, President GCHA:
We lost a hard-working member of the board of the Graham County Historical Association and one of its organizers, Dannie Buchanan, May 9. He was 82.
Dan had been working toward a museum for Graham County even before the association was formed and the Snider Building purchased.
Dan was a life-long resident of Graham County. His ancestors came here in the early 1800s, many of whom were interested in preserving the history of family and life as it was in earlier days. Dan was the great-grandson of James A. Stewart, the builder of the Stewart Cabin on Big Santeetlah.
Dan made his living in timber, logging and operating a sawmill, as well as real estate dealings.
Before his health deteriorated in his final months, he and Doyle Brock spent many hours traveling the back roads of Graham County hunting artifacts that might still be available for the museum. Dan’s work on behalf of the museum, along with his wit, will be sorely missed.