Dwight Hunter Penland

Dwight Hunter Penland, 65, of Hayesville, passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2026.He was born in Hiawassee, Ga. to the late J.D. and Hazel Hunter Penland. Dwight loved spending time with his wife, kids and grandkids. He enjoyed dirt track racing. Dwight was the longest serving county commissioner in Hayesville with 20 years of service as commissioner and 8 years of service as a member of the Board of Education. He was recently inducted into the "Order of the Long Leaf Pine" by Governor Josh Stein. The Long Leaf Pine Award is among the most prestigious awards conferred by the governor for a person's exemplary service to the State of North Carolina and its communities that is above and beyond the call of duty and which has made a significant impact and strengthened North Carolina. He was a member of Pine Grove Baptist Church in Hiawassee.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant nephew, Gene Bryant Penland; nephew, Randall David Penland; and two brothers, Gene and Dennis "Cotton" Penland.He is survived by his wife, Leonia "Sissie Carringer" Penland; one son, Jarrod Penland (Sandy) of Hayesville; one daughter, Jadrian Penland (Cody) Neumann of Hayesville; step-children, Thomas Wood (Aja) of Warne, N.C., Tiffany Wood of Morganton, N.C. and Tabitha Norman of Hayesville; two brothers, David Penland (Anna Dean) and Dale Penland (Mirle) all of Hiawassee; two sister in laws, Joyce and Wylene Penland both of Hiawassee; grandchildren, Carson Penland and Aubree English; step-grandchildren, Dylan, Corey and Taylor Brown, Caira, Evana and Harleigh Bell, Trooper, Tank Wood and Presley Wood, Sunnie and Axyl Anderson; and bonus grandchildren, Calvin and Cade Neumann.Funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 16 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel of Hayesville. Revs. Brent Penland and Mark Shook officiated. Burial was in the Philadelphia Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers were Master Pallbearer Carson Jarrod Penland, Jacky Jones, Stacey White, Junior Beck, Brian and Jeff Penland and Kemmy Garrett. Honorary pallbearers were Stephen "Doc" Sellers, Randy Nichols, Scotty Penland, Rob Peck, Clay Logan, Keith Holcomb, Austin Phillips, Chris Henson, Donnie Martin and Verlon Ledford.The family received friends from 6-9 p.m. Sunday, March 15 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel of Hayesville.Townson-Rose Funeral Home: townson-rose.com is in charge of all arrangements.