C. Wayne Dukes, 73, of Brasstown North Carolina went to be with his Lord on June 20th, 2026.

Wayne is survived by myself, Sherry Bell Dukes, his devoted and loving wife, Tara Scarlet Noland, his beloved daughter, Timothy Richard Noland, his beloved son-in-law, Madeleine Sierra Noland, his beloved granddaughter and Xavier Duke Noland, his beloved grandson. He was born on February 15th, 1953 to the late Charles H. Dukes and Liller Mae Bilyeu of Kentucky.

Wayne was a creative & loving soul and the love of my life. Wayne, also known as the Highlander, was an exceptional carver, the co-owner of Highlander Gallery and the co-publisher and photo journalist of theBlueRidgeHighlander.com. Wayne, always being ahead of the time, began the Highlander in 1996 and was a successful pioneer in the internet world, which he continued to the end.

His passions were Jesus Christ, his family, history, art and the mountains. His passion for history led him to buy and renovate the Historic Creamery in Brasstown NC, where we lived and ran the businesses.

There will be a Celebration of Love in honor of Wayne, on Sunday, September 6th, 2026 at 4 pm, at the Highlander Gallery / Historic Creamery, 10079 Old Highway 64, West, Brasstown, NC. We chose Labor Day weekend because the original Creamery was dedicated on Labor Day in 1929. This day will be a celebration of his life and a dedication to his labor of love, one he labored on continuously until the day before he passed.