By Cara Cowan Watts | Cherokee 411
May 18, 1946 – October 7, 2026
Cherokee, NC
Eastern Band Cherokee Indian Citizen
Marilyn “Susie” Lee Smith Chastain, 80, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, at Tsali Care Center in Cherokee. She leaves behind a legacy of fierce love, unwavering loyalty, strong opinions and countless memories that will continue to live on through the family she cherished.
Born May 18, 1946, in Swain County. Susie was the daughter of the late Stella Sneed and Noah Smith. A proud member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, she was deeply connected to her Cherokee heritage.
Susie spent her married life in Otto, where she raised her family alongside Tom Chastain. After 35 years of marriage, they divorced, though Susie remained deeply loved by the entire Chastain family.
Throughout her life, she worked at multiple places in Franklin, most notably the Blue Bell Factory (Wrangler plant). She was especially proud of her time there, frequently sharing stories about the time the plant was featured in The Franklin Press after she and her co-workers were selected to make custom Wrangler blue jeans for NBA legends Kareem Abdul-Jabar and Shaquille O’Neal.
A fierce sports fanatic, Susie knew every rule, every player and never hesitated to loudly call out the referees. Her sports loyalties included the Miami Dolphins and Dan Marino, Carolina Panthers and Cam Newton, Pete Rose and the Cincinnati Reds, San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama and tennis greats Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams.
Her love for local athletics was just as strong. A longtime Franklin Panthers supporter and Franklin High School Booster Club member, she collected newspaper clippings and game programs dating back to the 1970’s. She faithfully supported her children and grandchildren through decades of Little League, high school and college sports. She followed her son John through football, basketball and baseball and her daughters in softball and basketball. She was a familiar face at fields and courts and was well known to the referees. In later years, one of her greatest joys was watching her great- grandson, Malachi Hayes play baseball, proudly carrying on the families love of sports.
Susie had a natural green thumb and loved every plant and flower. An amazing cook, she enjoyed watching hummingbirds reading, cross-stitching, sewing, listening to her impressive Elvis collection and spending time with her family.
