Obituaries

Celebrate and remember those from our precious alma mater who have passed. We send our deepest condolences to the families and friends.

Henry B. Warren

Henry B. WarrenHenry Brown Warren passed away peacefully at home on February 23, 2026. We give thanks for the 78 years of his blessed life. Henry was born on May 31, 1947, to the late Claude Warren and the late Geneva "Petey" Brown Warren. He was raised among the...

Lorraine M. Royster

Lorraine M. RoysterLorraine Mattero Royster, 75, of Shelby passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at her home. Born in Cleveland County, on October 4, 1950, she was a daughter of the late James Armand Mattero and Evangeline Willingham Mattero. She was a graduate of...

Bill A. Melton

Bill A. MeltonWilliam Alexander Melton, Jr., affectionately known as Bill, was born on February 18, 1942, in Wadesboro, North Carolina. He was the beloved son of the late Lois and William Alexander Melton, Sr., and grew up alongside his brother, Bobby Lee Melton. From...
Walter L. Staley III

Walter L. Staley III

Walter L. Staley IIIIt is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Walter Laird Staley III. Laird, as he was known to his friends and family, passed away on October 22, 2024, in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on...

Leonard H. Ponder

Leonard H. Ponder

Leonard H. PonderLeonard H. Ponder passed away peacefully near his home in Columbia, Maryland, on October 22, 2024. He was 85. Leonard grew up in Madison and Buncombe counties and raised his family in Candler. An avid hiker, Leonard on any given Saturday could be...

Lewis E. Tyler

Lewis E. Tyler

Lewis E. TylerLewis Eugene Tyler, age 73, of Crossville, TN passed away October 21, 2024. He was born December 31, 1950, in Bath, NY, the son of Waldo F. and Betty M. Groves Tyler. Lewis was a 1968 graduate of Corning-Painted Post West High School in Painted Post, NY....