Obituaries

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

Ryan E. McCurry

Ryan E. McCurryEric 'Ryan' McCurry, age 44 of Charlotte NC, died August 11, 2025. He was born in Morganton NC on March 30, 1981 to Shirley Jean Buchanan (Crowe) and Eric Donald McCurry. Ryan attended Freedom High and earned a BA in Criminal Justice from Western...

Gerald “Bob” Denny

Gerald "Bob" DennyMr. Denny passed away at home with family on Tuesday, August 5th , 2025 at age 93 following an extended period of declining health. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley Hill Denny; his son Blake; his son Scott and spouse Monica; his...

Louise W. Sowell

Louise W. SowellLouise Worley Sowell, 94, of Inman, died on July 31, 2025 at her home. A native of Canton NC, she was the  daughter of the late Robert Haskew and Mary Alma Tillery Worley and the wife of the late Joseph Huey Sowell. She was a homemaker and former...
Woodrow “Woody” A. Dyar

Woodrow “Woody” A. Dyar

Woodrow "Woody" A. DyarWoodrow "Woody" Arthur Dyar, passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the age of 79. Born on August 11, 1945, in Central, SC, he was a son of the late Arthur and Nina Gassaway Dyar. Woody attended Western Carolina University on a football...

Stephen D. Prybylo

Stephen D. Prybylo

Stephen D. PrybyloStephen Steve Prybylo, 62, of Morganton, NC passed away Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at his home. He was born on February 17, 1963 and was the son of the late Lawrence Douglas Prybylo and Nancy Barns Prybylo. Steve graduated from Freedom High School and...

William “Bill” E. Loytty

William “Bill” E. Loytty

William "Bill" E. LoyttyWilliam “Bill” Eric Loytty, aged 59, passed away on April 24th, 2025, in Wilmington, North Carolina. He was born November 29th, 1965, in Elmira, New York, the cherished son of Eric and Margaret Loytty. He graduated from Hickory High School in...