Obituaries

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

Kate D. Welch

Kate D. WelchKate Deitz Welch, 91, of Bryson City peacefully passed from this earthly life on June 6, 2026, at home with her family present. Kate was born March 15, 1935, to the late Hoyle and Inez Deitz of Dillsboro. She graduated from Western Carolina University in...

Sally M. Monteith

Sally M. MonteithSally Campbell, age 108, a Jackson County high school English and Journalism teacher for 34 years died at her home on Friday, June 5th. A native and lifelong resident of Sylva, she was the daughter of the late Sam and Ida Monteith and the wife of...

Philip D. Buchahan

Philip D. BuchahanPhilip Dean Buchanan was born on Dec. 26, 1943 in the lovely town of Sylva in the North Carolina mountains to Thomas Dewey Buchanan and Inez Vesta Carver Buchanan. He attended Western Carolina University for his undergraduate work. Here, his...
Philip C. Auton

Philip C. Auton

Philip C. AutonPhilip Auton died early October 10th at Duke Medical Center. He passed peacefully while surrounded by family. Philip was born January 6th, 1965, to Linda and David, and grew up on the mean streets of Draco Road in Oak Hill, outside of Lenoir, NC. After...

Mary C. Marshburn

Mary C. Marshburn

Mary C. MarshburnMary Carter Marshburn, age 74, of Lumberton, NC passed away on October 9, 2024 after a long illness. She was the much-loved wife of Wayne Marshburn and the mother of two sons, Nathan and Adam. Born in 1950 at Falls of  Neuse, NC, she was a 1968...

Paulette R. Campbell

Paulette R. Campbell

Paulette R. CampbellPaulette Rae Campbell, age 71, of Largo, Florida, with family connections in Traunik, died unexpectedly at her home on October 6th, 2024. She was born on June 2nd, 1953, in Pontiac and was the second oldest child of the late William and Emilie...