Obituaries

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

Douglas W. Monts, Sr.

Douglas Wilbur Monts, Sr., 98, passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at his home in Fairfax, SC, surrounded by loved ones. Doug was born on January 18, 1928, in Plains, Georgia, to Rosalie Douglas Monts and Joseph Holland Monts, Sr. He attended Americus public...

Rochelle Renee Hika

Rochelle Hika, 58, of Andrews passed away Wednesday, August 19, 2026 in a Knoxville, Tennessee hospital. She was a native of Lakewood, Ohio and had lived most of her life in Florida before moving to Andrews 16 years ago. Rochelle had received both her bachelor's and...

Nancy Drye Cowan

Nancy Drye Cowan, 74, passed away peacefully on August 19, 2026. Born in Concord, North Carolina, Nancy was the beloved daughter of the late Jessie and Clara Drye. Nancy graduated from Western Carolina University with a degree in education and devoted her career to...

Charles “Tommy” Koontz

Charles "Tommy" KoontzCharles Thomas “Tommy” Koontz, Sr. passed away surrounded by his loving family on Monday, December 9, 2024 at the age of 92. A lifelong resident of Buncombe County, he devoted his life to serving his Lord, his family, Biltmore Church, Buncombe...

Estelle W. Pendergrass

Estelle W. PendergrassEstelle Walters Pendergrass, 81, of Thomasville, passed away Saturday morning, December 7, 2024, at her residence. Estelle was born to the late Henry Terrell Walters and Trula Wagner Walters in Thomasville. She was a member of the final...

Jo A. Schilling

Jo A. Schilling Our cherished friend, Jo Schilling, went home to be with the Lord on December 7, 2024. Jo was born in Roanoke, VA, and she lived her first 35 years there. She is preceded in death by her father, J. Eldridge Schilling, mother, Rebecca Schilling,...