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...
Ralph “Eric” Julian

Ralph “Eric” Julian

Eric JulianEric Julian, 69, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 3rd, 2024 at “The Haven in the Village at Carolina Place”, a memory care facility in Pineville, NC. Eric was in the company of his long-time companion, Patty Cox, her sister, Janice Heavner, the...

Edith H. Ward

Edith H. Ward

Edith H. WardEdith Hawk Ward, 76, passed away on Thursday, October 3, 2024.  She was born on June 18, 1948.  Edith dedicated her life to serving her community as a social worker for the Department of Chatham County.  She graduated the Western Carolina University,...

Tony D. Dyar

Tony D. Dyar

Tony D. DyarTony Dyar, a cherished brother, esteemed colleague, and passionate enthusiast of life's many adventures, passed away peacefully on October 1, 2024, in Spartanburg, SC, at the age of 63. Born on February 19, 1961, in Easley, SC, Tony's early years were...