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

by | June 12, 2026 | 1957, Obituaries | 0 Comments

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...
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Sally M. Monteith

by | June 12, 2026 | 1941, 1955, Obituaries | 0 Comments

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...
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Philip D. Buchahan

by | June 12, 2026 | 1966, Obituaries | 0 Comments

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...
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William “David” James

William “David” James

William “David” JamesWilliam David James, 81, passed away peacefully on September 21, 2024, at Myrtle Beach Grove Assisted Living. He was born on July 15, 1943, in Marion County, South Carolina to the late Margaret Cox James and D.H. James.David, as he was...

Bryan S. Irwin

Bryan S. Irwin

Bryan S. IrwinOn September 29th, 2024, we lost a great man - Bryan Stewart Irwin, of Winston Salem, NC. He died unexpectedly at his home on Sunday afternoon after he and his family attended their beloved Calvary Baptist Church that morning. He was born in Georgetown,...

Lloyd L. Hensley

Lloyd L. Hensley

Lloyd L. HensleyBeloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Lloyd Lawrence Hensley passed away on September 30, 2024 at his home in Baton Rouge. Born in 1931 in Burnsville, NC, he was raised in a large family in the North Carolina mountains. Upon graduation from...