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...
James R. Richardson

James R. Richardson

James R. RichardsonJames Richardson, 91, entered the gates of Heaven on September 4, 2024, in Decatur, GA. James Richardson was born on August 2, 1933 in Asheville, NC, to Charles E. Richardson and Martha Sue Richardson. James graduated from Asheville City High School...

Bill R. Marchant

Bill R. Marchant

Bill R. Marchant Billy "Bill" Marchant, 79, of Gastonia passed away September 7, 2024 at CaroMont Regional Medical Center. He was born September 14, 1944 in Gaston County, NC, a son of the late Fred Bridges Marchant and Dorothy Glover Marchant Woody. Bill graduated...

Lynn B. Davis

Lynn B. Davis

Lynn B. DavisLynn B. Davis, 69, wife of James Donald Davis, of Seneca, passed away on Monday, September 9, 2024, at Cottingham Hospice House. Born in Fort Huachuca, AZ and raised in Asheville, NC, Mrs. Davis was the daughter of the late Roderick H. and Loraine Kurth...