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...
Joe D’Alessandris

Joe D’Alessandris

Joe D'AlessandrisWestern Carolina Athletics and Catamount football today mourn the loss of WCU Athletics Hall of Famer and former football player Joe D'Alessandris (1954-2024) who passed away on Sunday morning at the age of 70. The offensive line coach for the...

Jackie R. Boone

Jackie R. Boone

Jackie R. BooneJacquelyn "Jackie" Rose Boone, 81, of Arden, died Sunday, August 25, 2024 at Mission Hospital. A native of Mitchell County, Jackie was the daughter of the late Lamar and Wilma Johnson Rose. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth "Libby"...

Edward D. Anderson

Edward D. Anderson

Edward D. Anderson   Edward David Anderson, age 74, Kingston, Tennessee, passed away Saturday, August 31st, 2024 at his home. He was born December 5, 1949 in Robbinsville, North Carolina and was a 1968 graduate of Robbinsville High School. He went on to receive his...