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...
Maxine S. Wood

Maxine S. Wood

Maxine S. Wood   Maxine Sharon Wood, born to Earl and Pearl Wood of Whittier on May 9, 1950, passed away on Friday, August 2 at Mountain View Manor in Bryson City.   In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a brother Carl Wood, of Brevard, and two...

Kerry P. Waller

Kerry P. Waller

Kerry P. Waller Kerry Waller peacefully passed away on July 24, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer.  An endless list of descriptive words, Kerry meant so much to so many people. A woman with many titles: child of God, daughter, sister, aunt, wife and friend....

Timothy “Tim” Stoeckel

Timothy “Tim” Stoeckel

Timothy “Tim” Stoeckel  Timothy John Stoeckel, 36, of Charlotte, died Sunday, July 28, 2024, at Mission Hospital surrounded by his parents. A native of Alabama, he lived in Waynesville prior to moving to Charlotte. He is the son of John and Claire Johnson Stoeckel....