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...
Sandra W Hardin

Sandra W Hardin

Sandra W HardinMrs. Hardin passed away on October 11, 2023. She was born on November 9, 1942 in Kings Tree, SC to the late Russell and Gertrude White. Mrs Hardin earned her BBA from the University of Houston and her MAEd from Western Carolina University. She retired...

Allan R Cartledge

Allan R Cartledge

Allan R CartledgeAllan Ray Cartledge, 89, passed away Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at his home. Mr. Cartledge was born December 10, 1933, in Franklin, NC, to the late Cleveland L. and Addie Barnard Cartledge. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Kilpatrick...

Kenneth B Burnette

Kenneth B Burnette

Kenneth B BurnetteKen Burnette (age 74) passed away on Sunday, October 15, 2023 at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Forsyth County. He was born in Jackson County, NC to the late L.B. and Jean Burnette and grew up in Winston-Salem, NC where he attended North...