Obituaries

Celebrate and remember those from our precious alma mater who have passed. We send our deepest condolences to the families and friends.

Merrill “Bo” Russell

Merrill "Bo" RussellMerrill Lee Russell, Jr., affectionately known as “Bo,” a resident of Okinawa, Japan, and formerly of Spencer, North Carolina, triumphantly entered the Gates of Heaven on January 5, 2026, after a long-persevering battle with Parkinson’s disease. Bo...

Loren C. Packard

Loren C. PackardMr. Loren Carson Packard, 78, of Belmont, NC passed away on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was born on May 9, 1947, in Shelby, NC, the son of the late Lorne Carson Packard and Gladys Thrift Packard. Loren was a graduate of...

Otis S. McIntosh

Otis S. McIntoshOtis S. McIntosh, age 76, of Asheville, North Carolina, entered eternal rest on, Tuesday, December 23, 2025, in Asheville, NC. He was born on March 2, 1949, in Asheville. Otis proudly and honorably served in the United States Marine Corps, reaching the...
Patricia J. Robertson

Patricia J. Robertson

Patricia J. RobertsonPatricia Joy Calloway Robertson, age 90 of Lafayette, Louisiana, went on to her heavenly home on Thursday, September 11, 2025. Visitation and celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025 from 11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. at Hixson...

Winston A. Riddle

Winston A. Riddle

Winston A. RiddleDr. Winston A Riddle, Ed.D, age 90, of Old Fort, passed away Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina with his family. Winston was born in Buncombe County, NC on February 19, 1935, to the late Pinkney Stuart Riddle...

Lee A. O’Neal

Lee A. O’Neal

Lee A. O'NealLee Adams O’Neal, age 59, of Oak Island, North Carolina, passed away on Friday, September 5, 2025, at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Born on September 15, 1965, in White Pine, Tennessee, Lee was the beloved daughter of the late Edgar C....