Obituaries

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

Ryan E. McCurry

Ryan E. McCurryEric 'Ryan' McCurry, age 44 of Charlotte NC, died August 11, 2025. He was born in Morganton NC on March 30, 1981 to Shirley Jean Buchanan (Crowe) and Eric Donald McCurry. Ryan attended Freedom High and earned a BA in Criminal Justice from Western...

Gerald “Bob” Denny

Gerald "Bob" DennyMr. Denny passed away at home with family on Tuesday, August 5th , 2025 at age 93 following an extended period of declining health. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley Hill Denny; his son Blake; his son Scott and spouse Monica; his...

Louise W. Sowell

Louise W. SowellLouise Worley Sowell, 94, of Inman, died on July 31, 2025 at her home. A native of Canton NC, she was the  daughter of the late Robert Haskew and Mary Alma Tillery Worley and the wife of the late Joseph Huey Sowell. She was a homemaker and former...
Jim L. Evans

Jim L. Evans

Jim L. Evans Jim Evans, 94, of Sylva passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at Haywood Regional Medical Center, following a brief illness. Born on Nov. 15, 1930 in Sylva, he was the son of the late Charles and Thelma Tucker Evans. In addition to his parents,...

Adele S. Doering

Adele S. Doering

Adele S. DoeringAdele Spina Doering, 79, of Franklin, North Carolina, passed away Sunday, July 20, 2025. Adele was born August 2, 1945, in South Amboy, New Jersey, to the late Ignatias (Iggy) S. Spina and Mafalda Pirre Spina. She was preceded in death by her husband,...

Thomas H. Edwards

Thomas H. Edwards

Thomas H. EdwardsThomas (Tom) H. Edwards passed away on July 11, 2025, surrounded by his children. He was preceded in death by his two brothers Bert and Bill, their wives Margaret and Mildred; and his wife of 59 years, Peggy. He and Peggy had three children. Cindy...