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...
Alan L. Aust

Alan L. Aust

Alan L. AustAlan Lee Aust, 74, of Asheville, NC, passed away on Sunday, February 9, 2025. He was born in Buncombe County to the late James “Jake” Curtis Aust, Sr. and Ellen Case Aust. He was also preceded in death by a grandson, Kyler Aust. He is survived by his wife,...

John R. Simpson Jr.

John R. Simpson Jr.

John R. Simpson Jr.John Roger Simpson Jr., 72, of New Bern, North Carolina passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, February 9, 2025. John was born in Broadstairs, England on April 29, 1952 to John Roger Simpson and Cynthia Ellen Simpson. John was a graduate of...

Tommy G. Simmons

Tommy G. Simmons

Tommy G. SimmonsTommy Gray Simmons, a Surry County native, certified internal auditor and accountant, civil war antiquities buff, avid gardener, and unyielding lover of sweets, passed away suddenly on Sunday, February 9, 2025 while receiving treatment at Atrium Health...