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...
William “Bill” Stanley

William “Bill” Stanley

William "Bill" StanleyWilliam “Bill” T. Stanley 79, of Fuquay-Varina passed away on August 27, 2025 at Central Harnett Hospital in Lillington, NC. Bill was born on April 3, 1946, in Jacksonville, NC to the late Frank and Julia Stanley. He grew up in Roanoke Rapids, NC...

Alfred “Monk” Snyder

Alfred “Monk” Snyder

Alfred "Monk" SnyderGaffney, S.C. – Alfred Franklin “Monk” Snyder III, 84, of Gaffney, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 14, 2025 at Upstate Community Hospice House in Landrum. Born in Greenwood, he was the husband of Sheila Beaver Snyder and son of...

Glenda B. Shepardson

Glenda B. Shepardson

Glenda B. Shepardson Glenda Bailey Shepardson passed away on September 4, 2025. She was born February 3, 1952 and was the daughter of the late William Edwin Bailey and the late Mary Ann Hall Bailey of Candler, NC. Glenda earned her Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics...