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...
Joan M. Morrison

Joan M. Morrison

Joan M. MorrisonMrs. Joan Medford Morrison of Canton passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Saturday, January 10th, 2026, at the age of 93. Born in March of 1932, she was the daughter of the late Joe D. Medford and Lucy E. Chambers of Iron Duff. She was the...

Eleanor W. Lofquist

Eleanor W. Lofquist

Eleanor W. LofquistCora Eleanor White Lofquist (“Ellima”) of Cullowhee, North Carolina, passed peacefully in her home, joining the love of her life, Henry (“Hennipa”) on January 9, 2026. Eleanor was born April 3, 1930, to Ray McLee and Carrie Pierce White in Lenoir,...

Jennings “Harold” Heatherly

Jennings “Harold” Heatherly

Jennings "Harold" HeatherlyJennings Harold Heatherly, age 84, who was born on April 6, 1941, passed away peacefully during the evening hours of Thursday, December 18, 2025. He was surrounded by family and friends in his home on Cold Creek in the Cruso Community of...