Obituaries

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

William D. Rich

William D. RichWilliam Donald Rich, 87, of Forest City, passed away on March 29, 2026, at The Greens of Lincolnton. He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Patsy Hollifield Rich. William earned his master’s degree from Western Carolina University and worked in...

Laura J. Price

Laura J. PriceLaura Jane Richardson Price, 65, of Morehead City, North Carolina, passed over at home on March 28, 2026. Mrs. Price was the daughter of the late Dr. Maurice Baker Richardson, DDS and the late Jane Murphy Carpenter Richardson. She graduated from...

Tommie S. Losiah

Tommie S. LosiahTommie Sue Lossiah, TM2. 59, a retired Navy officer, died peacefully, Thursday March 19. 2026 at Memorial Mission Hospital. Tommie was born in Cherokee NC on July 24, 1966, to the late Margaret Sherrill Lossiah. She attended Cherokee Central School and...
Karen Jean Furey

Karen Jean Furey

Karen Jean FureyKaren Jean Furey, 63, was welcomed into Heaven on March 21, 2026 where she was greeted by her parents Bob and Lorraine Furey as well as her brothers Robert and Ken Furey. She is survived by her younger sisters: Laura Kincaid and Ellen Whittington...

Janet M. Desist

Janet M. Desist

Janet M. DesistJanet was born July 31, 1946, in Hoke County to the late William Lacy McNeill and Mary Helen McFadyen McNeill. She was a devoted member of Raeford Presbyterian Church, where she taught Sunday School. Later, she became a member of Vaughn Memorial...

Robert “Steve” Davis

Robert “Steve” Davis

Robert "Steve" DavisRobert "Steve" Davis, a native of Haywood County, passed away March 21 leaving a legacy of family, integrity, and service to Western North Carolina. He was preceded in death by his father, Jack Madison Davis, his mother, Maudie Buchanan Davis, and...