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

by | June 12, 2026 | 1957, Obituaries | 0 Comments

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...
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Sally M. Monteith

by | June 12, 2026 | 1941, 1955, Obituaries | 0 Comments

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...
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Philip D. Buchahan

by | June 12, 2026 | 1966, Obituaries | 0 Comments

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...
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Geoff D. Strother

Geoff D. Strother

Geoff D. StrotherGeoffrey Douglas Strother Geoff Strother, 68, passed away at Reston Hospital Center on October 24th. Geoffrey Douglas Strother was born in Fort Worth, Texas on February 5th, 1957, the youngest of two children to John and Arline Strother. He grew up in...

Pearl Morris

Pearl Morris

Pearl MorrisPearlita Morris (Pearl), daughter of the late David & Rebecca Morris, was born on June 22, 1946, in the parish of St. Catherine, Jamaica. She was first a student at Pear Tree Grove Primary School. She then enrolled and graduated from Shortwood Teaches’...

Judy A. McConnell

Judy A. McConnell

Judy A. McConnellJudith (Judy) McConnell died October 23, 2025 at Harris Regional Hospital at the age of 79. Judy is survived by her brother Gene (Kathy), sister-in-law Ruth, nephews Gregg McConnell, Jeff McConnell (Michelle) and niece Kristy Bullock (Troy). She is...