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...
Linda J. Morris

Linda J. Morris

Linda J. Morris Linda Jones Morris, 86, of Sylva, North Carolina, passed away on June 3, 2025. She was a devoted wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and passionate member of the Sylva community.  Linda’s life was filled with the world of music and unwavering love...

Aileen C. Fleming

Aileen C. Fleming

Aileen C. Fleming Aileen Cambell Haney Fleming of Columbia, SC left this earth on July 23, 2025 and gained her heavenly wings. Aileen was born in Buncombe County, NC on September 30, 1934. Aileen was the daughter of the late Hugh Baldwin Campbell and Emma Lee Jordan...

Jim L. Evans

Jim L. Evans

Jim L. Evans Jim Evans, 94, of Sylva passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at Haywood Regional Medical Center, following a brief illness. Born on Nov. 15, 1930 in Sylva, he was the son of the late Charles and Thelma Tucker Evans. In addition to his parents,...