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 D. Kindley

William D. Kindley

William D. KindleyWilliam Douglas Kindley, 93, of Asheville, NC, passed away on July 8, 2025 at Mission Hospital. A memorial service will be held Sunday, July 20, at 2:00 pm, at Central United Methodist Church, 27 Church Street, Asheville, NC 28801. Asheville Mortuary...

Mildred L. Wilson

Mildred L. Wilson

Mildred L. WilsonMildred Spicer Wilson, 76, of Swannanoa passed away on Monday, June 16, 2025 with family by her side. Born May 22, 1949 in Surry County, NC, she was a daughter of the late Bramlet and Ruby Spicer. She was an alumnus of Western Carolina University,...

Ron “Ronnie” M. Stewart

Ron “Ronnie” M. Stewart

Ron "Ronnie" M. StewartRonald (Ron), better known as Ronnie Maurice Stewart, 69 of Asheville N.C., passed away Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at Emerald Ridge Rehabilitation and Care Center, after an extended illness. Originally a resident of Robbinsville, N.C., Ronnie spent...