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...
Sandra P. Craft

Sandra P. Craft

Sandra P. CraftSandra Price Craft passed away on November 28, 2025, in Charleston, South Carolina, at the age of 73. She graduated from Garinger High School 1970 and Western Carolina University in 1974. She taught in the public and private school systems. She also...

Hal E. West

Hal E. West

Hal E. WestHal Epps West, Jr., a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully at his home in Clyde, North Carolina, on December 11, 2025, at the age of 82. Born on October 9, 1943, in Asheville, North Carolina, Hal lived a life...

Justin C. Troester

Justin C. Troester

Justin C. TroesterIt is with heavy hearts that we announce that Justin Christopher Troester passed away on November 26, 2025, in Asheville, North Carolina. Justin was born on September 2, 1982, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. While his early years were spent near the...