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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More
Gary W. Brookshire

Gary W. Brookshire

Gary W. BrookshireGary Brookshire, 81 of Valdese, passed away, Saturday, May 24, 2025. Born on September 1, 1943, he was the son of the late W.N and Dorothy Brookshire. Gary was a member of High Peak Baptist Church. He was a school principal with 40 years in...

Phillip “Phil” M. Bailey

Phillip “Phil” M. Bailey

Phillip "Phil" M. BaileyMr. Phillip Michael Bailey, of Union, widower of Benemma Bentley Bailey, passed away peacefully at his home on May 11, 2025. Phil was born August 13, 1948 a son of the late Wendell and Lelia Young Bailey.  He was a graduate of A.C. Reynolds...

Robert “Bob” L. Humphrey

Robert “Bob” L. Humphrey

Robert "Bob" L. HumphreyRobert Louis “Bob” Humphrey, age 95, of Franklin, Tennessee, passed away on April 16, 2025. Born in Decatur, Alabama, Bob lived a life marked by faith, service, and devotion to his family. A longtime resident of both Nashville and Franklin, he...