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...
Scott M. Harrington

Scott M. Harrington

Scott M. HarringtonScott Mayfield Harrington, a devoted husband, father, brother, and uncle, lost his courageous battle with gliosarcoma and passed away peacefully at his home on April 23, 2025. He was born on October 20, 1953, in Warrenton, North Carolina, to Alfred...

Larry N. Debruhl

Larry N. Debruhl

Larry N. DebruhlLarry Neal DeBruhl, 76, of Roanoke Rapids, NC, passed away on April 26, 2025, at the home of his stepson, Joey Butler, in Littleton, NC. Larry was born on October 5, 1948, in Goldsboro, NC, where he grew up and graduated from Goldsboro High School. In...

George L. Grow

George L. Grow

George L. GrowGrow, George Lee, 79, born August 13, 1945, in Columbus, OH, died March 21, 2024, in Asheville, NC. He was a member of Mount Pisgah Academy Church. George graduated from Andrews University and embarked on his educational career at Mount Pisgah Academy in...