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...
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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...
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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...
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Keith E. Galloway

Keith E. Galloway

Keith E. GallowayKeith E. Galloway, born on April 3, 1948, in Buncombe County at the old Biltmore Hospital, passed away after a short illness on March 18, 2025, at Mission Hospital. He was 76 years old. Keith’s educational journey began at Morganton High School, where...

Thomas “Tom” Y. Keesler

Thomas “Tom” Y. Keesler

Thomas "Tom" Y. KeeslerThomas Yates Keesler, 69, an Asheville-area resident for more than a quarter-century, died Sunday, March 16, 2025, at FirstHealth Hospital in Pinehurst after a long struggle with cancer. The funeral will be Saturday, March 29, at 2 p.m. at...

Matthew E. Robinson

Matthew E. Robinson

Matthew E. RobinsonMatthew Edward Robinson, 53, of Hickory passed away Saturday, March 15, 2025 after a three year battle with cancer. Born in Catawba County on April 24, 1971, he was the son of the late Gary Edward Robinson and Patricia White McCaskill. In addition...