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...
Sara M. Trout

Sara M. Trout

Sara M. TroutSara McMillin Trout, 100, of Inman passed away Thursday, February 6, 2025 at the Spartanburg Regional Hospice House. Sara was born in New Prospect on September 19, 1924. She was the daughter of the late Jesse Clifton and Sallie Carson McMillin and the...

Paul S. Young

Paul S. Young

Paul S. YoungPaul Stephen Young, 39, of Canton NC, passed away unexpectedly on February 5, 2025. Paul was born on December 3, 1985, in Langhorne. Pa. Paul graduated from North Buncombe High School. He furthered his education, graduating from Western Carolina...

John F. Smith III

John F. Smith III

John F. Smith IIIMr. John Franklin Smith III, " Conehead" 61, of Grimes Circle, passed away on Tuesday, February 4 at Forsyth Medical Center. A memorial service will be held at 2pm Sunday, February 16 at First Reformed United Church of Christ, by the Revs Elizabeth...