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
Larry “Tutt” N. Tuttle

Larry “Tutt” N. Tuttle

Larry "Tutt" N. TuttleLarry Neal Tuttle “Tutt”, 91, passed away peacefully at Four Seasons Hospice in Flat Rock on January 22, 2025. He was born December 9, 1933 in Mayodan, NC to Neal and Earlie Tuttle. He is preceded in death by his brother, Jerome Tuttle and...

Mary Kathryn S. Israel

Mary Kathryn S. Israel

Mary Kathryn S. IsraelMary Kathryn Seagle Israel, 95, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 20, 2025, in Candler, NC. Born in Kingsport, TN, Mary Kathryn was the only child of the late Daniel Henry and Veva Deal Seagle, both natives of Catawba County. She was also...

John “Dillard” Phillips

John “Dillard” Phillips

John "Dillard" PhillipsJohn "Dillard" Phillips, 80, of Gastonia, passed away Saturday, January 18, 2025 at CaroMont Regional Medical Center after a short battle with prostate cancer.  He was born May 9, 1944 in Newport News, Virginia, a son of the late Jake and Irene...