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...
Carroll C. Wright Jr.

Carroll C. Wright Jr.

Carroll C. Wright Jr.Carroll C. Wright, Jr. passed away on Friday, January 17, 2025, in Haywood County, North Carolina. He was born December 24, 1936, in Swain County, North Carolina, leaving behind a legacy filled with remarkable accomplishments and cherished...

Charles “Chuck” B. Freeman

Charles “Chuck” B. Freeman

Charles "Chuck" B. FreemanCharles Boyce Freeman (Chuck), 89, of Chesterfield, Virginia, went home to be with the Lord on January 17, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born on November 10, 1935, in Rutherfordton, North Carolina, Chuck lived a life filled with...

Linda S. Conrad

Linda S. Conrad

Linda S. Conradinda Stilwell Conrad, 68, of Hayesville, passed away Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 in a Gainesville, Ga. hospital. She was a native and lifetime resident of Clay County and raised on the family farm in Tusquittee. Linda earned a bachelor's degree in business...