Dallas Satterwhite

Dallas Jane Satterwhite, 87, died at home in Sylva, NC on July 8, 2026, after a short illness. She was born in Asheville, NC on Feb 27, 1939, to Gladys Riddle Bishop and Norris Bishop. She graduated from Valley Springs High School in Arden, NC and attended Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC. She was administrative assistant to the superintendents and boards of Buncombe County Schools from 1973 until her retirement in 2000. During that time, she was an active member of the North Carolina Association of Educational Office Personnel (NCAEOP).

Dallas loved to travel and explore, whether across the US, across her home state, or throughout WNC. She loved both the mountains and the beach and found beauty in a variety of natural landscapes. She especially loved the unexpected discoveries of travel and would often exclaim “We would have missed it!” One of her best memories was driving across the country with her dearest friends, Barbara and Gaylen, to the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle. She was always prepared for a spontaneous adventure, and throughout her life she was happiest when going on road trips with her family.

Dallas loved to read and was never without a book in hand. She was an almost daily visitor to the local library and bookstores wherever she lived. She would often say that she traveled the world through reading. Her favorite word was “joy” and her favorite phrase from the Bible was “Rejoice!” She made a regular practice of gratitude and kept a “joy list” for many years. What brought her the greatest joy was her family—her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Arville Thompson, her brother Norris Bishop, and her beloved nephew Michael Thompson. She is survived by her children, David Satterwhite (Kari Cockrill), Stephen Satterwhite, and Wesley Satterwhite (Paul Yanik); her grandchildren, Cassidy Mullis (Brandon), Owen Yanik, and Barrett Yanik; her great-grandchildren, Killian, Sullivan, and Ellery Mullis; and her former husband Robert Satterwhite.

A private family gathering will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Dallas’ name to the Jackson County Friends of the Library or to the Friends of the Jackson County Greenway.