Sally Mae Campbell

Sally 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 Claude E. Campbell, who died in 1984.

Sally attended Sylva Collegiate Institute and Sylva High School, and graduated from Western Carolina University in 1937. She received her Master’s degree from Western Carolina in 1955 and at the time of her death was their oldest living graduate. Mrs. Campbell was included in the 1970 edition of Who’s Who of American Women. She organized the first chorus group at Sylva-Webster High School, sponsored the Student Council for many years, supervised Student Teachers for Western Carolina University and served as chairperson of the Southern Association Accreditation Committee in 1978. Sally was nominated for Jackson County Teacher of the year in 1980. On her retirement from teaching, her former principal, Carr Hooper, was quoted as saying, “In my lifetime I have come in contact with many good teachers; I have known a few excellent teachers; but in my book, this lady was a super teacher.” She not only inspired her students to achieve high in learning, but her greatest attribute was her sincere love and friendship for all.

Mrs. Campbell was active in her community and church. She served as past president of American Association of Retired Persons and Jackson County Retired School Personnel. She belonged to the Halcyon Club and later to the Twentieth Century Club. She was honored by the Sylva Town Board in 2025 with the Mayor’s proclamation of Sally Campbell Day on January 1.

Sally was the oldest member of First Baptist Church of Sylva. For many years she taught an adult women’s Sunday School class and was active in the church music program. In 2007, she received a plaque recognizing her 60 years of service as pianist/organist. On two occasions, she served on the Pastor Search Committee for the church. She was also a charter member of the Ruby Daniel Circle.

In addition to her husband and her parents, she is pre-deceased by four brothers and an infant sister.

She is survived by her son Jim Campbell (Myrna): her daughter Judy Covin (Riley); four grandsons: Bill Covin, Philip Covin (Amy), Marc Campbell (Natalia), and Mike Campbell (Jennifer); one granddaughter: Kim Clark (Jason) and four great-grandchildren: Lillian and Koen Campbell, Addison Clark, McCartney Dunn, as well as several great-nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be at First Baptist Church on Saturday, June 13th at 11am with Dr. Joe Yelton and Rev. Ed Beddingfield officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 10am until service time. Burial will be at Keener Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Bill Covin, Philip Covin, Marc Campbell, Mike Campbell, Jason Clark, Arlin Middleton, Johnny Phillips, and Harold Messer. Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmie Stewart, Curtis Blanton, and John Dills.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 669 W. Main St., Sylva; Jackson County Public Schools Educational Foundation, 298 Hospital Rd., Sylva; or Four Seasons Hospice, 571 South Allen Rd., Flat Rock, NC 28731.

The family gives special thanks to her most recent caregivers: Sandy Wykle, Heather DeNinno, Marie Connor, Christy Rowe, Reva Lewis, and to long-term caregivers Peggy Lequire and Betty Bingham. Also, special appreciation to the staff of Four Seasons Hospice.