Stephen Reed Lott

Steve Reed Lott

Steve “Stephe” Lott, 71, of Cullowhee passed away after a brief and brave fight. He is survived by his best friend and the love of his life, spouse Micky Randolph and beloved pup Bentlee; mother Shirley Reed Lott, of Hilton Head Island, SC; niece Tatum (Jefferson) Sturkey of Simpsonville, SC; nephew Blake Lott; sister-in-law Linda (Dennis Eidson) Randolph, of Trenton, SC; and a host of beloved cousins, other relatives, and friends. His father, James “Jimmy” H. Lott, and brother James “Barry” Lott, predecease him.

Steve was born in Orangeburg and grew up in Blackville, South Carolina, where he developed his passion for golf and life, in that order. His life’s journey led him to enroll at Limestone University after graduating from Blackville High School and then to work at the Savannah River Plant, enjoying sports and music along the way. His pride in being from the Palmetto State was palpable to anyone who met him. In 1988, after 11 years of dating, Steve and Mickey married and moved to Cullowhee, where Mickey began her role on the psychology faculty at Western Carolina University and Steve embarked on careers in real estate and early American antiques. His deep knowledge and curiosity for early American history was legendary, his expertise frequently sought by others. But he never lost his love for golf--so much so that he was named the Women’s Golf Coach at WCU in 1998. Steve became a three-time Southern Conference Women’s Golf Coach of the Year, where he also led the Catamounts to become Southern Conference Champions in 2003 and 2007. He led the team to compete in NCAA Tournament Regionals, recruiting and coaching three Southern Conference Freshmen of the Year and several other honors. He was named WCU’s Director of Golf in 2004 and inducted into WCU’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022. Steve’s zest for life was infectious; he connected with everyone with whom he came in contact, never meeting a stranger. He lived as he loved…with joy and abundance, a role model for us all.

A service honoring Steve’s life will be held at 2p on Sunday, November 2nd , at Appalachian Funeral Services in Sylva, NC, followed by a reception at the Hospitality Suite on the campus of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Steve's memory to the WCU Women's Golf Program at the Western Carolina University Foundation, 1 University Dr., 201 H. F. Robinson Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC, 28723. Online memorials may be made at give.wcu.edu/womensgolf.