Victoria Arvella Casey-McDonald

Victoria Arvella Casey-McDonald, 71, of Sylva, went home to be with her Lord Sunday evening August 17, 2014 at Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville. Born at home in Cullowhee North Carolina to the late Estus and Derosette Casey she was one of 10 siblings. Victoria was the second African American to graduate from Western Carolina University, Class of 1978. She went on to teach starting in 1978 until her passing. She started at the National Teacher Corps, Log Cabin School and then retired from Smokey Mountain Elementary School. She had such devotion for teaching she came back from retirement to teach at Smoky Mountain High School. Known for her strong voice and loving heart Minister Victoria Casey-McDonald wrote 3 books, The African Americans of Jackson County (Pictorial History), Just over the Hill and Under the Light of Darkness. Besides her passion for teaching, she loved to paint, write and coach, but her greatest passion was teaching, the love of children and knowledge. She was loved by all that knew her and will be sorely missed. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her son Creighton Olufe Casey, sisters; Permelia and Irma Casey and brothers; Victor, Delaney and Horace Casey. She is survived by her daughter Faustine Clarinda Wilson (Tina McDonald), who she loved to the Moon and Back, and her husband Brandon of Sylva, Ms. Casey-McDonald's sisters; Geraldyne Casey, Lorinda Casey, and Mrs. Floretta Casey-Graham, as well as a host of other relatives and friends also survive. Funeral Services will be 2:00 PM Saturday August 23 in the Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Services with Bishop Adam West officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 5:00 until 8:00 PM Friday evening at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, SCDAA, 3700 Koppers St., Suite 570, Baltimore, Maryland, 21227 . .