Guylene Wehunt Smith

Guylene Wehunt Smith, 75, of Morganton, NC, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 10th, 2023.

Born in Marion, NC, on August 13th, 1948, she was the daughter of the late Mary Jo Biggerstaff Wehunt and Otis Guy Wehunt.

Guylene attended school at Pilot Mountain and Salem High School. She received her Language Arts Degree from Warren Wilson College. She was awarded a master’s degree from Appalachian State University. Guylene was a retired educator who touched the lives of countless students, colleagues, and friends throughout her life. Her career in education spanned more than 30 years including time as an English Teacher at Glen Alpine Jr High, Oak Hill High School, Freedom High School, and Western Piedmont Community College. During her time teaching she had some health concerns due to failing kidneys and had a transplant to improve her quality of life. She exceeded expectations and lived nearly 25 years after the procedure. She continued to teach and influence many young people with her no-nonsense style of teaching and the high expectations she had of her students. Guylene cherished sharing her love of literature with her students.

Beyond the classroom, Guylene was a beloved friend to many. She enjoyed getting together with her bridge group regularly. She was also a dog lover and particularly fond of her cocker spaniel Paisley. She will be dearly missed by so many.

Guylene leaves behind a brother, Gary Joe Wehunt and wife, Diane Perkins Wehunt; “hand-picked children” Tammy Schachtschneider Jensen and her husband, Yates, and Lisa Schachtschneider Lange and her husband, Chantz; and chosen grandchildren, Alisa Lange, Trey Jensen, Tate Jensen, Tyler Lange, and Christian Lange. Guylene considered her chosen grandchildren one of her greatest blessings and bragged on them every chance she had.

In addition to her parents Guylene was preceded in death by her loving husband of 22 years Earl Smith Jr., known to many as “Sweet Earl”.

A celebration of life for Guylene will be held on Sunday September 24th at Sossoman’ s Funeral Home at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Warren Wilson College, designated for the Guylene Smith Scholarship Fund Post Office Box 9900 Asheville, NC 28815 or The National Kidney Foundation 620 Montana Dr, Charlotte, NC 28216.

Guylene will be profoundly missed, but her spirit lives on through the countless students and colleagues who were fortunate enough to learn from her. She has left an enduring mark on our lives, reminding us that the love of language and the pursuit of knowledge are among life's greatest treasures.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.