Anita Brooks Churm

Anita Brooks Churm, 92, passed away Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in the comfort of her home on Wesley Street in Canton.

She was predeceased by husband, Bill; her parents, Mildred Williams and Maurice Brooks; and son, Michael Churm.

She is survived by sons, Stephen Churm and Chris Benge; daughters-in-law, Alison Falls Churm and Renee Stinnett Benge; 6 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

A graduate of Wake Forest College (now University) and Canton High School, she earned her Master's Degree at Western Carolina University. Her teaching career spanned 37 years. She retired from Pisgah High School, having previously taught at Canton High School, North Canton Elementary School and in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Anita was a caring teacher who demanded respect from her students and had a high regard for excellence in academics. She oversaw production of Pisgah High School's yearbook and sponsored the school's cheerleaders. A strong supporter of athletics, Anita was a familiar face at most sporting events. She and Coach Churm were presented with a special service award at Pisgah Commencement in 1995.

Mrs. Churm was inducted into the Pisgah Sports Hall of Fame in 2000 and awarded the Cline Service award in 2014 for her many contributions to Pisgah High Athletics.

Anita was an active and lifelong member of Canton First Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School and participated frequently in other church activities.

Playing bridge was a favored pastime as were monthly meetings of "The Lunch Bunch," a group of women who gathered at various restaurants and homes. Attending the Masters Golf Tournament, visits to Bob and Barbara Falls' beach home at Pawley's Island, SC where yearly events as were weekends at Wake Forest University that enabled her and Bill to maintain close friendships with college friends.

A Celebration of Life service to honor Mrs. Churm will be held at one 1:00 in the afternoon, Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Canton First Baptist Church. The family will receive friends following the service in the fellowship hall of Canton First Baptist Church. A private family interment will be held at Bon-A-Venture Cemetery, Old Clyde Road.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Canton First Baptist, https://onrealm.org/cantonfirst/-/form/give/now or the Pisgah High School Athletic Department, 1 Black Bear Dr. Canton, NC 28716.

The care of Mrs. Churm has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes of Canton and an online memorial register is available at “Obituaries” at www.wellsfuneralhome.com.