Dr. Colleen Helen King Cody, of Asheville NC passed away peacefully on June 27, 2026, at CarePartners Solace Center after a brief illness at the age of 92. Born on August 4, 1933, in Haywood County, North Carolina. Colleen was the daughter of Clato King and Etta Helen Self. She was a cherished wife to her late husband, Roy Lee Cody.

In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by her son Richard Lee Cody, her daughter Karen Elaine Collen Cody and two brothers: Theodore King and Robert King.

A lifelong learner and educator, Colleen was a graduate of Canton High School, earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Western Carolina University and PHD from University of Tennessee Knoxville in 1986.

She worked for many different schools in WNC over her decades long career including Canton Middle School, Pisgah High School, Polk County Schools and Cherokee Reservation Schools. She ended her career supervising Student Teachers for Western Carolina University, helping to train the next generation of educators.

In addition to her career, Colleen was passionate about a variety of hobbies. She found immense joy in oil painting and playing cards with her neighbors and friends. Many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren have memories of working on a puzzle with her. She would often say that she had to keep her hands busy and was proficient in knitting, cross-stitching and tatting. In her later years, however, she was constantly crocheting. It brought great happiness to give a friend, neighbor or doctor a scarf or dish cloth in their favorite color.

Colleen leaves behind a loving family, including one granddaughter, Janet Cody Warren (Joel) and five grandsons Jason Ray (Tracee), Bryan Ray, Colin Cody (Jessica), Philip Ray (Amanda) and Christopher ‘Chip’ Cody (Jennifer). Her legacy continues with twenty great-grandchildren. Additionally, she is survived by daughter-in-law, Doris Cody Towers and special friend Kay Campbell.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at 1:00pm located at Pisgah View Memorial Park with Pastor Josh Harvey officiating. Family will receive friends from 11:00am to 12:30pm before the service at Wells Funeral Home in Canton.

Well Funeral Home of Canton has been entrusted with her care.