Obituary of Jane Austin Dillard

Jane Austin Dillard, October 4, 1946 – March 20, 2016. Jane was the daughter of William B. and Catherine H. Dillard. She was preceded in death by her father, W.B., and her brothers, William B. ("Little Bill") Dillard, Jr., and Joseph Cooper Dillard. She will be sorely missed by her mother, Kitty; sisters, Catherine Collins and Mary Miller (Ronnie); brothers Jim and Tom (Nancy); and the delights of her life: nieces, Georgia and Ginny, nephews Will and Bubba, great-nephews Brayden, Alex, an Zach, great-nieces, Kayla and Maddy; and many cousins and close friends. She was a graduate of Agnes Scott College and attended the Masters' program at Georgia State University. Jane was a rabid N.C. State Wolfpack fan with the "real" Carolina a close second. This was her favorite time of year – the arrival of Spring and March Madness! An avid golf fan, she loved Tiger Woods and all things Augusta! And n'er a morning would pass without Don Imus, Paul Thorn, Levon Helm, and Randy Flack. But her heart was in the kitchen. She enjoyed a long career in the culinary field including owner and operator of the Cathouse and JustJane's, purchasing manager/director at High Hampton Inn, Biltmore Estate, Fee-Hedrick, and Chef's Catering. Any event that included Jane's expertise and creativity was an event to be envied and enjoyed. A graveside service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, 2016, at Keener Cemetery in Sylva, North Carolina, with a gathering of family and friends to follow at the home of her brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Nancy Dillard, 50 Paw Paw Cove, Sylva, North Carolina. The family will also receive friends at Tom and Nancy's home from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 25. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Safe harbor Advocacy Center, Sevierville, Tennessee, or the charity of your choice, and plant some herbs, flowers, shrubs and trees to enjoy for years to come.