It is with great sadness that we share the news that Dr. Michael Montgomery passed away on Wednesday, July 24 at the age of 69. He leaves behind a legacy of lives touched by his scholarship and friendship. He was a giant in the field of American dialectology and sociolinguistics, and he was an authority on the Appalachian region, the American South, and the history and development of American English. He was also a noted scholar of Ulster Scots and the Scots-Irish influence on American English. His generosity, kindness, wit, and guidance touched the lives of innumerable individuals. He was quick with a smile and a joke, and also encouragement. As a longtime member and former President of SECOL, he was a champion for this organization, and will be dearly missed.
Services will be held both in Knoxville, TN (his hometown) and Columbia, SC (where he spent most of his career). The service in Knoxville, TN will be at Broadway Chapel on August 1st from 12pm-2pm with a graveside service at 3pm. A memorial will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC on August 6th starting at 2pm.
The full obituary with information about expressing condolences to the family and also about the services can be found at https://www.rosemortuary.com/obituaries/Michael-Montgomery-9/.