Cheryl Ann (Hook) Kilby

 

Mrs. Kilby is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, Dr. Larry S. Kilby, and her son Dr. James David Kilby (Kristina). Her son Dr. John Michael Kilby (Mia) preceded her in death a few years ago. She is also survived by her grandsons Matthew Kilby (SC), Andrew Kilby (CA), and Benjamin Kilby (FL), her younger siblings Ralph David Hook of Greensboro, NC and Aleta Hook Jacomen of Lawrenceville, Georgia, as well as a host of loyal friends, extended family, and art students. 

 

Mrs. Kilby was born September 14, 1943 in Nashville, TN to Doris Elizabeth Floyd and William Allen Hook. She spent her childhood in NC and California and attended Jamestown High School, Pfeiffer College (majoring in art), and High Point Business College. She married Larry Kilby in 1963, supporting him though college and medical school and accompanying him to San Antonio, TX and Fort Walton Beach, FL while he was a flight surgeon in the USAF. She moved to North Wilkesboro with her husband and sons in 1972. She was very active in her community and was devoted to friends and family. She was an artist, gifting and selling paintings including murals in schools, churches, hospitals, and homes. She was a featured artist for the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival for many years, often providing the official festival print. Her family has wonderful hand painted crafts lovingly made for them by Mrs. Kilby. 

 

Cheryl particularly enjoyed the culture and history of the NC mountains. She contributed her time and skills to the Wilkes Art Gallery, the Wilkes Old Jail Museum (now the Wilkes Heritage Museum), Wilkes Community College, and Wilkesboro Baptist Church. She was an adventurous traveler, volunteering alongside her husband in Guatemala and her older son and wife in Zambia. She enjoyed visiting the US Southwest and Mexico with her sons and loved Jackson Hole, Wyoming, always with her husband and best friend by her side. Her children and grandchildren remember her energy and adventurous spirit, humor, love of animals, classic movies, and playing board games. Friends and family alike loved her fried chicken and venison chili. 

 

Funeral services will be held at 1:30, Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at Wilkesboro Baptist Church with Dr. Chris Hefner and Rev. Alfred E. Andrews, Jr. officiating. Reception will be held at Reins-Sturdivant funeral home from 5-7 pm Monday evening prior to the funeral. The family is currently establishing the Cheryl Kilby Memorial Art Fund to promote art education in Wilkes County. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cheryl Kilby Memorial Art Fund, c/o Anthony Pendry (adpcpa@hotmail.com).