Fern (Shepherd) Absher

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Fern Shepherd Absher, age 92, of North Wilkesboro passed away Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Wilkes Health and Rehabilitation.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 11, at 12 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 3314 Statesville Road (Highway 115), North Wilkesboro, NC. The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 10:30 am. After a luncheon for the family, a brief graveside service will be held in the cemetery of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 3128 Mt. Zion Church Road, Piney Creek, NC.

Fern was born April 26, 1933, in Alleghany County to Charles B. Shepherd and Anyce Irwin Shepherd, later fondly called Mama Shepherd. Fern was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in North Wilkesboro where she served in many callings, including president of the women’s organization, the Relief Society, on three different occasions, the last in her eightieth year.

After retiring from the school system as a speech language pathologist, Fern served for several years as a volunteer at the Samaritan Kitchen of Wilkes and in the Wilkes Regional Medical Center hospice program, where in 2012 she was selected as the volunteer of the quarter. She also fielded calls for a crisis hotline. For many years, she was active in Democratic party politics.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband John, her brother Charles B. Shepherd, Jr., and three sisters—Stella Madalene Little, Josephine “Jo” Cannon Billings, and Nancy Flake Smith.

She is survived by her sister, Sandra “Sandy” Lee Woodie; by a daughter, Lisa Ann Houghton; and by four sons: John Stanley Absher, his wife Patti, and grandchild John; Louis Keith Absher, his wife Cindy, and grandchildren Jennifer, Lauren, Katelyn, Conner, and Elizabeth; Charles Phillip Absher, his wife Erin, and grandchild Charlotte; and Thomas Brett Absher, his wife Gina, and grandchildren Jordan, Brittany, Justin, Brandon, and Alisa; seven great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. The grandchildren and great grandchildren knew her as their loving Mama Fern.

In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the charity of your choice in Fern’s name.

Online condolences may be made to www.reinssturdivant.com.

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