Geraldine "Shirley" (Byers) McCarter

Mrs. Geraldine “Shirley” Byers McCarter, age 84 of Newton, passed away Friday, May 23, 2025, at Catawba Valley Medical Center.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 PM until 4:00 PM prior to the service at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home.  Memorial services will be held 4:00 PM Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel with Pastor Ken Pardue officiating. 

She was born on December 31, 1940, in Wilkes County to Weaver Byers and Esther Woodruff Byers.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Wesley McCarter; sister, Elizabeth Byers; two brothers, James Byers and Kenneth Byers; and daughter-in-law, Sandra Gilbert.

She is survived by two sons, Gerald Steven Gilbert and partner, David Lambert of Wilkesboro, Dr. John Christian McCarter and wife Jennifer, of Idaho; eight grandchildren, Owen McCarter, Sloane McCarter, Gwyneth McCarter, Desmond McCarter, Julian Gilbert and wife Alivia, Meghan Eller and husband, Jacob, Heather Gilbert, Shane Timmons and wife Ashley; four great grandchildren, Fisher Gilbert, Jaiden Eller, Georgia Timmons, Ophelia Timmons; two sisters, Peggy Hutchins and Gencie Bowlin and husband Harold; two brothers, Hurley Byers and wife Gail, Rex Byers and wife Pam; and two sisters-in-law, Evelyn Byers and Shirley Byers.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to High Country Breast Cancer Foundation, PO Box 1029, Blowing Rock, NC 28605.

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

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