Kathleen Greer Stanley

Kathleen "Kathy" Greer Stanley of Mount Airy, NC, joined the Lord on Thursday, October 17, 2013, following a stroke earlier in the week. Kathy was born in Boone, NC, on the 4th of February, 1928, to Ralph and Elma Greer. She was the fourth of seven children, with five brothers, Truitt, Earl, Bill, Graydon, and Owen, and a sister, Velda. Kathy grew up on a farm in Todd, NC, then later in her childhood, the family moved to Boone. She grew up in the Baptist faith. Kathy graduated from Appalachian High School in 1946 and then moved to Winston- Salem, NC, to attend nursing school at City Hospital. Upon receiving her certification as a registered nurse, she began her career as a medical professional at City Hospital. Over the years, she worked at Baptist Memorial Hospital while doing private duty nursing on weekends. She married Alvis Finney Taylor in 1952 and had two children: Alvis Anthony "Tony" in 1954 and Rufus King in 1958. Rufus died tragically at the age of 18 months in a drowning accident in a lake behind the family home while being attended by a nanny. Mr. Taylor died in 1964 and Kathy raised Tony while continuing her nursing career. Kathy accepted the job of plant nurse at Hanes Corporation in 1966 and revamped the plant healthcare delivery system into a modern provider. She became very knowledgeable in the area of industrial medicine and was elected president of the NC State Industrial Nurses Association. In the spring of 1968, she attended a national industrial nursing conference in San Francisco where she met a plant physician from American Enka Corporation, Dr. Sherburn Stanley, who changed the lives of two families. After a magical week in San Francisco, Dr. Stanley proposed and on July 20, 1968, they were married in a ceremony in Asheville, NC. Kathy and Tony joined Sherb and his sons, Stephen and Jaacov, to form a strong blended family. Kathy became employed as an RN at St. Josephs Hospital in Asheville, NC, and over the years, rose to the position of assistant executive hospital administrator, being responsible for in-service education, infection control, etc. while writing various hospital protocols for patient care. Kathy was one of the founders of Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) and helped found the first hospice in NC during the early 70's. While in Asheville, Kathy and Sherb were members at First Baptist Church. In 1975, using the proceeds from her parents' estate, Kathy and Sherb bought Kathy's family homeplace, "The Farm" in Todd. This served as a summer home and was the gathering place for many happy visits from family and friends over the years. The couple retired in 1980 and moved to a home Sherb's parents built in Southport, FL. The couple enjoyed retirement with friends and family in the Panama City area as her sister Vel and her husband Ced also retired there. Many happy memories were made in those locales as well as time spent in the Florida Keys during January and February. Kathy was very active with her church, Lynn Haven Methodist. She later adopted the Episcopal faith, joining St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Panama City, where she served on altar guild and assumed various leadership roles. During the summers, she attended church at The Churches of the Frescos in Ashe County. She led presentations of the frescoes as a docent. Kathy's beloved husband, Sherb, passed away in 2004. In early 2006, Kathy made her final move to be with her family in Mount Airy, NC. Her son, Tony, was a teacher in the Mount Airy City Schools and her son, Stephen, was an associate rector at Christ Episcopal Church in Roanoke, VA. Kathy made an immediate contribution to the Mount Airy community by joining Central United Methodist Church and within a year was elected President of the United Methodist Women, a position she held for two years. Kathy transitioned into many leadership roles within the church, serving on Church Council and most recently as the Chair of the Abigail Circle and Chair of the Mission Committee. She was involved in countless efforts to help the church. Kathy was also an active member of Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO), serving as corresponding secretary and attended several state leadership conventions. Kathy served on the Board of Directors for The Surry County Historical Society and was involved in many projects that enhanced the lives of local residents. She loved to read, play Bridge, and was a member of various clubs in town. Kathy's greatest mission in life, up until the day she suffered the stroke, was serving others. She tirelessly gave of herself daily to friends and family. Kathy lived a godly life and set the example for her children and all who knew her. She touched so many lives and was loved and respected wherever she has lived. Kathy was not a spectator in life; she was an active participant to the end. She is survived by her brother, Owen Greer; her sons, Alvis Anthony "Tony" Stanley, Stephen Ranson Stanley, and Jaacov Stanley Abraham; daughters-in-law, Jackie Stanley and Leah Abraham; two grandchildren, Brian Stanley and John Stanley; and special nephews, Ric Hunter and John Hunter. A visitation will be held Monday, October 21, 2013, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, October 22, 2013, at 11:00 AM at Central United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Jim Pyatt officiating. Memorials may be made to the Mission Committee at Central United Methodist Church, 1909 North Main Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030.