NEWTON, N.C. - Joel Shuford Sherrill, 86, of Newton, passed away on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at Abernethy Laurels.

She was born April 19, 1938 in Lincoln County to the late John Ralph Shuford and Alta Elizabeth Wilkinson Shuford. Joel was a member of Friendship Methodist Church, where she sang in the church choir, taught the children’s Sunday school, and held various officer positions. She was the leader of the children’s class at Bible Study Fellowship in Hickory and volunteered for mission trips to Costa Rica. Joel was employed in the accounting department with Corning Cable for 44 years, and worked for H&R Block following her retirement.

She was very involved with her community, volunteering with both Red Cross and Billy Graham Revival. Joel was the president of “Parents without Partners” in Hickory, a leader at Emmanuel Emmaus, and served her church whenever she could. Joel looked forward to Sunday Family Day with her church, lunch gatherings, playing Rook with the Ladies Card Club, “Cousin Club” outings, and Friday night PJ parties with her granddaughters when they were young. Her family meant everything to her and she enjoyed beach trips, camping, and creating holiday and birthday traditions to remember. Snow excited Joel so much, like a young child. She was always ready to listen and help anyone in need and had great love and compassion for all she met.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Carl and Dale Shuford; sisters, Doris Sherrill and Martha Sue Watts; nephew, Donnie Sherrill; nieces, Kim Williams, Miriam Chapman, and Kelly Khattak; and son-in-law, Frank Fry.

Those left to cherish her memory is her daughter Sherry Sherrill Fry of Conover; brother Jerry Shuford and wife Joyce of Hickory; sister Margie Davis and husband Leon “Dave” of Newton; grandchildren Taylor Cansler and husband Dillon and Ana-Len Poovey and husband Sam; great-grandchildren Caroline and Livie Cansler; multiple nieces and nephews.

A service to celebrate Joel’s life will be held on Sunday, October 13, 2024 at 3 p.m. at Friendship Methodist Church in Newton. Rev. Dr. Rick Auten will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. at Friendship Methodist Church.  

Memorials may be made to Friendship Methodist Church, PO Box 1373, Newton, NC 28658.

Condolences may be sent to the Sherrill family at www.bennettfuneralservice.com

Bennett Funeral Service of Newton, N.C. is serving the Sherrill family.