Dr. Donna (Roberson) Etheridge

Dr. Donna Roberson Etheridge, 78, of King, NC and formally of Statesville, passed away Saturday, January 21, 2017, at Forsyth Medical Center. Dr. Etheridge was born in Pound, VA on June 19, 1938 and was the daughter of the late James Shelton and Irene Williams Roberson. Dr. Etheridge was a graduate of Pound, Virginia High School. She then graduated from Hiwassee College AAS and her BA was from Tennessee Wesleyan College.  She then received her Master’s in 1973 from NC State University and her PHD in Education from NC State University at the age of 66. She was a pioneer in vocational-technical education in Mississippi and was affiliated with East Mississippi Community College for more than 15 years, serving the last ten years as Assistant Director of the Golden Triangle Vocational Technical Center. She retired from Mitchell Community College in Statesville, NC in 2005 as Director of Institutional Effectiveness. In 1997 Mitchell Community College awarded her the Excellence in Education Award in recognition of her leadership and dedication. A talented vocalist and musician, she was active in several church choirs and ensembles throughout her life. Left to cherish her memory is one son, Allen Etheridge and wife Beverly of Statesville and one daughter, Renee E. Neal and husband Bobby Neal III, of Jackson, MS.  She is also survived by three grandsons, Bobby Neal IV of Jackson, MS, Travis Marion (Chelsea) of Indianapolis, IN and Douglas Marion (Shannon) of Cornelius, NC along with one granddaughter, Melissa Marion of Statesville.  She is further survived by a great-grandson, Cole Johnson of Statesville, one sister, Judy Roberson of King, NC and a special aunt, Irene Adams of Pound, VA. Funeral services honoring the life of Dr. Donna Etheridge will be conducted at 2:00 PM Saturday, January 28, 2017, at Rose Chapel UMC with Rev. Ralph Lepley and Rev. Evelyn Lemons officiating.  A private family interment will follow. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Dr. Donna Etheridge.