Shirley Leona Henkel

Shirley Leona Henkel, 84, of Statesville, passed away, Saturday, January 30, 2016 at the Gordon Hospice House.             Ms. Henkel was born January 18, 1932 in Statesville, NC and was the daughter of the late Fred White Henkel and Margaret Leachet Henkel. She was a graduate of Statesville High School and earned her Master’s degree from the Women College in Greensboro. She was a teacher, having taught at D. Matt Thompson Junior High School, UNC Greensboro and 34 years at Statesville High School until her retirement in 1995. While teaching at Statesville high School, she won Teacher of the Year in 1981.             She was a charter member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School Class, Vacation Bible School, was a member of the B. Rhett Turnipseed Sunday School Class, Church Historian, member of the Administrative Council and Treasurer of the Wesley Adult Fellowship. She also served on the Finance committee, Parsonage Committee, Kitchen Committee, Nominations Committee and won the Layperson of the Year Award in 2003.             She is survived by one sister, Barbara Henkel Horne of Statesville, three nieces, Cheri H. Seli (Rob) of Plains, MT, Alison H. Lutz (Ron) of Valdese, NC, Kim Hernandez (Albert) of Irmo, SC, five great nieces and nephews, three great great nephews, very special friend, Mary Jane Seagel, adopted sister, Laura Lou Byers and numerous cousins.             In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Frances H. Orr.             A memorial service will be conducted 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church with Rev. Chris Fitzgerald and Rev. Gervase Hitch officiating. The family will receive friends Monday evening 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Nicholson Funeral Home. Burial will be held in Oakwood Cemetery at a later date.             Memorials may be made to Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 825 Wesley Dr., Statesville, NC 28677.             Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Shirley Leona Henkel.