Obituary of Pearl Farthing

Pearl Graybeal Farthing, 109, passed away on December 25, 2014 at Christian Care Center in Johnson City, TN. She was born December 4, 1905 in Watauga County, NC and attended school in Washington College, TN. She graduated from Science Hill High School and Appalachian School of Nursing both in Johnson City, TN. In 1934, she married Albert C. Farthing and they resided in Boone, NC. They were married sixty-one years, until his death in 1995. Pearl was a part-time nurse for a physician in Boone and worked as a clerk in the Watauga County Courthouse. She spent several years as a sales clerk at Newtons Department Store and Caudills Department Store, both in Boone. Her hobbies included quilting, tatting, crocheting, and knitting. She created many beautiful pieces of handwork, still enjoyed by family. Throughout her years, her greatest joy came from time spent with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Her love of children extended to the dear little ones in her care for over forty years at the First Baptist Church in Boone, NC. At the time of her death, she was the oldest living member of the church. Pearl was preceded in death by her husband, Albert C. Farthing, Sr., her daughter, Barbara Ragan, Barbaras husband, Frank Ragan, and her grandson, Bradford Allen Farthing. Also preceding her were siblings Mamie Graybeal Shull, Lucy Graybeal Lovell, Grace Graybeal Rauhof, Ruby Graybeal Norris, Austin Graybeal, Fred Graybeal, Roger Graybeal, and Frank Graybeal, and her parents, William Baxter Graybeal and Maggie Austin Graybeal She is survived by two sons, Albert C. Farthing, Jr and Wife, Ann, of West Jefferson, NC and William B. Farthing and wife, Libby, of Johnson City, TN. She also is survived by eight grandchildren, William Ralph Winkler, III and wife, Rhonda, of Boone, NC, Melinda Cook, and husband, Sonny, of Huntersville, NC, Deborah Cole, and husband, Tyler, of Asheboro, NC, Daniel Winkler, and wife Karen, of Blowing Rock, NC, Pamela Ann Farthing of West Jefferson, NC, Jeannie Gambill, and husband, Todd, of Kokomo, IN, Julie Griffin, and husband, Greg, of Lincolnton, GA, and Catherine Aldridge, and husband, Shawn, of Deep GAP, NC. Numerous great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren also hold her memories dear. Funeral services for Mrs. Pearl Graybeal Farthing will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 oclock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Dr. George Miles. Burial will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens. The family will receive friends prior to the service from noon until 2 oclock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to organizations and charities that work to benefit children. Online condolences may be shared with the Farthing family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Farthing family.