Linda Joan Mcauley

Mrs. Linda Joan Cartner McAuley, 85, passed away Friday, January 5, 2018 at her home in Statesville. She was born October 8, 1932, in Iredell County to the late Lonnie Vestal and Ethel Subina Tharpe Cartner, and married Harmony High School classmate, George Ranson McAuley on November 30, 1951. Linda and George went on to have seven children, ten grandchildren, and two great grand-children together, and remained a loving and devoted couple for over sixty-six years. Linda attended Mitchell College in the early 1950's and completed a degree in Human Services from Gardner-Webb University in 1986 after putting all seven of her own children through college. Linda and George have owned McAuley's Dairy Farm, now a NC Century Farm, since the 1950's. In addition, Linda worked as a social worker for the Iredell County Department of Social Services, often mentoring young mothers participating in the JOBS program. Mrs. McAuley was an active volunteer in the community. She served as a leader to the Ebenezer 4-H Club from 1972-2011 and was an inductee to the NC 4-H Leadership Hall of Fame. She was a driving force and inspiration for hundreds of youth, helping 4-H'ers achieve numerous accomplishments including state and national project book and presentation wins, induction into the NC 4-H Honor Club, and election to District and State offices. Under her leadership, the club became one of the earliest integrated community clubs in the state. In 2017, the NC 4-H Family Legacy Award was given to the McAuley Family in recognition of the work that Linda accomplished and inspired. Mrs. McAuley was also active in Bethany Presbyterian Church, serving as the historic church's first female elder, and known for leading the annual youth Christmas Party. In retirement, Linda spent much of her time working with Yokefellow Ministries. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters Louise Tutterow, Lois Glascock, Lorene Glasscock, and Bonnie Cherry; her brother, Gilbert Cartner; and her son-in-law, Roelof Boon. She is survived by her husband and seven children, Georgette McAuley (Kevin Duffy) of Villanova, PA; Joan Boon of Davidson, NC; David McAuley (Sandra Pearce) of Okeechobee, FL; Rebekah McAuley of Newport News, VA; Alex McAuley (Sandy McAuley) of Statesville, NC; Philip McAuley (Lynne McAuley) of Concord, NC; and Charles McAuley of Statesville, NC. She is also survived by ten grandchildren, Dr. Caitlin Boon (Toms Carbonell) and Ian Duffy (Elizabeth Clark) of Washington, DC; Cameron Duffy (Allison Barber) of Saratoga Springs, NY; Bethany Welstead (Dr. Jason Welstead) and Lindsay Ullrich of Newport News, VA; Hadden McAuley of East Bend, NC; Alexa and Daniel McAuley of Statesville, NC; and Cooper and Ana McAuley of Concord, NC; two great-grandsons, Felipe and Javier Carbonell-Boon of Washington, DC; and many nieces and nephews that knew her as Aunt Jo. Linda will be remembered by her family and friends for her love of music, artists Norman Rockwell and Bob Timberlake, and spoiling her grandchildren with ice cream at every opportunity. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 P.M. Sunday, January 7, at Bethany Presbyterian Church, followed immediately by burial in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends following the burial in the church fellowship hall. The family requests no flowers and that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Bethany Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund, 114 Bethany Rd., Statesville, NC 28625; Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Rd., Statesville, NC 28625; or Yokefellow Ministries, PO Box 5384, Statesville, NC 28677. Condolences may be sent online to the family to www.nicholsonfunerals.com. Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.