Helen Sheek Wishon

Yadkinville- Helen Elizabeth Sheek Wishon, 93, passed away on Friday, August 10, 2012 at her home in Yadkinville. Mrs. Wishon was born in Yadkin County to Henry Carl and Mary Malinda Reece Sheek on May 8, 1919. She graduated from Yadkinville High School in 1935. She attended Maryville College in Maryville, TN, graduating in 1939 with a BA in English and French. In 1940 she began teaching at West Yadkin High School where she taught English and French, served as librarian and guidance counselor until these positions where funded as fulltime, and planned senior class nights, the junior-senior banquet, and graduation. In 1967 she moved to Starmount High School where she taught English and advised the yearbook staff. After 40 years of teaching, Mrs. Wishon retired in 1981; she then volunteered for 20 years in the reading program at Yadkinville Elementary School. She always enjoyed attending class reunions and seeing former students. She was a lifelong learner who loved to read, and she stayed current on most topics. In retirement, Mrs. Wishon compiled an index of marriage records of Yadkin County, wrote a history of Center United Methodist Church, researched genealogy of family and church members, volunteered at Hospice, and sang in the Yadkin County Senior Chorus. She received the Governor's Award for Volunteer Service. She joined Center Church when she was 16 and served as pianist, Sunday School Teacher, and on many committees. She was an active UMW member and leader, serving on the North Wilkesboro leadership team for a term. She also was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a teaching honor society, for over 50 years, and she was active in Retired School Personnel. Mrs. Wishon married Clyde Franklin Wishon on October 20, 1945, after Clyde returned from service during World War II. Mr. Wishon was co-owner and Co-operator, with Ernest Long, of Long-Wishon Feed, Seed, and Grocery in downtown Yadkinville, until his retirement in 1977. Helen and Clyde always enjoyed traveling and were able to enjoy several trips after they both had retired. Clyde preceded Helen in death on March 26, 1990. Mrs. Wishon is also preceded in death by a brother, Henry Gray Sheek, and a nephew, David Shore Sheek. She is survived by a daughter, Lisa Lynne Wishon, and a son, Tracy Clyde Wishon, and a daughter-in-law, Kathy Peoples Wishon. She is also survived by her brother, Art Sheek and sister-in-law, Sue of Jamestown; two sisters-in-law, Gladys Wishon McDessy of Winston-Salem, and Margaret Shore Sheek of Kernersville; an aunt, Kate Reece Hoots; four nieces, one nephew, and their families. The family is grateful to and for Mrs. Wishons caregivers, Abby Hobson, Sabrina Stokes, and Kristi Matthews, as well as her physician, Dr. Thomas Long. Her memorial service will be 3:00 PM Monday August 13, 2012 at Center United Methodist Church, 1349 Center Road, Yadkinville, NC by Rev. Bonnie Harris and Rev. Rex Cranfill. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the Fellowship Hall of the Church on Monday. Memorials may be made to either Center United Methodist Church, Mountain Valley Hospice, PO Box 1267, Yadkinville, NC 27055, the Yadkin County Public Library, PO Box 607, Yadkinville, NC 27055 or to a charity of the Donors Choice. Gentry Family Funeral Service of Yadkinville is serving the Wishon Family.