Etta Lou Apple Blaney

Etta Lou Apple Blaney, 85, went home to be with The Lord on Sunday, January 27, 2019 at her home surrounded by her loving family and caregivers. Throughout her long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s, she continued to live with grace and dignity for over 20 years. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, January 31, 2019 at Bethany United Methodist Church with Rev. Sharon Lee and Rev. Donald Haynes officiating. The burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at Wilkerson Funeral Home and other times at her home. Etta Lou was born in Winston-Salem to the late, Curtis Wayne and Viola Mae Pearman Apple. After graduating from Haynes High School in Winston, she attended and completed her undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Education from Duke University. She was an elementary school teacher beginning her career at Durham City Schools and later she retired from the Rockingham County Schools after 35 years of service. She touched the lives of hundreds of children during her career. She was a very active member of the Alpha Delta Kappa Teacher Sorority and a member and former president of the NC Association of Educators. She was a longtime and faithful member of Bethany United Methodist Church serving in many different capacities. She was also a committed volunteer for the Western Rockingham County Junior Service League and the Rockingham County United Way Board. Etta Lou adored her family, especially her grandchildren. She made it her priority to attend countless sporting events, programs at school and any other special event involving her grandchildren! She was an avid, passionate supporter of her beloved Duke Blue Devils. Along with her parents, she was also preceded in death by the love of her life, Harry Bernard “Bernie” Blaney. They met and fell in love at Duke and were married in the Duke Chapel. She is survived by her sons, Robbie Blaney and wife, Jodi and Tim Blaney and wife, Beth; her daughter, Bonnie Cardwell and husband, Danny all of the Bethany Community; her precious grandchildren, Leah, Brittany, Robert, Daniel, Payton and Adam. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the loving attention the caregivers provided for their mom over the years; Cheryl Pegram (and Bella), Carolyn Carroll (CC), Linda Berry, Jo Key and Kelly Ryals. The family would also like to recognize Hospice of Greensboro for their support during this difficult time and especially Jessica Strader. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Bethany United Methodist Church, 316 Witty Road, Summerfield, NC 27358 or Hospice of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405-4522. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.wilkersonfuneral.com.