Dellene Lyerly Markey Gudger

Dellene Lyerly Markey Gudger passed away peacefully on September 24, 2024 at the Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House after an extended illness. Dellene was born on May 19, 1937, In Granite Quarry, NC, the only daughter of Hugh B. and Lena Bangle Lyerly. She graduated from Mooresville High School in 1955 followed by Woman’s College (UNCG) in 1959 with a degree in Physical Education and Recreation. She taught physical education in the Charlotte NC Elementary Schools and Mooresville Jr. High School before her marriage to C. Stiles Markey of Charlotte. She was very active in volunteer work with the Girl Scouts and local PTA as her children grew up in Salisbury. She was the Director of Rowan County Girl Scout Day camp in 1970, the first year Dan Nicholas Park opened. Throughout her life, Dellene was active in church work. She was ecumenical in spirit and grew up singing in the choir and playing the organ for Sunday evening services at age 12 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Mooresville, NC. She served on the Church Council at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Salisbury and was named outstanding Lutheran in NC by the NC Lutheran magazine. She led the Youth Program, and directed the Junior Choirs at First United Church of Christ in the early 1970’s. At First Presbyterian Church she served as an Elder and Deacon as well as Moderator of Presbyterian Women. She has also served the PCUSA, as Moderator of Salem Presbytery Council, Moderator of Salem Presbyterian Women and held numerous offices in Presbyterian Women at the local, Presbytery, and Synod levels. She led recreation workshops at the local, presbytery, synod and churchwide levels. She was presented with honorary memberships in Presbyterian Women at the local and Presbytery levels. She was a long-time member in Church Women United (CWU) and served as its President as well as other numerous positions. She established the first Well Spring CWU Bible Study in 1996. She was presented the CWU Valiant Woman Award in 2001 and the CWU Human Rights Award in 2011. Also active in civic life of the community, Dellene held positions on the Salisbury Recreation Commission, and the Rowan County Parks and Recreation Commission. She was the first lay person and the first woman to be President of RCCM (Rowan Community Christian Ministry), the predecessor of Rowan Helping Ministries. She also served on the Board of Rowan Helping Ministries. She served for a number of years on the Friends of the Rowan Public Library Board and sang in the Salisbury-Rowan Choral Society. She was recognized for her community service to the town of Rockwell in the late 1960’s by the Woodmen of the World, and was named Outstanding Young Woman of the Year in 1973 by the Salisbury Junior Woman’s Club. She did substitute teaching in the Salisbury City Schools, established the recreation and activities program at the Lutheran Home, and helped establish the first adult day care program in Rowan County at the Cathey-Hanford House under the auspices of SOAR (Services of Older Adults in Rowan) as its first Director. Scrap-booking and photography were her hobbies and she was known for her numerous “life story scrap-books” she compiled for family members. In retirement years, she traveled extensively with her husband Frank. Most importantly, she was a wonderful, loving and caring mom. She passed on to her children her love of travel, her spirit of giving, and her love of God and the church. She had a quest for learning and enjoyed life to the fullest as long as her health permitted. She was preceded in death by her father, Hugh B. Lyerly, mother, Lena Bangle Lyerly, second husband T. Frank Gudger, and first husband C. Stiles Markey. She is survived by four children from her first marriage, Garland Morton (Wes) from Forest, VA; Beverly Rodgers (Bobby) from Salisbury, NC, Charlie Markey (Francesca) from Charlotte, NC; Andy Markey (Barbara) from Evergreen Colorado and 4 grandchildren Chad Markey, Christina Markey, Mollie Markey and Sallie Markey. The family will hold a private memorial service at First Presbyterian Church. The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to the entire staff at Trinity Oaks and Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House for the compassionate and loving care they provided. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church or the Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House.

Dellene Lyerly Markey Gudger

May 19, 1937 - September 24, 2024