Stella Maie Morgan Isenberg

The world lost an amazing woman this week. Mrs. Stella Maie Morgan Isenberg left us on Friday, December 23, 2016. She was 99 years young. Her life is celebrated by numerous friends and family. Stella Maie Morgan was born in Richfield, North Carolina on January 19, 1917. She was the daughter of Nannie Jane Goodman Morgan and Sidney Holmes Morgan. She was the eldest of their seven children. Stella graduated from Woodleaf High School in 1934 and from Lenoir Rhyne College in 1938, where she earned a degree in Education, was a member of the women’s basketball team, and was voted the “Best All Around,” an honor that reflects the commitment, faith and beauty she carried throughout her life. Stella sang as a choir member at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York City where she met the love her life, Harold David Isenberg. They were married on May 23, 1941. Both were lifelong members of First United Church of Christ. Stella was an elementary teacher in the Salisbury City and Rowan County Schools for 30 years. She was also a local artist recognized for her work in watercolor, acrylic and pastel. Her art brought her particular joy and she spent significant time teaching her grandchildren and great grandchildren to draw and paint. She also took great pleasure in music and gardening. Stella always made sure that there were flowers in the narthex every Sunday at First United Church of Christ; it was her gift to God each week. Preceding her in death were her sister, Rena Morgan Ludwig and a brother Leo Goodman Morgan. Stella is survived by her four sons; John and wife Dawn, Stephen and wife Joyce, Timothy and wife Carol and Paul Isenberg, all of Salisbury; as well as three of her sisters, Lois Sowers of Welcome, Kathleen Bridges of Kings Mountain, Jane Watson of Woodleaf, and her brother Joe Morgan of Advance; eight grandchildren, including Jennifer Richter of Salisbury, Amy Isenberg, MD of Wilmington, Jill Olmstead of Washington, DC, Amanda Isenberg of Charlotte, David Isenberg of Raleigh, Douglas Isenberg, PHD of Mobile, Al, Grayson Isenberg of Washington, DC, and Erin Isenberg of Greensboro; along with six great grandchildren, Evan and Anya Gurkin of Wilmington, Elsie Richter of Salisbury, Lila and Sabrina Isenberg of Raleigh, and Julian Olmstead of Washington, DC. A special thanks to Rowan Hospice and Comfort Keepers. Her friends and family will celebrate her long and wonderful life. She will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by all. Services will be held Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at 11:00am at First United Church of Christ; visitation will be held at 10:00am at the church prior to the service. Interment will follow the services at Rowan Memorial Park Memorials may be made to First United Church of Christ, 207 W. Horah Street, Salisbury, NC 28144; Rowan Hospice and Palliative Care, 720 Grove Street, Salisbury, NC 28144 or the donor’s choice. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Isenberg family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Stella Maie Morgan Isenberg

January 19, 1917 - December 23, 2016