Pearl Gold Barnette, age 92

Pearl Gold Barnette, age 92, of Rutherfordton passed away Monday March 27, 2017.

Pearl was a native of Cleveland County, widow of James Benjamin (Ben) Barnette and daughter of the late Dan and Luna Spangler Gold.

Pearl was a retired home economics teacher, having taught at Alexander Schools for 32 years after graduating from Appalachian State University. Her church and the community she lived in were an important part of Pearl's life. She was an active member of the Fellowship Baptist Church where she taught the Ladies Sunday School Class and participated in the WMU. The Union Mills Community where she lived and taught for many years was always close to her heart. She was a charter member of the Union Mills Community Club, receiving an award for services and leadership in the years of 1974 and 1984, pertaining to the Western N.C. development of the program. In 1989, the G. E. Biddix award was presented to her for contributions to the county development program. Pearl was also actively involved in the local Girl Scout program, receiving the Woman of Distinction Award in 1992. Former students from the years 1946-1978 honored Pearl at the Union Mills Learning Center and she was also inducted into the Rutherford County Board of Education Hall of Fame.

In addition to her husband and parents she was preceded in death by a brother Rush Fortune Gold and sisters Pauline Johnson and Edith Ward.

Left to cherish her memory is her sister Nell Hendrick of Shelby and sister in law Grace Lucas of Blacksburg, SC and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services were held at Fellowship Baptist Church with Rev. Terry White and Rev. Matthew Sparks officiating. Burial followed in Round Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Fellowship Baptist Church; 210 Silver's Lake Rd. Rutherfordton, NC or Round Hill Baptist Church; 6611 Hudlow Rd. Union Mills, NC 28167.

Crowe's Mortuary & Crematory is assisting the family.