Myrtle Spry

MYRTLE ELIZABETH (CHUNN) SPRY, age 99, died October 12, 2017.

Born August 16, 1918 in Rowan County, North Carolina, “Spry” was the daughter of the late Robert Locke Chunn and Beulah Elizabeth (Burton) Chunn. She graduated from Spencer High School in 1935 and from Catawba College in 1939.

She began what was to become her lifelong career as an elementary school teacher in Davie County. While teaching there, she met and married the late Kenneth Norman Spry of Cooleemee, and from that time forward she was affectionately known only as “Spry” by her many friends and co-workers.

Spry took leave from teaching and joined the Navy WAVES to serve her country during World War II. She attended training at Hunter College in New York City and was stationed in Washington DC where she served as an IBM keypunch operator, working with coded communications, including decoding enemy field transmissions.

Following her honorable discharge in 1945, she returned to her first love, teaching; and retired in 1983 from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System. Her final teaching years were at the former Derita Elementary School.

Spry had a second career which began at age 73 and spanned another 11 years. She worked for Mobile Health Outreach, a nonprofit organization that provided mammograms to medically underserved women. Spry served as a breast health educator, a proofreader, as lead clerk on the mammovan - and in any other capacity she could to help in MHO’s fight against breast cancer.

For a number of years Spry served as Church Historian for the Eastway Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, Charlotte. At the time of her death, she was in no longer in regular attendance but continued to love and be obedient to the Lord.

Spry was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star from 1968 to 2001. She twice filled the station of Worthy Matron in Derita Chapter 326 (Charlotte); served as District Deputy for the 21st District; and served as Grand Representative to the State of Ohio.

A highlight of Spry’s final years was her involvement with the “Cruz for President” primary campaign in 2015/2016. She served as Honorary Chair for the NC State Leadership Team; was the matriarch of the State Cruz Crew; and was recognized as being the oldest active volunteer nationally. Special thanks to the Cruzers who were there for her, emotionally and spiritually, during the last months of her life - we had bonded as a unique family unit, thanks to the incredible experiences we shared - Missy, Tracy, Duane, Robbie (among others) - you had a most special place in her heart; and the family thanks you for your loving kindnesses!

Her son Kenneth Wayne Spry and her best friend and constant companion Jane Overcash Parke were part of the welcoming committee when she arrived at heaven’s gates - and she is grateful to be with them again.

Spry is survived by two sisters, Betty Chunn and Nelda Chunn of Salisbury; her daughter Jean Griswold (John) Lynn of Concord; and son David Locke (Debbie) Spry of Mooresville. In addition, she leaves behind 8 grandchildren she loved dearly - Beth (Alan) Campbell of Charlotte; Jack (Heather) Griswold of Harrisburg; Jon (Jen) Griswold of Rock Hill SC; Rob (Melissa) Griswold of Lincolnton; Katie (Troy) Bennett of Black Creek; Craig (Elizabeth) Spry of Huntersville; Matthew (Katie) Spry of Kannapolis; Meredith (TJ) Craig of Mooresville and 17 great-grandchildren who were the true lights of her life in her later years.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 18, 2017 from 11-11:45 am at Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord with a Celebration of Life service following at 12 p.m. A private burial will follow in Rowan Memorial Park Cemetery, Salisbury.

In lieu of flowers, Spry requested that memorials be made to Folds of Honor Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides scholarships for spouses and children of fallen and disabled military warriors. www.foldsofhonor.org/ý (918) 274-4700 https://www.facebook.com/FoldsOfHonor/

Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord is serving the Spry family.

Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com