2024

Melvrene Padgett Obituary

Marjorie Melvrene Lloyd Padgett (Merne), age 90 of North Wilkesboro (formally of Boone, from 1967-2016), peacefully passed away on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 in North Wilkesboro.

A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, August 3, at 2:00 pm in the chapel at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home, 194 Queen Street in Boone, North Carolina, with Rev. Bud Russell officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 12:30pm. Final resting place will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock; N.C.

Merne was born August 20, 1933 in Lancaster, SC to John Elliott and Katherine Ingram Lloyd. She accepted JESUS CHRIST as a young girl and has been a faithful follower her whole life. She grew up in the textile mill town of Lancaster with both parents working at Springs Mills. She was like a second mother to her younger sister of 10 years, Johnnie Kaye as both parents worked. She graduated from Lancaster High School where her favorite class was Home Economics.  She also had wonderful memories of her Boxer dog “Dutch” and family vacations to Springmaid Beach, SC.  A few years later, she met her future husband, Dr. Harry G. Padgett at a revival at her home church, Immanuel Baptist Church in Lancaster. He was a student at Southeastern Seminary and assisted lead pastor Dr. Smoot Baker with the revival.  After a courtship together, the couple married on August 27, 1955.  They initially moved to Wake Forest, NC while Harry continued his seminary studies and then to Jefferson and Elgin, SC to pastor Baptist Churches there.

Merne was a devoted wife and wonderful mother to 3 children.  While pastoring, Merne continued to support her husband as he began studying counseling at the University of Georgia. The family moved to Athens, Ga. from 1965-67 where he completed his Doctor of Education degree in counseling. While in Athens, Merne worked at the university library and remembered this fondly as a wonderful and growing experience.  In 1967 the family moved to Boone, N.C. when Harry accepted a professorship at Appalachian State University (ASU). At ASU Merne worked as a secretary in the Psychology Department and the Learning Assistance Program. She loved working there, and the relationships she made with both students and her colleagues.

After moving to Boone, the family was able to establish many roots and friendships.  In particular being faithful members of the First Baptist Church of Boone, taking the kids to school, music lessons, dance lessons (Melva), sport activities (Harry and John) and others.  She often spoke about one of her greatest joys was spending time with her grandchildren, Nat, Jonathan, Hannah, Julia and Noah. The family had numerous Dachshund dogs and Siamese cats over the years. Merne was proud to help plan the annual family beach trip with her dad, John, to Springmaid Beach, SC.  Merne grew to love the snow in Boone, but did not like to drive in it!  One of her most cherished trips was traveling to Switzerland with her husband.

Merne loved working with her flowers, plants in the garden, and feeding her birds on the deck. She is described by many as being an expert “Green Thumb”.  She cherished her time eating out with friends and co-workers, venturing into local antique stores for gifts and collecting Christmas ornaments.  She was such a blessing to so many as she loved sending cards and letters to both family and friends, and was known for her beautiful penmanship as well as her amazing smile. She was a daily witness for CHRIST as she had a servant’s heart to love and help others. In addition to being a devoted wife, mother and daughter, she was a compassionate friend and care-provider to her younger sister Johnnie Kaye, who experienced numerous health challenges.  She also loved cooking with her mother and Johnnie Kaye, especially Scandinavian cookies.

During the last few years of her life Merne lived at Rose Glenn Village, Wilkes Assisted Living and Wilkes Health and Rehabilitation in the Wilkesboros.  We give our Deepest Thanks to all the Amazing Staff that Loved Merne and provided her with Wonderful care and compassion, and to Mountain Valley Hospice staff for their loving kindness and support.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Dr. Harry G. Padgett; parents, John and Katherine Lloyd; sister, Johnnie Kaye Lloyd and son-in-law, Tony Pezzella.

She is survived by her son, Harry G. Padgett II (Gil) and wife, Sue of Wilkesboro; daughter;  Melva Padgett Pezzella (Meo) of Wilkesboro; son, John Lloyd Padgett and wife, Beth of Hillsborough; and six grandchildren:  Nat Padgett and fiancé, Susan; Jonathan Padgett and wife, Jen; Hannah Padgett; Julia Padgett and fiancé, Derrick; and Noah Padgett and fiancé, Paige; Dylan Froehling, 2 great grandsons, Logan Bender and Hendrix Padgett; special cousin, Bobby Carroll and wife, Susan; sister-in-laws, Lillian Burkhead and Sandra Padgett; life-long best friend, Connie Threatt; and special family, Eddie, Jenny, Raymond and Vivian Lin.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Living Hope Ministries, P.O. Box 1333, Boone, NC 28607, Mt. Valley Hospice, P.O. Box 325, Dobson, NC 27017 or Wilkes A.D.A.P., P.O. Box 968, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.

Online condolences may be made to www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Padgett family.

Services

VISITATION
Saturday, August 3, 2024
12:30 PM to 2:00 PM
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home
194 Queen Street
Boone, NC

CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Saturday, August 3, 2024
2:00 PM
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory
194 Queen Street
Boone, NC 28607