Gethryn S. Giles, age 80, died peacefully at her home at Givens Highland Farms, Jan. 4, 2017.
Gethryn was born in Decatur, Alabama on July 11, 1936, to Roger Benjamin and Rubye Reeder Steverson. She attended Huntington College and obtained her Masters of Social Work at the University of Tennessee School of Social Work in 1968 where she received the Rhoda O’Meara award for exhibiting the most promise for contributions to her field. She began her career as a social case worker in Tuscumbia, Huntsville, and Talladega, Alabama and retired in 1996 as assistant to the commissioner for the Alabama Department of Human Resources in Montgomery. Upon retirement, she and her husband Gene moved to Mentone, Alabama, and she continued her service with Alive Hospice in Scottsboro. Among numerous offices she held (too many to mention) she was past president of the Alabama Conference of Social Work, president of the Episcopal Church Women in the Diocese of Alabama, and served on the Vestries of Holy Comforter Episcopal Church, Montgomery, St Joseph’s, Mentone and St. James, and Black Mountain. Most recently she was president of the Residents’ Corporation at Givens Highland Farms, Black Mountain.
Gethryn sought to serve in all aspects of her life. Described by many as a “force of nature,” she was the ultimate administrator and organizer. She was also a kind, caring, generous, supportive wife, mother and grandmother who took great pride in her family’s accomplishments. She lived a full and joyous life entertaining, playing bridge, bird watching, and attending the symphony.
She is survived by her children, Kim (Jeff) Strickland, of Nashville, Tennessee, and Kelly (Jonathan) Stephenson, of Black Mountain, North Carolina; four grandchildren in whom she took such pride, Riley and Maggie Stephenson and Anna and Audrey Strickland; and one sister, Dr. Gayle (Jack) Steverson Kent, of Lakeland, Florida.
She is predeceased by her husband of 39 years, George E. (Gene) Giles.
A celebration of life service will be held at St. James Episcopal Church, Black Mountain, at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Resident Assistant Ministry at Givens Gerber Park, 2360 Sweeten Creek Rd., Asheville, NC 28803.
Condolences may be made online at PenlandFamilyFuneralHome.com.
