Harilyn Burger *
Harilyn Stone Bell Burger
Harilyn passed away Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, at her home in Hickory.
She was born in a parsonage in New Haven, W.Va., daughter of the Rev. Harry H. Stone and Dorothy Kelbaugh Stone. She lived most of her life in West Virginia.
She was the mother of three children, Cathy Bell of Vienna, W.Va., Dennis Bell (Catherine) of Hickory, and Harry Bell of Charlotte.
Before retiring to North Carolina, she was director of music ministries/organist at Wayside United Methodist Church in Vienna for 25 years, and previously organist for churches in Parkersburg, W.Va., Marietta, Ohio, and the French Presbyterian Church in Casablanca, Morocco, where services were held for American military families stationed there. She was a 30-year member and past Dean of the Blennerhassett Chapter of American Guild of Organists, Choristers Guild, West Virginia Music Teachers Association and the Fellowship of the United Methodists in Worship, Music and the Other Arts. She was also a teacher of piano, both privately and in classes.
In North Carolina, she became a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist of Hickory, Jake Golden Bible Class, and the Music Department.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Haney D. Bell; sister, Alvina McCauley; brother, John Stone; second husband, Samuel H. Burger; granddaughter, Emily Jessup; and great-great-grandson, Lincoln Shockey.
She is survived by her children, seven grandchildren, Jesse Bell-Boggs (Dan), Ashley Powell (Joe), Lindsay Taylor (Scott), Erin Gyory (Todd), Benjamin Jessup-Barraza (Josh), Amy Salo (Daniel), and Parker Lankewicz; 12 great-grandchildren, Lydia (Robert) Shockey, Shelby and Grace Hyde, Joe, Sam, Allie and Hunter Powell, William and Hannah Taylor and Wyatt, Nash and Summer Gyory; and twin great-great-grandsons, Oliver and Charlie Shockey.
Harilyn embodied the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Her legacy will be treasured by her family and friends.
Her family would like to acknowledge the compassionate care given by the staff of Carolina Caring Hospice, especially by nurse, Lisa Bumgarner.
The memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 4, at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Thomas Griffis officiating. Burial will be held at Evergreen North in Parkersburg, W.Va. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m., prior to services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wayside United Methodist Church, 3001 Grand Central Ave., Vienna, WV 26105.
www.bass-smithfuneralhome.com
Published by Hickory Daily Record on Feb. 2, 2023.