Iris Everhart Qualls, 83, of Shelby, passed away on Friday, January 8, 2016, at the home she shared with her husband of 63 years, David A. Qualls, Jr. She was born August 20, 1932, in Graham, North Carolina, to the late George and Elsie Everhart. Her name originated from her mother's love of flowers and they would become a source of great enjoyment for her also. Her gardens were always stunningly beautiful.

She graduated from Burlington High School in the Class of 1951. Iris worked as a telephone operator until she and David married on September 26, 1952. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved her children and grandchildren. Iris had many talents including designing and making her wedding gown and special clothing for her children. She was the ultimate homemaker and a dear friend to many. Iris was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Shelby and was active in the Brenda Curtis Sunday School Class and her beloved Small Group Bible Study. She loved reading and was a gifted writer - particularly through the journaling of memories from the international trips she and David had taken together. Iris was an animal lover that never let a stray cat or bird go without food and wrote sweet children's stories about those cats and their fine feathered friends.

She is survived by her children, David Qualls, III, and wife, Trish, of Byrum, Mississippi; Janet May of Dallas, Texas; Karen Freeman and husband, Gary, of Cherryville, North Carolina; and Alan Qualls and wife, Allison, of Shelby, North Carolina. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Ashley, Christina, Camille, Seth, Charlie, and Laney. Her brother, George Everhart, Jr., and wife, JoAnn, of St. Louis, Missouri survives her as well.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 10, 2016 from 6:00-7:30pm at the Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Monday, January 11, 2016, at 2:00pm in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church Shelby, burial will follow at Sunset Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church, 120 N Lafayette St, Shelby, NC 28150 or Cleveland County Humane Society, PO Box 2432, Shelby, NC 28150.

Cecil M Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mrs. Qualls

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com