Virginia Carpenter Finley Sherlin, 97 of Shelby passed away on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 in Raleigh.

Born at home on November 16, 1925 in Cherryville, she was the daughter of the late Lawson Carpenter and Bertie Biggerstaff Carpenter. Virginia graduated from Cherryville High School in 1943 and attended Geyer Business College in Charlotte, where she and her husband, Calvin Finley worked and raised their family.

In the early 1940's Virginia worked at the Oak Ridge project in Tennessee for 2 years. After returning to Charlotte, she joined US Casualty Company, later named Security Insurance Group and was employed there for 37 years and became a licensed claims adjuster and worker's compensation supervisor. She was one of the first women in Charlotte to become a licensed adjuster. During those years she received several recognitions and awards, including being presented with the Gold Rose Award as the outstanding Charlotte Woman in the Field of Insurance by the Central Charlotte Association of Business Women. She also served as Vice-President and President of the Charlotte Association of Insurance Women, and was secretary and treasurer of the Charlotte Claims Association. Virginia was also secretary of the NC Adjuster's Association. Virginia was also a member of the Benjamin Cleveland Chapter of the DAR.

Most meaningful to Virginia was involvement in the church. As a child, she was a member of Bethlehem Methodist Church in Cherryville, a church attended by many of her ancestors. In Charlotte, her church became Kilgo United Methodist Church, where she was a Sunday school teacher for many years, Chairman of Christian Social Relations and president of the United Methodist Women of 5 years. She was a member of the Board of Directors of the Bethlehem Community Center for Children in Charlotte, serving as secretary.

When Virginia returned to Cherryville, she once again became a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church, where she remained for the rest of her life. As well as serving as Sunday School teacher at Bethlehem for many years, she joined the United Methodist Women and served as secretary. She has also served on the Nominating Committee, Witness and Outreach Committee and was once a member of the choir. Outside the church, gardening and line dancing were two things she enjoyed immensely.


In addition to her parents, Virginia was preceded in death by her first husband of 43 years, Calvin Finley; second husband of 24 years, Alvin Sherlin; daughter, Betty Jean Finley; two brothers, Harvey and Don Carpenter and a sister, Jane Haney Ledford.

Left to cherish her life and memory are two daughters, Jackie Ring and Brenda Warlick (David); step-daughter, Laura Jones; grandchildren, Amy Davis, Elizabeth Benov (Ivo), Megan VanWinkle (Justin), Callen Bolick (Matt), Meredyth Ring, Cameron Ring, Alexander Ring, Ryann Carter (David) and Martin Warlick; seven great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren, as well as a number of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Virginia loved her family, the church, and the Lord.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, August 6, 2023 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm at Stamey-Tysinger Funeral Home.

A Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, August 6, 2023 at 2:30pm at Bethlehem Community Church with the Rev. Roy T. Byers officiating.

The burial will follow the service in the Bethlehem Community Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethlehem Community Church, c/o Doris Wilson, 147 Latham Wilson Road, Lawndale, NC 28090.

A guest register is available at www.stameytysingerfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Stamey-Tysinger Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Inc., Fallston, NC.