Johnnie Ross Obituary

July 24, 1941 – July 29, 2023

TERRELL, NC - Johnnie "Jonnie Sue" Vest Ross, 82, of Terrell, passed away on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at Abernethy Laurels in Newton.

She was born July 24, 1941 in Washington County, TN to the late Charles and Lydia Keene Vest. Jonnie Sue was an active member of Rehobeth United Methodist Church in Terrell, serving in many roles, including overseeing the parsonage. She was an honor graduate of Science Hill High School in Johnson City, TN where she served as colonel to the cadet sponsor core for ROTC and drill team instructor. Jonnie Sue earned her nursing degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and was a member of the Kappa Delta Phi Beta Kappa sorority. She retired from Shook and Tarlton Realty in Hickory where she worked as a real estate broker for many years. Jonnie Sue served as past president of the Lake Norman Garden Club and was a member of the Catawba County Library Board of Trustees and the CVCC Board of Trustees. She was an instrumental member in the opening of the main library in Newton and the branch library in Sherrills Ford. Jonnie Sue enjoyed boating on Lake Norman, traveling, reading, playing tennis, and entertaining. She looked forward to spending time with family and friends and going to her gardening and book club meetings.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Jack Vest and Warren Vest.

Those left to cherish her memory are; husband of 61 years: Dr. James M. Ross of the home; sons: Robert Charles Ross and wife Carla of Bailey, NC, James Miller Ross, Jr. and wife Julia of Hickory; daughter: Elisabeth Ross Almekinder and husband Rolf of Hampstead, NC; sister: Jane Vest Griz Jones of Knoxville; grandchildren: Casey Elizabeth House, Zachary Weaver, Charlotte Ross, Autumn Freeman.

A service to celebrate Jonnie Sue's life will be held on Friday, August 4, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Rehobeth United Methodist Church in Terrell. Rev. Dr. Bob Kerr will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends following the service in the Family Life Center. Those serving as pallbearers are; James Miller Ross, Jr., Rolf Almekinder, Zachary Weaver, Robert Charles Ross, Rock Vest, and Justin House. Honorary pallbearers are; Dr. Tom Goodin, John Geer and Leroy Lail.

Memorials may be made to Rehobeth United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 356, Terrell, NC 28682, or to the Catawba County Library System, 115 West C Street, Newton, NC, 28658 or Carolina Caring (Hospice), 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, NC 28658

Condolences may be sent to the Ross family at www.bennettfuneralservice.com

The Ross family is in the care of Bennett Funeral Service of Newton, 828-465-2111