Hazel Juanita Cline Epley, 92, of Valdese, North Carolina, went to be with her Lord and Savior on April 12, 2026.

Born November 28, 1933, to Fred Garland Cline and Mary Geraldine Mull Cline, Juanita was a lifelong learner and dedicated educator. She attended Gardner Webb College and graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne College in the mid-1950s with a BA in Education. She later obtained her Masters Degree while teaching. She began her career with the Burke County School system teaching business and accounting at Drexel High School. In 1961, she was honored as Teacher of the Year.

After taking time to raise her young family, Juanita returned to education, teaching at Western Piedmont Community College when it was located in downtown Morganton. In 1993, she completed a 30-year career with Burke County Public Schools, teaching most of those years at Valdese Elementary where she taught first and second grade. She had a remarkable gift for shaping young lives, and generations of students remember her as kind, consistent, and deeply caring. Many credited her encouragement with helping them overcome fears, find confidence, and develop a passion for learning.

Following her retirement, Juanita continued her love of teaching by investing in her six grandchildren, faithfully traveling to Morganton each week to help with home schooling, homework, and nurturing their education.

She was a devoted member of First Baptist Church of Valdese, where she served as a youth leader and children’s choir teacher, volunteered in the library, sang in the sanctuary choir, played handbells, and assisted with the family meal program.

Juanita was known for her sharp mind and love of reading. In addition to her love of reading, Juanita could be found taking long walks with her husband Gene in their neighborhood and around town, doing her daily devotions, working in her garden, playing the piano, hiking on the Blue Ridge trails, camping, accompanying her church on mission trips, and being with her family.

Juanita’s life was one of steady devotion: to her faith in Christ, to her family, her students, her church, and her community. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched with her kindness, genuine love for others, and her unwavering Christian belief.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Gene Epley, after 62 years of marriage.

She is survived by her children, Derek Gene Epley and wife Mary Margaret, Robbin Epley Ervin and husband David Bird Ervin; her grandchildren, Kirksey Lowther and husband Michael, Kathryn Ervin and husband Rakesh Sridhar, Clark Ervin and wife Megan Alfieri Ervin, Luke Ervin, Ruth Anne Ervin, and Leah Marie Ervin; and her great-grandchildren, Judah, Peter, Rosie, Roan, and Liam.

A private family service will be held at First Baptist Church in Valdese at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Valdese First Baptist Church, 500 Faet Street, Valdese, NC 28690; or Amorem Hospice Care, 1721 Enon Rd. Valdese, NC 28690.

An online guestbook and obituary is available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com.

Heritage Funeral Service & Crematory of Valdese is serving the family.