GATES – Sharon Greene Harrell, 52, of 259 Gates Bank Road, Gates, died Friday, November 8, 2013 in her home.

Mrs. Harrell was a life-long resident of Gates County, and was the daughter of Orson W., Sr. and Patricia Jackson Greene of Gates.

Elected in 1992 as the Gates County Register of Deeds, she had previously worked in the office for eight years as both assistant and deputy register, for a total of 29 years service to the county before retiring Nov. 1, 2013 while fighting a long and courageous battle with cancer.  She served in various capacities with the District 8 Register of Deeds Association and the Gates County Democratic Party, was a member of the Register of Deeds Vital Records and Automation Committee, had been a former member and secretary of the Buckland School PTA, served on the Gates County Board of Directors of the North Carolina Credit Union, had donated over 75 pints of blood through the American Red Cross, and was a member of Kittrell’s United Methodist Church.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by her husband of 34 years, Maryland F. Harrell, Jr.; two sons, Benjamin F. Harrell (Annie Hedgepeth) and Joshua Z. Harrell, all of Gates; a sister, Carolyn G. Hare (Andy) of Edenton; two brothers, O. Wayne Greene, Jr. and David A. Greene (Ashley), all of Gates; and her granddaughter, Grace Marie Harrell.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. in Reynoldson Baptist Church by the Rev. Billy Presley, the Rev. Cody Brinkley, and eulogist Anthony Saunders.  Burial will follow in the Greene Family Cemetery near the home.  Friends may join the family Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. in Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main Street, Gatesville, and other times at the residence.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Gates County Register of Deeds Office, 200 Court Street, Gatesville, NC  27938, where they will be forwarded to the NC Register of Deeds Association for the funding of a scholarship being established in her memory.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.