HARRELLSVILLE – Forrise Newbern “Blue” Fairless, age 87, passed away on August 17, 2019 at the Accordius Health at Creekside Care of Ahoskie, NC.

Mrs. Fairless was born in Bertie County, NC on May 22, 1932, a daughter of the late Joseph James and Blonnie Evelyn Fairless Newbern. On July 26, 1947, Blue married the love of her life, the late Shirley Wilkins Fairless and started her family in 1948 when her oldest son was born. For the rest of her life, she was first and foremost a mother and a wife. She loved her family and loved working beside her husband on the farm, working in the fields and preparing three meals a day for her family. Blue loved her garden and loved sharing the bounty from it. She was an active member of Christian Harbor Baptist Church, being a former member of the choir and WMU, as long as her health permitted.

Besides her parents and husband, Forrise was preceded in death by her brothers, Kenneth Wayne Newbern and Frank Dupree “Judge” Newbern; and her sister, Betty Ray Castelloe.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Larry W. Fairless and wife, Gloria of Harrellsville, NC, Dianne F. Smith and husband, Richard of Asheville, NC, J. Wayne Fairless and partner Dennis H. Robertson of Ahoskie, NC, James M. Fairless of Harrellsville, NC, and Mary Ellen F. Cullipher and husband, Charles of Colerain, NC; her grandchildren, Will (Shellee) Fairless of Colerain, NC, Jackie Fairless (Michael Barnes) of Ahoskie, NC, Jamee (Angie) Cornette of Waynesville, NC, Blair Cornette and Ricki Lynne Smith of Asheville, NC, Kevin (Jennifer) Fairless of Port Orchard, WA, Christina (Blake) Bivens of Knoxville, TN, Brittany Harrell of Colerain, NC, Bryce Cullipher of Colerain, NC, and Brandice Cullipher (Nick Hoggard) of Windsor, NC. Also surviving are twelve great grandchildren, her sisters, Sadie N. Castello of Powellsville, NC and Faye N. Cobb of Murfreesboro, NC, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Monday, August 19, 2019 from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service of Ahoskie, and other times at the home in Harrellsville.

A celebration of life service was held on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at Garrett Sykes Funeral Service, Ahoskie, with the Rev. Tommy Tripp officiating. Burial followed in Highland Memorial Gardens.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie Chapel handled the arrangements for the Fairless family. Online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.