Emily Mohn Castleberry

Emily spent her early years on the coast of North Carolina and then grew up in Garner where she graduated from Garner High. She went on to work for Wake County Department of Social Services (DSS) and then on to the State Bureau of Investigations. While at DSS she was introduced, by her mother-in-law to be, to her husband of 47 years, Charles “Sandy” Castleberry, in January of 1971. Emily and Sandy dated for three years, especially enjoying trips to the movies, and they were married on September 15, 1973 at exactly 12 noon at Mt. Hermon Christian Church in Garner. They started their lives together in a small apartment in Raleigh before moving to Clayton and ultimately to Durham in 1979 where their home is today.

Emily and Sandy raised their two children, Melissa, born in 1977 and Jason, born in 1979 in Durham. While their children were very young Emily enthusiastically ran an in-home day care and as her children grew older, she followed her passion for education and went back to school at NC Central university to obtain her B.A. in Education and her teaching degree. She zealously taught at both Glenn Elementary and Chewning Middle School. Emily then went on to work for UNC-TV for several years. While there she took a brief sabbatical to pursue her M.A. in Telecommunications at the University of Ohio. After returning to NC and UNC-TV she continued her graduate career and secured her Doctorate in Adult Education from NC State.

Emily was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother and will be deeply missed by her family and friends. She was good-hearted in nature and emanated an innate kindness. Emily’s spirit was graced with deeply rooted determination and strength. She was driven by her values and aspired to be her best self. Admirably her faith grew increasingly stronger over the years despite her failing health.

She is survived by her husband: Charles “Sandy” Castleberry; son: Jason Castleberry, of Durham; daughter: Melissa Nava and husband Marco and grandchildren: Elio, Amapola, and Azucena (Zu), all of Washington State; by her brother: Philip Mohn and wife Wanda; of Smithfield; nieces: Crystal and Ashley and their families; and by “Mom”: Evelyn Castleberry formerly of Raleigh, now residing in Washington State.

Family will receive friends on Monday, March 16th from 1-2 pm at Mitchell Funeral Home. A Celebration of Her Life will begin at 2 pm in the funeral home chapel (seating must and will be limited to under 100 guests). Interment to follow at Raleigh Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church –3610 Hillandale Rd, Durham, NC 27705.

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