Mrs. Valerie Helen Vickers, age 66, of Murphy, NC passed away Monday, March 7, 2016. Valerie was born in Queens, NY to the late James Francis and Helen Fisher Ryan. She was a member of the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in the River Hill community of Murphy, NC. She was employed at the Life Care Center of Copper Basin as an Administrative Assistant. She loved farm animals and included horse back riding as one of her hobbies. She was a former member of the Lion’s Club and supported Indians and their reservations.
Valerie was a dear friend and coworker and will dearly be missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by children, Misty & (Jeff) Phillips, Jesse & (Angela) Vickers, Raechel & (Tim) Olson, Erik & (Julie) Vickers, along with six grandchildren; also a sister, Judene (Russell) Giambrone of New York, nieces and nephews, Todd & Dawn Giambrone, Brett & Loraine Giambrone; great nieces and nephews, Jacob, Nicholas, Jessica, Elizabeth, Abigail and Alex. Brother-in-laws, Reggie (Denise) Vickers, Mikael (Kim) Vickers and their children; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Venice Lynwood Vickers and Anna Mae Robinson Vickers.

A memorial service celebrating Valerie’s life will be held Saturday, March 12th at 6:00 p.m. from the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Ray Harper, Rev. Brad Ledford and Rev. Josh Ledford officiating. Music will be by the church choir. Memorial contributions in memory of Valerie may be made to the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Mission Fund, c/o Annette Ledford, 780 Liberty Lane, Murphy, NC 28906. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be sent to www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Copperhill in charge of the arrangements.