Frances “Dell” Adeline Collett Apperson

Frances “Dell” Adeline Collett Apperson, 67, of Morganton, North Carolina passed away on Thursday May 17, 2022 in Linville Falls, North Carolina. Born in New York, New York on July 22, 1954, she was the daughter of the late John Collett and the late Lenore Collett Wilson. Dell’s father was the president and CEO of the Henredon Furniture Company before his death in 1977. Lenore Collett Wilson passed away in December 2016.

Dell became deaf when she was six weeks old. She attended the Clark School for the Deaf in North Hampton, Massachusetts, and completed her primary education at the North Carolina School for the Deaf in Morganton, North Carolina.

Dell went on to attend Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C where she obtained a degree in American History. Her passions were reading, gardening, cooking, and spending time with her friends and family. She worked as a teachers’ aid before becoming a full-time mom. She was an active member of her local community through volunteer and community service organizations, with service to others being her greatest joy. Her kindness to everyone was exceptional in nature and she was always there to lend a helping hand. She loved nature, knitting, reading, traveling and most of all a good laugh. She spread love and laughter to all.

Dell is survived by her children, Rebecca “Becky” Adeline Apperson and Sarah Leigh Apperson; her six siblings Rebecca Larson Collett, John Collett and wife, Virginia “Ginny”, Sallie Collett Prouty, Robert Collett and wife, Dawn, Victoria “Vicky” Collett Mitchener and husband, William “Bill”, and Tod Winfield Collett and Robin Rich.

The graveside service will be held at 2 pm, Wednesday, April 5th 2023 at Forest Hill Cemetery, at the corner of Valdese Ave and Huffman St, with the Rev. Brance Long officiating. The service will be held in American Sign Language with an interpreter for the hearing attendees.

The family would like to thank Burke Country Search and Rescue for their tireless efforts in searching for Dell over many months and the Charlotte Deaf Mission for all their support in these extraordinary circumstances.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Charlotte Deaf Mission at 301 South Davidson Street, Charlotte, NC 28202 or Burke County Emergency Squad, PO Box 326 Morganton, NC 28680.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory center is assisting the family with the arrangements.