Louise Barrett Derr

(Ethel) Louise Barrett Derr passed peacefully on May 9, 2025, at her home in Pittsboro Christian Village, Pittsboro, NC.

Louise was born in Wilmington, NC, in 1941 to Ethel and Warren Barrett. She was predeceased by her parents as well as her husband, Harry Lewis Derr, Jr, whom she married in 1975. Louise is survived by her son David Toney, her step-children Diane Adkins, Skipper Derr, Annette Bowles and Eric Derr, as well as her sisters Sally Hearne and Susan Taylor, her step-sister Marie Pittman, her step-brother J.C. Barrett and her half-brother George Barrett.

Louise graduated from Pittsboro High School in 1959 where she also drove a school bus. She went on to get her Master’s in Education from UNC Chapel Hill to teach gifted elementary school children. Louise traveled the world, getting her private pilot’s license and a motorcycle to keep life adventurous.

In 1999 she and Harry moved to Waxhaw, NC to J.A.A.R.S. (Wycliff’s Jungle Aviation And Radio Services) where Louise helped translate the New Testament into native languages. She was most proud of authoring three books on Experiencing Bible Science - one for pre-school, one for elementary school and one for youth.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Friday, May 16th, 2025 in the Chapel of Gordon Funeral Service, 1904 Lancaster Ave. Monroe, NC 28112. Visitation will take place prior to the service from 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM. She will be privately interred next to Harry by the family following the service in the Waxhaw City Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com

Gordon Funeral Service & Crematory is honored to be entrusted to care for the Derr Family.