Sondra Vestal Aheron

Sondra Lorraine Vestal Aheron, 86, passed away peacefully on March 29, after living with Alzheimer's Disease in her final years. Her passing marks the end of a vibrant, generous, and intellectually rich life, one grounded in faith, family, and service to others.

Sondra was born on January 21, 1939, in Spray (now Eden), North Carolina, the eldest of four children of Woodrow Vestal and Vivian Cook Vestal. Her childhood was filled with the closeness of extended family, the warmth of grandparents and their stories, and the adventures she shared with her beloved father. Whether hunting or just tagging along behind him, she soaked in the joys of connection and curiosity. Her natural warmth and ability to connect with people from all walks of life were lifelong gifts she attributed to her father.

A lifelong learner, Sondra was passionate about education from an early age. She graduated from Morehead High School in Eden, then earned her degree from the Woman’s College of North Carolina (now UNC-Greensboro), later completing her Master’s in Education. Her proudest academic accomplishment came when she earned her Doctorate in Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Sondra met her husband, Jimmy Aheron, as a child at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Eden, where their families worshipped. Their bond grew through the years, and they were married at that very church. Together for nearly 55 years, they built a life grounded in shared faith, hard work, and service until Jim’s passing in 2016.

Sondra began her distinguished career in education as a teacher in Greensboro and Altavista, Virginia, before settling in Burlington, North Carolina in 1972. Known for holding her students to high standards while celebrating their every success, she inspired generations of learners. As her career advanced, she became a respected school administrator and principal at both elementary and middle school levels. She retired in 2000 after decades of service, leaving behind a legacy of compassionate leadership and advocacy for high quality education.

Her involvement extended beyond the classroom. She was an active member of the North Carolina Association of Educators and Delta Kappa Gamma, and she engaged deeply with local causes and politics, always weaving together her love of hosting and homemaking with her desire to serve others.

After retirement, Sondra continued to give of herself through volunteering with the local hospice organization and the American Red Cross. She and Jim were proud members of disaster response teams, ready to serve wherever the need arose.

Throughout her life, Sondra was never far from a good book, and her love of reading was constant. But her greatest joy was her family. She was a devoted mother to her children, Bill Aheron (of Charlotte) and Elizabeth Aheron Bunn (of Raleigh), and a proud and loving grandmother to Colin Aheron, Sophie Aheron, Connery Bunn, and Alexi Bunn. She is also survived by her brother, Bill Vestal, and sister-in-law, Darlene Vestal (of Eden).

Sondra will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Overlook Cemetery in Eden, the town where her life began and where her memory lives on.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that any memorial gifts be made to AuthoraCare - Hospice of Burlington, NC.