Virginia Beach, VA

Erma Lynn Yocher, loving wife, mother, and a true southern lady passed away on August 5, 2011 surrounded by family in Virginia Beach, VA. Her parents, Andrew and Leila Lady, and two brothers predeceased her.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Paul E. Yocher, and their three daughters, three son-in-laws, and seven grandchildren. Donna and her husband Dave Pry reside in Virginia Beach, VA and have two children, David and Jennifer. Karen and her husband Ross Elliott live in Fairfax, VA and have two daughters, Nora and Gillian. Sheila and her husband Joe Alejos live in San Antonio, TX and have three sons, Del, Andrew, and Victor.

She was born on April 28, 1932 in Rock Springs, Tennessee (a suburb of Kingsport, TN). She grew up on a Dairy farm that also raised beef cattle and grew tobacco. She graduated from Kingsport High School and went to Tennessee Wesleyan business school. After graduating, she worked as a book keeper/accounts receivable clerk. She married her husband, Paul Yocher, on June 29, 1957. After the wedding, the newlyweds began their life together with the first of many job related transfers, by moving to Dallas, Texas. She had the first of three daughters, Donna, in Dallas, and shortly after the family moved to Raleigh, NC. Erma kept busy with the house and welcomed daughters Karen, and then Sheila into the family. The moves continued with transfers to Avon, CT; Sparta, NJ; Exeter, RI; Austin, TX; and then back to Raleigh, NC. Erma found employment in the accounts receivable divisions of companies at these locations. Erma and Paul lived in Raleigh for 23 years and eventually retired there. Once retired, Erma had no trouble keeping herself busy. She enjoyed her vegetable and flower gardens immensely, and took pride in her home grown tomatoes and cucumbers. She was a great cook and always enjoyed trying new recipes on her son-in-laws. Erma was diagnosed with Alzheimerâ??s disease in September 2005. She and Paul moved to Atlantic Shores Retirement Community, Virginia Beach, VA in February 2006. Erma was the first resident to move into the new memory unit at Harbourway in Atlantic Shores. Her family wishes to thank the dedicated staff of Harbourway and Seaside for their compassionate care over the last 5 years.

A memorial will be held on August 20, 2011, 2-4 pm in the Anchor Room at Atlantic Shore Retirement Community. Dress is casual.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the South Eastern Virginia Chapter of the Alzheimerâ??s Association, 6350 Center Drive, Suite 102, Norfolk, VA 23502 in her memory.