Dr. Teresa Metcalf Stern passed away after an extended illness at the Keever Solace Center in Biltmore on Friday, December 7, 2018. She was born on January 4, 1948 at Mission Hospital in Asheville to her parents, Talmadge DeWitt Metcalf and Irene E. Metcalf of the Paint Fork community in Madison County. Dr. Stern was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Larry N. Stern of Mars Hill; sons Lucas Stern (Jessica) of Boiling Springs and Marcus Stern of Greensboro; grandsons Corban Stern and Oliver Stern of Boiling Springs; and brothers Randall Metcalf (Cheryl) of Mars Hill and Monte Metcalf (Sherri) of Marion. Dr. Stern was a graduate of Mars Hill High School and Mars Hill College, and earned her doctorate in Early Childhood Education from the University of Georgia. She began her professional career teaching third grade in Black Mountain. After accepting an assistantship for graduate study at Georgia, she returned to Mars Hill and began a 38 career as a member of the college faculty. Duties included teaching, administrative assignments, and supervision of student teachers in several mountain counties. Dr. Stern began playing the piano for services at Paint Fork Baptist Church at a very young age. She was also active there in Bible schools, and for a short time directed a children's choir. She later joined her husband in membership at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Asheville, where she has been particularly involved in Sunday School classes and in support of musical participation by her two sons. She loved her family, her students, and her church friends. A memorial service in celebration of her life will take place on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Blue Ridge Funeral Service in Mars Hill, with Rev. Marcia Mount Shoop and Rev. W. Thomas Sawyer officiating. Visitation with the family will take place prior to the service, beginning at 1:00 p.m. A family graveside service was held the day after her passing. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Mars Hill University (Teresa Metcalf Stern Memorial Fund); or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.