Verna Kay Popplewell Shuler

Verna Kay Popplewell Shuler passed away peacefully with her family by her side on January 6, 2026.

Verna was born in Sylva, North Carolina on June 5, 1943 to the late Martha Emeline Cope of Jackson County, North Carolina and Joseph Beckham Popplewell of Russell County, Kentucky.

She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Tony Shuler, of Fletcher; her daughters Carla Shuler Hoffman (Grant) of Durham, NC; and Jennifer Shuler Hodges (George) of Asheville, NC; grandchildren Grayson Hoffman, Laurel Hoffman, Lincoln Hoffman, and Sawyer Hodges; her sister, Susie Cooper of Sylva, NC; and her niece, Michelle Cagle of Sylva, NC.

She graduated as valedictorian in the first graduating class from Sylva-Webster High School, class of 1961, before attending Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, NC. She majored in math and graduated with honors in the first graduating class after Mars Hill became a four-year institution, earning her degree in just three years.

After graduation she began her career in Washington, D.C. with the U.S. Patent Office and then the U.S. Naval Ordnance Laboratory. After ten years in Washington she and Tony moved to Asheville and she continued her government career with NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center until she retired in 1999. While at NCDC she earned the Department of Commerce Bronze Medal Award for Superior Federal Service.

In her lifetime, Verna was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Her grandchildren held a special place in her heart and they all loved spending time with their Nana. She had countless friends, new and old, including those from high school, her time in D.C., church, the Asheville Racquet Club, and the communities in which she lived. She loved gardening, planting flowers, taking pictures, being outdoors, listening to bluegrass, and spending time with friends and family. She especially loved playing tennis and being on the court with friends. Retirement also allowed time for travel with Tony in their RV which brought many new cross-country adventures.

Verna’s enthusiasm for life and interest in others made her a lifelong friend to many. Her smile and laughter were contagious and she brought joy to everyone who knew her. Her final days were marked by gratitude for the many blessings in her life.

The family will receive friends at a drop-in Celebration of Life on Saturday, January 17 from 2:00 – 4:30pm at The Barn at Tall Oaks, 28 Bradley Road in Hendersonville, NC.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina – Fund for WNC (cfwnc.org).

Groce Funeral Home’s Lake Julian team is assisting the family.