Karen Isbell is the 2017 Granite Falls Woman of the Year

GRANITE FALLS, NC (November 19, 2017)…The Granite Falls Women’s Enrichment Association has chosen Karen Patterson Isbell as the 2017 Granite Falls Woman of the Year.  GFWEA President Linda Crowder presented the award to Mrs. Isbell on Sunday, November 19, 2017 at Burgess Chapel Church Foundation on Cherry Street in  Granite Falls prior to a special worship service.   Mrs. Crowder said, “Mrs. Isbell’s work embodies the mission of the Granite Falls Women’s Enrichment Association by enriching the lives of others and empowering them to succeed.”  Mrs. Crowder cited three (3)  specific examples which caught the attention of the Association.  First, Mrs. Isbell teaches marketing at South Caldwell High School and coaches girls tennis and basketball.  Second, she coaches the Red Foxes, a gold medal winning basketball team comprised of ladies ages 50 – 82 that competes on area and state levels.  Third, she is the treasurer of the Burgess Chapel Church Foundation, which is preserving the legacy of Burgess Chapel Church, which closed last year.  Mrs. Crowder said, “Mrs. Isbell is equipping our youth for the future, engaging the community to work in unity to preserve and protect our heritage, and empowering the Red Foxes to go above and beyond normal expectations of retirement.”  

Granite Falls Chief of Police Ritch Bolick presented Mrs. Isbell with a resolution passed by the Granite Falls Town Council to recognize her selection as the Granite Falls Woman of the Year.  He noted his personal appreciation for the work she has done on behalf of the Foundation. 

In accepting the award, Mrs. Isbell said, “I am just me being the me God created me to be.”

The honoree has been a marketing teacher at South Caldwell High School since 2001.  She serves as an assistant coach for both girls basketball and girls tennis.  She graduated from SCHS with a 1000 career points in basketball, the first player to achieve that milestone.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Appalachian State University after attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for two years.

In addition to coaching, the award winner is also a star athlete.  She participates in the NC Senior Games as an individual and as a coach.  In September 2017, she won four (4) gold medals, 1 silver medal, and 4 bronze medals at the State games in Raleigh.  In October, she took six (6) different age groups to the State 3 on 3 basketball tournament at East Carolina University.  The ages range from 50 – 82.  Mrs. Isbell currently holds 3 State Senior Games records in her age group:  softball throw, shotput, and discus.

In addition to the Burgess Chapel Church Foundation, Mrs. Isbell is a member of New Beginnings Worship Center in Hudson (Praise and Worship Leader), Robin’s Nest Board of Directors (treasurer), Blue Ridge Member Advisory Committee, and the Granite Falls Historical Association.

She lives in Granite Falls with her husband Maurice Isbell, Jr.  They have three (3) children – Kayla, Ryan, and Martavious.

Press Release by Linda Crowder