Gloria "Polly" Shearin Burger

Gloria Dean “Polly” Shearin Burger, 86, died Saturday, April 12, 2025, at The Landings of Lake Gaston.

She was born on Aug. 31, 1938, the daughter of the late Curtis and Ola A. Shearin.

Polly once enjoyed traveling, having been to New York, Europe, Mexico, Spain, and Hawaii, and also traveled on cruises. She was the manager of Carolina Rest Home in Roanoke Rapids, retiring in 2017. After retirement, she took advantage of lake life, spending time with her dog Brandy, and feeding the squirrels and birds.

She will be remembered for her sense of humor and wit, and missed by her family and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two husbands, C.W. Beale Jr. and Ralph Burger; a daughter, Donna Kay Vaughn; her grandson, Christopher Lewis; a brother, Pete Shearin; a sister-in-law, Bobby Lou Shearin; and her retirement companion, Bobby Chenoweth.

Polly is survived by her brother, Peter Shearin; her sons, Clayton “Sam” Beale and his wife, Donna, and Henry Beale and his wife, Tia; grandchildren, Matthew Beale, Jason Irons and his wife, Kate, Hunter Beale and his wife, Wynn, Clayton Beale, Mike Kidd and his wife, Sarah, and Robert Snape and his wife, Emily; and her great-grandchildren, Jamison Irons, P.J. Irons, Alyssa Kidd, Easton Beale, Barrett Beale, Talon Lewis and Leighton Lewis.

The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by funeral services at noon Tuesday, April 15 at Hockaday Funeral & Cremation Service in Roanoke Rapids, which is handling the arrangements, with Pastor Jason Yeatts officiating. Burial will follow in Cedarwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Polly’s memory to Rainbow Animal Rescue of NC, P.O. Box 972, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870.

Friends may sign the online register by visiting hockadayfs.com.