Georgeanna Sellers

Georgeanna Sellers, age 68, of Lexington, passed from this life on Friday, December 20, 2024, at High Point Medical Center.

Georgeanna was born in Lexington on December 23, 1955, to James Howard Sellers, Sr., and Caroline Leonard Sellers. She graduated from Central Davidson High School and received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

A storyteller at heart and a lover of words, Georgeanna joined High Point University (then High Point College) as an English instructor in 1987 and taught there for 30 years, retiring in 2017. During her time at HPU, Georgeanna was a beloved professor who brought creativity and humor to her lessons. She also co-wrote and published several papers during her tenure, served many years as faculty secretary, and played an integral role in the Phoenix Literary Festival, eventually serving as its director.

Georgeanna’s true life’s work, however, was animal rescue. Along with her husband, she rescued scores of dogs and cats in the Triad area and fostered many of them. She also served on the board of a local animal rescue organization and advocated locally and beyond for the humane treatment of animals.

Throughout her life, Georgeanna was involved with other causes close to her heart. A lifelong book lover, she set up and maintained several libraries, including the library at her home church and the Lexington Public Library’s mobile library. She was also a faithful supporter of veterans' causes. In the 1980s, she made the news for organizing a letter-writing campaign designed to keep the spotlight on American service members who were POW/MIA during the Vietnam War. Many local schools and organizations joined the campaign.

Those Georgeanna leaves behind will remember her most of all for her good humor, sharp wit, and fierce loyalty. She was strongly devoted to those she loved and faithfully cared for many ailing family members, friends, and pets over the years.

Georgeanna was preceded in death by her husband, Artie H. Burkhart; a brother, Michael O. Sellers; and her parents.

She is survived by her brother, Jim Sellers (Rebecca); niece, Jennifer Phillips (Kyle); nephew, Jeff Sellers (Tiffany), great-nieces, Claire and Alana Sellers; great-nephew, Holden Sellers; step-daughters, Shelley Burkhart Lister (Greg) and Amy Burkhart-Smith (Tracey); step-grandsons Ashton Burkhart and Josh Clifton (Paige) and their families; step-grandaughters, Jessie Bergeron, Ali Smith, and Ari Smith; her loving friends; and her faithful dog, Magic.

There will be no memorial service. A private family remembrance will be planned at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Georgeanna’s memory to Saving Grace Animal Adoption & Rescue or the Wounded Warrior Project.

Online condolences may be offered at https://www.davidsonfuneralhome.net.