Candace LaRue Thayer Meyers

Candace LaRue Thayer Meyers went home to Jesus on October 14, 2025.

She died peacefully in her sleep at a hospice center in Asheville, NC. She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and LaRue Thayer, and her husband, Steven Meyers.

She is survived by her sister, Cheryl Tryon; her loving in-laws, Joan and James Wagner; and her beloved nieces and nephews.

Candy was born January 13, 1945, in Salem, OH, and grew up in Magnolia, OH. She began taking singing lessons when her parents recognized her musical talent. When she was 15, the family moved to St. Petersburg, FL. She attended Dixie Hollins High School, where she thrived. In her senior year she was inducted into the National Honor Society. She also had the female lead in the school musical “Guys and Dolls.” She was voted her class’s “Most Talented Female.”

Candy graduated from Florida State University (FSU) with a degree in Music Education in 1967. Of course she was an avid FSU football fan. In 1969, Candy and Steve were married, remaining together until his death in 2022. For 31 years, Candy taught music at Bardmoor Elementary School in Largo, FL, retiring in 1998. She received numerous honors, most notably in 1997 when the Pinellas School Music Educators voted her “Elementary School Music Educator of the Year.” During those years she made life-long friendships with students and colleagues. Some students told her she had inspired them to become musicians and music educators.

Shortly after Candy and Steve married, they bought property in Sylva, NC, and built their mountain home. They moved there after she retired. Throughout their years together, they traveled frequently around the US in their RV. Candy sang in church choirs in FL and NC. She was known for her beautiful solos. In FL, she was part of the Clearwater Community Chorus. In 1998, she joined the Western Carolina Community Chorus, where she was lead soprano. The chorus performed a number of times in Europe, including in Westminster Abbey.

She attended Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Franklin, NC. Her church family treasures her generosity and will miss Candy and her beautiful voice. She also led the church bell ringers there. Her hobbies included making greeting cards and being part of several card-making groups, sending cards to veterans and church members. She also created intricate crochet items such as snowflake tree ornaments, and gave the snowflake ornaments to family, friends, and church members. Her most impressive crochet item was an exquisite afghan that won 1 st prize at the NC State Fair.

Candy was much loved and will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and neighbors. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 235 Sloan Rd, Franklin, NC 28734.

Another Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 11:00am at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (which shares space with St. John’s Episcopal Church), 1676 S. Belcher Rd., Clearwater, FL 33764.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 235 Sloan Rd, Franklin, NC 28734 or to Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation – Keeping Music Alive in Our Schools, mhopus.org.