By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

A Mount Ulla man known for his giving nature succumbed to injuries following an April 14 crash in Ashe County.

Anthony “Andy” Echerd, 66, died Sunday at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and will be buried Sunday.

Echerd was one of two people injured in a three-vehicle accident in West Jefferson at the intersection of Frank Dillard Road and N.C. 163.

According to the Jefferson Post, a vehicle waiting to make a left turn onto Frank Dillard Road was struck from behind by a Ford pickup. The pickup traveled left of center and struck Echerd’s oncoming Chevrolet van.

He sustained serious internal and external injuries, the paper reported, and he was taken to Wilkes County Airport via an ambulance and then flown to the Winston-Salem hospital.

Rowan Helping Ministries Executive Director Kyna Grubb said she is a friend of the Echerds and called the accident tragic.

She said the couple arranged for children at the shelter to see the fall festival at their church, First Baptist, and to see the annual Living Christmas Tree event.

Andy and his wife, Betty Lou, worked with their church to provide transportation for the children so they could attend the events, she said.

“They had a real heart for families that are in need at the shelter,” Grubb said.

She added the couple had a real connection to families at the shelter. She called the two very nice, caring people.

“They got involved in trying to find opportunities for the children,” she said.

The family has asked that memorials be made to First Baptist Church of Salisbury and to Rowan Helping Ministries.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.