Obituaries for May 5, 2016
Published 1:43 pm Thursday, May 5, 2016
Al Eason
Mr. Al Eason passed away peacefully on April 22, 2016. He was born on May 25, 1925, to Emma and Alcuin Eason in Fayetteville, Arkansas where he lived all of his life until he moved to Bermuda Run, North Carolina in 2000. He was a faithful Christian and life-long member of the United Methodist Church: Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville and Clemmons United Methodist Church in Clemmons, North Carolina. He served his country with honor and distinction in the United States Navy during World War II, and was stationed in the Philippines. After the war, Al returned to Fayetteville to continue his studies at the University of Arkansas where he was a proud member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. In 1948, he graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, and shortly after graduation, he married his loving wife of sixty-seven years, Marilyn Hoag Eason of Texarkana, Arkansas. In business, Al was president of Eason and Company, a third-generation president of the general insurance agency established in 1888 by his grandfather, John Thomas Eason. In 1953, Al founded and was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of First Federal Savings & Loan Association. He served as president of the Arkansas Savings and Loan League, trustee of the U.S. Savings and Loan Foundation, and committee member of the U.S. League of Savings Institutions’ National Legislative Council. For twenty-one years, he also served as a board member of Southwestern Electric Power Company. Throughout his career, Al was a leader in civic, community, church, and educational endeavors, working to improve the quality of life for others. Among his numerous roles, he was President of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, the Fayetteville Boy’s Club, and Downtown Fayetteville Unlimited; Chairman of the Board of the Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville; and Board member of the Fayetteville United Fund. Al was devoted to his family, and was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; one daughter, Melinda Eason Knight, and her husband, Dr. Thomas Knight of Austin, Texas; one son, Stephen Alcuin Eason, and his wife, Kathryn, of Durham, North Carolina; five grandchildren, Dr. Gregory Knight of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Kimberly Knight Hart, JD, and her husband, Mike, of New Orleans, Louisiana, Dr. Stephen Knight and his wife, Dr. Anna Knight, of Detroit, Michigan, Elizabeth Eason of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Emma Eason of Dallas, Texas; and two great-grandchildren, Danny Hart, son of Kimberly and Mike, and Elizabeth Ann Knight, daughter of Stephen and Anna. The family would like to thank the ministers of Clemmons United Methodist Church, and caregivers at Bermuda Village and Visiting Angels for their love and support. Friends and family will gather for a reception and memorial service celebrating Al Eason’s life on Saturday, May 7, 2016, at Clemmons United Methodist Church in Clemmons, North Carolina. The reception will begin at 1:00 pm, followed by the service at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to the Clemmons United Methodist Church, the Salvation Army, or your charity of choice. Online condolences may be made to www.hayworth-miller.com (Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel)
Herman Brown Orrell
08/09/1925 – 04/26/2016
Mr. Herman Brown Orrell, of Clemmons, North Carolina passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at Brighton Gardens Assisted Living in Winston-Salem. He was born August 9, 1925 in Davie County which he called “God’s Country” to Lee Brown and Nannie Beauchamp Orrell. Herman was the eighth of eleven brothers and sisters. He was a veteran of World War II, and served proudly as a soldier in the U.S Army during the occupation, driving troop transport trucks on the German Autobahn. He was honored to follow three of his older brothers, John, Steve, and Grady who also served their country in World War II. Returning from the war, Herman worked for Hanes Knitting in Winston-Salem, Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Leesburg, FL, and the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, where he proudly and skillfully drove an eighteen wheeler in the Truck and Storage division for 34 years. He worked tobacco markets in Lumberton, NC, Oxford, NC, and Owensboro, KY. Herman loved being outdoors enjoying nature, and inherited his green thumb from his mother. He could grow anything, loved tending his large gardens and tomato plants, and mowing his six acre yard surrounding his beloved home in Clemmons. After his retirement from R.J. Reynolds, he daily walked his same route through beautiful Tanglewood Park with good Clemmons friends. After his walk each morning he headed to Bojangles in Advance for a little breakfast and a lot of conversation. Herman exemplified integrity, faithfulness, and honor in all aspects of his life. He lived by the motto, “Be kind to people and treat everyone as you want to be treated, “which he said he learned from his mother. He knew that friends could come from anywhere; you just have to be friendly. He developed deep friendships throughout his life because he loved and cared about people. Herman was a lifelong member of Mocks United Methodist Church in Advance, NC which he helped to build and where his first wife, Barbara Speas Orrell was organist and choir director until her death in 1975. He attended Lewisville United Methodist Church and was a member of the Wesleyan Sunday School Class with his second wife, Mildred Ward Orrell until her death in 2013. He often commented how blessed he was to have found two good women. Herman was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara Speas Orrell; his second wife, Mildred Ward Orrell; a son, Michael Stephen Orrell; and four brothers and five sisters. He is survived by his sister Aldene Orrell Daniel; his daughter, Candace Batchelor and her husband, Rick; his granddaughter, Caroline Batchelor McLean and her husband, Will; and his grandson, William Ricks Batchelor, Jr. and his wife, Gracie; sisters-in-law, Julia Speas Davis, Kay Speas Brown, Anne Creed Church, and Sherry Creed Kinnaman; brothers-in-law, Kenneth Alley, Harold Price, Will Creed, and Wayne Creed, as well as many caring nieces and nephews. Herman, Daddy, or Papa was greatly loved and will be missed by all of us. His family gives sincere thanks to the staff at Brighton Gardens Assisted Living for their loving care and all the genuine friends he made there, where he has lived for the past three comfortable and contented years. A service to celebrate Herman’s life was held Monday, May 2, 2016 at Mocks United Methodist Church in Advance, NC with The Reverend Gary Elrod and Dr. Ivan Peden officiating. Memorials may be made to Mocks United Methodist Church, 523 Beauchamp Road, Advance, NC 27006 or to Lewisville United Methodist Church, 6290 Shallowford Road, Lewisville, NC 27023.
Aaron Dean Spaugh
5/24/1929 – 4/28/2016
Aaron Dean Spaugh, “Dean”, born on May 24th, 1929 to Felix Aaron Spaugh and Sophie Sharpe Spaugh, peacefully passed into his lord and savior, Jesus Christ’s, arms in the early morning on April 28th, 2016. Dean enjoyed a wonderful 67 years of marriage with his wife, Ruth. He was a lifelong member at Hope Moravian Church, where he taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and played trombone in the band. In recognition of his service, Hope Moravian Church established the A. Dean Spaugh Men’s Bible Class. Dean drove an oil truck for over thirty years and enjoyed each day. A self-taught fiddler, Dean loved bluegrass music and played in bluegrass bands, including Plank Road Bluegrass and The Piedmont Entertainers, for most of his life. He also loved sharing stories that most often ended in a hearty laugh that would brighten your day. Dean was a devoted and loving father to Dan (Patricia), Gerald (Barbara), and Max; grandpa to Joshua, Christopher (Meredith), Jeffrey, Patrick, Tammy Watts Quesinberry (Jerry), and Tyler Watts; and great-grandpa to Katie, Lillie, Liam, Benjamin, Jack, and Wesley. He is preceded in death by his parents and oldest son, Dan. Dean is also survived by his sister, Emma Lou Swaim. The family expresses its gratitude to three special caregivers, Jana, Debbie, and Michelle. Friends and family gathered Saturday, April 30th, to Hope Moravian Church, 2759 Hope Church Rd, Winston-Salem, for a funeral service. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Dan E. Spaugh Youth Mission Fund at Hope Moravian Church.