[From The Wilson Times]

Willie Monroe Summerlin, 93, of Wilson, passed away Tuesday. His funeral services will be 6 p.m. Friday at Joyner’s Funeral Home, Wilson. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in Cedar Grove, Elm City. The Rev. Chris Harris and the Rev. Tim McFatter will officiate.

The family will receive friends Friday immediately following the service at Joyner’s Funeral Home, 4100 Raleigh Road Parkway, Wilson, and other times at the home.

Willie served his country with honor and pride with the U.S. Army and was an World War II veteran and he was the bodyguard for the company commander. He worked for Woodmen of the World for 30 years with numerous awards, including outstanding salesmanship. Willie also worked with T.W. Cobb Furniture for 30 years. He was a member of Oak Grove Free Will Baptist Church, where he served at deacon for 70 years and was honored as a lifetime deacon. He was the oldest active member of the Elm City American Legion. Willie was a wonderful loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.

Willie is survived by his daughters, Kathy Eaton, and husband, Chuck, of Wilson,, Ann Greene, and husband, Wayne, of Elm City, Brenda Dew, and husband, Stanley, of Bailey and Becky Owens, and husband, Ray, of Elm City; sons, Donnie Summerlin of Wilson, Steve Summerlin of Sharpsburg and Will Summerlin of Raleigh; grandchildren, Jenny Fleming, and husband, Frank, Tiffany Summerlin, Travis Summerlin, Chad Bridgers, and wife, Susan, Shane Bridgers, and wife, Ashley, Stephanie Summerlin, Bridget Pennington, and husband, Wilton, Melissa Greene, Jeremy Greene, Dennison Dew, Matt Dew, and wife, Heather and Daniel Owens and Caleb Owens; his siblings, Melvin Summerlin, and wife, Dorothy, of Elm City, Clifton Summerlin of Elm City, Daisy Pittman, and husband, Johnny, of Rocky Mount, Annie Mae Crumpler of Elm City and Beatrice Webb of Elm City; and 34 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Matthews; granddaughter, Kristen Owens; and nine siblings.

Flowers are welcome or memorials may be directed to Oak Grove Free Will Baptist Church, 5921 Bridgersville Road, Elm City, NC 27822.

Condolences may be directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home at www.joyners.net.