10-16-2004
Lenoir - Our dearest Daddy, Thurman Rector, 83, of Andrews Circle, Lenoir, went home to be with Jesus on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2004.
He was born March 18, 1921, in Marshall County to the late Hubert Floyd and Flora Marler Rector. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his first wife, Viola Wilcox Rector; his second wife, Edna Phillips Rector; two sisters, Rosalee Pridmore and infant sister Katherine Rector; and four brothers, Raymond "Doc" Rector, Herbert "Hub" Rector, Curtis Rector and Cobert Rector.
Mr. Rector was retired from Singer Furniture Industries and was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, where he served in various capacities as crew member of a self-propelled M-18 antitank gun, including cannoneer, gunner and driver. He also served as member of such crew in defense against armored enemy units under combat conditions. He served in North Africa and throughout the Italian campaign.
Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Linda Rector of Lenoir; stepson, Dewey Phillips of Hudson; three daughters, Mrs. Bobby (Joan) Rector Bolick and Mrs. Gary (Brenda) Rector Waters, both of Lenoir, and Mrs. Steve (Bonnie) Rector Coffey of Granite Falls; stepdaughter, Mrs. James (Dorothy) Eller of Granite Falls; brother, Bert Rector of Lenoir; two sisters, Maythorn Cantrell of Hendersonville and Gladys Yount of Connelly Springs; seven grandsons, two granddaughters and nine great-grandchildren.
The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home chapel conducted by the Rev. Brandon Waters and the Rev. Gary Waters. Interment will follow with military honors at Blue Ridge Memorial Park. Serving as pallbearers will be Chris Rector, Brian Rector, Adam Waters, Rick Coffey, Jason Phillips and David Phillips.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Caldwell County Hospice, 902 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, NC 28645.
Published: 2004-10-19