Joseph “Joe” Franklin Gurganus

Joseph "Joe" Franklin Gurganus, 70 years old, of 247 Olive Street, Nashville, NC, died Saturday, March 24, 2012, in his home. Joe was born in Rocky Mount and was the son of the late Charlie Thomas and Edna Cooke Gurganus. He is survived by his wife, Kay Flye Gurganus and one son, Charlie Judd Gurganus, both of Rocky Mount; brothers David Gurganus and wife, Jean, of Roanoke Rapids; Edwin and wife, Janet Gurganus, of Rocky Mount; sister-in-law, Louise Gurganus, of Norfolk, VA; a host of nieces; nephews; cousins; great friends and beloved dog, Sasha. He was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas Gurganus, of Norfolk, VA. He was a graduate of West Edgecombe High School in 1960, and he played basketball and baseball. After graduation he entered the financial services industry, and in 1965 began working at Planters National Bank, where he filled numerous positions, ending a nearly 22-year career as Senior Vice President and City Executive for Smithfield, Four Oaks, and Clayton, NC. Thereafter, he joined Citizens Savings and Loan as a branch manager, for eight years, and then opened Nashville Auto Sales, and stayed in auto sales until his retirement in 2006. His public and civic service included various positions in the Lions Club and Birchwood Country Club. He was elected to the Nash County Board of Commissioners from 1982 to 1986 and served on the Board of Commissioners of Nash Health Care Systems from 1988 to 1990. He also was a board member of the Big Brothers-Big Sisters mentoring program from 1988 to 1991. He was elected in 1991 as a founding member of the Nash-Rocky Mount Board of Education when the Nash County and Rocky Mount City Schools were merged into one district and served on the board until 2002. A memorial service will be held at Church on the Rise, 3520 Bishop Road, Rocky Mount, on Thursday, March 29th at 4:00 pm with Pastor Richard Gurganus officiating, nephew of Joe. The family will receive friends after the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests live plants that may be planted in memory of Joe, memorial contributions on his behalf may be made to Englewood Baptist Church or Church on the Rise. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Visitation RISE Church - Rocky Mount Campus 3520 Bishop Road Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-557-1793 --> | Thursday 3/29, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Service RISE Church - Rocky Mount Campus 3520 Bishop Road Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-557-1793 --> | Thursday 3/29, 4:00 pm