Hugh Gaither Shearin

Hugh Gaither Shearin, age 86, passed away Monday, April 4, 2011. He was born June 11, 1924 in Franklin County, son of the late H. B. Shearin, Sr. and Mae Gupton Shearin. He was preceded in death by his son, Hugh Gaither Shearin, Jr.; two brothers, Ronald Shearin and Creech Shearin; and sister, Ruby Allsbrook. Hugh attended Gold Sand High School. He was a World War II veteran in the United States Army from 1943 - 1945 where he served as an MP Officer stationed in Fort Jackson, SC, and then in Europe in the 106th infantry. He served in the campaign of the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes Forest, Germany. He received a Purple Heart (Battle of the Bulge); three Bronze Star Medals; and several other medals of service. Mr. Shearin participated in the "Flight of Honor", a chartered flight for area World War II veterans to visit World War II and other monuments in Washington, D.C. He was one of three veterans on the trip selected to recount his war experiences in a WRAL-TV documentary. Hugh lived in Rocky Mount most of his life. He was a successful businessman with affiliations with several businesses: primarily Stallings Oil Company, Truck Stops of America and Super Flame Gas Company. Hugh was an active member of several community clubs. He served as President and board member of the Rocky Mount Civitan Club. As an active member of the Rocky Mount Shrine Club, he served as Chairman of the Annual Fish Fry, the club's fundraiser for the Shriner's Crippled Children's Hospital. Other affiliates include the Rocky Mount Elks Club and the Roanoke Tar River Gun Club. He was a charter member of Englewood Baptist Church and currently a member of Lakeside Baptist Church. Hugh will be greatly missed by his loving family. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, June Stallings Shearin; two daughters, Jan Shearin Bobbitt and her husband Brad and Gaye Shearin Brinn and her husband Ray; daughter-in-law, Nita Shearin Kline and her husband Rick. He also leaves to cherish his memory, ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; his sisters, Hodgie Shearin McGinty and Louise Shearin Riddick; brother, H. B. Shearin, Jr and his wife Edith.; sister-in-law, Emily Crews Shearin; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends and relatives 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. Thursday, April 07, 2011 at Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home. A Celebration Service will be held at 2:00p.m. Friday, April 08, 2011 at Lakeside Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Rocky Mount Memorial Park. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Sudan Shriners Hospitals for Children, 403 E. Front Street, New Bern NC 28560 or the UNC Lineberger Cancer Center, CB #7295, Chapel Hill NC 27599. Arrangements by Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC. You may share your memories and condolences to the Shearin family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Visitation Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services 1130 N. Winstead Ave. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-451-8800 --> | Thursday 4/7, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Service Lakeside Baptist Church 1501 Sunset Avenue Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-446-0126 --> | Friday 4/8, 2:00 pm Cemetery Rocky Mount Memorial Park 4454 Dortches Blvd., Hwy 43 Rocky Mount, NC 27804