Henry Clifton Dicky Ferrell

Henry Clifton Dicky Ferrell Sr. 75 precious daddy papaw and husband died peacefully Monday March 12 2012 in Sentara Leigh Hospital Norfolk VA. Mr. Ferrell was born in Pasquotank County and was the son of the late Herbert Mecklin Ferrell and Annie Mae Morris Ferrell Kemp. Retired from City Motor Parts after 33 years of employment for the past 10 years he had been employed with Napa Auto Parts in Elizabeth City. An avid country music fan two highlights in his life were getting to play music with Chet Atkins at Claymon Sawyers Music and when Wolfman Jack visited him in his home. He enjoyed playing music bottle digging collecting movies and other collectibles and visiting Gatlinburg TN and the Smoky Mountains with his family. A self-taught musician he played several musical instruments including the steel guitar bass guitar harmonica and fiddle and enjoyed nothing more than getting together with his friends to play music. Over his lifetime he played in several bands including the Possum Quarter Band Sounds of Time Albemarle Sounds the Bitter Creek Band which recorded the songs Here I Am and Old Times and the Home Grown Vigilante Band which recorded the songs Pickup Truck Country and Natural Man. Throughout his life he was able to meet and talk to several celebrities such as Johnny Cash June Carter Dolly Parton's family at her sister's home in Tennessee Little Jimmy Dickens Tom T. Hall Randy Travis on his bus Jim Reeves Loretta Lynn and her family Skeeter Davis Kitty Wells Johnny Wright and many others. While attending country music shows his wife waited for hours while he talked music with the celebrities back stage or on their bus. Everyone who knew him knew he loved to tell jokes and make people laugh. His family has many fond memories of sitting around the house while he would tell a lot of jokes and never miss a line. He just loved life loved people and said laughter was the best medicine. A jack of all trades he just knew a little about a lot of things and no matter what needed fixing he could fix it. The last 14 years of his life he played music for the Lord singing and playing in several praise bands in church and for the past three years he attended Fountain of Life Church in Elizabeth City. He had a tremendous love for his Lord and his family. Surviving are his wife of 55 years Doris Smith Ferrell; a daughter Linda Ferrell Speight; a son Henry Cliff Ferrell and wife Maxine Colson Ferrell all of Elizabeth City; four grandchildren Tiffany and Jessica Ferrell and Darren and Hannah Speight; and his beloved friend who helped him in many ways Robert Chambers. A memorial service will be held Saturday March 24 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in Fountain of Life Church in Elizabeth City with Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral and Cremation Providers 1125 Harvey Point Road Hertford assisting the family with arrangements. Friends may join the family in the church social hall immediately following the service and all other times at the home of his daughter Linda Speight 201 Rosecroft Drive Elizabeth City. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Fountain of Life Church 1107 US 17 S. Elizabeth City NC 27909 and are to be designated for use in the Building Fund. The family would like to thank everyone for their calls visits and prayers. He could not believe all of the prayers and support he received during his illness and every time it was mentioned he would smile and say I'll be dog. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.