Eli Derl Spruill

   Eli Derl Spruill, MSgt, US Army Ret. 92, of 598 Beach Road, Lot 6, Columbia, NC, died Friday, May 10, 2024, in Hertford Rehabilitation and Health Care.

   Mr. Spruill was born in Creswell on March 1, 1932, and was the son of the late Leonard B. and Maggie Sawyer “Bobby” Spruill. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Sybil Jennings, Faye Swails, and Helen Furlough; and by his first wife, Janet Oliver Spruill.

   Retired from the United States Army after more than 20 years of service, he was a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Among the awards received were the Army Commendation Medal, the Air Medal, the Master Parachute Badge, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal with the Oak Leaf Cluster.

   After his military career and while living in the Portsmouth, VA area, he worked for 20 years in his own business as a private contractor delivering mobile homes for both Connor and Clayton mobile home manufacturing companies.

   A member of Philippi Church of Christ, before moving home to the Creswell area, he attended West Park Church of Christ in Portsmouth.

   Surviving is his wife of 13 years, Alice White-Spruill; and two children, Rhonda Spruill Kettenring (husband, Keith) of Chattanooga, TN and Mark Steven Spruill (wife, Faye) of Portsmouth. Also surviving is Alice’s daughter, Karen Bunch of Winston-Salem, NC; three nieces, four nephews, and other extended family members. Together Derl and Alice shared six grandchildren, Nathanael Kettenring, Jenna Hazelet (husband, Brian), Jessica Spruill Chinnici, Tucker Spruill, Evan Norris, and Adam Norris (wife, Kayla); and three great-grandchildren, Wesley, Sophie, and Grayson.

   Funeral services will be held Monday, May 20th, at 2:00 p.m. in Philippi Church of Christ and will be conducted by Ministers Glenn Brickhouse and Larry Woodley. The burial with military honors will be in the church cemetery. Friends may visit with the family in the church the hour prior to services.

   Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton, is assisting with arrangements and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.