Luther Haywood Eure, Sr.

   Luther Haywood Eure, Sr., 93, of 279 NC 137, Gatesville, NC, died Friday, February 19, 2021 in his home where he was cared for by his family.

   Mr. Eure was born in Gates County on November 6, 1927 and was the youngest of six children of the late Zebedee and Caroline Felton Eure. With his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Penistene Howell; and by his brothers, Timothy, Parish, Felton, and Delton Eure.

   Retired from Union Camp Corporation in Franklin, VA, he worked in instrumentation and calibration at the mill for over 30 years. Since 1957, he farmed the land on which he lived, growing crops, breeding and raising beef cattle, and planting pine trees for water conservation.

   A lifelong and faithful member of Eure Christian Church, he had served as Chairman of the Board of Deacons, as both a teacher and superintendent of Sunday School, Director of the Youth Department, and as a member of the Adult Choir, the Property and Grounds Committee, and the Bereavement Committee.

   Community involvement included his membership for nearly 72 years in Gatesville Masonic Lodge #126 where he had served as Master, Secretary, and as Chaplain, membership in The Order of the Eastern Star, and service with the Albemarle Commission in delivering Meals on Wheels. For his dedicated service with the Commission, in 2018 he was awarded membership in their “Hall of Fame”.

   A veteran of World War II, he served as a Radioman in the United States Army. Luther loved everyone; God, his church, his country, his family, his Masonic Lodge Brothers, and baseball.

   Surviving are his wife of over 71 years, Rebecca Dail Eure; two daughters, Lydia Eure Barker (husband, Gerry Riddick), and Melinda Dale Eure, all of North Topsail Beach; a son, Luther H. “Luke” Eure, Jr. (wife, Jeanette) of Reidsville; seven grandchildren, Michael Barker (wife, Morgan), Rachel Koupal (husband, Matthew), Ashley Miller (husband, Justin), Jared Johnson, Hannah Queenan (husband, Kyle), Alexa Stroup (husband, David), and Ainsley Eure (fiancé, Collin); and five great-grandchildren, Denali and Kelty Barker, Cooper Koupal, Lillie Johnson, and baby Miller to be born in July.

   A small private service will be held in Eure Christian Church and will be conducted by his pastor, The Rev. Wade Bennett.

   A graveside service, open to extended family and friends will be held Thursday at 12 noon in Eure Christian Church Cemetery. Military and Masonic Rites will be accorded. Due to the restrictions associated with the Covid-19 Pandemic, no formal visitation is being held. Masks are required and social distancing measures will be in place for those attending the service.

   In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Eure Christian Church, 872 NC 137, Eure, NC 27935, or to the Masonic Home For Children, 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565.

   Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main Street, Gatesville, is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.