HAVELOCK - Melvin O'Neal Garner, Sr., 87, died Tuesday June 26, 2012, at his home.A funeral will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, at Munden Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Mark Woods officiating. Interment will follow at Gethsemane Memorial Park.
Neal was a farmer, served in the US Navy during World War II on the SS William B. Giles 127 ship; worked for the State Department of Transportation, worked at the Exxon Station in Havelock and co-owner of the Citgo Station in Havelock. He was also a bus mechanic for Havelock High School for the Craven County School System. He was a member of the Cherry Point United Methodist Church; Charter member of the Havelock Fire Department; Cherry Point Masonic Lodge 688; Havelock Club of the Shriner Sudan Temple; Order of the Eastern Star Chapters in Havelock and Vida Grantham.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Clara Jean Oakley Garner: children, Melvin Garner Jr. and wife Lilli of Newport, Ashley Garner and wife Gail of Newport, and Peggie Garner of Sneads Ferry; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brothers, Troy "Terry" Garner and wife Georgia of Newport, and James Garner and wife Mary Ann of Newport.
He was preceded in death by his mother Margaret Bell Garner, his father Jesse J. Garner, sister Lillian Wynne, brother Jerry Garner, and brother Thomas Garner.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
A special thanks to Craven County Home and Health and Hospice, Nurse Christina, and aides Tammy and Nora, during this time.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Cherry Point UMC Parking Lot fund 103 Methodist Dr., Havelock, NC 28532 or Craven County Health Department Home Health Hospice Agency, PO Drawer 12610 New Bern, NC 28561.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements are by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., Morehead City.
