Joe J. Dula Sr.

HICKORY - Joe Junior Dula Sr., 86, of Hickory, died March 4, 2009, at Brian Center East due to a lingering illness. He was born March 3, 1923, to the late John Dula and Florence Horton March. He was a member of Mount Pisgah AME Church and retired from Overnite/UPS Freight. In addition to his parents, his wife, Inez Derr Dula; two sons, Joe Dula Jr. and Johnny Dula; and three sisters, Maggie Sudderth, Hilda Dula and Joyce Surratt, preceded him in death. Survivors include a son, Melvin (Sherry) Dula of Claremont; daughters, Ellen D. McKeever of Hickory and Peggy D. Hopper of Conover; a brother, Everette (Sophia) March Jr. of Glen Alpine; 15 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. The funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 8, 2009, at Mount Pisgah AME Church, with the Rev. Minnie Bryant officiating. The family will be at the home of Peggy Dula Hopper, 412 Seventh St. Place, SW, Conover, N.C. Burial will be held in Southside Cemetery. Allen Mitchell Funeral Home of Hickory is serving the Joe Junior Dula Sr. family.