Charles Brantley Lancaster

Charles Brantley Lancaster, 82, of Vanceboro, died Jan. 19, 2008, while surrounded by his family at home in New Bern, after a long and valiant fight with many medical issues. He was a member of the Smyrna Free Will Baptist Church in Blount's Creek and attended the Epworth United Methodist Church in the Epworth Community of Vanceboro.

Mr. Lancaster was born Sept. 18, 1925 and was reared by the late Tobe and Susie Brantley, his uncle and aunt, in Aurora. He worked at many jobs throughout his life, supporting his growing family, but in the end considered himself to be a professional truck driver.

He was proud to have continued to work well into his 79th year and it was only when he could no longer climb into his rig that he saw the necessity to park his truck. In 1947, shortly after his discharge from the U.S. Navy, he met and married his soul mate for life, the late Lois Elizabeth White, who was from Elizabeth City. They were married 58 years and reared their six children in Chesapeake, Va., with three of them following him into military service. In 1981, Charles and Lois relocated to Vanceboro shortly after their last child finished school.

A celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, at the Smyrna Free Will Baptist Church, with the Rev. Joel Cannon officiating. Interment will follow later in the day at 3 p.m. at the Epworth Methodist Church cemetery, with the Rev. Bill Price officiating at the graveside service.

He is survived by the pride and joys of his life, his four daughters and two sons, CDR Donna Purk, U.S. Navy retired and husband, CDR Kenneth Purk, U.S. Navy retired of New Bern; Susan Hanson and husband, Thomas, of Wilmington; Mary Ann Van Voorhees and husband, Jeffrey, of Vanceboro; CDR Ellen Orr, U.S. Navy retired, and husband, LCDR Robin Orr, U.S. Navy retired, of Jacksonville.

He is also survived by two "foster" daughters, his daughters-in-law, Deborah Lynn Lancaster and Kathy Ratliff Lancaster. Also surviving are his two sons, Capt. Charles Lancaster, U.S. Coast Guard retired, of New Bern, and John Lancaster of Chesapeake, Va.; along with 10 grandchildren, Todd Bailey, Laura LaFrance, Charles "Brantley" Lancaster II, 2nd Lt. Julia Faustman, U.S. Air Force, Lois Hendrix, Katie VanVoorhees, Zach VanVoorhees, Karrie Orr, Jennifer Orr, and John F. Lancaster Jr.; and four great-grandchildren. Additionally, Mr. Lancaster is survived by six sisters, Mrs. Myrtle Brown of Pensacola, Fla., Mrs. Henrietta Lancaster of Vanceboro, Mrs. Myra Dudley of Winterville, Mrs. Marie Thomas and Mrs. Nora Lilly, both of New Bern, and Mrs. Georgia Mae Hardy of Aurora; along with four brothers, Mr. Clifton Lancaster of Vanceboro, Mr. Alvis Lancaster and Mr. Ted Lancaster, both of Durham, and Mr. Louis Taylor Brantley of Jefferson City, Tenn. He was preceded in death by his beloved sister, Mary Ellen Brantley.

Memorial contributions may be made in his honor to Smyrna Free Will Baptist Church, Blount's Creek, or to the Epworth Methodist Church General Fund. Anyone wishing to send a condolence or sign the guestbook online may do so by visiting www.pollockbest.com.

Arrangements are by Pollock-Best Funerals & Cremations of New Bern.