Earl B. Fitts

SILER CITY- Earl B. Fitts, 77, died Wednesday, March 8, 2006, died Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at Duke University Medical Center, Durham.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church, 314 N. 2nd Ave., conducted by the Rev. James Wall and the Rev. Brian Reynolds. Burial will be in Brush Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Bear Creek.

Mr. Fitts was a native of Chatham County, a member of First Baptist Church, where he was a deacon and former Sunday School teacher. He was an Industrial Accountant for A.J. Schneierson & Sons, received the Long Leaf Pine Award, was owner of the Earl B. Fitts & Company and Fitts Realty and Insurance Company. He was first elected to the Siler City town board as commissioner in May 1963, served continuously through November 1977 for 14 years, serving as Mayor-Pro-term for two two-year terms 1961-1971 and 1971-1975. He ran successfully for mayor in November 1981 and served as mayor for 18 years through November 1999. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Nancy Earl Fitts, his parents, W. R. Fitts Sr., and Lillie Mae Marley Fitts and one brother, the Rev. Russell Fitts.

Survivors include wife Virginia Dixon Fitts of the home; daughters, Sara Fitts of Manassas, Va., and Sheila Fitts of Siler City; sister Frances F. Rhodes and husband Larry of Gastonia; brothers, Pearl D. Fitts and W. R. Fitts Jr., and wife Faye, all of Siler City; sister-in-law Mary Fitts of Shelby.

Visitation will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. today at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home, 230 North Second Ave., Siler City.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 314 N. 2nd Ave., Siler City, NC 27344.

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