Everson H. Roach Sr.

Everson H. Roach Sr., 79

DOVER - Everson H. Roach Sr., of Dover, passed away peacefully Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, in his home, surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 79.

He was born Aug. 28, 1928, in Dover, to the late Leonard Sr. and Susan (Guy) Roach.

Mr. Roach was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to all.

He will be sadly missed.

Mr. Roach retired from RC Nehi Bottling Co. after 30 years of service with Earl and Bob Duncan. He was a farmer many years before that, working on the Stites farm.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman and took pride in his rabbit dogs.

Mr. Roach was always doing for someone else, anything from mowing lawns to fixing cars.

He was known for quoting famous sayings, especially, "Build me a house by the side of the road, and I'll be a friend to man."

Mr. Roach was preceded in death by his sisters, Sarah Hall in 1968 and Carrie Roach in November 2007; his brothers, Thomas in 1963, Walter in 1966, George in 1995 and Leonard Jr. in May 2007; his grandson, Warner Roach Jr.; a nephew, Jeffrey L. Roach; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ollie and Evelyn Bratcher.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Pearl (Bratcher) Roach of Dover; six daughters, Evelyn and her husband Robert of Georgia, Doris and her husband Charles of Dover, Pearl and her husband Freddie of Dover, Carrie and her husband Rodney of Dover, Marian of Felton and Joyce and her husband Kenneth of Virginia; four sons, Everson Jr. of Dover, Warner and his wife Stephanie of Ohio, Charles and his wife Rosetta of Dover and Ronald and his wife Tina of Dover; sisters-in-law, Margaret Roach and Margaret Bratcher; brother-in-law Ollie Bratcher Jr.; two nieces, Connie and her husband Bruce and Thomina and her husband Dewitt; four nephews, Leonard and his wife Sharon, George and his wife Lynn, Parker and his wife Daphne and Joseph and his wife Carol; 24 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; a very good friend, the Rev. Reedie G. Moore; and a host of family and friends.

Special thanks to Compassionate Care Hospice, especially Kathy and Maurine, for the wonderful service they provided, and a special thanks to Evangelist Marsha Bell.

Viewing will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover.

Services will be 11 a.m. Friday in Union Baptist Church, Dover, where friends may view two hours prior.

Burial will be in Sharon Hills Memorial Park, Dover.