Gorris James Eggleston

EDEN — Gorris James Eggleston, 95, passed from this life on Sunday, July 31, 2011 at his home at 400 Boone Road in Eden.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, August 3, at Fair Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Amanda Hatfield officiating. Interment will follow in Overlook Cemetery.

Gorris was born on November 26, 1915, in Spray, NC to the late Benjamin Harrison Eggleston and Bertha Thomasson Eggleston. He graduated from Leaksville High School and attended UNC-Chapel Hill. He was a lifetime member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and served as a deacon there. In his lattter years, he was made deacon emeritus. He was part owner and a significant part of Eggleston Brothers Oil Company in Reidsville, NC. He will forever be remembered for his kind and gentle ways to those who knew him. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word.. To his family, he was very loving and devoted, always giving of himself generously and unselfishly.

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 72 years, Leone Gilley Eggleston of the home; two sons, Joseph Benjamin Eggleston and wife, Agnes of Raleigh; James Harrison Eggleston of Eden; and a daughter, Elizabeth "Betty" Eggleston Self and husband, George "Buddy" D. Self of Greensboro. Gransons include: George Michael Self and wife, Cathy of Stuttgart, Germany; Patrick Todd Self and wife, Cheryl of Raleigh, Harrison Ford Eggleston and wife, Amanda of Eden; and Joseph Benjamin Eggleston, Jr. of Lawrence, Kansas. Granddaughters are: Suzanne Elizabeth Bymaster and husband, Daniel of Greensboro, Amy Leigh Miller and husband, David of Greensboro, Hagan Eggleston Pace and husband, Jay of Eden and Karen Taylor Minton and husband, Benjie of Greenville, NC. There are 13 great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter and three nephews.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to a very special niece, Mary Johnston Gilley Schiller and to Barney Walker, a devoted family friend, for their many kindnesses. Also, thanks to Shirley Williams, Barbara Little, and Lillie Martin for their faithful and dedicated care.

Visitation will be held one hour and a half prior to the service (12:30 p.m. until 2 p.m.) on Wednesday at Fair Funeral Home Chapel and other times at the residence.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 211 N. Oakland Ave. Eden, NC 27288; or to Hospice of Rockingham County, PO Box 281, Wentworth, NC 27375.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com