Vernon Clay Culpepper Sr.

Vernon Clay Culpepper, Sr. 82, passed away Friday, February 14, 2014. He was born in Nash County to the late Harvey Andrus Culpepper and Etta Hackney Culpepper. Vernon grew up in Rocky Mount. He graduated from Rocky Mount High School and later attended Mars Hill College and the University of North Carolina, where he obtained a Master's in Education degree. He taught 10 years at Williams High School in Burlington and then went to serve with the NC Teachers' Association as an education and teacher advocate. Vernon was always an advocate for peoples' rights and benefits and loved and served his church and church family. He was a generous man who lived a full and joyful life, who spread "donuts and joy." Vernon was a much loved and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. We shared ordinary and extraordinary blessings. Having shared his life for 59 plus years - "I can no other answer make than thanks and thanks and ever thanks." Vernon is survived by his wife: Alva Wallace Culpepper; son: Clay Culpepper (Diane) of Raleigh; daughter: Julie C. Harp (Glenn) of Cassatt, SC; grandchildren: Glenn Harp, Jr. (Danielle), Geremy Harp (T. K.) and Nicholas Culpepper; great-grandson: Dilon Harp; brothers: Milton C. Culpepper (Lucy) of Rocky Mount, John W. Culpepper (Robin) of Savannah, GA and Dennis W. Culpepper (Brenda) of Rocky Mount; sisters: Merle C. Taylor of Rocky Mount, Amie C. Hunt of Raleigh, Sheila C. Burnett of Spartanburg, SC and Jeanette Culpepper of Rocky Mount. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers: Harvey A. Culpepper, Jackson B. Culpepper and a sister: Lula C. Thomas. A service to celebrate Vernon's life will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, February 18, 2104 at New Hope Baptist Church, 4301 Louisburg Road, Raleigh, NC 27604. The family will greet relatives and friends immediately following the service in the church foyer.