Maurice Gragg

Maurice W. Gragg MORGANTON Maurice W. Gragg, 79, of Morganton, died Friday, Aug. 31, 2012. Born in Burke County July 29, 1933, he was the son of the late Hardie C. Gragg and Viola Gragg. Maurice was a member of Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church. He loved bluegrass music and driving for Burke Christian Tours. Maurice was the first Chief of the Oak Hill Volunteer Fire Department and was a member of the Oak Hill Ruritan. His grand-children were his pride and joy. Maurice is survived by his wife of 49 years, Jane Reeves Gragg, of the home; children, Mary M. Miller, of Morganton and Joe Gragg and wife, Maria, of Apex; grand-children, Clinton Miller, Ben Miller, Kendra Church, Jennifer Nicholson and husband, Kaleb, Ashley Church, Meredith Gragg, Tyler Gragg, Jackson Gragg, Luke Gragg, and Paul Gragg; two great-grand-children; siblings, Doyle Gragg, Jack Gragg, Jerry Gragg, Elaine Hender-son, Connie Poovey, and Louise Hendrix; and a number of nephews and nieces. In addition to his parents, Maurice was preceded in death by a daughter, Teresa Church; brothers, Hardin Gragg, Cecil Gragg, Dennis Gragg, and Hassel Gragg; and two sisters, Vernice Penley and Lucille Peters. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Sept. 3, at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, with the Rev. George Williams, Dr. Steve Parker, and the Rev. Keith Rose officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors provided by the N.C. National Guard and the Caldwell County Veterans Group. The family will receive friends this evening (Sunday), from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center, where the body will remain until placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the funeral hour. Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, c/o Lisa Rector, P.O. Box 381, Morganton, NC 28680 or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690. Condolences may be made online at sossomanfuneralservice. com. The family would like to give a special thanks to Burke Hospice, Valdese Hospital, Dr. Joshi, Dr. Shultz, Tracy Chapman, Zion Baptist Church, Donna Miller, Danny and Denise Harris, Bruce and Janet Payne, Wade Vance, Tim and Walt Farris, and Jimmy Winters.