Herbert Meade Sproles

Mr. Herbert Meade Sproles, 80, of Alexis, NC died Sunday, October 18, 2009 at his home. He was born March 6, 1929 in Mendota, VA, a son of the late Avirt L. and Mary Jane Millard Sproles. Herbert was a graduate of Hamilton High School and Virginia Poly-Technical University. He served in the US Navy during the Korean War where he was stationed on the USS Intrepid and the USS Repose. He retired from Gaston County as an Agricultural Extension Agent and had previously worked with the 4-H Club. Herbert helped found the Gaston County Beekeeper's Association and the Gaston County Farmers' Market. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend who liked to tell a good joke. He was of the Baptist faith, enjoyed working with the NC State Fair and the Cleveland County Fair, and loved history and poetry, being named Hamilton High School's Class Poet. Survivors of Mr. Sproles include his wife of 43 years, Amanda Falls Sproles of Alexis; daughters and sons-in-law, Rebecca and David Duncan of Vale, NC; Anna Hopkins of Stanley, NC; Elizabeth and Paul Lloyd of Columbus, GA; grandchildren, Joshua Millwood, Sarah Millwood, Alsey Hopkins, Rachel Duncan, Cole Duncan, Justin Duncan, and Ashley Ray; brothers, William Sproles and wife Barbara; Jack Sproles; sisters, Alda Hall, Lola Wise, all of Mendota, VA; numerous nieces and nephews; and his special guard dog, Friskie. In addition to his parents, Herbert was preceded in death by brothers, F.W. and Edgar Sproles and by sisters, Addie and Mary Kate Sproles. The family will receive friends from 6-8pm on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia and following the graveside service on Thursday at the family home of William Sproles in Mendota, VA. A graveside service will be held at 2pm on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at Hendricks Place Cemetery in Mendota, VA. Memorials may be made to Gaston Hospice, PO Box 3984, Gastonia, NC 28054 or to the Max Erwin 4-H Endowment, c/o NC Cooperative Extension Service, 1303 Dallas – Cherryville Hwy., Dallas, NC 28034. Online condolences may be sent at www.McLeanFuneral.com. McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia is serving the family of Mr. Sproles.