Joseph Kessler Eason

Joseph Kessler Eason, 86, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 25, at his home. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday at McLaurin Funeral Home in Clayton with Dr. John Allen officiating.
Mr. Eason was born on October 1, 1918 in Archer Lodge, NC to Joseph Millard and Clara Hinton Eason. He was a member of First Baptist Church for 45 years and a Sunday School teacher for more than 30.
A veteran of WWII, he was present for the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941, and the signing of the peace treaty on board the USS Missouri on September 2, 1945 in Tokyo Bay, Japan. He retired from the Navy with the rank of CWO-4 on February 1, 1960 after 22 years of service to his country.
Mr. Eason was predeceased by his parents, his sister, McClelland and his beloved wife of 54 years, Sybil Batton. Together, they were the loving parents of daughter, Alana Eason Parrish and husband, Larry ofDurham; and son, Joseph Donald Eason and wife, Debi of Chapel Hill, Sybil and Kessler adored their four grandchildren, Shaye Parrish, Andy Parrish, Kendall Parrish Gilbert and husband, Adam; and Alyson Taylor, husband, Nick. They had one great-grandson, Joshua Taylor.
Flowers accepted or memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 411 N. Fayetteville St., Clayton, NC or the Masonic Home for Children, 600 College St., Oxford, NC 27565.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the Crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge will award to me on that day...and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." II Tim. 4:7-8