C.E. Spires Jr.

1917 - 2017

C.E. Spires Jr., 99, of Salisbury, passed away Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017 at Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House. Born Oct. 3, 1917 in Hartsville, S.C., he was the son of the late Clarence Earle Spires and Jennie Garrison Spires. Mr. Spires graduated from Hartsville High School and Clemson AM College, now known as Clemson University. He served in the United States Army during World War II, 1941-1945, in the European-African Theater of Operation as a Parachute Infantry Unit Commander and was a Purple Heart recipient. He retired as Captain. For 32 years, Mr. Spires was a Field Claims-man with Nationwide Insurance Company and was a member of Haven Lutheran Church since 1945, where he served on the Church Council. Very active in the community, Mr. Spires was a former member of the Jaycees, Toast Master Club and a member and past president of the Salisbury Kiwanis Club. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Fannie Owen Spires, on June 7, 1990; one brother ;and three sisters. Those left to cherish his memory are his current wife, Mary Culp Spires; two sons, Chris Earle Spires (Teresa) and Robert A. Spires (Wendy), both of Hickory; two daughters, Carolyn E. Dixon of Virginia Beach, Va. and Sharon Sikes (Lindy) of Denver; three step-sons, James Allen Hinson (Linda), Joseph Franklin Hinson (Lynn) and Dr. Jonathan Cordell Hinson (Kris); five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; several step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and extended family. Services: A graveside service will be held at the Salisbury National Cemetery, Government Road location, on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at 2 p.m. with full military honors. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Haven Lutheran Church, 207 W. Harrison Street, Salisbury, NC 28144 or to Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House, 1229 Statesville Blvd., Salisbury, NC 28144. Summersett Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Spires family. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.