Edward Bitner

Rev. Edward Lee Bitner, of Salisbury, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, at UNC Healthcare in Chapel Hill. Born Sept. 5, 1934, in War, W.Va., Rev. Bitner was the son of the late Dena Lee Young and Elmer Bitner. Rev. Bitner was a graduate of Spencer High School. He served in the US Air Force for 20 years. He also worked for Norfolk Southern Railroad for 24 years. Rev. Bitner was ordained at Trinity Baptist Church in Spencer. He also served many other churches including: Providence Baptist Church, Parkdale Baptist Church, Oakland Heights Baptist Church, and most recently, Carmel Baptist. Rev. Bitner enjoyed playing golf along with working in the yard and gardening. Along with his parents, Rev. Bitner was preceded in death by his stepfather, Walter Sims; brother Marvin Bitner; sister Ruby Turner (Carl). Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 62 years, Delores Trexler Bitner; daughters Vicki Ann Lyerly (Marshall), Shari B. Solomon (Eddie); sister Maxine Bitner Sims; stepsister Maedell Estes; grandchildren Michelle Wiener (Robert), Tyler Solomon, Nicole Barton (Adam); great-grandchildren Abby Barton and Kaisey Barton; along with numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements: Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 23 at Carmel Baptist Church. Funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. with Rev. Sy Ponds and Rev. Brian Smith officiating. Burial with military honors will conclude at Rowan Memorial Park cemetery. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Carmel Baptist Church, 2100 Mooresville Road, Salisbury, NC 28147; and Providence Baptist Church, 620 Andrews St., Salisbury, NC 28144. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Bitner family. Online condolences and memorial tributes may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.