Edward Ray Summerlin, 62, of Roanoke Rapids, N.C., passed away peacefully at his home Wednesday, September 23, 2009.
Ed owned Lucas Precision Machine Works in Weldon, N.C., which he had managed since 1977.
Ed was a 1969 alumnus of the Apprentice School of Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Newport News, Va., where he received the Niels Christiansen Award for Excellence in Craftsmanship.
Ed was an active member of Good News Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Joyce Byrum Summerlin; son Barry Summerlin of Brooklyn, N.Y.; daughter Cathy Isom and husband Jeremy along with their children, Ridge and Savannah of Sanford, N.C.; sister Norma Cave of Rincon, Ga.; nephews Rick Cave of Mt. Pleasant, N.C., Mike Cave of Waycross, Ga., and Tom Summerlin of Avon, Ind. Ed was preceded in death by mother Wortley Summerlin and brother Thomas Summerlin.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held in 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Good News Baptist Church, 714 Highway 125, in Roanoke Rapids.
Memorials can be made to Home Health and Hospice of Halifax County, or to the Good News Baptist Church Building Fund.
Wrenn Clarke & Hagen Funeral Home, Roanoke Rapids, is handling the arrangements.