Ernest Arthur Epley

Ernest Arthur Epley, 81, of Morganton, NC died Saturday, September 22, 2012 at Burke Hospice and Palliative Care Center in Valdese. Born January 7, 1931 in Burke County, NC, he was a son of the late Clarence Arthur Epley and Annie Estelle Page Epley. Ernest loved his Lord, and was a member of the Church of God Bible Study. He served in the North Carolina National Guard for over 42 years and retired with the rank of Command Sergeant Major. For more than 30 years, he worked as a reserve deputy sheriff with the Burke County Sheriff’s Office and volunteered with the Triple Community Fire Department. Ernest was a devoted family man who loved his wife, children, and grandchildren.He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Margaret Franklin Epley of the home; daughters, Denise Sigmon and husband, Joel, of Wake Forest, Karla Pursley and husband, Bryce of Belmont, and Myra Bobak and husband, Rodney, of Morganton; grandchildren, Matt Sigmon, Benjamin Pursley and wife, Tiffany, Kristin Pursley, Sarah Bobak, and Jonelle Bobak; and siblings, Larry Dean Epley and wife, Diann, of Drexel, and Linda Epley Bryan and husband, Olen, of Morganton.In addition to his parents, Ernest was preceded in death by a brother, Lee Roy Epley; and a sister, Annie Sue Gragg.Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Monday, September 24, 2012 at Drexel First Church of God with the Reverends Don Blankenship and Larry McCaw officiating. Entombment will follow at Burke Memorial Park Mausoleum with military rites conducted by members of the NC National Guard. The family will receive friends Monday from 1:30 until 3:00 pm at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Church of God Bible Study, 152 E. Main St., Valdese, NC 28690, or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690.