Fons Hampton Giles

Fons Hampton Giles, 70, of Morganton died Wednesday, November 7, 2018. Born on December 9, 1947, he was the son of the late Yates and Nell Giles. He was a member of First United Methodist Church.

Fons attended Gardner-Webb University before serving with the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War.  He graduated from Western Carolina University and was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.  He attended the University of Virginia’s Darden Executive Leadership Program and VBA School of Bank Management.

Fons worked at First Union Bank, Central Carolina Bank, and retired from SunTrust Bank.  After his retirement he worked as a substitute teacher at Freedom High School and also worked at Sossoman Funeral Home.  He was a lifelong member of VFW Post #5362 and Morganton Elks Lodge #1852.  He also served on the Grace Hospital Foundation, was a board member for Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, was a member of the Morganton Rotary Club, and was a member of the Historic Morganton Festival Committee.

Fons is survived by his wife, Patrice Breeden Giles; sons, Kelly Hampton Giles (Nicole), James M. Best Jr. (Shana) and Thomas W. Best (Hallie); grandchildren, Evan Giles, Kaylen Best, Marc Best, Harper Best, and Emmy Best; brother, Yates Giles Jr. (Bennie); niece, Caroline Barker (Scott) great nephew, Hampton Barker and great niece, Alexandra Barker, and his beloved pets, Harley and Molly.

A celebration of Fons’ life will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, November 11, 2018 at the First United Methodist Church of Morganton with Rev. Dana McKim officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the NC National Guard and Caldwell County Veterans Honor Guard. The family will greet friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church in Morganton or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. (401 Harrison Oaks Blvd. Suite 200 Cary, NC 27513 or LLS.org)

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.