Gerald Alfred Abshire

Gerald Alfred Abshire, 87, of Morganton, NC passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, September 2, 2015 after a courageous, year-long battle with cancer.  Born in Boonville, IN on September 3, 1928, he was the son of the late Alfred Gerald Abshire and Carrie Splittorf Abshire.  In 1930 his family moved to Morganton when his father accepted a position in the furniture industry.  Gerald graduated from Morganton High School in 1945 and followed his father into a life-long career in furniture production.  He first worked at Morganton Furniture Co. for 22 years and then worked at Henredon Furniture Co. for 18 years, where he became a plant manager.

Gerald was a member of First Baptist Church.  He was a member of the Huffman Bible Class, served as a Deacon, and was on many committees.

Mr. Abshire appreciated being outdoors.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing golf, and working in his garden.  Gerald spent many hours feeding and watching the wild birds that ate from his many feeders.  He was a 32^nd Degree Mason and member of the Burke County Shrine Club.  Along with his wife, Jean, he enjoyed traveling in their camper with members of the Blue Ridge Pioneers camping club and spending time with his family.

Mr. Abshire is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jean Brittain Abshire of the home; daughters, Susan Rudicil and her husband, Stephen, of Rutherford College, NC, Barbara Franklin and her husband, Jim, of Belmont, NC, and Linda Scott and her fiancé, David Brooks, of Morganton; grandchildren, William Rudicil and his wife, Dona, of Lenoir, NC, Hannah Orner and her husband, Dan, of Charlotte, NC, Allison Little and her husband, Sean, of Hickory, NC, Matthew Franklin of Belmont, and Abby Scott of Morganton; great-grandchildren, Karis and Toby Rudicil; a brother, Jim Abshire and his wife, Audrey, of Statesville, NC; and a sister-in-law, Margaret Brittain of Morganton.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 until 1:00 p.m., Friday, September 4, 2015 in the parlor of First Baptist Church of Morganton.  A celebration of Gerald’s life will be held in the church sanctuary at 1:00 p.m. with Dr. Thomas A. Bland, Jr. officiating.  Burial will follow at Burke Memorial Park with masonic rites by the Catawba Valley Lodge #217.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Drawer 459, Morganton, NC 28680 or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.  Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.sossomanfh.com.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the healthcare providers from Burke Hospice and Turning Point Services who stood so patiently with Gerald and his family during this difficult time.