John Ervin Denton

John Ervin Denton, 78, of Morganton, NC went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, September 20, 2015.  Born in Burke County, NC on September 3, 1937, he was the son of the late Forrest Elbert Denton and Annie Mae Thacker Denton.  John was a member of Mull’s Grove Baptist Church where he had served as church custodian for 30 years, choir director for 40 years, and was a Sunday school teacher for 45 years.  Mr. Denton was a member of the Salem Ruritan Club for 25 years and spent 15 years coaching little league football.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and retired from Drexel Heritage after 38 years.  John had a love for the less fortunate and was always doing for others.  In his youth he was a Golden-Glove boxer and he continued to exercise regularly until 6 months prior to his passing.

Mr. Denton is survived by his wife of 57 years, Orce Carswell Denton of the home; a son, Jeffrey Denton and his wife, Elizabeth, of Virginia; a grandson, Jack Denton; brothers, Donald Denton and his wife, Fredia, and Jerry Denton and his wife, Loretta; sisters, Lucy Chapman, Lela Seitz, Edna Phillips, Verlie Deaton, and Doris Smith and her husband, Harold; sisters-in-law, Ann Denton, Barbara Denton, and Minnie Carswell; a brother-in-law, Cecil Carswell and his wife, Joyce; and a number of nephews and nieces.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by two brothers, Ray and Jay Denton.

The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015 at Mull’s Grove Baptist Church.  The funeral will be held at the church at 2 p.m. with the Reverends Bud Jernigan and Ned Webb officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors provided by the N.C. National Guard.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mull’s Grove Baptist Church, 5106 Burkemont Road, Morganton, NC 28655.

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