John Otis Crain, Jr.

John Otis Crain, Jr., 81 of Hildebran, NC passed away Thursday, January 17, 2019 at Burke Hospice.  Born December 20, 1937 in Rutherford County, NC, he was the son of the late John Otis Crain, Sr. and Mary Martin Crain.

Mr. Crain was a member of New Covenant Church of God in Hildebran.  John was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.  He sold ice cream for many years and was known as the “Ice Cream Man” and he also enjoyed being outside.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Crain was preceded in death by his daughter, Phala Crain; daughter-in-law, Sandra Crain; grandson, Cody Smith of South Carolina; great-grandchildren, Jayden Peyton, Katie Lynn Peyton and Thom Miller; a sister, Pearl Castle of Virginia, and a brother Thomas Crain of Virginia.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Fredna McKnight Crain; daughter, Nancy Piercy and husband, Johnny Jr. of Morganton; sons, Randy Crain of Morganton, Chris Crain and wife, Tara of Aynor, SC, Toby Crain and wife, April of Valdese, and Tim Crain and wife, Ashley of Hildebran; twenty-two grandchildren; twent-five great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; siblings, Claude Crain of High Shouls, Gene Crain and wife, Nancy of South Carolina, and Dorothy Bradley and husband, Charlie of Rutherford, NC.

The family will receive friends from 2 – 4 p.m., Saturday, January 19, 2019 at Sossoman Funeral Home.  The funeral will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, January 20, 2019 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Bishop Dennis Pitts officiating.  Burial will follow at Burke Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mr. Crain’s wife, Fredna McKnight Crain.

The family would like to thank the staff at Burke Hospice for the wonderful care of Mr. Crain.

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