Millard G. Dale

Millard G. Dale, 78, of Morganton, NC departed this earth to be with his Heavenly Father on Tuesday, June 25, 2013. Millard was born in Burke County, NC on May 23, 1935 to the late Jink Dale and Jessie Seagle Dale. Mr. Dale was a member of McDowell Independent Church where he was the oldest father and grandfather in the church. He worked for a number of years as a mechanic and wrecker driver for Wells and Seals and then worked for Dana Corporation until his retirement in 2000. Millard was a great handyman who could patch up almost anything and make it work. He was a charter member of Brendletown Fire Department where he served for over 45 years. He enjoyed working on old cars, gardening, and working with his hands, and he had visited all of the 48 continental United States.A loving husband, father, and grandfather, Millard is survived by his wife, Joyce Greene Dale of the home; a son, Eddie Dale and his wife, Karen, of Morganton; a daughter, Aweeta Ellen Avery and her husband, David, of Morganton; a grandson, Blake E. Dale of Raleigh, NC; step-grandchildren, Tiffany Tallent, Robert Tallent, and Sadonja Wilcox; siblings, George Dale of Morganton, Ralph Dale and his wife, Hazel, of Morganton, Bertha Scott of Morganton, Louise Whisenant of Morganton, and Mary Sigmon and her husband, Harold, of Conover, NC; a number of nieces and nephews; and his faithful canine companion, Bo.In addition to his parents, Millard was preceded in death by his first wife of 53 years, Mary Marie Martin Dale; step-children, Bobby Tallent and Phyllis Wilcox; and brothers, Earnest, William, Albert, and Johnnie Dale.The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, June 28, 2013 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church with Pastor Dennis Carswell and the Rev. Jack Moses officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center where the body will remain until placed in the church thirty minutes prior to the service. At other times the family will be at the residence.Memorial contributions may be made to McDowell Independent Church, 4950 McDowell Church Road, Morganton, NC 28655 or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.