Ross David Hutchins

Ross David Hutchins, 87, of Morganton went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at Grace Hospital following a period of declining health. Born August 25, 1923 in Burke County, NC, he was the son of the late David Cleveland Hutchins and Margaret Ross Hutchins. Ross served with the US Army Air Corps during World War II, and was a retired employee of Drexel-Heritage Furnishings Company. He was a member of Mountain Grove United Methodist Church where in 2010 he received an award for sixty years of exemplary service. Ross loved spending his retirement years camping at the beach and in the mountains. He enjoyed his hobby of creating with wood, especially wood carving.He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jeanne Wakefield Hutchins of the home; daughters, Janice Hutchins Buchanan and husband, Randy, and Kathy Hutchins Smith and husband, Rocky, all of Morganton; grandchildren, David Buchanan and wife, April, Angela Smith and fiancé, Philip Carson, Jeff Buchanan and wife, Christy, and Kristin Smith Ivey and husband, Brad; and great-granddaughters, Courtney, Elly, and Chloe Buchanan.In addition to his parents, Ross was preceded in death by sisters, Arlee Puett, Pauline Willis, and Mary Morrow.Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 22, 2011 at Mountain Grove United Methodist Church with Rev. Betty Henson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday from 12:30 until 2:00 p.m. at the church. At other times, the family will be at the residence of Janice and Randy Buchanan, 3406 Fish Hatchery Rd. in Morganton. Memorial contributions may be made to Mountain Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 3624 Fish Hatchery Rd., Morganton, NC 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.