DATE: Saturday, May 17, 1997                TAG: 9705170720

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B4   EDITION: FINAL 

DATELINE: MURFREESBORO                      LENGTH:   33 lines

DOUGLAS VINSON JR.

Douglas Vinson Jr., 74, died May 16, 1997.

The son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Vinson Sr. and a native of Murfreesboro, he had retired from Smithfield Packing Co. as an area manager after 35 years of service. Mr. Vinson was a member of Meherrin Baptist Church where he served as deacon, Sunday school superintendent and teacher for many years. He was a member of the Murfreesboro Exchange Club for many years during which he received the Book of Golden Deeds for 20 years service on the Murfreesboro Rescue Squad and other community services. Mr. Vinson was also a member of the American George Masonic Lodge No. 17 and the Roanoke Chowan Shrine Club, where he served as president and was currently serving as chaplain.

He was predeceased by his son, Douglas Vinson III.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Helen Chappell Vinson; daughter, Julie Vinson Byrd, and son-in-law, Ronnie Dills Byrd, of Gastonia; grandchildren, Sherri Vinson Bull and Aprille Vinson Stutts of Greensboro, Jonathan Ray Byrd of Norfolk, Thomas Lee Byrd of Gastonia; sisters, Myrle Vinson Smith of Como and Blanche Vinson Baker of Norfolk.

A funeral will be conducted at 4:30 p.m. Sunday in Meherrin Baptist Church by the Rev. Billy C. Sellers, the Rev. Gerald Riggs and the Rev. Bob Richardson, with burial in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at Garrett Funeral Home, Murfreesboro, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. today. Memorial donations may be made to Roanoke Chowan Hospice Society, the American Cancer Society and the Meherrin Baptist Church Elevator Fund, or a charity of one's choice. KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu