Ed Westberry Deese

Ed Westberry Deese died Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Halifax Regional Medical Center.

He was born October 15, 1932 in Live Oak, Florida and was preceded in death by his parents, Millard and Eva Deese, and a son, Lawrence.

He is survived by his wife, Jane and his children, Angie Deese, Stanley Deese and Sarah Deese Davis and grandchildren, Matthew Deese, Nathan Deese and Susannah Davis.Survivors also include a sister, Dorothy Hatton, brothers, Kenneth Deese and Ricky Hammer, several nieces and nephews and special young men Stephen Roth, Starke Rogers and Keith Sledge.

After growing up in Florida, Ed joined the Navy and served for four years spending time on the Coral Sea. He graduated from Atlantic Christian College and immediately went to work for the Social Security Administration.After he worked in the Rocky Mount and Goldsboro offices, SSA opened a branch in Roanoke Rapids in 1967 with Ed as manager.He retired in 1993.Since retiring Ed has helped many area residents with their disability claims.

Having been in Roanoke Rapids for almost fifty years, Ed supported his community. He was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church, the Roanoke Valley Shriners, where he served as treasurer, and was past president of the Lions Club.Ed was a PTA President, a City Council member, a hospital board member, the Halifax County representative on the N.C. Council of Aging and was involved in many other activities.

Memorial services will be held Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. at All Saints Episcopal Church with the Rev. Fred Echiner officiating.Interment will follow in the columbarium in the church yard.The family will receive friends from 6:00 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at Hockaday Funeral Home which is handling the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that contributions be made in Eds memory to the ShrinersHospital for Children, 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 or All Saints Episcopal Church, 635 Hamilton Street, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870..