GATESVILLE – Sheldon Ray Lassiter, 79, of 605 Court Street, Gatesville, died Thursday, December 8, 2011 in his home.

Mr. Lassiter was born inHertfordCountyand was the son of the late Ernest Linwood and Lydia Lilley Lassiter, but was reared in neighboringGatesCountyby Stephen and Evelyn Eure due to the death of his mother when he was just over a year old.

A graduate of East Carolina Teacher’s College, nowEastCarolinaUniversity, he taught atKellamHigh SchoolinVirginia Beach,VA, then worked atCountyCleaners, and later retired from Stewart Saw Works, both in Gatesville.  He had served in the United States Coast Guard and was a member ofGatesvilleUnitedMethodistChurch.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by sisters Illma Coate, Sybil Mize, Syrvillia Morgan and Gail Lassiter; and by brothers Edward Eure, and Cleamon, Dodson, Bud, Jack, Sam, Artie, Raymond, Clay, Bob and Oscar Lassiter.

Surviving are his wife, Gwen Eure Lassiter; a sister, Mollie Burgess of Courtland, VA; and brothers Paul Lassiter of Ahoskie and Joe Lassiter of Lucama; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 11, 2011 inGatesvilleUnitedMethodistChurchby the Revs. Tracy Clayton and Billy Presley.  A private burial will follow in theGatesvilleCemeterywith Miller Funeral Home handling arrangements.  Friends may join the family in the social hall of the church following the service, or all other times at the residence.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to theGatesvilleUnitedMethodistChurch, in care ofLinda Lane,P.O. Box 12,Gatesville,NC 27938or to University Hospice,521 W. Myers Street,Ahoskie,NC 27910.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.