Birth Date: 03/27/1931
Deceased Date: 12/14/2023
Stephen William Cauley, Jr, 92, went to be with the Lord on December 14, 2023. Steve was born on March 27, 1931, to Stephen William Cauley, Sr. and Bettie Joyner Cauley in Kinston, NC. He grew up on a small generational family farm during the Depression, developing a deep love for family, hardworking character, and integrity. Despite the hardship of the Depression and the challenges of farming, Steve always described his parents as honest, hardworking, and confident in their love for him and his siblings, Jane, Jerry, and Victor. Steve had Polio as a toddler, resulting in physical challenges. He spent 14 months including his 16th birthday at the NC Orthopedic Hospital for Children in Gastonia, NC where he had many orthopedic surgeries. Despite his challenges with mobility throughout his life, Steve did not complain and instead expressed his gratitude to God for his many blessings.
Steve attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated with a BS in English. A devoted Tarheel for life, Steve never missed a basketball or football game if the Tarheels were playing and was always ready to discuss ACC sports with friends and family. After college, his first job was teaching high school in Deep Run for his alma mater. While teaching, he earned his Master of Education at East Carolina in Greenville, NC. It was after one of these weekend graduate classes in March of 1955 that Steve met the love of his life, Betty, through long-time friends, Bill and Frances Reams at the ECU Student Center. Steve and Betty were married in June of 1956, during the middle of the tobacco harvest. After the wedding, they moved to Clayton, and both started teaching at Clayton High School. In 1963 he became the branch manager of Raleigh Federal Savings and Loan and made home loans to many families in Clayton.
Steve loved to be at home and would often enjoy a good book on the deck, or patiently play checkers with his grandchildren. They spent many summer weekends at Lake Gaston and vacations on the Outer Banks with their children, grandchildren, and family. He was a charter member and active participant of the Clayton Civitan Club for 40 years. Over the years he held positions as club secretary, club president, and served on the board of directors. Steve also helped coach Little League baseball and served as Cub Scout Master. He and Betty were faithful members of First Baptist Church of Clayton.
Steve is in heaven with his wife, Betty, his parents, Stephen William Cauley, Sr. and Bettie, his sister Jane and husband Torgeir Vik, sister-in-law Joan Cauley, sister-in-law Barbara Cauley, and nephew Konrad Vik. Steve leaves behind his children and their spouses, Renee Cauley Rains, Kathy Fatico (Tony) and Stephen Cauley III (Donna)- seven grandchildren and spouses: Starlyn (Chris) Grem, Crystal (Matt) Zinn, Ariel (Chase) Pattillo, Aimee (Brian) Gendreau, Mark (Pamela) Fatico, Skyler (Elijah) Stubbs, and Abigail Rains; and 5 great grandchildren: Harbor, Liliane, Caleb, Lorelei and Riley. Also survived by Steve are his two brothers, Jerry Cauley and Victor Cauley; Betty’s sisters Amelia (Everett) Spivey and Peggy (Earl) Johnson; and a host of special nieces and nephews. Heartfelt thanks from our family to Carlene Gordon, Cheyenne Egelston, Ann Williamson and others for their attentive care, kindness, and friendship shared with Steve over his final months.
Funeral services will be held in his honor on Monday, December 18, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of McLaurin Funeral Home in Clayton with the family receiving friends one hour prior to the service starting at 10:00am. The interment will follow the services at Pinecrest Memorial Park, Clayton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Steve’s name may be given to First Baptist Church General Fund, PO Box 35 Clayton, NC 27528. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared www.mclaurinatpinecrest.com for the Cauley family. Arrangements are with McLaurin Funeral Home, Clayton.
