Birth Date: 01/01/1929
Deceased Date: 05/14/2017
SMITHFIELD – Gene Howell Castleberry, age 88, died Sunday morning, May 14, 2017 in Johnston UNC Health. Born January 1, 1929 in the Archer’s Lodge Community of Johnston County, he was one of 11 children born to William Baxter and Leta Lassiter Castleberry and was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Kaci Lynn Castleberry. Gene was a partner in Castleberry, Inc. in Smithfield until 1983 when he and his brother sold the company. Mr. Castleberry was a US Army veteran, a retired member of the Smithfield Fire Department, a member of the “Amen Corner” and a longtime member of the Civitans Club of Smithfield, where he was instrumental in starting the Smithfield Little League.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, 2017 in the First Christian Church with the Rev. Beth Burton Williams officiating. Entombment, with Fireman honors, will follow in Sunset Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the home Tuesday from 5:00 – 9:00 pm and Wednesday from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. in the church fellowship hall just prior to the service.
Surviving are his wife Myrtle Holden Castleberry, sons, Robin Gene Castleberry of Wendell and Tony Lynn Castleberry and wife Kim of Kenly; sister, Kathryn C. Brown of High Point and two grandchildren, Kelly Sue Castleberry and Toby Lynn Castleberry.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the First Christian Church Memorial Fund, 1001 South Crescent Drive, Smithfield, NC 27577.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at parrishfh.com.
