MR. JOHN GARNER DEESE

     Mr. John Garner Deese, 87, of 4776 Elrod Rd, Rowland, NC was born August 13, 1932 and ascended to his heavenly home with our Lord and Savior on Monday, March 23, 2020, “Brother John” was the son of the late Mr. Gus Deese and Mrs. Clara Deese of Rowland, NC. He is preceded in death by his brothers: Mr. John Gus Deese, Jr., Mr. Hendrick Deese, Mr. William Deese and Mr. Douglas Deese; his sisters: Ms. Lostelle Oxendine, Ms. Louise Oxendine, Ms. Frances Lowry and Ms. Ethel Deese.

    Family only funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 26, 2020 at Willards Chapel Baptist Church with Rev. Ray Brooks an Bro. Nelson Dial officiating. Burial will follow in the Lumbee Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

     He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years: Mrs. Velma Deese; his son: Mr. Dale G. Deese and wife: Mrs. Mindy of Rowland, and his daughter: Dr. Myra Hall and Mr. William Ricky Hall of Aberdeen, NC; three grandsons: Samuel Wallace Deese, John Marton “Gus” Hall and William Ricky “Gabe” Hall, Jr.; one granddaughter: Sarah Grace Hall; his brother: Mr. Donald Deese; sister: Ms. Rosa White; a special sister-in-law: Ms. Lula Deese; his brother-in-law: Mr. Ozell Baker; sisters-in-law; Ms. Joyce Baker and Ms. Patsy Baker; many loving nieces and nephews, and a host of cherished friends.

     Brother John as he was known to many, was raised in a Christian home attending Berea Baptist Church and then later Bear Swamp Baptist Church. Bro John upon graduating from Pembroke High School joined the United States Air Force and upon his discharge, attended Pembroke State College. Bro. John left Robeson County for Detroit, Michigan where he went into construction as a drywall finisher, learning this trade from his brother-in-law Mr. James White. Bro. John worked several years, before returning to Robeson County where he met and married his future wife of 63 years, Mrs. Velma. In 1958, Bro. John returned to Robeson County and reenrolled in Pembroke State College for several months. But the call of good work prompted Bro. John to return to Detroit where he worked for seventeen years with Jankowski Drywall as a finisher. During those years two children were born to their marriage: Mr. Dale and Mrs. Myra. Bro. John moved his family to Robeson County in 1970 to complete his education at Pembroke State University, graduating in 1973.

     Upon graduating with a bachelor’s degree, Bro. John worked for several months with Tri-County Community Services. Thereafter, Bro John became a probation officer with the state of North Carolina for four years. Bro John went into the education field, first as a Vocational Education teacher and then, upon completing his master’s degree, as Assistant Vocational Education Director for the Public Schools of Robeson County where he retired after twenty-six years.

     Bro. John loved his family, his friends, but most importantly The Lord Jesus Christ. As a member of Bear Swamp Baptist Church, Bro. John served as Youth Director and later as Church Treasurer. Bro. John’s love for advancing The Lord’s Kingdom led him to serve as Clerk for the Bear Swamp Baptist Association for eleven years. He then joined the Gideons Ministry, probably his greatest joy in his work for The Lord where, as a life-long member, he served in various capacities for more than twenty-two years.

     Bro. John loved work projects, farming, and gardening. He sub-contracted his own home and barns and was tremendous resource for his son and daughter’s homes. In the years before his passing, you could find Bro. John visiting the sick, gardening and working around his barns.

     If the measure of a man is how he is remembered then let it be said that Bro. John loved his family, his friends and most importantly advancing the Kingdom of God. Let it be said Bro. John, a life well-lived.