James Henry Easter

Mr. James Henry Easter, 77, of 126 Secret Garden Trail, Mount Airy, passed away Tuesday morning, January 20, 2009, at Northern Hospital of Surry County. He was born June 25, 1931, in Surry County, to the late William Riley and Missouri Mae Edwards. He was a retired furniture refinisher and attended the Light House Community Church and Solid Rock Baptist Church. Surviving are his wife, Virginia Mae Gwyn Easter of the home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Kathy and Daniel Weaver of Boonville and Shirley and Eric Lawson of Laurel Fork, VA; five grandchildren and their spouses, Archie Dale and Susan Utt of Cana, VA, James Russell and Holly Utt of Pilot Mountain, Zackery Mitchell and Lauren Utt of Cana, VA, Tiffany Mae and Michael Hiatt of Ararat, VA, and James Weaver of Boonville; two stepgrandchildren, Misty Bowers and Cristy Pack-Leon, both of Galax, VA; five great-grandchildren, Jessica, Jeannie-Kay, Johanna, Jayda, and Joshua; and eight great-stepgrandchildren. In addition to his parents, Mr. Easter was preceded in death by a sister, Cena Goins; three brothers, Jay Easter, Raymond Easter, and Willie Easter; three half-brothers, Roy Doss, Troy Doss, and Wade Edwards; and a "special musical friend," Johnny Vipperman. The funeral service will be held Friday, January 23, 2009, at 2:00 PM at Solid Rock Baptist Church, with the Rev. Roy Quesenberry and the Rev. Johnny Easter officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the funeral home, where his body will remain until carried to the church to lie-in-state 30 minutes before the funeral service. Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mount Airy, NC 27030.