Norfleet Earl Umstead

Mr. Norfleet Earl Umstead, 84, of 308 Jackson Road, Mount Airy, died Thursday, November 19, 2009, at his home. Mr. Umstead was born May 16, 1925, in Durham County, to Henry Lee and Emma Harris Umstead. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Harris Lee Umstead, Malcolm Bruce Umstead, and Paul Clyborne Umstead; and two sisters, Annie Laura Umstead Tippett and Margaret Umstead Bomar. Mr. Umstead was a paratrooper with the 17th Airborne in World War II, earning the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart during the Battle of the Buldge. After his war service, he graduated from the University of North Carolina and was a lifelong Tar Heel supporter. He retired from Lederle Laboratories Pharmaceutical sales division earning their highest gold cup sales honor. He was a committed member of First Baptist Church serving as out-reach director, youth director, Sunday school teacher, deacon and co-chair of his beloved Prime Timers. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Melba Jean Teague Umstead; two sons, Conley Lee Umstead of the home and Norfleet Kevin Umstead and his wife Pamela; three grandchildren, Sean Kevin, Peter Henry and Jennifer Lee of Cary; a sister, Evelyn Clarke of Durham; and several nieces and nephews. A celebration of life memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM Sunday, November 22, 2009, at First Baptist Church, conducted by Dr. Roger Gilbert. The family will receive friends in the Fireside Room from 1:30 until the time of the service. Interment will be private at Mount Bethel Methodist Church in Bahama, NC. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Ben Brannock Bus Fund, 714 North Main Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030, or to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mount Airy, NC 27030. The family wishes to express their deep felt thanks and gratitude to Flannery Heath and to Mountain Valley Hospice.