Oliver Blum Ashburn

Mr. Oliver Blum Ashburn, 91, died October 21, 2006, at Ridgecrest Retirement Community in Mount Airy. Mr. Ashburn was born January 5, 1915, in Surry County, the son of the late John Sam and Ida May Ashburn. Mr. Ashburn was retired from the Granite City Hosiery Mills, where he served as the president and founder. Granite City Hosiery Mills was organized in 1942 as a small hosiery mill and grew to be the largest manufacturer of boys' hosiery in the United States. Mr. Ashburn was member of First Baptist Church and for many years was active in the Masonic Lodge and Lions Club. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Elizabeth Ashburn,; a daughter and son-in-law, Frances and Jim Sessions of Maryville, TN; a son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Debbie Ashburn of Edenton; grandchildren, Amy Ashburn Lindsey of Raleigh, Lee Ashburn of New Bern, Jim Sessions of Atlanta, GA, and Scott Sessions of Asheville; great grandchildren, Kristen Lindsey, Lauren Sessions, Will Sessions, and Kate Sessions; and two sisters, Maxie East of Mount Airy and Bernice Wynn of Alabama. In addition to his parents, Mr. Ashburn was preceded in death by four sisters, Roxy Wright, Ethel Coe, Hazel McCraw, and Love Estes; and two brothers, Glenn Ashburn and Herman Ashburn. A memorial service will be held Wednesday October 25, 2006, at 11:00 AM at Ridgecrest Retirement Community. The service will be officiated by Dr. Roger Gilbert. There will be a private interment for the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to be directed to First Baptist Church, 714 North Main Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030. Moody Funeral Service is serving the Ashburn family. Online condolences may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com