Edward Vernon Ferrell III | Eastern NC Now

Born: Oct. 13, 1962, Died: March 23, 2014

    Edward Vernon Ferrell III, age 51, of Cornelius, passed away on Sunday, March 23, 2014, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

    Vernon was born on Oct. 13, 1962, in Winston-Salem, to Sarah Sue Ferrell and Edward Vernon Ferrell Jr. He grew up in Winston-Salem, where he attended Summit School, Forsyth Country Day School, and graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science degree. Vernon excelled at athletics throughout his life and was a gifted tennis player. Honing his skills on the courts of Old Town Club, he won many titles locally and statewide, often in age brackets much higher than his own. Upon graduation from ECU, Vernon returned to Winston-Salem and joined his father at Ferrell Realty Company, marking the third generation of the company started by his grandfather in 1911. Vernon took an active interest in his community and was a member of the Stratford Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. Vernon was very charitable, giving assistance to several organizations that touched his heart.

    On Aug. 22, 1998, Vernon married Sandra Speth at Centenary United Methodist Church. Vernon and Sandy moved to Cornelius in 2004 where he continued to develop property and work in real estate. Vernon and Sandy enjoyed boating on Lake Norman, traveling, playing with their dogs, and Vernon was an avid Carolina Panthers fan. Vernon's most recent joy, and the light of his life was his son, Hayes, born on Dec. 24, 2013. He was preceded in death by his father, Edward Vernon Ferrell Jr., his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. William Reynolds Lybrook and his aunt Sylvia Ferrell Sinclair.

    Vernon is survived by his wife, Sandra Ferrell and son, Hayes Alexander Ferrell of the home; his mother, Sarah Sue Ferrell of New Bern; his sister, Sarah Ferrell Sloan and husband Lewis, of Washington; his nephews, Lewis Swindell Sloan Jr. and Edward Ferrell Sloan. He is also survived by his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Dillard; uncle, Alford Sinclair; and many cousins. Vernon leaves behind his special childhood friends whom he considered his brothers.

    A graveside service will be held Wednesday, March 26, 2014, at 11 a.m. at Forsyth Memorial Park, followed by a reception at Graylyn. Memorials may be made to Second Harvest Food Bank, 500 Spratt St., Charlotte, NC 28206, French Bulldog Rescue Network, P.O Box 4764, Glen Allen, V.A, 23058-4764 or the local ASPCA. Online condolences may be made through www.salemfh.com.

    The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of the WFBMC Cancer Center's sixth floor, for their compassion and care during Vernon's brief stay.