Harold A. Lane, Sr. | Eastern North Carolina Now

Born: February 18, 1916, Died: November 13, 2014

    Mr. Harold Alton Lane, 98, died peacefully Thursday afternoon, November 13, at his home at 1013 Swan Point Reef.

    Funeral services will be held 3:00 PM Sunday, November 16, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church in Washington, conducted by Rev. Danny Allen and Rev. Chris Leak. A private burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery.

    Richard Jones, Alton Griffin, Harry Tubaugh, Dalton Latham, Carl Alligood and Tom Vann will serve as pallbearers. Members of the Bunyan Ruritan Club and the Caring Christian Carpenters will serve as honorary pallbearers.

    Mr. Lane was born in Beaufort County on February 18, 1916 to the late Audrey Alton and Nina White Lane. He graduated from Aurora High School in 1933 and Smithfield Massey Business School in Richmond, Va. in 1937. On October 24, 1941 he married Louise Elizabeth Swan who died in 2011 after 70 years of life together.

    After business school, he worked at Moss Planing Mill Company for several years, then partnering with Mr. Thomp Litchfield, Sr., became owner and operator of the business where he remained until he decided to retire in the early 1970's.

    Mr. Lane had a great love for his family, life and people. He also loved the community and all of these passions were reflected in the way he lived his life, shared his talents, the bounty from his gardens, and involved himself with many organizations and endeavors in the area. Past and present memberships include the Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce (helped get it reinstated after a period of being out of use), Home Savings and Loan (now First South Bank,) charter member of the Jaycees, the Shrine Club, Salvation Army board, Beaufort County Community College board and the Bunyan Ruritan Club. He was also a charter member of the Washington Yacht and Country Club and the Tranters Creek Herring Club.

    He was also very dedicated to his church, the First United Methodist Church of Washington, where through the years he faithfully served in many capacities. Up to a year ago he continued his long time service as head usher for early church, his active membership in the United Methodist Men and the Frank Ruble Sunday School Class. His greatest joy was working with the FUMC Caring Christian Carpenters building ramps for anyone in need. He passionately worked with the organization from the time of its inception, and served as its leader for the past twelve years.

    Mr. Lane is survived by his daughter, Constance "Connie" Howard of Washington; two grandsons, Andrew Lane Howard and wife , Shelly of Washington, Joel Thomas Howard and wife, Valerie of Greenville; two great grandsons, Jackson Thomas Howard and Cooper Lane Howard; daughter in law, Jo Ann Whitaker of Chocowinity; and niece, Lynn Weatherly and husband, David of Washington.

    In addition to his parents and his wife, Mr. Lane was preceded in death by a son, Harold "Hal" Lane, Jr.; sister, Evelyn Lane McSorley; and son in law, Thomas R. Howard.

    The family will receive friends from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM Sunday, November 16, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall and other times at Mr. Lane's home.

    In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Caring Christian Carpenters, c/o First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 715, Washington, N.C. 27889; or First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 715, Washington, N.C. 27889 or the Salvation Army, 112 E. 7th Street, Washington, N.C. 27889 or charity of one's choice.

    The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the tender loving care given by his caregivers: Gladys Mizelle, Denise Moore, Ruth Royster and Yvonne Whitaker, and also for the compassionate care and attention given by Sarah Sampson, his nurse from AseraCare and his aide Barbara Blount, as well as the rest of the staff.

    Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com

    Paul Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington is honored to serve the Lane family.