Rev. Roy Richard Pethel, Jr.

Obituary: Pethel, Jr., Rev. Roy Richard (Richard) Kannapolis, NC- Rev. Roy Richard Pethel, Jr., age 81, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Monday, November 4, 2013. Rev. Pethel was born on September 26, 1932, in Kannapolis, N.C., to the late Rev. Roy Pethel and Nancy Lambert Pethel. He was educated in the Kannapolis City Schools and attended Cramerton Bible College in Cramerton, N.C. He became the pastor of West "A" Tabernacle Independent Missionary Baptist Church in 1965 where he faithfully served God for 45 years. He led by example, using God's Word as his road map. He truly practiced what he preached - in church and at home with his family. Rev. Pethel was an inspiration to all who knew him. He retired in 2010 to take care of his loving wife, Sally Woodie Pethel, who went home to be with the Lord in 2012. He continued to serve the Lord even though his health was slowly deteriorating. He spent as much time as possible with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, being an inspiration in their lives. He peacefully went to sleep here in his earthly home, surrounded by friends and family, and awoke joyously in his heavenly home. Those left behind to cherish his memories include daughters, Dianne Little (David), Teresa Efird (Dean), and sons, Rick Pethel (Debby), and Rev. Chris Pethel (Janet). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Scarlott Milem, Dawn Honeycutt, Ritchie Pethel, Amber Lewis, Jason Pethel, Rodney Efird, Derick Efird, Julie Brant, Allison Little, Garrett Deal; and 19 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson. He is also survived by brothers Kenneth and Harold Pethel and sisters Betty Menius and Phyllis Wilkes. Brothers Charlie and Gene Pethel and sister Shirley Barr preceded him in death. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, November 6, 2013 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Whitley's Funeral Home in Kannapolis. The funeral service will be held at Whitley's Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, Nov 7, 2013 at 1:00 PM. It will be officiated by Rev. Chris Pethel, Rev. Curtis Parker, Rev. Nick Jackson, and Rev. Rodney Efird. Entombment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park in China Grove, NC. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Hospice and Palliative Care of Rowan County. Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com
Visitation: 6:00pm - 8:00pm Wednesday November 6, 2013 Whitley's Funeral Home

Service: 1:00pm Thursday November 7, 2013 Whitley's Funeral Home Chapel

Interment: West Lawn Memorial Park China Grove, North Carolina