Royce W. Thrift

Obituary: Royce Thrift, age 79, died Saturday, January 1, 2011 at his home. He was born April 8, 1931 in Cabarrus County, NC, the son of the late Colen W. Thrift and Thelma Owings Thrift. Royce graduated from Robert E. Lee High School, Staunton, VA and received his B.A. in Marketing from Catawba College, Salisbury, NC in 1954. Royce retired as a market manager from Allstate Insurance Company where he served his 25 year career in Washington, D.C., Jacksonville, FL, St. Petersburg, FL, Charlotte, NC, and Columbia, SC. After retirement he moved to Tega Cay, SC in 1994 where he has lived since. He was a U.S. Army veteran having served with the 1st Army Division, Stuttgart, Germany. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his wife, Emogene Johnson Thrift who died March 15, 1993. They were married June 20, 1953; two children, Deborah Jean and Michael Wesley Thrift, died shortly after birth. The funeral service will be 11:30 A.M. Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at Whitley's Funeral Home Main Chapel, Kannapolis, NC officiated by Rev. Linda Franklin. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park, Kannapolis, NC with military rites by the N.C. Army National Guard. The family will receive friends from 10:30 to 11:30 A.M. Wednesday prior to the service at the funeral home. Survivors include his two daughters, Susan Medlin and husband, Tom Medlin and Cheryl Benson and husband, CDR R.A. Benson, USN (Ret.), both of Charlotte, NC; a granddaughter, Katie Jean Hewitt of Charlotte, NC; a grandson, Sergeant First Class Rick Treadaway, U.S. Army Special Forces; and a great-grandson, Jackson Royce Treadaway of Sierra Vista, AZ. He loved his family and friends, and was much beloved by them in return. His wisdom, humor, and generosity endeared him to everyone who knew him, and the loss of his earthly presence is comforted only by the eternal life of his peaceful soul. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grand-father, friend and neighbor, a faithful Christian, and a true patriot. Weep not for me, just call my name, you won't see me but you'll feel me the same, and if you feel the need to cry, I'm your angel by your side. Memorials may be made to Hospice & Community Care, P.O. Box 993, Rock Hill, SC 29731
Visitation: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, at Whitley's Funeral Home.

Service: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011 at Whitley's Funeral Home Chapel.

Interment: Carolina Mem. Park