Lonnie Michael

Mebane, NC Lonnie Vance Michael, age 92, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, November 14, 2011 at his home surrounded by his family. Lonnie was a native of Guilford County and the husband of Ruth Davis Murphy Michael who survives. Lonnie retired as the Co-owner of Beard Fabrics in Graham. He was a longtime member of Glen Hope Baptist Church and a member of the Victory Bible Class. Lonnie was the former Superintendent of the Sunday School Department at Glen Hope and an usher for many years. Lonnie was the co-founder of Eastlawn Baptist Church where he served for several years as the Superintendent of the Sunday School. He was a veteran of the US Army serving in the Aircorp during WW II. He was active in the Seniors Group at Graham Recreation Center where he loved bowling and playing Tri-ominos. Lonnie was an avid Duke fan and enjoyed gardening and fishing in his spare time. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Survivors include his wife, Ruth Davis Murphy Michael of the home; daughters, Linda Michael Stratton of Greensboro, Joan Smith and her husband, Gerald Graham of Hawfields, Pamela Sue Michael of Wake Forest, NC; step daughters, Rev. Jeanette Inman and her husband, Robert of Concord and Teresa Hicks and her husband, Harold of Gibsonville; step son, Hershell Paradise and his wife, Shirley of Asheboro; eleven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren; sisters, Hazel Edmonds of Whitsett, Ava Riley of Emerald Isle, Edna Tippett of McLeansville and Nancy Roberts of Gibsonville. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Bertie Rhudy Michael; parents, Elza Rankin Michael and Ola Watkins Michael; sisters, Mozelle Mitchell and Ruby McCaskill; brothers, Fred, Glenn and Worth Michael and a son-in-law, Roger Dean Stratton. A service to celebrate his life will be held on Friday, November 18, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Glen Hope Baptist Church by Rev. Bob Stephenson and assisted by Rev. C. Allen Myers, III and the burial will follow at Alamance Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 4 until 6 p.m. on Thursday at Lowe Funeral Home and Crematory and other times at the home. The family of Lonnie Michael would like to thank the nurses and staff of Hospice for their kind and compassionate care for Lonnie during his recent illness and also the care givers, Tammy, Sherry, Janet, Carolyn and Penny. Thanks to kind and loving friends James and Katherine Kinley, Louise Simmons, and Glenda and Charles Hartman. Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215.