Marvin Aldridge

Marvin Malcom Aldridge, age 85, of Mebane Rogers Rd., died Friday, December 2, 2011 at Alamance Health Care Center after two years of failing health. A native of Alamance County, he was the son of the late Walter David Aldridge and the late Mary Alice "Mamie" Aldridge and was married to the late Inez Hicks Smith Aldridge, who died in 2001. Marvin was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII, where he served in the European Theatre, fought at the Battle of the Bulge and was also awarded the Purple Heart. Marvin was in General George S. Patton's 11th Armored Division and was the driver of the 1st American tank to cross the Rhine River into Germany. He was a lifetime farmer, growing tobacco and later he and his wife, Inez, started Aldridge Vegtable Farm. He also worked for Railway Express for about 20 years and later for the U.S. Postal Service as a rural route carrier for over 15 years. He was a longtime member of Crossroads Presbyterian Church. Mr. Aldridge was known for his love of his family and his dedication to hard and honest work. Mr. Aldridge is survived by his sister, Nell Aldridge of Burlington; special friend, Mattie Smith of Burlington; a daughter, Angela A. Hinton and her husband, Jim, of Charlotte; a son Mel Aldridge, Jr. and his wife, Cindy, of Burlington; step son Rodney D. Smith and his wife, Tommie, of Burlington; nine grandchildren, Lindsey Scott Chinni, Kristin Josue Melendez, Jeffrey Stacy Hinton, Jason Tiffany Hinton, Josh Sarah Hinton, Ashley Will Ragsdale, R.D. Ashley Smith, II, Nikki Matthew Walker and Taylor Rutledge; sixteen great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; two sisters, Lula A. Kimsey and Mary Alice Aldridge; and two brothers, James Whitted Aldridge and Levi Parker Aldridge. The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 AM Monday, December 5, 2011 at Crossroads Presbyterian Church by Rev. Matthew Randolph and Rev. Temp Sussel. Interment will follow at Prospect Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4-6 Sunday afternoon at Lowe Funeral Home and Crematory and other times at the home of his sister, Nell Aldridge. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crossroads Presbyterian Church c/o the General Fund, 3302 N. NC Hwy 119, Mebane, NC 27302.