Paul Rhew

Paul Grayson Rhew, 74, brother, father, husband, grandfather, gifted mechanic, died Tuesday October 23, 2007 at Hospice Home, Burlington. He had lung cancer. Born December 29, 1932, to Ed Rhew and Mary Hicks Rhew, in High Point, NC, his family moved to Burlington where he worked at Burlington Mills after graduation from Burlington High. In the 50's, he relocated to Baltimore and Severna Park, MD, working first as a route man with Dixie Vending Machine Company and, later, for many years with his brother, Walter Jack Rhew, who owned an Amoco service station. With little or no formal training, he not only repaired vehicles, he could take apart any machine, gadget, whathaveyou, find the problem, repair it, and put it back together again. He was a Greyhound coach driver one summer, and also learned to pilot small aircraft with his brother, Jack. He returned to Burlington when he retired in 1995. He is survived by two children, Craig Paul Rhew daughter-in-law, Holly L. Neifert-Rhew, of Plano, Texas, and Christine Elizabeth Rhew Thompson son-in-law, Keith Thompson of Mechanicsville, Virginia; their mother, former wife Rosemary Pavell Rhew of Springfield, Virginia; five granddaughters, Shelby Rose Thompson, Samantha Nicole Thompson, Fhallon Nicole Neifert, Gabriella Mae Rhew, and Charlie Rose Rhew; two devoted sisters, Violet Rhew Spoon brother-in-law Charles Spoon, of Burlington, and Marie Rhew Herring of Graham; one brother, James Irvin Rhew, of Dover, Florida; and many caring nieces , nephews, and dear friends. His loving companion of over 30 years, Betty Geist, died in August 2002. His sister Geneva Rhew Cook and brothers Walter Jack Rhew and Spencer Rhew also predeceased him. A shy, humble man of simple tastes, but with complex opinions, Paul led the life most of us only dream of having, the simple life. He always questioned, Why?, which may be the reason he was such a skilled mechanic and problem solver. He got great satisfaction from voluntarily helping friends and family in both large and small ways. He was never more joyful than in the presence of his granddaughters. We were blessed to have had him with us for nearly 75 years. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 27, 2007, at 2:00 PM at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend Paul Speagle and Mr. Don Pavell will officiate. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Paul Grayson Rhew's name may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215, or the hospice or charity of your choice. You may sign the online register book at www.lowefuneralhome.com