George Thomas Overby

George Thomas Overby, 93, formerly of Eden passed away on December 31, 2017 at  home in Traverse City, MI

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 6, 2018 in Fair Funeral Home Chapel.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service (10 – 11am).  A family private interment service will follow the service in Overlook Cemetery.

George Thomas Overby was born in Lone Oak VA on November 26, 1924 to John Allen and Lena Madge Overby.  On November 13, 1943 at the age of 18 he married the love of his life Laura Elizabeth Smith in Spray NC, they moved from NC in the mid 50s to Flint MI and together they raised 4 children.  Having gone to MI to work for general motors, George knew that was no place for him and having learned the art of plastering he chose that as his profession.  His work can be seen in many of the fine homes and buildings. As a young man, George loved to race fast cars and even ran a race on an early NASCAR track.  At the age of 56 he bought a Harley Davidson motorcycle, learned to ride it in the Community College parking lot and continued to be the "cool grandpa" with the Harley until he was 84 years old.  In 1972 George accepted Jesus as his savior and he and Laura were faithful and active members of the Flint Baptist Temple in Burton MI. Laura went home to Glory on April 26, 1997. George joined his forever sweetheart on December 31, 2017 in Traverse City MI

Mr. Overby is survived by his children, Sheron and Johnny Hopper of Eden NC, Rhonda Smith of College Station TX, Carl and Dawn Overby, Nixa MO and  Janet and Steve Alpern, Traverse City MI; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren, sister, Martha O. Vernon.

Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Laura S. Overby; brothers, Raymond and Bessie Overby of Stuart VA, Curtis Overby, Flint MI, Gordon and Darlene Overby, NC, Frank Jr. Overby Eden NC and Joe Vernon, Eden NC.