Payton David Cruise, Sr.

Payton Cruise, 79, of 340 Garrett Road in Eden, passed away early Friday morning, November 16, 2012, at Hospice Home of Rockingham County in Wentworth.

A funeral service will be held at 3 PM on Sunday, November 18, at First Church of the Brethren. Burial will follow in Overlook Cemetery.

Mr. Cruise was born July 19, 1933 in Rockingham County, NC, son of the late Payton "Pete" Oakley Cruise and Alpha Williams Cruise. He was a member of First Church of the Brethren and a retiree of Fieldcrest Mills.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Gillie Cruise of the home; daughter, Dava Hensley of Roanoke, VA; three sons, Payton "David" Cruise, Jr. and wife, Vicki of Greensboro, Mark Cruise and wife, Lisa of Midlothian, VA and Jon Cruise and wife, Kim of Stoneville; five grandchildren, Joshua David Hill, Justin Cruise, Nicholas Cruise, Christopher Cruise and Anna Cruise; five great-grandchildren; sisters, Lucy Bradford and Virgie Shively; and brother, Kenneth Cruise.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings, Ruby Wray, Evelyn Vernon, Dorothy Cruise and Melvin Cruise; and also the mother of his children, Helen Meeks Cruise.

The family will receive friends Saturday evening, 6 - 8 PM at Fair Funeral Home and other times at the residence.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice or to Hospice Home of Rockingham County, PO Box 281, Wentworth, NC 27375.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com