Sam M. Fretwell

Sam McGehee Fretwell, age 80, went to be with his Lord on Thursday, October 25, 2012. His final weeks were spent with his family by his side.

Sam was born in Reidsville, N.C. on September 30, 1932. As a young man, Sam played basketball for Wentworth High School. Sam served in the US Army during the Korean war. He graduated from Elon College with a degree in chemistry and retired from Burlington Industries as a chemist in 1988.

Sam was loved and admired for his calming demeanor, intelligence, sense of humor, and servant��������?ᬮ���?묢s heart. Sam was passionate about politics, veterans��������?ᬮ���?묢 affairs, and community service. He served in the American Legion, Will of the People, Rockingham County Republican Party, and Eden Kiwanis. He was also an active church member and Deacon. He was a member of The First Baptist Church in Eden and he quickly became involved at the Lake Norman Baptist Church after his recent move to Cornelius, N.C. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Arlene Stanley Fretwell; daughter Debra (Debbie) Fretwell Harton and her fianc���?⬨��, Michael Gennosa, of Cornelius, N.C.; son Mark Fretwell and his wife, Robin, of Belmont, N.C.; four grandchildren, Sara Yazbeck and her husband, George, of Charlotte, N.C.; Leigh Harton of Winston-Salem, N.C.; Spencer Fretwell of Belmont, N.C. and Scarlet Fretwell of Belmont, N.C.; brother Curtis Fretwell and his wife, Cybil, of Reidsville, N.C.; sister Betty Ann Roberts and her husband, Maurice, of Reidsville, N.C.; sister-in-laws Elaine McKinney and Janice Turner; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Edward and Edna Sparks Fretwell; four brothers, Thomas Fretwell, Jr., Eugene Fretwell, Jessie Fretwell, Zeb Fretwell; and two sisters, Mary Hill and Sunshine Hill.

The funeral will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 28, at First Baptist Church, 533 Greenwood Street, Eden, N.C. with Pastor Craig Bowman officiating. Burial will follow on Monday at 10 a.m. at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Reidsville, N.C.

The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 27 at Fair Funeral Home, 432 Boone Road, Eden, N.C.

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