John Trammell Church, Jr.

John Trammell Church, Jr., age 79, died peacefully on Sunday, September 8th at Hillcrest Convalescent Center in Durham. Born October 31, 1944, in Henderson, he was the son of the late Emma Thomas Rose Church and John Trammell Church Sr. He was preceded in death by his sister, Elizabeth (Betsy) Church Bacon, his first wife, Betty Gail Sanderford Church and his second wife Jane Lowry Church. “Johnny,” as he was known by his family and friends, attended Kings College in Charlotte and Louisburg College. He was a 25-year employee of Roses Stores, Inc. and was a proud grandson of the founder of Roses, Paul Howard Rose. Johnny was a member of First United Methodist Church in Henderson where he loved singing in the choir, being a part of the United Methodist Men, and he formerly served on the Administrative Board. He was a past member of the Rotary Club of Henderson where he was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow, and he was actively involved with Ducks Unlimited where he received the Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contributions. He also previously served on the Board of Directors of the YMCA, and he was a past director and secretary of the Jaycees in Whiteville. Johnny loved his family and life, and he especially enjoyed an opportunity to dance, sing, enjoy good food, go to the beach and the mountains, shop for antiques and cheer for the UNC Tar Heels! He was a fun, sensitive, caring and forgiving man. Funeral services will be held in the Rose Chapel at First United Methodist Church with the Reverend George Loveland officiating on Tuesday, September 17th, 2024 at 2pm. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the funeral service from 1-2pm in the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Johnny is survived by his two nephews, William Mangum Bacon, IV (Amy Walker) and their sons Lucas Walker Bacon and Jack Trammell Bacon of Raleigh, and John Church Bacon (Stephanie Russell) and their daughters Sarah Blythe Bacon and Eliza Rose Bacon of Greenville and his stepmother, Marion Johnson Church of Raleigh. Serving as pall bearers will be John Church Bacon, William Mangum Bacon IV, Thomas Walter Church, Michael Norman Church, Paul Rose Harvin, Samuel Thorne Harvin, and George Templeton Blackburn II. The family would like to express their appreciation to the caregivers with Believer In You and to the staff of Hillcrest Convalescent Center in Durham for their outstanding care of Johnny. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 114 Church Street, Henderson, NC 27536 or to the charity of your choice. John T. Church, Jr. Memorial Service Video