Claude Bryant French

Reidsville: Claude Bryant French, 87, of 167 French Road, passed away surrounded by his loving family, Thursday, March 28, 2013 at the Hospice Home of Rockingham County. Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM, Monday, April 1, 2013 at Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church with Rev. Andy Lambert and Rev. John Stein officiating. The interment will follow at the church cemetery with military graveside rites. Mr. French was born in Rockingham County to the late George B. and Myrtle Strader French. He was a US Army veteran serving during WWII. Spending his life farming allowed him to work in the outdoors and to enjoy his love of bird hunting. He was a lifetime and faithful member of Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church where he served on numerous boards, was a choir member and taught Sunday school. He served on the Board of Directors for North Carolina Tobacco Stabilization for approximately 15 years. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be deeply missed by his family, church and community. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marion Wingfield French of the home; his children, Joan French Carlson and husband, Larry of Charlotte, Claude Auman French and wife, Pam of Reidsville, Joy French Satterfield and husband, Jack of Reidsville and Jewell French Westmoreland and husband, Mickey of Eden; grandchildren, Justin French and wife, Crystal, Hayley Knowles and husband, Eric, Daniel Carlson and wife, Dawn, French Hope Carlson and Cody Westmoreland; great grandchildren, Hannah and Madison French and Kylah, Emma Grace, Jonah and Isaiah Knowles; sister-in-law, Virginia Ann French; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM, Sunday, March 31 at Wilkerson Funeral Home and other times at the home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 361 Mt. Carmel Church Road, Reidsville, NC 27320 OR Hospice of Rockingham County, PO Box 281, Wentworth, NC 27375.