Clinton D. "Bobby" Vernon

Reidsville: Clinton D. “Bobby” Vernon, 89, of 3134 Ashley Loop Road, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, May 5, 2018, at his home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at Wilkerson Funeral Home with Rev. Tom Wray officiating. The burial will follow at Smyrna Presbyterian Church Cemetery with Military Honors performed by the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Department and the Rockingham County Honor Guard. Bobby was a native and lifetime resident of Rockingham County and the son of the late Herman and Clara Vernon. He graduated from Wentworth High School in 1948 and was a veteran of the US Army, serving in the Korean Conflict. As a veteran and a descendent of a Confederate Veteran, he was presented a Cross of Military Service by the Daughters of the Confederacy in 2009. In 1958, he was employed by the NC State Department for 20 years working as an extradition officer before being promoted to the position, Captain of the Prison Department in Wentworth, NC until 1978. Bobby was elected as Sheriff of Rockingham County in 1978, serving until 1998. He was a member of the NC Sheriff’s Association and was a charter member of the NC Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission. In 1998, he was awarded one of the state’s most prestigious honors, “The Order of the Long Leaf Pine” by Governor James B. Hunt, JR. Bobby was a 32nd ° Scottish Rite Mason, an Oasis Shriner, a member of the Jefferson Penn Post 384 and the American Legion Post 0079. He was remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and lived “One Day at a Time”. Bobby was also a member of Smyrna Presbyterian Church. He was a farmer at heart, always enjoying his time on his tractors. He loved dancing and music, especially the old gospel songs and country music. He enjoyed being with people and pulling pranks on his family and friends. He loved to talk about his family and his life growing up. He was so concerned about his children not knowing their past, he wrote a book talking about growing up on the farm and his life story. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Stewart Vernon and his sister, Blanch Vernon Carter. Bobby is survived by his wife of 38 years, Mollie Hicks Vernon of the home; his sons, John Lee Vernon and wife, Mary and Clint Vernon and wife, Sarah; his daughter, Karla Vernon Fargis and husband, Clark; his stepson, Robert Sutton, JR. and wife, Lisa; his stepdaughter, Susan Sutton; his grandchildren, Angie Gonzales and husband, Jorge, Michael Todd Vernon and wife, Keri, Rebecca O’Brian, Aubrey O’Brian, Gage Vernon and Garrett Vernon; step grandchildren, Lucas Howard and Molly Flores and husband, Brian; 3 great grandchildren and 1 step great granddaughter; his sister, Faye Paschal; and a large extended family. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM Tuesday evening at Wilkerson Funeral Home and other times at his home. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 42040, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-3000 or Smyrna Presbyterian Church, C/O Ann Dixon, 291 Crowder RD., Madison NC 27025. Wilkerson Funeral Home is assisting the family and condolences may be sent to www.wilkersonfuneral.com.