Edward Ray Summerlin

ROANOKE RAPIDS — Edward Ray Summerlin, 62, of Roanoke Rapids, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009, peacefully at his home.

Ed owned Lucas Precision Machine Works in Weldon, which he had managed since 1977. Ed was a 1969 alumnus of the Apprentice School of Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Va., where he received the Niels Christiansen Award for Excellence in Craftsmanship.

Ed was an active member of Good News Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids.

Ed was preceded in death by mother, Wortley Summerlin; and a brother, Thomas Summerlin.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Joyce Byrum Summerlin; a son, Barry Summerlin of Brooklyn, N.Y.; a daughter, Cathy Isom and her husband, Jeremy, along with their children, Ridge and Savannah, of Sanford; a sister, Norma Cave of Rincon, Ga.; his nephews, Pat Cave of Mt. Pleasant, Mike Cave of Waycross, Ga., and Tom Summerlin of Avon, Ind.

Visitation will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m., today, Sept. 25, at Wrenn Clarke & Haga n Funeral and Cremation Service in Roanoke Rapids, which is handling the arrangements.

A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 26, at Good News Baptist Church, 714 Highway 125, Roanoke Rapids.

Memorials can be made to Home Health and Hospice of Halifax County or to the Good News Baptist Church Building Fund.