Mr. Charles Cousins, 90

ROSEBORO Charles Cousins, 90, of Roseboro, NC, passed away peacefully at his home on June 18, after declining health in the past year. He was born on April 17, 1925, and grew up in Johnston County, NC, one of 10 children of Helen Bunch Cousins and William Cousins, tenant farmers. Charles worked on the farm until he joined the U.S. Navy in World War II. He served in the Pacific as a radio operator on a net tender for two years. He was at Eniwetok Island, headed to the Philippines and Japan, when the War ended. Afterwards, he attended North Carolina State University under the G.I. Bill of Rights, graduating with a degree in forestry. He landed his first job as a forester in Petersburg, VA, where he met and married Polly Jones. They moved to Windsor, NC, and Charles worked at Lea Lumber and Plywood Company for 14 years. After a year in Kenbridge, VA, the family moved to the Statesville, NC area. Charles worked at Statesville Plywood for 7 years. In 1980, he and Polly moved to their final home in Roseboro. After working at Denny Plywood for six years, Charles and a colleague bought the business and were successful partners until Charles retired in 1994. Charles was a lay leader of Roseboro United Methodist Church, active community volunteer, Lions Club past president, avid gardener who generously shared his plentiful yields, excellent cook with a reputation for the best Brunswick stew on the planet, and dedicated walker, covering several miles a day into his late 80s. Of The Greatest Generation Tom Brokaw wrote, "They stayed true to their values of personal responsibility, duty, honor, and faith." This was Charles, every day. He is survived by his children, Cathy (Bill) Veal of Aurora, IL, and Kevin Cousins of Monroe, NC; sister, Hilda (P.G.) Cobb of Charlotte; brother, Burrell Cousins of Knightdale; nieces and nephews in several states; and step-grandchildren in England. He was preceded in death by his wife Polly; infant daughter Claire; and seven siblings. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 10:45 A.M. Saturday, June 20, 2015 at Butler Funeral Home in Roseboro. The funeral will follow at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Bobby Herring officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Roseboro Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to Roseboro United Methodist Church, Roseboro Public Library, or Sampson Community College. Arrangements entrusted to Butler Funeral Home, 401 W. Roseboro Street, Roseboro.