Mr. Donnie Hartswell "D.H." Vinson, 82

AUTRYVILLE

Donnie Hartswell Vinson, known affectionately as D H, was born November 4, 1932 to Ingram and Ethel Smith Vinson. D H grew up with his brother, Jake (Bud) and sisters, Nina, Valeria, Elizabeth and Carol Ann, on the family farm located in the Southeastern part of Cumberland County in the Beaver Dam Community. He attended Stedman High School and drove the school bus from the time he became sixteen until graduating in 1951. His extracurricular activities included pitching for the softball team, right end for the football team and FFA Vice-President. Shortly after graduating, D H went to work with Rogers & Breece Funeral Home in Fayetteville with the goal of becoming an embalmer and funeral director. While working there he met and married Christine Smith from Lillington, NC, who would become his beloved partner for 59 years and 10 months. However, his plans for becoming an embalmer ended with a call from Uncle Sam when he was drafted in the U.S. Army in 1956. After basic training at Ft. Jackson, S.C., he was sent to Brook Army Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, doing autopsies in the pathology department. After almost five months he was send to Heidelberg, Germany, where he finished out his remaining 13 months tour of duty as a food inspector. On his arrival home, D H joined the Air Force Active Reserve for 6 years and really enjoyed those weekends as a Load Master flying in a C-130 dropping heavy equipment. He received an honorable discharge from the Army and the Air Force. For a time he tried his hand as an insurance salesman and selling mobile homes. But after considerable coaxing from his father he moved his family, which now included a little three-year old redhead named Donna, back to Beaver Dam and the family farm. His son, Ingram James (Jimmy) was born in 1966. D H dearly loved farming and continued until his retirement in 2004. He was very active in the farming community. He served as a Soil and Water Conservation Supervisor for six years, 21 years as an ASC (FSA) Community Committeeman and four years as an ASC County Committeeman. He was an Associate Director for Cape Fear Production Credit Association for four years and was inducted in the Cumberland County Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2009. D H considered everyone a friend. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior as a young boy and was an active member of Beaver Dam Baptist Church through most of his life. He went to be with his Lord on Thursday, June 18, 2015. We shall greatly miss him but know he is in a far better place. He is survived by his wife, Christine Smith Vinson of the home; two children, Donna Vinson Atkins and husband James of Willow Spring, and Ingram James Vinson of Roseboro; one brother, Jake Vinson and wife Dot of Roseboro; and three sisters, Nina Crumpler of Goldsboro, Elizabeth Benton and husband Don of Richmond, VA, and Carol Ann Smith and husband Robert of Richmond, VA. The family will receive friends from 11:00 to 11:45 A.M. Saturday, June 20, 2015 in the Fellowship Hall at Beaver Dam Baptist Church. The funeral will follow at 12:00 P.M. in the Sanctuary with Rev. Michael Shook officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Flowers are welcome, or memorials may be made to Beaver Dam Baptist Church, 4706 Beaver Dam Church Road, Roseboro, NC 28382. Arrangements entrusted to Butler Funeral Home, 401 W. Roseboro Street, Roseboro.