Mr. Waits A. West, 81

ROSEBORO Mr. Waits Artemus "Teamie" West, 81, passed away June 17, 2009 after a lengthy illness. He was born in 1927 to Wilber Latham and Bettie Shearin West. After graduating from Roseboro High School, Teamie attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He interrupted his college years to serve in the United States Navy as a medic stationed in San Diego, CA. After discharge, he returned to Chapel Hill to complete his degree in pharmacy. Teamie joined his father at the family business, Tart & West, Druggists, where he practiced pharmacy until his retirement several years ago. During his professional life, he expanded and modernized the business, strived to meet the needs of his patients, and acted as a mentor to many pharmacy interns. His professional interest extended beyond the confines of his own practice. Teamie was an active member of the North Carolina Pharmaceutical Association, serving as its president during the 1984-1985 session. He was elected the 1991 North Carolina Pharmacist of the Year. Teamie was a life-long member of the Roseboro First Baptist Church where he was recently named an honorary lifetime deacon. He served in many capacities at the church including deacon, Sunday School teacher and superintendent, soloist, and lay speaker. Teamie was also actively involved in the Roseboro community as a member of the Lion's Club, RAED Commission, and Boy Scouts. Teamie left a legacy of high standards, ethical behavior and generosity to those he worked with but he will be remembered best by those who loved him as the guy who rode his bicycle to work after getting rid of the mid-life crisis motorcycle, the avid golfer who was always trying to beat his buddy "Pete", the beachcomber who could ride the biggest waves, and the grandfather who "ran so fast his glasses fell off". Memories of Teamie will be cherished by his beloved and devoted wife of 59 years, Maxine Crumpler West, and his family , including son Thomas and his wife Lynn, of Roseboro; daughter Delwood and her husband, James Herren, of Wilmington; grandsons Matthew West (wife, Marissa), Patrick West, Andrew West (partner, Danya and daughters, Irie and Willow), and Nicholas Herren; sister Betty Lynn Groce and her husband Edwin of Hendersonville and sister Matilda West of Roseboro. The funeral service will be held on Friday, June 19 at 11 am at the Roseboro First Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Teamie's memory to the Roseboro First Baptist Church, 3720 South Salemburg Highway, Roseboro, NC 28382.