Charles Fritts

Charles Ray Fritts of Lexington, NC passed peacefully home on May 21, 2007 at the North Carolina Baptist Hospital after a season of declining health. Reverend Karla Farabow and the Reverend Dr. Roger Weisner will hold Celebration of Life services Thursday, May 24th at 10 am at Ebenezer United Methodist Church where he was a lifelong active member. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 pm at Davidson Funeral Home of Lexington on Wednesday, May 23. He was born February 15, 1919 at Maple Grove Farm (the home place he loved), to David Thomas Fritts, Sr. and Lenora Belle (Notie) Davis. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Helen Brown Fritts of the home place, and his children Mary Catherine (Cathy) Fritts Wilkins and friend Steve Smith of Charlotte, Martha Fritts Martin and husband David Martin and Charles Henry Fritts and wife Kathy Boyd Fritts of Lexington. Grandchildren include David Dunn and wife Kim, Matthew Dunn and wife Cara, and Samantha Fritts all of Lexington. Great -grandchildren include Christopher Dunn, Reagan Dunn, Conner Dunn and soon to arrive Cael Ray Dunn all of Lexington. Sisters Laura Bernhardt of Wilson, NC and Wanda Garner of Lexington also survive in addition to a host of nieces and nephews all with fond memories of their experiences at the farm thanks to “Uncle Charlie.” His parents, his brothers Dr. Olin Grady Fritts and D.T. Fritts Jr. as well as sisters Mary Hoover, Afton Koontz, Willie Carol Brinkley, Helen Lucille Fritts, Virginia Leonard and half sister Gladys Wilson, preceded him in death. Mr. Fritts was a lifelong farmer, which was his first love. He owned and operated Fritts Dairy and Maple Grove Farm and raised both dairy and beef cattle. He avidly supported the North Davidson Chapter of the Future Farmers of America and there was awarded the Life Time Farmer Award. In sharing his love of horses, he was instrumental in the creation of the Davidson County 4-H Horse Program. He was a source of knowledge, direction and encouragement to young farmers and willingly shared his wisdom with them. Throughout the years he opened his farm to hundreds of Davidson County students for educational tours At Ebenezer, Charles Ray served his church as a trustee, as Sunday school teacher, as treasurer and for 58 years as president of the Methodist Men, a position he held until his death. He attended Brevard College, was active in the local Democratic Party serving as precinct chairman, and was a member and past officer of the Davidson County Farm Service Agency. Mr. Fritts served until his health failed on the Board of Directors of Davidson County Mutual Insurance Company, a company founded by his father. Charles Ray (POP) will be remembered as a good man: intelligent, hard working, trustworthy and honest and as a man of unquestionable integrity. At his request, in lieu of flowers please direct memorials to Ebenezer United Methodist Men’s Fellowship, Attention Allen Fritts, 387 Old Garden Road, Lexington, NC 27295. The family wishes to express sincere thanks to the support team of Liberty Hospice of Thomasville for the compassion, love and support shown to both he and the family over the past four months. To Jeff, Sarah, Tammy, Ellen and Celeste of the Liberty team, you will forever hold a place in our hearts and a special thank you to Grover Childress of Liberty, dad’s personal C.N.A. for all the spoiling pop received through your ministry of cooking, singing and unsurpassed health care. To Ashley, at Your Pharmacy, thank you for going the extra mile so many times. To Gene Lopp, dad’s lifelong friend and neighbor …thank you for being an example of a true friend . “ To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted.” Ecclesiastes 3