Elisha Jerome Faircloth

Elisha “E.J.” Jerome Faircloth, age 74, of Aberdeen, passed away on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at his home in Aberdeen.

E.J. was born on December 16, 1946 in Nash County, NC to the late Robert Carlton Faircloth and Alipia Odessa Cockrell Faircloth.  E.J. served his country in the United States Air Force.  He retired from the Federal Aviation Administration as an Air Traffic Controller and Quality Assurance Manager. He was awarded Captain of the First Flight from the NC Department of Transportation.  E.J. was a retired youth pastor and loved working with youth in the community. Those who knew E.J. would remember him for his love of basketball, both playing on the court, coaching youth church leagues and even proposing to the love of his life, Deborah on the basketball court.  He loved his community and was awarded the Order of the Longleaf Pine.  He was so proud of his granddaughter Rebekah and loved to play Chess with her. He wouldn’t let her win, he made her earn her win.  He homeschooled his granddaughter Rebekah during her 11th grade year at a critical time that she needed his support.  He was a fine husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Deborah Hughes Faircloth; his daughter, Jennifer Faircloth Sumner (Holly) of Aberdeen; his granddaughter, Rebekah Kate Bowles of Aberdeen; his son-in-law, Commissioner Bryan Keith Bowles of Aberdeen; grandchildren: Lillian and Savannah Higginbotham, Hannah Hayden and Alana Cruz. He is also survived by his sisters: Anne Meyer (Jim) of Grifton, NC and Pamela Susi (Peter) of Winterville, NC; brother-in-law, G.C. Hughes (Margarette) of Fayetteville, NC; four nephews: Robert Derek Rogers of Grifton, NC; Jon Rogers (Carrie) of Madison, AL; Geoffrey Rogers of Ft. Payne, AL; Trey Weaver (Anna) of Greeneville, NC; nieces: Lauren Weaver of Winterville, NC and Lauren Morelli of Tampa, FL; great-nephews: Alessio Rogers, Wyatt Rogers and Dylan McKenna and a great-niece, Stella Rogers.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, June 11, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Page United Methodist Church in Aberdeen with Rev. Mamie Alley and Rev. G.C. Hughes officiating. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. at Pineview Cemetery in Rocky Mount, NC.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607.

Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com

Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

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