George “Jerry” Elmer Vanhoy, 88, of Ashley Heights, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, January 16, 2018. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, George loved his family and friends, and he valued his relationship with Jesus Christ, above all.
Born to Lilly Mae and George David Vanhoy, George was the third of five children and grew up in Ashley Heights. He attended Ashmont School and Hoke County High School before he joined the Marines.
After serving our country, he returned to Ashley Heights, where he met and married the love of his life, Jean Cozart Vanhoy. They built a home in the community they love and raised three beautiful daughters there, remaining in that same home to this day.
George worked in farming briefly before beginning work at Robbins Mill, which eventually became J.P. Stevens. He retired from his job as plant engineer at J.P. Stevens after working there for 32 years. In retirement, George held part-time jobs at The Pit Golf Course at the snack bar and Carolina Eye Associates as a driver.
A deacon and a lifelong member of Ashley Heights Baptist Church, George worked for several years with the Sunday School classes. He was a Master Gardener and could make anything grow. He enjoyed spending time working in his garden and his greenhouses. He was one of the first in the area to grow vegetables using hydroponics. George also spent a lot of time in retirement playing golf with his friends, and he was a devoted Nascar fan. He loved to read and learn, and in 2001, he received his high school diploma from Hoke County High School.
His sister, Lamelle Vanhoy Moss, and his brother, Cecil Vanhoy, preceded him in death.
Surviving are: his wife of 67 years, Jean Cozart Vanhoy, of the home; daughters, Gail Gustafson (Dean), of Huntsville, Alabama, Jerri Ann Wall (Dale), of Augusta, Georgia, Deborah Sue McDonald (Kenny) of Aberdeen, North Carolina; sisters, Naomi Vanhoy Lackey of Lexington, NC and Betty (Russell) Vanhoy Puckett of San Antonio, TX. Grandchildren include Shelly Davis, Jeremy Wall, David Wall, Zachary Evans, Trent Gustafson, and Lindsay Elliott. Great grandchildren include Georgia Davis, Aislinn Evans, Ethan Evans, Katherine Davis, and Charlotte Elliott. George also leaves behind his beloved “Fat Cat.”
Services will be held Sunday, January 21, 2018 at Ashley Heights Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 1:00pm-3: 00 pm, and the funeral will begin at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Attn: Cemetery Fund, Ashley Heights Baptist Church or to the charity of your choice.
Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines is serving the family.
To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of George Elmer Vanhoy, please visit Boles’ Tribute Store.
Online condolences: BolesFuneralHome.com.
Mr. Vanhoy’s family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers at Sandhills Sentinel.
