WILMINGTON — Emerson Moody Surles, Sr., 91, Wilmington, NC, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2022. He was surrounded by his children.
He was born in Wilmington NC on June 22, 1930, son of the late Julian Fillmore Surles and Myrtle Elizabeth Potter Surles. After graduating from New Hanover High School, Emerson joined the army and spent 2 years serving during the Korean War. After serving in the Army, he spent the next 66 years working in accounting and bookkeeping beginning at Terminal City Oil Company, which later became Travelers Oil Company, where he worked for 35 years. He spent the remainder of his career at Coastal Beverage where he worked for 31 years, retiring at the age of 84. Wherever he worked he was known for his impeccable work ethic.
Emerson was very involved in the community. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion and the 40/8 as well as the Wilmington Jaycees. He held various leadership roles and was honored as Legionnaire of the Year and Jaycee of the Year.
Emerson was an active and lifelong member of Calvary Baptist Church where he served as an usher and helped with the sound system for many years. He loved taking pictures at all the church events and sharing those photos with his friends.
Emerson had many hobbies. He loved piddling in his workshop. He was very handy and enjoyed all kinds of household projects and woodworking. Emerson always enjoyed being physically active. From running around Greenfield Lake, playing racquetball at the YMCA, to taking spin classes and Zumba at the WAC and O2 fitness until the age of 88.
Although Wilmington was always his home, he and his wife Sarah loved to travel. He took his family on lots of wonderful trips from the World’s Fair in NY City in 1964 to taking an across country trip to South Dakota in a Volkswagen Van. He and Sarah saw most of the US and Alaska traveling with dear friends Ruth and Jimmy Russell and Sarah’s sister Clara Mae.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years Sarah Surles. Surviving are his children; Denise Strong (Freddie), Terry Lynn Fleck (Dennis), and Emerson M Surles Jr (Marnie); grandchildren, Ashley Gillespie, Brittany Strong, Anna Fleck, Bradley Fleck (Alyssa), Paul Fleck, Daniel Fleck, Julian Surles, Ian Surles and great grandchildren; Ava Grace Gillespie, Sophia Gillespie, and Ella Strong. He is also survived by three of his sisters Celeta Cowan, Connie Potter and Juanita Jeffords.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at 2:00pm at Calvary Baptist Church with Dr. Donnie Lovette officiating. Interment will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park, Wilmington. The family will receive friends at the gravesite.
The family would like to thank Dr. Andre Leonard for his many years of special care and attention.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease research or Lower Cape Fear Hospice Life Care.
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