Karl Major Best

Karl Major Best, 71, a prominent Wayne County farmer, died peacefully at the Kitty Askins Hospice Center on Saturday, September 20 after a lengthy illness. A native of Wayne County, he was the son of Cuyler Deems Best, Sr. and Frances Herring Best. He and his wife, Lillie Faircloth Best would have been married for 51 years on November 23rd.

He attended North Carolina State University and was a graduate of Pikeville High School. He began farming on the family farm after serving his country in the United States Army. He continued to farm until his health forced him to retire in 2001 when turned the farm over to his son, Johnny.

Karl was a man of service and his goal in life was the improvement of his community and farming. He served on many agricultural committees and has received many awards and recognitions for his services. He served as Chairman of the Farm Service Agency and Chairman of the Soil and Water Conservation Committee. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Centura Bank and served on the Goldsboro Planning Board. Through his career, he was named Outstanding Young Farmer in Wayne County, Outstanding Young Man of America, Outstanding Leader in Tobacco in the Neuse Development Association and a leader in farming by the Progressive Farmer. He has worked with the Cooperative Extension Service in order to better improve agriculture in his community. In 2001, he was inducted into the Wayne County Agricultural Hall of Fame. He was a life member of Daniels Memorial United Methodist Church and was active in the Boy Scouts and the Pinewood Fire Department.

In addition to his wife, Lillie, he is survived by a son, Johnny Karl Best and his wife, Sue Hurlburt Best; a daughter, Myra Lynn Best; grandchildren, Jaime Best Jones and her husband, Randy; Coe Smith and Austin Smith, a great-grandchild, Benjamin Cuyler Jones; a brother, Cuyler Deems Best, Jr. and his wife, Nellie; and two sisters, Elizabeth (Lib) Best Biggerstaff and her husband Daries (Bub) of Youngsville and Frances Best Smith of Ashville.

Funeral services will be held Monday, September 22, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home Chapel. The Reverend T.R. Miller will officiate. The family will greet friends after the services at Seymour Funeral Home and other times at the home. After being cremated, his ashes will be scattered over the family farm.

Although flowers are welcome, memorials may be made to Daniels Memorial United Methodist Church, 2803 E. Ash Street, Goldsboro, NC 27534, Kitty Askins Hospice Center, 2402 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro, NC 27534 or the Karl M. Best Agriculture Foundation at Wayne Community College, P.O. Box 8002, Goldsboro, NC 27533-8002.