Norward Leamon Gurley

Princeton - Mr. Norward Leamon Gurley, 84, was promoted to Heaven on Sunday, April 27, 2003.

Leamon was born in Wayne County to the late Ranza Ophilia and Edward Thomas Gurley and was married to Betty Ruth Price Gurley who passed away on September 12, 1988. Leamon and his wife Ruth, founded the first childcare center in Wayne County in 1952. During the 1940’s, he was known as “The Candy Man” and later was a used car dealer in Wayne County for many years.

For those who knew him, Leamon will be remembered as a generous, caring, compassionate man and loyal friend to so many. The love in Leamon’s life was God, family and friends. Even during his illness he never gave up or let go of his firm belief in the power of prayer. Leamon’s determination to let it be God’s will was an inspiration to all who knew him. He will be missed by many. Leamon was a member of the First Pentecostal Holiness Church in Goldsboro and was a former member of Whitley Pentecostal Holiness Church. While serving at the church, he was Sunday School Superintendant, Sunday School teacher, deacon, Sunday school bus driver and choir member. For many years, he sang bass for the Whitley Quartet.

Along with a tireless commitment to help people come to know the Lord, Leamon has been an active member of the Gideons International Goldsboro North Camp, volunteering extensively within the camp to place Bibles with students and in hotels and hospitals in Wayne County. He also spoke in many of the local churches for the Gideons. For many years, he was a part of the Christian Men’s Prayer Breakfast Group. In 1992, after a close encounter with death, Leamon felt his life had been extended by God for the purpose of wining souls. 

A celebration of Leamon’s life will be Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the First Pentecostal Holiness Church with Rev. Jimmy Whitfield and Rev. Bill Rose officiating. Interment will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery.

Leamon has been devoted for 15 years to his wife, Iris Gurley. He also leaves to cherish his memory his daughter, Sandra Mooring Smith of Goldsboro; his son, the late Mack Gurley and his son Felix Gurley and wife, Gloria of Princeton; step-children, Delores Lee and Curtis Lee; grandchildren, Kimberly Mooring Best and husband, Michael of Goldsboro, Jeffrey Mooring, and wife Tina of Atlanta, GA, Angela Gurley Ayers and husband Billy of Pikeville, Zachary Gurley of Pikeville and Heather Gurley of Pikeville; step-grandchildren, Christina Lee Stanley and Jason Stanley of Kenly; great-grandchildren, Hailey Best, Elliott Best, Chamberlon Mooring, Madison Mooring, Houston Mooring, Tyson Ayers, and Shane Ayers. 

Leamon was preceded in death by his brothers and sister, Floyd Gurley, Lloyd Gurley, Clifton Gurley, Percy Gurley, Edgar Gurley, Cooper Gurley, Mertie Gurley and Tom Gurley.

Although flowers are welcome, memorials may be made to the Gideons Memorial Bible Fund, Goldsboro North Camp, P.O. Box 10093, Goldsboro, NC 27532 or to the First Pentecostal Holiness Church Building Fund, 1101 First Church Road, Goldsboro, NC 27530.

The family will receive friends Tuesday at the church following the service and other times at his residence, 4116 W. U.S. 70 Hwy., Princeton. Mr. Leamon will lie in state at Seymour Funeral Home on Tuesday until 6 p.m. and at the church from 6-7 p.m. 

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. II Timothy 4:6-7

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matthew 25:21