Charles Leon Lasley

WINSTON SALEM-Charles Leon Lasley, 94, passed away Thursday, June 18, 2009 at Salemtowne. He was born May 1, 1915 in Forsyth Co. to the late Charles Wesley and Lucy Roberson Lasley. Mr. Lasley began his lifelong career in radio by completing a correspondence course from the DeForest-DeVry School of Electronics in Chicago, Illinois in May, 1936. His first employment was with Brown Rogers Dixon in Winston Salem in the radio department. He worked there from November, 1936 until 1942. In May, 1942 he used his experience by working as a civilian at the US Naval Air Station in Norfolk, Virginia. He remained there during WWII where he repaired aircraft radio equipment on bombers for three and one-half years. During this time his wife Elsie worked in the payroll department at the Naval Supply Depot. When the war ended, Mr. Lasley and his wife returned to Kernersville and he was employed by radio station WSJS in Winston Salem on August 22, 1945. His first position was as a transmitter engineer and during his thirty-six and one-half years of service he worked in all phases of the engineering department. Mr. Lasley retired in December, 1981 as Director of Engineering of the Radio Division of Summit Communications. Mr. Lasley was always interested in his community and served as an Alderman of the Town of Kernersville from 1957-1960. His church was a large part of his life and for over thirty years he was active as a Deacon and Sunday school teacher at the First Baptist Church in Kernersville. During these years he was also active in the Pilot Mountain Baptist Association, especially in the church training department. In 1959 he became a member of Union Grove Baptist Church, Oak Ridge, NC. His faithful service included that of a Deacon, Chairman of Deacons, Sunday school teacher and Chairman of Pastor Search committees. On August 5, 1985 he was elected Deacon Emeritus by the Deacon body of the church and recognized as a Senior Deacon for the remainder of his life. After 64 years in the same house in Kernersville, Mr. Lasley and his wife of 72 years, Elsie moved to Salemtowne, the Moravian Home in Winston Salem in July, 2004. They continued to keep in touch with their church and its members through a homebound ministry. Mr. Lasley's family was always the pride of his life. He leaves behind his wife and three generations of descendants. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two sisters, Avohlee Vanhoy and Era Cooper. Surviving are his wife, Elsie Parrish Lasley of the home; one daughter, Jane Lasley Everett and husband Jim of Supply; two grandchildren, Heather E. McClanahan and Jay Everett, III; three great-grandsons, Grayson Everett, James Everett, IV, and Benjamin Everett. A funeral service will be conducted at 3:00 pm Sunday, June 21, 2009 at Union Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Paul Dean officiating Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm Saturday, June 20, 2009 at Hayworth Miller Kernersville Chapel. The family wishes to thank all those friends who kept in touch these past nine months of his illness and offered help and support. Our thanks go to the Hospice and Palliative CareCenter who ministered to him in the last weeks. Our heartfelt appreciation goes to Phillips Healthcare staff, Dr. Maria Iruela, and the wonderful nurses and staff members who cared for our loved one. Memorials may be made to Union Grove Baptist Church Arbor Fund, 5425 Union Grove Rd., Oak Ridge, NC 27310. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com

Cemetery:
Union Grove Baptist Church Cemetery - Oak Ridge

Service:
Service at 03:00pm on June 21, 2009 at Union Grove Baptist Church - Oak Ridge