Wilbur Cleo Hunley

After a lifetime of serving his God, Wilbur Cleo Hunley, age 87 of Rocky Mount went to Heaven to be with His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ March 26, 2015. Born in 1927 in Vinton, Virginia, Cleo was the oldest of six boys born to Wilbur Lester and Onie Thurman Hunley. In 1948 he married Bessie Mae Ferguson, who preceded him to life everlasting in 2006. Their daughter Donna Marie Miller and her husband John Mark Miller, survive. Cleo was grandfather to Marcie Miller Liebl (Jeff), John Mark Miller II, and Lee Bennett Miller (Carrie). He was great grandfather to Henry Liebl and his soon-to-be born brother. Loving brothers surviving are Donnie (Betty), Tommy (Betty), and Richard. Sister-in-law Ella Grey, wife of brother Otis, also survives. Otis and Milton wife Barbara preceded Cleo in death. He is also survived by special sister-in-law, Marie Ferguson, and other Ferguson family members, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Cleo and Bessie dedicated their entire married life to serving the Lord. After receiving a degree from Bible Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas in 1955, he came home to serve at Woodlawn Baptist Church. Cleo and Bessie moved to Danville in 1963 to work at Southall Baptist, and in 1965, they began to serve at the Tabernacle, where they continued until 2006. Cleo had a passion to lead others to Christ, and managed to do just that as he ministered to those in nursing homes, hospitals and those who were homebound. He also served by driving others to church and by presenting the Gospel through puppet ministry to nursing homes. During his four-month nursing home stay at Franklin Health and Rehab, Cleo shared the God he loved with as many as he could. A special thanks goes to Dr. Brian Unwin and the unit two nursing staff of Franklin Health and Rehab. Visitation will be Friday, March 27, 6-8 p.m., at Flora Funeral Service in Rocky Mount. A memorial service will be Saturday, March 28, 11 a.m. Dr. Billy S. Martin and the Dr. Stan Parris will officiate. Interment will follow in Franklin Memorial Park.