HOBBSVILLE, N.C.—Lester Frank Rountree, 76, of the 600 block of Hobbsville Road, died April 25, 2008, in his home.

Mr. Rountree was born in Gates County, N.C. and was the son of the late Lester and Viola Winslow Rountree.

He attended Wake Forest College, was a former owner in the Rountree and Hofler Funeral Home in Gatesville, N.C., before it was sold to Twiford Funeral Homes in 1967, and was employed as a licensed funeral director with the Twifords until his death.

A retired farmer, he was a Navy veteran of the Korean War. A member of the Gates County Board of Commissioners, he had served for 27 years and had received the Award for Outstanding Service from the N.C. Assn. of County Commissioners.

A faithful member of Hobbsville Baptist Church, he had served as a deacon, the Superintendent of Sunday School, and on various church committees.

He was a charter member of the Hobbsville Volunteer Fire Dept., a member of the Hobbsville Ruritan Club, the Sunbury Investment Club, Gatesville Masonic Lodge #126, a charter member of the Gates County Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, and was a past member of the Gates County Board of Social Services, the Gates County Farm Bureau, and the Albemarle Commission.

Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Betty Ralph Rountree; two daughters, Frankie R. Carr and husband Randy of Windsor and Terri R. Riddick and husband J.B. of Corapeake, N.C.; a son, Lester R. “Les” Rountree and wife Amanda of Greeneville, S.C.; his sister, Jean R. Stallings and husband Alfred Jr. of Hobbsville; grandchildren, Brooklyne M. Carr, Gage and Hayden Riddick, and Blake and Cole Rountree; step-grandchildren, Clifford Carr and wife Ginny and Tiffany Carr; and a nephew, Scotty Stallings and wife Cindy.

Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. in Hobbsville Baptist Church by the Rev. Tim Dannelly.

Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may join the family at the residence.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Parking Lot Fund of Hobbsville Baptist Church, in care of Bettye Winslow, 866 Hickory Cross Road, Belvidere, NC

27919.

Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main St., Gatesville, N.C., is handling arrangements.

The family wishes to extend sincere appreciation to the many friends, family, and medical personnel for all acts of kindness shown during his illness.