By Staff
Beloved minister, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Raymond Gaskins died Nov 22, 2010.
He graduated as salutatorian of his 1938 Ayden High School class, lettering in football and boxing. In 1943 he completed a 3 year Coppersmith apprenticeship from the Norfolk Navy Yard and entered the US Navy, serving as a Quartermaster in WWII. He returned to Ayden after the war, attending Banking School at UNC-CH while employed with Planter’s Bank and Trust Company. Raymond became a minister in 1957 after completing studies at The Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville, Tennessee. He served as pastor of Liberty Free Will Baptist Church in Ayden from 1958-2004. He met Beatrice Loftin Gaskins in 1946, marrying her in 1947. She preceded him in death after 57 years of marriage.
He was predeceased by grandson, Caleb Gaskins and parents Raymond Leo and May Hardy Gaskins. Surviving are 6 children, 13 grandchildren, 7 great grand-children and one sister, Thurla Harriman of Littleton, Colorado. Surviving children and spouses include: Dr. and Mrs. Raymond A. Gaskins of Fayetteville NC; Sue and Ken Edwards of Ayden, NC; Kathy and JW Spencer of Swan Quarter, NC; Betsy and Russell McClaine of Raleigh, NC; Ruth Gaskins Little of Ayden, NC and Dr. and Mrs. Paul Gaskins of Rocky Mount, NC. Surviving grandchildren and spouses include: Raymond A. Gaskins III and wife Melanie, Dr. Nicole Gaskins-Greyshock and husband Dave, Ernest Gaskins, James Edwards, Jessica Edwards Griffin and husband John, Chad Spencer and wife Paula, Craig Spencer and wife Jennifer, Alexander Davis, Brittany Davis, Caroline Little, Noah Little, Samantha Gaskins and Miranda Gaskins. Surviving great grand-children are James Griffin, Jenna Griffin, Joanna Griffin, Ashley Spencer, Bo Spencer, Drew Spencer and Jones Walton Spencer II.
Visitation will be held from 7-9 .m., November 23rd at Farmer Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be on Wednesday November 24, 2010 at 2 p.m. at Liberty Free Will Baptist Church in Ayden. At other times family may receive visitors at the home, 362 Second Street, Ayden, NC. Memorials may be made to Liberty Free Will Baptist Church.
Arrangements are by Farmer Funeral Service.
Paid Obituary