Dr. Edward Blake Bright died Wednesday morning at his home in Grifton at the age of 92.

Dr. Bright’s life was exemplified by his devotion to family, his commitment to education and his unwavering strength, leadership and determination in everything he did. After serving in the US Army Air Corps during World War II, he returned to Chocowinity to marry Hazel Porter. The two were married for nearly 63 years until her death in 2009. Though the first member of his family to graduate high school, Ed graduated with honors with a BS and MS degree from ECU and a doctorate in education from NCSU. He served as a teacher and principal at Aurora School before becoming principal at Grifton High School in 1953. He accepted a position as the first Director of Adult Education at Pitt Community College in 1964 and later became the school’s first Dean of Instruction, a position from which he retired in 1989.

Dr. Bright’s extensive community and professional leadership roles have included: Chair of the Pitt County Board of Commissioners, Chair of Global Transpark Development Commission, Member of the State Employees’ Credit Union Advisory Board, Member of the Partnership for Progress, Chair of Grifton Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors of Pitt-Greenville Chamber of Commerce, Member of Pitt County Development Commission, President of NC Community College Adult Education Association, recognized by Mid-East Commission for Outstanding Contributions to Region Q Private Industry Council, longtime Member and past President of the Lion’s Club of Grifton, Member and former Deacon of the First Baptist Church of Grifton, longtime Member of the Pirate’s Club and inductee into the VanSant Society.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the caregivers from Silvercare and from Community Health and Hospice for all the love, care and support they have provided for Dad and for all of us.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lilla and Edward Bright, brother Sylvester, wife Hazel, foster child Edna Moore and granddaughter Kaitlyn Bollinger.

Dr. Bright is survived by son Tim and his wife Mary Grace; son Tony and his wife Judy; daughter Kay and her husband David; grandchildren Stephanie Paramore and her husband Jody, Timothy Bright, Elizabeth Bright, Jason Bollinger and Blake Bright; foster grandchildren Corey and Jamie Walls; great-grandchildren Chloe Grace Paramore, Luke Paramore, Ethan Paramore, Camron Bollinger and Jacob Bollinger.

With his love and his strength he led and he lifted us all.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at 12.00pm at Farmer Funeral Service-Ayden.

Interment will follow in the Grifton Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 6-8pm at the funeral home.

Memorials can be made to Pitt Community College Foundation, PO Drawer 7007, Greenville, NC, 27835.

You may send online condolences to farmerfuneralservice.com. Arrangements entrusted to Farmer Funeral Service-Ayden.