John Edgar Hockaday, Sr.

     John Edgar Hockaday, Sr., son of the late Tennyson and Mollie Ester Bowser Hockaday, began his earthly pilgrimage on Friday, June 10, 1955, in Halifax County, North Carolina. John was educated through the public schools of Halifax County.

     Early in life, he accepted Christ and united in Christian fellowship with the Walnut Grove Missionary Baptist Church of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. On April 30, 1976, John was enlisted in the United States Army, where he served as a Military Police for 4 years and as a Tactical Wire Operations Specialist for 7 years; all before being Honorably Discharged. After his service to his country, John became employed with the Caledonia Correctional Institution in Tillery, North Carolina. He later worked as a welder at West Point Stephens in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina; Georgia Pacific and Steel Fab, both of Emporia, Virginia.

     On July 19, 1990, John was United in Holy Matrimony to the love of his life, Elsie Marie High. He was a jack-of all-trades. His hobbies included cooking, gardening, carpentry, lawn care and anything that he could do to help those in his neighborhood.

     “We little knew that morning, that God was going to call your name, in life we loved you dearly; in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone. For part of us went with you, the day God called you home…” On Sunday, March 21, 2021; while in the care of Vidant Medical Center, Greenville, North Carolina, our dear loved one was called home to eternal rest. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by: a sister, Mollie Ester Tate and two brothers, Tennyson Hockaday, Jr., and Louis Hockaday.

     “...You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide, and though we cannot see you, you are always at our side. Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same, But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.” We who remain struck by the bitter pains of death, but satisfied at the promises of God; that He will wipe away all tears from our eyes: his wife,  Elsie Hockaday of the home; four children, John Hockaday Jr. of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, Mack B. Hockaday (Tiffany)  and Haywood Turner, Jr. both of Rocky Mount, North Carolina and LaKechia Turner of Gaston, North Carolina; ten grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; granddaughter-at-heart, Kyasia Davis; five sisters, Lorraine Mayo and Alice Moody both of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, Louise Barron of Richmond, Virginia, Ida Miles of Fayetteville, North Carolina and Bettie Tidwell of Kissimmee, Florida; two brothers, Sidney Hockaday of Roanoke Rapids and Fletcher Hockaday, Sr. (Evelyn) of Littleton, North Carolina; one uncle, Charles Jones;  nine sisters-in-law, Iris Lavon High, Angela Maze High, Cynthia Ann High (Raymond), Margaret Greta Nicholson, Erma Jean Brinkley (Earnest), Judith June Worrell (Ricky) and Jacqueline Jane High all of Gaston, North Carolina,  Linda Kaye Squire of Pleasant Hill, North Carolina  and Glenda Diana Wilay (Shannon) of Tennessee; two brothers-in-law, Titus Alvin High of Gaston and Robert Tate,  North Carolina; his caregiver, Dora King; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.  

Relatives and Friends are encouraged to visit  Mr. Hockaday's tribute wall to share memories, extend condolences and to order floral tributes, as sentiments to the family.  

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to the family of Mr. John Edgar Hockaday, Sr.

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