Fred Nimbs Cloninger, Jr.

Fred Nimbs Cloninger, Jr., 86, of Ellerbe, went to be with his Lord, Thursday, September 24, 2015 at his home. Mr. Cloninger was born October 26, 1928 in Richmond County, a son of the late Fred Nimbs and Minnie Demory Dellinger Cloninger. He was a graduate of Ellerbe High School, served in the US Air Force, and was a member and former Sunday school teacher at Saron Baptist Church. He was a former member and past president of the Ellerbe Lions Club and helped organize the Ellerbe Lioness Club. He served on the Richmond County Board of Education for 10 years and the board of directors of the Rankin Museum of American Heritage. Mr. Cloninger retired from the US Department of Agriculture after 301/2 years of service and later worked with the NC Department of Agriculture for 17 ½ years. He loved to read, write poetry, listen to Bluegrass music and traveling, having traveled to every state in the union except Hawaii. He was also a frequent donor with the American Red Cross, having donated nearly 14 gallons of blood. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Mae Whitley Cloninger; brothers, Tom, Perry and Paul Cloninger and sisters, Mozelle Wilson, Inez Blakely and Nancy Mills. Surviving are his children, Fred N. Cloninger, III (Lisa) of Rockingham, Paul C. Cloninger of Greensboro, Demory A. Cloninger of Randleman, Teena C. Trummel (Steve) of Burlington; grandchildren, Chip Cloninger (Cassie), John Cloninger (Janice), Aaron Cloninger, Drew Trummel, Nick Trummel and great grandchildren, Trinity, Dahlia, Anderson and John Bruton Cloninger. Funeral services will be at 3 pm Sunday at Saron Baptist Church with Rev. Wayne Luck officiating. Interment will follow in Ellerbe Cemetery. The family will see friends from 5 to 7 pm Saturday at Carter Funeral Home in Ellerbe and at other times at the home. Memorials may be made to Saron Baptist Church, Kemp Memorial Library or the Rankin Museum of American Heritage. Condolences may be made online at www.carterfuneral.net.