Thomas Earl Ashford's Obituary
Thomas Earl “Duke” Ashford, 95, of Charlotte, went home to his Lord and Savior on Monday, May 15, 2023, at Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center. He was born on October 10, 1927, in Laurens, SC to the late William Thomas and Myrtle Ione Ashford. He was raised in Paw Creek, NC where he attended school at Paw Creek High School.
Earl was a member of Thrift Baptist Church in Charlotte for most of his life. He loved singing bass in the church choir and always handed out peppermint candy to the kids. When asked how he was doing, he would always reply “Best you ever seen!” He served our US military in the Navy during WWII from 1945 to 1949 and in Korea from 1951 to 1955. He spent most of his time on the USS Ashtabula and the USS Henley.
He was a local truck driver for Carolina Freight Carriers in Charlotte for 33 years where he retired in 1988. He met his beloved wife while working at Carolina Freight where she was an accounting clerk. He was an avid bowler for many years. He managed Freedom Bowling Lanes as a part-time job for 7 years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and raising horses while a member of the North Carolina Spotted Saddle Horse Association. He was ringmaster at many of the horse shows where his children and grandchildren also showed. In later years, he was a self-taught bass player who enjoyed playing with local musicians. He was asked to join Toby Creek Band and played with them for several years. He loved going to Locust, NC, to their jam sessions and playing with fellow musicians every Thursday afternoon.
In addition to his parents, Earl is preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Effie Taylor Ashford. Thomas Earl is survived by his brother, Fred L. Ashford; and sister, Virginia I. Ashford; his two sons, Darrell Thomas Ashford (Debbie) of Stanley, NC, Craig Charles Ashford (Jona) of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, Tiffany Ashford Frett (Kiel) of Durham, NC, Lindsay Ashford Berry (Uriah) of Indian Trail, NC and Heather Ashford Auten (Chaise) of Stanley, NC; great-grandchildren Abigail Berry, Olivia Auten, Sarah Berry, and Maelyn Auten; as well as many nieces and nephews. He would tell everyone “I love you harder than a goat could butt a stump”.
The funeral service will be held on Friday, May 19, 2023, at 11 a.m. at James Funeral Home in Huntersville, NC. The interment will follow the services at Forest Lawn West Cemetery in Charlotte, NC. The family will receive family and friends from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Thrift Baptist Church, 8415 Moores Chapel Road, Charlotte, NC 28214.
Online condolences may be made at www.jamesfuneralhomelkn.com.
James Funeral Home, of Huntersville, is serving the family and obituary lovingly written by the family.
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