Ralph A. Drye Jr.

BLACKSBURG - Ralph Alexander Drye, Jr., 76, of 331 Hambright Road, formerly of Charlotte, went to meet his Lord on Monday, Dec. 10, 2007.

Mr. Drye was born on May 30, 1931, to the late Ralph A. Drye Sr. and Ruth Bangle Drye. He was a native of Salisbury, N.C,, but later moved to Concord.

Mr. Drye was a graduate of Concord High School. He became a design engineer and worked his apprenticeship under the direction of John Daulby at Buensod-Stacy, where he worked until the company merged with Aeronca. He was associated with both companies for 33 years. Mr. Drye later worked for friends at APT Industries for approximately 13 years until his retirement in 1996. He was a member of Providence Baptist Church in Charlotte until he moved and became an active member of Antioch Baptist Church in Blacksburg.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, May Sue Hambright Drye of the home; and two sisters, Juanita Drye Goodman and husband, Fred, of Reidsville, N.C., and Ailleen Drye Phillips of Florence.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Drye was preceded in death by a brother, David Drye, and a sister, Pauline Drye Stowe.

Services will be held Thursday at 3 p.m. at Antioch Baptist Church, with Dr. Paul Sorrells and the Rev. Vernon Craig officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends today from 6:30- 8:30 p.m. at Gordon Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Building and Grounds Fund for Antioch Baptist Church, 839 Antioch Road, Blacksburg, S.C. 29702.

The family is at the home.

An online guestbook is available at www.gordonmortuary. com.