Fred Eugene McCall

Fred (Snook) McCall, 90 of Granite Falls went home to be with his Savior and Lord on Thursday, January 27, 2022, at his residence. He was born on April 2, 1931 in Caldwell County to the late Ernest and Lucy Beane McCall.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of more than 70 years, Mae Woods McCall; brothers, Thomas (Bobby) McCall, Jerry (Whitey) McCall, Edward McCall; sister, Mary Ellen McCall; and granddaughter, Wendy Smith.

Fred was an upholsterer by trade. He worked for 49 ½ years at Fairfield Furniture Company in Lenoir. For many of those years, he was the supervisor of the sample department.

Fred accepted Jesus as his Savior as a youth, and he truly loved serving his Lord. He was a lifelong member of Union Grove Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and former Sunday school teacher. He also served on many committees over the years, including the fellowship hall committee. He loved working in the fellowship hall with others as they prepared many delicious meals to serve to his church family.

Fred loved being in the Baton community where he was born. As a sixth and seventh grader at Baton School, while most of the men in the community were off to war, he served as the janitor of Baton School. He often had to get up at 4:00 a.m. to walk several miles to school to get the school prepared for the arrival of staff and students. When the community schools had their own local school boards, he served on the Baton board while his children were students there.

Fred truly had a servant’s heart and continued to serve the Baton community into adulthood. He was a Lifetime Member of the Baton Ruritan Club and held many leadership positions over the years. As a Ruritan for more than 60 years, he took part in many community service projects that benefited the community and Baton School.

Fred, along with other men in the Baton community, helped organize the North Catawba Fire Department. He loved serving on the Board of Directors from the time it was organized until his death. He was always excited when the fire department received new equipment, and he enjoyed seeing the department expand and grow. Fred also served on the Baton Water Department Board for years.

In 2013, Fred was the recipient of the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award issued by Former Governor, Pat McCrory. The award was presented to him because of his contributions to the Baton community. Fred was very honored and humbled to be recognized in such a distinguished way.

Fred was a kind, generous man. Nothing pleased him more than doing for and giving to others. He was a master gardener and generously shared the results of his labor with others. He enjoyed canning the bounty from his garden, and many folks will miss his pickles and “Fred McCall” heirloom green beans!

Fred loved having visitors and sharing stories with them about growing up in the Baton Community. Because of his work in the community, he knew many people, and he enjoyed sharing stories about his childhood and sharing how things had changed over the past 90 years!

Fred always wanted to help others in any way that he could; therefore, his final wish was for his body to be donated to science at Wake Forest University. He hoped that a study could be done on his remains that would possibly help someone else who suffered from the terrible disease of cancer. He felt this was the final way that he could possibly be a help to others!

Fred loved his family well, and they will miss his terribly. Those left to cherish his memory are: daughter, Winnifred (Winkie) M. Hall; son, Thomas (Tommy) McCall and wife Donna; daughter, Teresa M. Smith and husband Jeff. He also leaves behind his grandchildren; Toby McCall (Mandi), Joshua McCall (Kelly), Scott Hall (Charlene), Michael Hall (Jessica), Benjamin Smith (Meredith), Rev. Jason Smith (Christine), Courtney Smith (Marty); 12 great-grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter, and several step-great-grandchildren; brothers: Larry McCall, Randy McCall (Susie); sisters: Pat M. Miller (Paul), Virginia (Jenny) M. Hartley; Sisters-in-law; Jeanette McCall, Barbara McCall, aunt, Dorothy (sis) B. Miller; and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.

A celebration of Life service will be held on Fred’s birthday, April 2, 2022, at Union Grove Baptist Church at 2:00 p.m.

The family wishes to thank the many friends who visited Fred, especially those who visited and called during his illness. Thank you to the North Catawba Fire Department, the Baton Ruritan Club, and Union Grove Church family for the kindnesses shown to our loved one over the past years. A special thank you is extended to Carolina Caring Hospice for the special care and compassion shown to Fred and his family during the past six weeks. And, special thanks to Regina Hamby and Debra Woodard for the care they provided during the past month.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Union Grove Baptist Church Prayer Garden, 1808 Union Grove Road, Lenoir, NC 28645; Carolina Caring Hospice, 3975 Robinson Road Building 3, Suite A, Newton, NC 28658; or North Catawba Fire and Rescue Equipment Fund, 2064 Connelly Springs Road, Lenoir, NC 28645.

It’s with confidence that the family can say of Fred: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also all who longed for his appearing. “(2 Timothy 4:7-9)

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pendrysfuneralhome.com for the McCall family.

Pendry’s Lenoir Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Fred Eugene (Shook) McCall.