John French

John William French Sr., 47 of Cedarfield Drive, Maiden died Saturday, November 27, 2010 at Palliative CareCenter & Hospice of Catawba Valley. Born January 26, 1963, he was the son of the late John Fredrick French & Consuela Louise Harbaugh French. John loved Jesus and was a member of Startown First Baptist Church, where he was baptized a year ago, Thanksgiving. He loved people, his family & grand-children, who fondly called him “Pops”. He was an avid dog lover who enjoyed traveling. He was previously employed by Broyhill Furniture in Lenoir and most recently at Leeboys Inc. His wife of 11 years, Nina Hayes French of the home; two sons, John William French, Jr. of Lenoir, Christopher Elliott French of Lenoir; a step-dad, Lee Shafferman of Summerville, SC; a step-daughter, Regina Hayes of Lenoir; two step-sons, Brent Hayes of Lakeland, Florida, Scott Hayes & wife Christy of Lenoir; three sisters, Twana Messer & husband Rich of Greenfield, IN, Patti Jarrell & husband David of Suffolk, Va., Robin Akin & husband Leon of Monks Corner, SC; and three grand-children, Emma Faye, Valerie Marie & Madison Rene French survive him. The funeral will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 4, 2010 at Startown First Baptist Church. Pastor Dean Hart will officiate. The family will receive friends one hour prior at the church. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, 2990 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Suite 300C, Los Angeles, CA 90064 Condolence messages may be sent to www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net. The French family has entrusted arrangements to Jenkins Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Newton.