It's with sadness in our hearts that we report the passing of Herman Lloyd McCall, a lifelong resident of Rocky Mount, NC. He was received by the Lord, in faith, while at his home on March 8th, 2023, where he resided with his wife and his daughter. In his words, it is where he wanted to be in his last days and so it was.
Born on Nov. 22, 1930, he grew up on S. Church St., last of the children of four, in the age of our Great Depression, when Americans lived with the little they had. Those desperate times molded his moral core as a generous soul, a love for God's creatures, and earned respect from all who met him. His father employed him at a young age to manage the family grocery store and the local dance hall next door. He attended and graduated Benvenue and drove a bus in High School (upon the request of the principal). He was the last survivor of his graduating class.
In 1952 he married Ruth Maxine Ferrell. With the activation of the selective service during the Korean War, Herman volunteered to be drafted. "I knew my number was coming up, so I wanted to go ahead and get it over with," he often said. And so, he was picked for the US Army. Of the soldiers in his training company all were sent to the Korean War except two. Herman and one other were sent to Germany. There he was assigned as the Chaplin's assistant and driver until his enlistment expired as a Private First Class, March 1955. He spoke of those times with pride and honor.
His other employments included: as a carpenter for Seaboard Coast Line Railroad, carpenter/tile contactor for Sears and Roebuck, Gas Station owner/manager for Etna (on Church St.), sheet metal and building inspector for Mitchell Engineering (CECO) and security agent for Honeywell, until his retirement at the age of 86!Herman McCall was above all things a caring husband and provider, a reliable and loving father, dedicated to his family well-being, a generous giver, a seeker of God's wisdom, and a never ending, great sense of humor. As his father before him "he did what he could".
Herman McCall is preceded by his father Lonnie Iverson McCall and mother Bessie Hines McCall, two sisters Pauline and Evellean, and older brother Harold.Surviving is his wife of 71 years Ruth Maxine McCall, son Stephen K. McCall, daughter-in-law Kim L. McCall, daughter Mitzi L. McCall, and grandsons Samuel S. Mason, Kirby F. McCall, Ethan W. McCall.
A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at 2:00 PM at Rocky Mount memorial Park with Jimmy Carpenter officiating. A visitation with the family will follow the service at the graveside.
Sincere appreciation and gratitude for the kindness and care rendered by family and friends during these last few months. Thanks also to the dedication of the staff of Amedisys hospice service of Greenville, NC.
Flowers are welcome.
Arrangements entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 661 English Road, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.johnsonfuneralsandcremations.com.
In the summer of 1960, I got a job with Sears and was assigned to Herman to assist him with tile installation. He taught me a lot, was patient in teaching me, and I admired his work ethic. Gale Koonce
I met Herman when we were both working at Mitchell/ Ceco. He was a dedicated and diligent employee. Never did I ever him say anything negative about people or projects. He was truly just a nice person.
Mr Mcall was not just a man .He was a great man .We at Drummonds Florist loved him dearly. He would draw me pictures and send them in with his payment. He also would bring us Ice Cream sanwiches and donuts. We would just love on him because he really was a very special man .We try to find out where he lived but no one knew .Heaven is a brighten place with him being there.We all truly will miss that sweet spirit.God bless the family ,we are praying for you all.Sue and The Drummonds Florist employees.
Steven, our acquaintance has only been as a result of involvement in the Civil War Reenacting hobby, but I wanted to express my condolences upon the passing of your father, Herman. I did not know your father but reading the obituary which Lee Gordon posted for us gave me an appreciation for him. He and many others of his generation made America strong and one old expression captures the essence of their contribution — “salt of the earth”. May the memory of his character inspire you, your family, and the rest of us to walk in his footsteps.