Raleigh, NC: Our beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Eugene Randolph Lassiter, left us to be with his wife, Janice Gray, and our Lord on September 3, 2024, at the age of ninety-four. Daddy, or, "Pa" as we always called him, was born to Randall and Irene (Honeycutt) Lassiter in Four Oaks, North Carolina.

Gene was the third of their ten children and oldest son. Both parents and all his siblings, Catherine (Cat), Ruby, Bobby, Zeb, Shirley, Joyce, Billy, Carolyn, and Danny, preceded him in death. As a child, Pa spent many days and nights with his uncle and aunt, Russell, and Nelly Hargis, also from Four Oaks. They were like second parents to him, and Uncle Russell played a significant role in Daddy's life, teaching him to work on cars, trucks, and fix about anything with a motor. This was to be a life-long passion and turned into Daddy's vocation to support his own family. Daddy was like Uncle Russell in many ways and could fix anything. Dorothy Hargis-Johnson and Steve Hargis, Daddy's cousins, were like his
own sister and brother. Daddy, and indeed his whole family, loved Uncle Russell and Aunt Nelly dearly.
Uncle Russell and Aunt Nelly also preceded Pa in death.

In the late 1940's, Daddy met the love of his life, Janice Gray Weaver, and they married in the early 1950's. Very soon after the wedding, Daddy was deployed to Korea to fight in the Korean War, where he rose in rank to Corporal in the U.S. Army. It was during the almost two years there that he earned a Bronze Star for bravery.

When Daddy returned home to Mama, they settled in the Smithfield area, farmed, and began a family. He started work with Brakes, Inc. in the late 1950's, moving to Raleigh. He worked at Brakes, becoming a co-owner of the business, until his retirement at age 73. Mama preceded Daddy in death in 2022. They were married for almost 70 years. They are together again now, strolling over heaven, holding hands, and
celebrating. Also, preceding Daddy in death were his beloved little dogs, Duncan, Muffin, and Wally. Through the years they were with Mama and Daddy, these dogs were great company and gave them something to take care of and baby. Maybe they are strolling with Mama and Daddy now, too.

Daddy is survived by four children: Teresa Byrd (Richard), Shelby Lassiter, Peggy Lassiter, and Ricky Lassiter (Julia); four grandchildren: Kelly Byrd-Barnwell (Lee), Russell Byrd (Lauren), Kaitlyn Lassiter- Tickle (Lawrence), and Tyler Lassiter (Angela) and two "daughters of his heart," Lisa Easterly and Lorie Anne Bryant. His cherished grandchildren gave him ten great-grandchildren: Jacob Barnwell; Hunter, Jack, Caidance, and Bristol Byrd; Lana, Ember, Aleigha, and Harper Tickle, and Wilder Lassiter.

Daddy is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and in-laws for whom he was thankful and always appreciated their calls, visits, and words of support. As a member of New Life Church in Wake Forest, NC, Daddy, and Mama attended the church until they were no longer able to get out of the house. Rev. Ron Brisson and his dad, Rev. James E. Brisson, were some of Daddy's favorite people. He so enjoyed their company on fishing trips to local lakes and for their visits once he was not able to go fishing anymore. He also very much appreciated the cards, goodies and
visits made by other church members during the time he and Mama were unable to get out of the house.

A quiet man, Daddy chose to show his feelings through his actions of helping anyone who needed it in any way he could and role-modeling that for us. Together with Mama, he lived out the principle that love is an action verb and based his life around that principle.
So, Pa, until those of us still here join you one day, rest in peace…while you can… 'cause you know it's gonna get really loud and rowdy when we all get there!

We want to thank Elena Healthcare, LLC for their loving care of Daddy and indeed, all of us over the last years. Their caring, dedication, and skill allowed us to keep Daddy and Mama at home until their passing, exactly what they wanted. Victory, Ruth, and Michael, you are truly God's angels on this earth, and we will never forget you.

We also want to thank the staff at Transitions LIfeCare and Hospice for their support and care for Daddy as he transitioned to his larger life. Their responsiveness, skill and caring were superb.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday, September 8, 2024, at 12 PM at Montlawn FuneralHome, 2911 S Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27603. Reverend Ron Brisson, Senior Pastor at New Life Church, Wake Forest, NC will officiate.

Family will receive visitors at 11 a.m., prior to the celebration service, also at Montlawn Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to New Life Church, Wake Forest, NC at https://www.newlifenow.us/ or by check, mailed to New Life Church, 6900 Zebulon Road, Wake Forest,