William Crosby “Buddy” Doles, 66, of Elon, North Carolina, formerly of Tifton, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, April 18, 2017, at Alamance Regional Medical Center in Burlington, North Carolina. His funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 22, 2017, at Tifton’s First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Brian Doles officiating. Mr. Doles will be laid to rest at Oak Ridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday, April 22, 2017, from 1:00 p.m. until the hour of the service at Tifton’s First Presbyterian Church.
Tommy Mullis, Junior Wood, Rob Stalvey, Paul Hamilton, Scott Dunn and Brent Dunn will serve as pallbearers.
Born February 2, 1951 in Tifton, Mr. Doles was the son of the late Frank Doles and Elizabeth Mullis Doles. Buddy was a member of Shiloh Presbyterian Church in Burlington, North Carolina, after attending First Presbyterian Church of Tifton for many years. While at First Presbyterian Church, he served as a deacon and an elder.
Buddy was an avid Jimmie Johnson and NASCAR fan. He enjoyed puzzle books, sitting at the park and eating popcorn at the movies. He was lovingly known as “Papa” to his family.
While living in Tifton, he was employed by Leslie Locke Building Displays, the Tift County Detention Center and Tift Regional Medical Center as a security guard. Buddy and Marie moved to Elon, North Carolina in 2009.
Mr. Doles is survived by his wife of 45 years, Marie Easterly “Vickie” Doles of Elon, North Carolina; his son, Rev. Brian C. Doles of Rose Hill, North Carolina; his daughter and son-in-law, Catharine and Scott Cook and granddaughters, Caitlin Marie Cook and Morgan Ann Cook of Elon, North Carolina; his brother and sister-in-law, Joel and Joy Doles of Tifton; his sisters, Jane Doles Coleman of Valdosta and Fran Doles of Tifton; along with an aunt and many nephews and nieces.
Memorial gifts may be made to Shiloh Presbyterian Church, 2638 Grand Oaks Boulevard, Burlington, NC 27215; First Presbyterian Church, P. O. Box 304, Tifton, GA 31793; or Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church, P. O. Box 188, Rose Hill, NC 28458.