Avid book reader and spinner of yarns, Mr. Russell "Rusty" Hayes Livermore III, 77, of Lumberton, NC, closed the last chapter of his life on Friday, March 25, 2022.

As all good stories go, this one also has a beginning, middle, and end.

Born in Lumberton, NC on July 21, 1944, to the late Russell Hayes Livermore, Jr. and the late Caroline McArthur Livermore, much of Rusty's youth was spent as a rascal, as his lifelong friends can attest. His favorite childhood memories were car rides to ballgames and the beach with his grandad telling tales about the good old days.

Rusty later enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, assisted with the Apollo mission and was stationed in Florida and overseas. In Florida, he met and married Karen Mae Smith, they then returned to his hometown to run the family business, Pate's Supply. Rusty supported his family, served on the boards of the Robeson County Public Library and Wells Fargo, enjoyed his gun club dinners, and formed an amazing group of friends.

His final chapters included travels across the US with his wife, Karen, doting on his children and grandchildren, consuming mountains of books, and cheering on his beloved Tarheels. After his diagnosis, he joked, "only the good die young."  In his final pages he asked that he be remembered as someone whose word was his bond and who never met a stranger.  Thank you for the story of a lifetime, Dad. We'll continue writing ours in your honor.

His story is dedicated to a host of characters who survive him: his wife, Karen Smith Livermore; four daughters: Kimberley Pruitt (Patrick Pruitt), Shelli Livermore (the late Carroll Lewis), Jennifer Dabbs (Walker Dabbs), and Maura Bryant (partner John Greathouse); five grandchildren: Greta Paige and Henry Owen Pruitt, Finley Dulin and Cooper Hayes Dabbs, and Sophie June Bryant; three grand-chaps: Landin Dean, Wyatt Ray, and Gunner Wayne Greathouse; two sisters, Linda Davis (Tom) and Louise "Bette" Tisdale (Bud); and his brother Thomas Livermore; along with nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends.

The family will receive friends and loved ones on Saturday, April 2, 2022, from 1:00-3:00 PM at Floyd Mortuary & Crematory, Inc., 809 E. 5 ^th Street in Lumberton, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to two local pet rescues: Franny's Friends ( frannysfriends@outlook.com ) or Fur-Ever Home Animal Rescue (@fureverhomeNC).