Worth Gerald, age 87, of Lumberton, passed away Wednesday, June 27, 2018, at NC State Veterans Home in Fayetteville. He was born June 14, 1931 in Horry County, SC to the late Benjamin Cleveland Gerrald and the late Reba Perritt Gerrald. Worth was a veteran of the US Army. He will be remembered for his role as a Baptist minister for 42 years, serving his Lord & Savior. He earned his Doctorate of Theology from Southern Bible Seminary in 1978. He pastored the following churches throughout the years: Fellowship Baptist Church in Lillington, Zion Hill Baptist Church in Lumberton, Smyrna Baptist Church in Lumberton, National Avenue Baptist Church in New Bern, Ridge Baptist Church in Summerville, SC, and Hog Swamp Baptist Church in Lumberton.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 62 years, Earlene Willoughby Gerald; and one brother, Smuriel Gerrald.

Mr. Gerald is survived by his children: Benny Gerald and wife Terri of Lumberton, Melinda G. Atkinson and husband Sam of Lumberton, Sharon G. Scheper and husband Rick of New Bern, and Paula G. Smith and husband Paul of Lumberton; eleven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Charles Gerrald of Aynor, SC; and six sisters: Eleanor Harmon of Columbia, SC, Helen Hardwick, Carolyn Bruce, Lois Smith, and Jeanette Hucks, all of Conway, SC, and Ruth Gerrald of Huntsville, AL.

The family will receive friends prior to the funeral on Monday, July 2, 2018, from 5:30-7:00 PM at Floyd Mortuary & Crematory, Inc. in Lumberton. Following the visitation, a funeral service will be held at 7:00 PM at the Chapel with Rev. Dale Willoughby officiating.

The burial will take place on Tuesday, July 3, 2018, at 11:00 AM at Meadowbrook Cemetery in Lumberton with Rev. LeRoy Burke officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association of Eastern NC, 3739 National Drive, Suite 110, Raleigh, NC 27612.