DR. VERNON PRESSLEY MANGUM
Feb. 11, 1921-Dec. 24, 2007
Dr. Vernon Pressley Mangum died at his home in Goldsboro, N.C., Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007.
Dr. Mangum was the son of James Nelson and Rose Fitch Mangum. He was born in Hamlet, N.C., on Feb. 11, 1921. He graduated from Hamlet High School in 1939. Following his graduation, he trained as an electrician with the RCA Company in Chicago, Ill.
Dr. Mangum served his country as a naval officer during the Second World War. He completed his tour of duty as chief petty officer on the destroyer, the USS Ingersoll, having seen active duty in the Pacific. He received the Bronze Star for bravery for climbing up and repairing a damaged radar tower while his ship was under attack. He witnessed the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Harbor. After the war, he attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated Phi Beta Kappa, with a degree in pre-med. While at UNC, he completed four years of study in just over two years. He graduated from Duke University Medical School in 1956. While in medical school, he met his future wife, Virginia Oates Sanford. They were married Sept. 24, 1955. Following medical school, he completed medical residency programs at Duke University in pediatrics and psychiatry. After residency, he and his wife opened a Pediatric Practice in Hamlet, N.C. In 1959, he became medical director at O'Berry Center in Goldsboro, N.C. He served as director until retiring in 1972. Following his retirement from O'Berry Center, he was in private practice with his wife, Virginia Sanford. He retired from private practice in 2001. After retiring from his medical career, he remained active pursuing his hobby of restoring old homes. He was active in the Goldsboro Historical Society and made several significant contributions to Historical Preservation in North Carolina.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, James Mangum and Dr. Jack Mangum.
Dr. Mangum is survived by his wife, Dr. Virginia Sanford Mangum of Goldsboro; his son and daughter-in-law, James Sanford and Patty Lynch Mangum of Wilmington; his daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Sarah Rose Mangum and Gregory Hepler Needham; a grandson, Austin Mangum Needham; and a granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth Needham, all of Greenville, N.C.
A memorial service will be held Monday, Dec. 31, 2007, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Thurman Horney officiating. The family will receive friends Monday following the service in the parlor at St. Paul United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the North Carolina Preservation Office, in care of Peter Sandbeck, Administrator, 4617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699.
Arrangements are with Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on December 30, 2007 12:03 PM