RUDOLPH VALENTINO BEST
Died Nov. 25, 2016
Rudolph Valentino Best, 82, Clinton, N.C., went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Friday, Nov. 25, 2016. He passed away with his wife by his side at Sampson Regional Medical Center.
Funeral service will be held Dec. 10, 1, at Crumpler-Honeycutt funeral home, with minister Robert Oliver officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Wayne Memorial Park of Goldsboro, N.C.
Rudolph, born in 1934, a native of Sampson County, was the son of the late Rufus Robert Best and Bettie Aman Best.
Retired Master Sgt. Best, a Vietnam veteran, served our country 26 years in the Army National Guard (U.S./N.C.), United States Marine Corps, and later retiring from the United States Air Force.
While serving in the United States Air Force overseas in Pakistan, he and his family also engaged in missionary work for the Church of Christ.
He was a graduate of the Alabama School of Religion.
He was a member of the Clinton Church of Christ, and was a former deacon and youth Bible studies teacher for boys at Landmark Church of Christ in Montgomery, Ala.
Rudolph also worked for, and retired from, the Alabama Department of Corrections.
After retiring from the state of Alabama, Rudolph moved back to North Carolina, and returned to his roots as a farmer, handyman and friend to all, spreading the love of Jesus.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Harold Milton Best, Donald Ray Best Sr. and Rufus James Best.
Surviving are his loving wife of 60 years, Mildred Blackman Best; two sons, Stevie Randall Best and his wife, Julie, of Montgomery, Ala., and L. Duane Best and his wife, Tammy, of Crestview, Fla.; four grandchildren, Christopher Best and his wife, Kristin, Brittany Best, Michael Best and Michelle Best; and one great-grandchild, Ethan Best.
He is also survived by loving sisters, Effie Best Williams of Ash, N.C., and Hilda Best Kornegay of Dudely, N.C.; loving sisters-in-law, Dora Lee Tyndall, Nellie Ann Honeycutt and Phoebia Annette Blackman all of Clinton, N.C.; his ever-present and loving nephew, William Glenn Kornegay of Warsaw, N.C.; cousin, Gloria Bradshaw Howard of Faison N.C.; and numerous other precious relatives and special friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Clinton Church of Christ, 21 Deems Drive, Clinton, N.C., 28328.
The family will receive friends from noon to 1 Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, just prior to the service at Crumpler-Honeycutt funeral home, 118 Fayetteville St., Clinton, N.C., 28328.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.crumpler-honeycutt.com.
Arrangements are by Crumpler-Honeycutt Funeral Home, 118 Fayetteville St., Clinton, N.C., 28328.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on December 6, 2016 10:01 AM