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Charles Henry “Buster” Addison

Mr. Charles Henry “Buster” Addison, 64, of 705 Legrand St. Apt. A Shelby, NC departed this life on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at Cleveland Pines Nursing Center in Shelby, NC.  He was born on May 25, 1950 in Cleveland County, NC to the late Kilgo Addison, Sr. and Lillie Pearl Hunt Addison.

Buster was in the first group of African American students to integrate Burns High School.  While at Burns, he drove a school bus for one of the local middle schools.  He graduated from Burns High School in 1970.

After graduation, Buster worked at ORA Mill Company, All Season Lawn and Garden, Elizabeth Elementary School, Cleveland County Emergency Medical Services (E.M.S.) and the Shelby Rescue Squad.  While employed at the E.M.S and the Shelby Rescue Squad, Buster became the First African American EMS Worker, First African American EMT Teacher, First African American Training Officer, First African American Assistant Chief of the Shelby Rescue Squad and the First Chief of the Shelby Rescue Squad.  Buster earned numerous certificates in the medical field by taking classes at McDowell Technical Community College, Western Piedmont Community College, Blue Ridge Community College and East Carolina University.  Buster was certified by the State of North Carolina as an Emergency Medical Technician (E.M.T.).  He used his education to educate hundreds of other people by teaching E.M.T. classes at Cleveland Community College.  Buster was also a member of the North Carolina Rescue Association.

Buster was also the 1994 Shelby Rescue Squad Member of the Year and was recognized from the Cleveland County Medical Society for participating in “Ten Saves”.  Yet, he went on to assist with saving hundreds of lives throughout Cleveland County.  Sadly, his health started failing him and he had to retire from the Rescue Squad but, he received the Cleveland County Emergency Medical Service Award for his years of service from 1990-2001.

Buster was the comedian of the family.  Once you met him, you never forgot him.  He was the life of the party.  He brought sunshine to so many lives and we were blessed to have him in our lives.

Buster was also a member of Friendship Baptist Church in Shelby.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, John Lewis Addison, Sr.; a sister, Joyce Addison; his paternal grandparents, Will Addison and Mattie Mae Sweetenburg Addison; his maternal grandparents, Charles Grady Hunt and Louella Stafford Hunt Abraham; a great-nephew, Deaceon Addison and his first wife and the love of his life, Dorothy Bailey Addison.

Left to cherish his memory are his sisters, Pearly Logan (David) of Kings Mountain, NC, Brenda Perry and Julia Addison both of Charlotte, NC, Shirlene Davis (Fred) of Wadesboro, NC and Sherry Gulley of Phenix City, AL; his brothers, Tommie Addison (Loretta) of Rocky Mount, NC, Kilgo Addison, Jr. (Betty Ann), Larry Addison, Bobby Addison and Ricky Jerome Addison all of Shelby.  Buster loved and cherished all of his Nieces, Nephews, Great Nieces and Great Nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2014 at 1:00 PM at Palmer Grove Baptist Church with Rev.  Albert Hillman officiating.  Mr. Addison will lie in state from 12:00 Noon until 1:00 PM at the church.  The family will receive friends from 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM on Friday evening at S.T. Enloe Memorial Chapel and at other times at the home of his brother, Bobby Addison ,1317 Lithia Springs Rd. in Shelby.  The family would like to especially thank, Wendover Hospice, Cleveland Pines Nursing Center, Cleveland Regional Medical Center and the staff of Enloe Mortuary for comforting the family during this difficult time.  A special thanks also to Anthony James, Shelia Hopper Black and the entire community for their love and support.  Condolences can be expressed online at www.enloes.net.  Enloe Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.

 


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