Mr. David Alfred Qualls, Jr., age 93, earthly journey came to an end on January 29, 2021.

He was born May 25, 1927 in Burlington, NC and was the oldest of five boys and a sister to his parents, David A. and Ethel Teer Qualls, both deceased. He is survived by one brother, Darrell Qualls of Los Gatos, CA, and one sister, Nancy Qualls Cerveny, of Happy Valley, Oregon.

He completed his high school education in Burlington NC in 1945 and immediately entered military service in the Army. Upon honorable discharge he attended North Carolina State College. He graduated in 1952 with a degree in Textile Chemistry. He was with Burlington Industries and Dover/Doran Textiles for 35 years where he served as a plant manager for many years.

A second career began soon after with the Gastonia Mediation Center of the Southern Piedmont. He was the case Coordinator for the Shelby office for a number of years.

He was a member of the Delta Upsilon Chapter of Sigma Chi at NC State University and became a life-loyal member. David was a member of the Shelby Rotary Club for over 25 years and was a Paul Harris recipient. Other community services he enjoyed were being a part of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, member of the Mayor's Crime Task Force Committee and the Uptown Shelby Appearance Commission.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Shelby where he was in a Bible Study Group, served as a Deacon, and a youth Sunday school teacher. The most important things to him were his faith, church, and family.

His loving and devoted wife of 63 years, Iris Everhart Qualls is deceased. They both enjoyed traveling together on trips in the U.S., the Virgin Islands, France, Germany, and Scotland.

Left to cherish his memory are his beloved children, David A. Qualls III and wife, Trisha of Clinton, Mississippi, Janet Leigh May, of Dallas, Texas, Karen Lynn Freeman and husband, Gary of Cherryville, NC and Alan Drew Qualls and wife, Allison of Shelby, NC, as well as six grandchildren, Ashley and Christina May of Los Angeles, California, Camille Harden (Michael) of Shelby, NC, Seth Freeman (Kristen) of Cherryville, NC and Charles and Laney Qualls of Shelby NC.

The family would like to extend gratitude to Bonita Culbreth for caring for him in our home.

A graveside service for David which will be held 2/03 at 3:00 PM with Rev. Tony Tench officiating at Sunset Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to First Baptist Church 120 N. Lafayette St. Shelby, NC 28150 (Youth Mission Trips) or to Hospice Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Dr, Shelby, NC 28150.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family.

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com