George Lee Rector, age 95, died Monday, October 24, 2016 in Shelby. Born in Trammel, Virginia, on January 26, 1921 he was the son of the late Ed and Sarah Alice Honeycutt Rector. He loved growing up in the North Carolina Mountains where he became a master trout fisherman and hunter. He especially enjoyed fishing in the Toe River and hunting on Mount Mitchell where his father had lived. Mr. Rector served his country in the Army Air Corps during WWII in Okinawa, Japan. In retirement he could be seen daily working in his yard. He was a member of Elizabeth Baptist Church.

Mr. Rector is survived by his wife of 69 years, Bobbie Martin Rector; a son, Mark Rector and wife Belinda of Concord, a daughter, Marna McMurry and husband Gene of Wilmington; three grandchildren, Marisa Rector, Bridget Rector, Isaac Rector; one step-granddaughter, Allison Cordell and husband Jacob; and three great-grandchildren, Kayla Ebbin, Augustine Cordell, and Cordelia Cordell.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 27, 2016 at 1:00 pm in the chapel of Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory. Burial will follow at Elizabeth Baptist Church Cemetery with military honors. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 12:30 pm until 1:00 pm before the service at the funeral home.

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