John D. Church age 73 died Tuesday April 28, 2015 at his home. Born in Cleveland County on February 12, 1942 he was the son of the late John Irvin and Madge Downs Church. John graduated from Shelby High School in 1960, UNC-Chapel Hill in 1964, and UNC-Chapel Hill Law School in 1967 where he received his Juris Doctorate. He then returned to Shelby where he began his law practice of 48 years. John attributed the greatest joy in his life to his family and was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather. John was a generous man and upstanding citizen who put others before himself. He lead by example and was a natural teacher and mentor. He met life head-on with a positive attitude. He loved the law and helping others and worked hard every day of his life. In addition to his parents, John is preceded in death by a sister, Vicky Church Melton.

John is survived by his wife of 21 years, Debbie Rollins Church; two sons, Johnny Church and Travis Harmon and fiancée, Haylee Henson of Shelby; two daughters Darbi MacPhail and husband Dakin of Irmo, SC. and Ashley Elmore and husband Calvin of Shelby; and eight grandchildren, Ian, Seth, and Tate MacPhail, Ivy, Tanner and Baby Boy Elmore, and Gavin and Rylan Harmon.

Funeral service will be held on Friday May 1, 2015 at 2:00 pm at Elizabeth Baptist Church with Rev. Jamaal Edwards officiating. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory.

Memorials can be made to: Elizabeth Baptist Church, 301 N. Post Road, Shelby NC 28150.

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

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com