Eddie Ward Rackley, age 78, passed away on Saturday, May 11, 2013. He was born in Nash County on March 24, 1935 to the late Raymond H. and Burla Smith Rackley. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Ossie Rackley, Raymond Rackley Jr., Harold Rackley, and Jack Rackley, and his sisters, Lessie Mae Matthews and Dollie Gray Proctor.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dorothy Ann Proctor Rackley, his daughter, Kimberly Ann Rackley; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother Glenn Allen Rackley and his sister Carol Proctor and her husband Bill, his sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Rackley, Helen Rackley, and Betty Rackley, and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be  held Wednesday, May 15 at 2 p.m. at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Rocky Mount Memorial Park.

Flowers and/or donations can be made to either Tri County Industries or the American Lung Association.

Arrangements by Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, Rocky Mount.