Marble – The Rev. Fred Lunsford turns 100 on March 7, and the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners have issued a proclamation wishing him a happy birthday.
Fred Bruner Lunsford was born on March 7, 1925, in Cherokee County. He married Gladys Green in 1944 and they had two sons, Dannie and Anthony Lunsford. The couple was married for more than 70 years when Gladys died in August 2014.
Lunsford served in the U.S. Army during World War II, participating in Operation Overlord (the Normandy Invasion), the Battle of the Bulge and the liberation of France.
Following the war, he served as director of missions for the Truett Baptist Association from 1964-90, retiring when he turned 65. He was instrumental in developing the Truett Baptist Camp for youth in western North Carolina as well as the establishment of Broyhill Children’s Home and Truett Children’s Home.
He also led the development of Vengeance Creek Baptist Cemetery.
Lunsford was a member of the Souther Baptist Convention, American Legion N.C. Younger Post 143 and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. He has authored several books about his life and ministry in the mountains he calls home.
Details: Watch a documentary about Lunsford’s life and ministry at vimeo.com/418291424.