John Charles Hembree, 71, of Murphy, passed away Tuesday, March 14, 2017, at his residence.
He was born in Knoxville, Tenn., but lived in Murphy nearly all of his life.
He had served in the U.S. Air Force at Fort Bragg, where he was a staff sergeant and mechanic as well as a Vietnam veteran.
Charles became owner of the original Main Street in 1990 before moving downtown in 2003. Charles loved his customers and thought of his employees as family.
He was of the Baptist faith.
He was the son of the late John Quince Hembree and Ethel Lee Cross Hembree Arrowood. He also was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Bob Hendrix.
Surviving are his wife, Phoebe Allen Hembree; two daughters, Tanya Hembree Sanchez and husband Joey of Warne and Lisa Monkus Allen and husband Tony of Knoxville, Tenn.; a son, John Gabriel Hembree and wife Kelly of Murphy; a sister, Brenda Hendrix of Murphy; and four grandchildren, Alyson and Madison Sanchez, Lane Hembree and Bryan Davis.
A memorial service was held at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 18, in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, with the Revs. Chris Rumfelt and Ben Adams officiating and military rites conducted by the Murphy DAV Chapter 73, American Legion Post 96, Hayesville VFW Post 6812 (Allison-Bristol), and American Legion Post 532. Honorary pallbearers were Glen Beavers, Jerry Decker, Cline Hicks, Jack Killian, Bob Hatchett, Floyd Hughes and Cory Killian.
The family received friends from 2-3:50 p.m. Saturday, March 18, at Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, prior to the services. Following the service, the family gathered in fellowship at Main Street.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of John Charles Hembree to Four Seasons Hospice, 571 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731.
Charles and his family would like to thank everyone for all the calls, cards, thoughts and prayers. It was greatly appreciated.
Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, was in charge of all arrangements.
An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com.