Fred R. Conyers

Rocky Mount native, Frederick Ross Conyers, Jr. passed away on September 20, 2019. He was the son of Frederick Ross and Clyda Richardson Chamblee Conyers of Rocky Mount. His paternal grandparents were Richard Joel and Frances Cordelia Ray Conyers of Franklin County, North Carolina and his maternal grandparents were William Hardy and Ella Etta Richardson Chamblee of Zebulon, North Carolina. Many, many years were invested in uncovering his family's roots, so he would smile and nod at the mention of his ancestors.

He served as a 1st Lieutenant in the Army Air Force during World War II, and enjoyed telling stories about his experiences and travels while in basic training. He also served in the reserves for several years.

A graduate of North Carolina State University, he began working for Atlantic Coastline Railroad in 1948. He served as Division Engineer from 1952-1960. With the merger of Seaboard Coastline Railroad, he became Assistant Division Engineer, a position he held through another merger with CSX until his retirement on December 31, 1982.

He was a member of First Baptist Church, Sons of the American Revolution, American Railroad Engineering Association (AREA), Golden K, Tar River Connections Genealogical Society, the Nash County Travel Club, and an honorary member of West Mount Ruritan Club. He volunteered his services as Treasurer for the Rocky Mount Community Hospital Gift Shop for several years until its closing.

His first passion was gardening which he learned from his father and grandfathers. Along with his wife, Catherine "Kitty", they won many, many blue ribbons at the Nash County and North Carolina State Fairs for vegetables entered that were grown at a garden plot on the Weaver Farm at West Mount.

His second passion was genealogy. He spent more than two decades traveling to graveyards, and researching his family's heritage. He wrote letters to family members asking for information, and created many line charts and wrote many stories showing the connection of family members.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Catherine Jane Weaver Conyers, daughter of Samuel Budzelious and Ellie Jane Daughtridge Weaver, his older son, Frederick Ross Conyers, III, his parents, and his two sisters, Jane Conyers of Rocky Mount and Mildred Conyers Wirth of Raleigh, North Carolina.

He is survived by his children: Patricia Conyers "Trish" Maxwell of Rocky Mount; Vickie Conyers Pick and husband, John, of Thornton, Colorado; Joanne Conyers "Jo" Heidenreich and husband, Jim of Goldsboro, Richard Samuel "Rich" Conyers of Liberty. His grandchildren: Austin Pick and wife, Shauna, of Lafayette, Colorado, Nolan Pick of Arlington, VA, Jimmy Heidenreich and wife, Suzanne of Charlotte, NC; Josh Heidenreich of Fort Mill, SC; Ashlyn Conyers Monza and husband, Jesse of McAdenville, NC; Jeremy Conyers and wife, Hilary of Washington, Illinois; Joseph Conyers and wife, Betsy of Gastonia, NC and step-grandchildren: Stuart Maxwell and wife, Louise of Seattle, Washington, and Scott Maxwell and wife, Kim of Pasadena, CA. His great grandchildren: Maddy, Kaelyn and Josiah Monza; Wesley and Ainsley Conyers; Micah Conyers; and Robert Maxwell. His former daughter-in-law: Cathy Campbell and husband, Scott and their daughter, Kelsey of Pawleys Island, South Carolina.

A Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 28, at Pineview Cemetery, Rocky Mount, NC. The family will receive friends and relatives immediately following the service at the Fellowship Hall of the First Baptist Church.

Flowers are welcome or memorial donations may be made to: First Baptist Church, 200 South Church Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 or West Haven Presbyterian Church, 1001 West Haven Blvd., Rocky Mount, NC 27803. Please direct all flower deliveries to First Baptist Church between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM on Friday, September 27, 2019.

The family extends heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Brekenridge Assisted Living for the kindness, compassion and humor he experienced during the last five months.

Condolences may be sent to P. O. Box 7901, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. Online condolences may be directed to: www.palmettofh.com.

Funeral arrangements are under the loving direction of his grandson, Josh Heidenreich, through Palmetto Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Fort Mill, SC (803.802.7788).

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