ZEBULON - Sprite Clifton Ferrell, 86, died Monday, Aug. 22, 2011, at WakeMed. Funeral services were held Thursday, Aug. 25, at Wakefield Central Baptist Church, Zebulon. Entombment was at Gethsemane Memorial Gardens, Zebulon.

He was born in Wake County to the late Willie Thurston Ferrell and Lorna Baker Ferrell. He graduated from Wakelon High School and was a self-employed farmer. He was a member of Wakefield Central Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and choir member for more than 50 years.

Surviving: wife, Melrose Alford Perry Ferrell; sons, Clifton Franklin Ferrell (Kim) of Nashville, Tenn., Mel Alan Ferrell (Arliss) of Zebulon; sisters, Lillie Ferrell Debnam (James), Josephine Ferrell Scarboro, both of Zebulon; brother, Bobby Ferrell (Dearl) of Garner; four grandchildren; and a host of special nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth Ferrell Murray, and brother, Billy Thurston Ferrell.

The Ferrell family has requested that flowers be omitted and memorial contributions be made to Sprite C. Ferrell Memorial Fund, c/o Wakefield Central Baptist Church, 308 Proctor Street, Zebulon, NC 27597.

Arrangements by L. Harold Poole Funeral Service and Crematory, 944 Old Knight Road, Knightdale, NC 27545.