Seth Hunt

STANTONSBURG - Seth Prior Hunt, 87, died Wednesday, April 11, 2012.

Funeral, Saturday, 11 AM, Stantonsburg United Methodist Church. Interment, Stantonsburg Cemetery.

He was born on May 28, 1924 to the late Jessie Everett and Dora Stewart Prior Hunt of Hunt's Bridge Road, Fountain Inn, SC.

A World War II veteran, Hunt entered the US Navy in 1943. After graduating from the Hospital Corp School, he was transferred to the US Marine Corp and served in the Pacific Theater. He landed during the Pacific Invasion on the islands of Okinawa and Guam. He served as Past Commander of the Dail-Bell Post #245, American Legion. After the war, Hunt graduated from Clemson University in Agricultural Education. In August 1948, Hunt came to Stantonsburg to teach vocational agriculture where he met and married the love of his life, Ada Grey Coley. He later earned a Master's Degree from NC State University and a degree in School Administration from East Carolina University. He embarked on a life-long career as a professional educator and was active in all phases of education. He was Past President of Wilson County NCAE and Past President of Wayne, Edgecombe, Wilson and Johnston Counties Athletic Conference. Professionally, he provided decades of progressive service to the Wilson County School System serving as principal of Stantonsburg Elementary, Gardner's Elementary, and Saratoga High schools. After 41 years, he retired as principal of Stantonsburg Elementary during which time he oversaw the construction of the new school building replacing the circa 1928structure. His love and dedication for education and children was unparalleled. He was extremely proud of the positive influence on an untold number of students and cherished his many life-long friendships cultivated during these years.

Hunt was a faithful, dedicated member and certified Lay Speaker of the Stantonsburg Methodist Church serving in numerous local, district and regional leadership positions within the United Methodist Church Conference. Recently, the church honored him by naming the Adult Sunday School Class he taught for 50 years, the Seth Prior Hunt, Sr. Class.

Hunt was very active in his community being recognized numerous times for making his community a better place to live. He served as a duly elected Town of Stantonsburg Commissioner, served as Stantonsburg Appearance Commission Chairman and was on the Stantonsburg Development Corporation. He was a member of the Stantonsburg and Wilson County Planning Boards. He was the Past President of the Stantonsburg Kiwanis Club, served as Lt. Governor of Kiwanis 7th Division, and was also selected as Kiwanis Man of the Year 1969.

Prior loved, and was very much loved by his family which was the source of his greatest joy and comfort. He is survived by his wife, Ada Grey Coley Hunt; a daughter, Ada Coley Hunt Rhodes of Stantonsburg, NC; a son, Seth Prior Hunt, Jr. and wife, Scarlett, of Morganton, NC; grandchildren, Coley Greyson Rhodes Summey and husband, Brett, of Boone, Allyson Hunt Rhodes Thomas and husband Brad of Norman, OK, Adam Forbson Rhodes of Greenville and Seth Prior Hunt, III of Morganton; great-grandchildren, Baron, Avery, Elle and Poppy; sister, Edna Perry Hunt Tripp of Fountain Inn, SC; nieces Paula Fitzgerald of Farmville and Amy Long of Anderson, SC.

He will be remembered as someone who was hopeful, humble and helpful.

The family will be at Wilson Memorial Service, Friday, 6-8 PM.