Harry Lee Nesbit, who was affectionately called “Pops” by his grandchildren and “Red” or “Cat Man” by his family and friends, was born in Iredell County on January 22, 1933, and was the son of the late Flake “Dan” Nesbit and Ellen Bratcher Nesbit. He departed this life on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, following an extended illness.

He was married to Frances Marie Turner Nesbit, who preceded him in death. In addition to his wife and parents, he was also preceded in death by his brothers, James Linwood Nesbit and Charles Edward Nesbitt, and a son-in-law, Gerrard L. Johnson.

Harry was a 1953 graduate of Morningside High School. He was an outstanding athlete who earned first-place in the State Championship Discus Throw. He also attended Mitchell Community College and learned a trade. He served with the United States Army on June 8, 1953, through April 29, 1955, was a Private First Class and honorably discharged. He was also a member of the Earnest Morgan American Legion Post 217, Statesville, N.C., for over 56 years and was a Past Commander of District Five for two years.

Previously, Harry was employed with United Merchants for over 40 years and retired in 1998. He also received perfect attendance for a number of years. He was a lifelong member of St. John Baptist Church, Statesville, N.C., serving in numerous capacities over the years. Harry was a man that believed “faith without works is dead.” He was a man that exemplifies 1st Timothy 3:4: “He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner with respect.” Harry was a great example of a Living Letter, 2nd Corinthians 3:2: “You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone.”

Harry leaves behind a continued legacy of six children, daughters, Harriet DeVaughn Johnson of Statesville, N.C., Audrey (Greg) Nesbit-Patton of Huntersville, N.C., Donna (Marlon) Feimster of Statesville; N.C.; his sons, Curtis (Juanita) Nesbit of Troutman, N.C., Melvin (Maria) Nesbit Sr., and Kelvin (Kim) Nesbit Sr. of Statesville; sister, Jewel Gaither of Plainfield, N.J.; sister-in-law, Barbara Turner Walls of Charlotte; his grandchildren, James (Mekico) Nesbit of Columbia, S.C., Anthony (Denise Daniels) Reid of Charlotte, Corey Nesbit of Jacksonville, Fla., Rashad Anthony of Astoria, N.Y., LaShonna (Milton) Jones of Baltimore, Md., Kenyatta (Mike) Foreman of Charlotte, and Jatoye Patton of Philadelphia, Pa., Anya Marie Nesbit of Winston-Salem, N.C., Christopher Feimster of Statesville, N.C., Shawn Thomas of Dover, Del., Sasha Reid of Charlotte, Curtis Nesbit Jr., and Justus T. Nesbit, both of Troutman, N.C., Courtney Caldwell of Statesville, Melvin (Ashley) Nesbit, Jr.. of Charlotte, Jada (Marshall) Nesbit-Brookes of Statesville, N.C., Kelvin (Candus Nesbit Jr. of Salisbury, N.C., and Sean (Tina) Jackson of Statesville, N.C.; forty-five great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews,
cousins, other relatives, church family, and friends.

Celebration of Life Services will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at St. John Baptist Church with Reverend Burrel Brooks, Pastor, officiating. Mr. Nesbit will remain at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home until taken to the church to lie in state at 11:30 a.m. Members of the family will receive friends at the church from 12 noon until 1 p.m. but will assemble at the residence at other times. Burial will follow in the Belmont Cemetery with full military honors.

Active Casket Bearers will be the grandsons; Active Flower Bearers will be the granddaughters and nieces, Honorary Casket Bearers will be the Earnest Morgan American Legion #217, and the Honorary Flower Bearers will be the American Legion Auxiliary.

We thank everyone who has helped our father during his illness and special thanks to his caregivers, Wanda Kay Brown and Margaret Adams. We’d also like to thank Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County and the Veterans Administration.

We celebrate the Life of our father, Harry Lee Nesbit, and we will always remember his love, and devotion, not only to his family, but to our entire community.

Submitted with love, The Family of Harry Lee “Pops” Nesbit

Rutledge & Bigham Mortuary is serving the family.