Lonnie Gaither Mayberry, the son of late Ernest and Juanita (Wellman) Mayberry, departed this life on November 28, 2025, at the age of 88.
Lonnie retired from the United States Air Force after 23 years of service. During his time in the Air Force, he completed tours in Germany, England, Taiwan, and Vietnam. After retiring from the Air Force he worked for Kewaunee Scientific Company for many years. Lonnie was baptized at an early age at First Baptist Church and later joined Clark’s Chapel Baptist Church, where he attended for over 40 years. In recent years he was associated with Shiloh AME Zion Church. Lonnie was a former commander of the Ernest Morgan American Legion Post 217. He was also a life member of the VFW Post 2031 and a member of the Statesville Branch NAACP.
Lonnie was married twice — first to Marie Adams Mayberry with whom he had two children and then to Jeanette Moore Mayberry. Both preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by one sister, Phyllis (Jimmie) Murdock; three children, Toni Moore, Derrick “Moochie” Ward and Richard Moore; two grandchildren, Jessica Ward and Tirrell Wasson; and one great grandchild, Bri’Lanni Minor.
He leaves to cherish his memories his daughters, Anna Maria Mayberry O’bryant and Janice Denise Mayberry Hunt, both of Statesville, and Pamela Moore Polnitz of Gastonia N.C.; grandchildren, Ashley Mayberry, Kendrick (Ana’Gracia) Mayberry, Terrance (Nautica) Wasson, Audrey O’bryant, Ebony Wasson, Carrie Mayberry-Ward, Derrick Mayberry-Ward, Grady Stokes, Yvette Moore and Colby Caldwell, Monique Polnitz, Reggie (Tierra) Polnitz, and Dujuan Moore; great grandchildren, Aliyah Mayberry, MaKennley Mayberry, Kylen Allen, Kenyan Mayberry, Kendalyn Mayberry, Kai Wasson, Kasir Wasson, Onxy Wasson, Ka’Mani Mayberry, Za’Reik Minor, Layla Ward, Jordan Ward, Londyn Ward, Ja-Nyah Polnitz, Ja-Qualen Polnitz, Ja-Leil Polnitz , Ja-Nae Polnitz and Malakai Moore; in-laws, Luther Moten, Anita Gray, Cecil White, Vinson Smith and Mary Lois Walker; special nieces and nephews, Denise McCoy, Bonita Sigmon, and Johnny Walker; special friends, Bobby Wittle, Ralph and Judy Teaster, Phillip and Lauren “Tootsie” Mayfield and other nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Rutledge & Bigham Mortuary is serving the family.