Mr. John Pressley Steele, 81, of 166 Hallmark Road, Statesville, N.C., was born on June 1, 1942, and was the son of the late Augustus and Elizabeth “Lizzy” Cowan Steele. He departed this life on Sunday, February 18, 2024, at his home following an extended illness.
He was a graduate of Unity High School and received an associate degree. He served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged. He owned and operated a Professional Auto Body Repair Shop. He was united in marriage to Dorothy Marie Sykes Steele, who survives.
In addition to his wife, he leaves to celebrate and cherish the memory of his life his children, Matthew Dixon of Washington, D.C., Johnathan Steele of Fredericksburg, Va., and Lawrence Morgan of Concord, N.C.; his daughters, Nakia Little of Statesville, N.C., Jamiah (Clyde) Willis of Winston-Salem, N.C., and Daliese (Ryan) Kreider of Statesville, N.C.; his grandchildren, Markia Little Kreider of Stephenville, Texas, Zaria Willis of Winston-Salem, N.C., Ian Kreider and Greyson Kreider, both of Statesville; his brothers, Dallas (Irene) Steele, Jimmy Steele and Clarence Steele, all of Harmony, N.C.; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Rosa Grant of Emporia, Va., Paul Sykes, Betty Webb and Erma Vick, all of Garysburg, N.C., and Johnnie (Glenda) Sykes of Hampton, Va.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, church family, neighbors and friends.
Celebration of Life Services will be conducted Friday, February 23, 2024, at 1 p.m. at Mt. Nebo Baptist Church in Harmony, N.C. Reverend Sylvester Reed, pastor, will officiate and Reverend Burrel Brooks will eulogize with burial following in the Mt. Nebo Baptist Church Cemetery, where Military Rites will be performed.
Mr. Steele will remain at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home until taken to the church to lie in state at 12 noon. Members of the family will receive friends at the church from 12:30 until 1 p.m., but will assemble at the residence at other times.
Visit the Book of Memories for Mr. Steele at www.rutledgeandbigham.com.
Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home is serving the Steele Family.