July 17, 2025, 87, Goldsboro —
Rexford Bryan Sasser went home to be with Jesus on Thursday, July 17, 2025. He leaves behind the love of his life, Ruth Sutton Sasser with whom he was married to for 67 years. Together they raised and nurtured three daughters, Cheryl, Janice and Lisa.
Rex was preceded in death by his parents Arnold & Elizabeth Waters Sasser and his mother and father-in-law, Bernice & Catherine Sutton. On this day he is reunited with them as well as his brother and sister-in-law Malcolm & Francis Radford whom he adored and brother-in-law’s Edwin Sutton and Paul Sutton. He was preceded in death by many lifelong friends that he missed every day.
As well as his wife and daughters he leaves behind three sons-in-law, Billy Holland, Russell Rice and Chris Denton. Six grandchildren, Brandon Holland & wife Diana, Ashley Oliver and husband Brandon, Kristen Garner and husband Anthony, Rex Threewitts and wife Kayla, Ragan Reeves and husband Travis and Austin McCabe. As well as two very loved step granddaughters, Madison and Raelynne Denton. He leaves six great grandchildren, Bella & Mady Holland, Liam & Hadley Garner, Emma Brown & Lannie Oliver, Ellie & Kalli Threewitts, Kensley Reeves and another granddaughter Aubrey James expected to arrive in November and Elizabeth Sasser Cook (all of the Sasser Plantation). In addition, he is survived by his brother & sister-in-law, Dale & Sandi Sutton and sister-in-law Kathy Sutton. He loved his family more than anything. He was their mentor, their example to follow, their teacher and friend. He was most definitely the family patriarch.
Rex leaves behind many special extended family members and friends. He had a special friendship with Rev. Vernon Braswell, Ronald Waters, Don Neal Jr., Jim Scott, Carl Tart, and Tony & Dianne McCabe. They were family to him and to us. We know that daddy was met in heaven by his life long friend Donald Neal Sr. and his protégé Jeff Newcomb as well as many others. I’m sure Rodney Hollowell is waving at him.
Rex was larger than life to his family and friends. His life here on God’s earth was filled with many achievements and accomplishments. The biggest and most important was his service to his savior and his beloved Church, Rosewood First Baptist which he was a member of for 52 years. (1973). He actually helped build the rafters of the original Rosewood Church sanctuary. There he served several terms as a deacon and Chairman of the Buildings & Grounds. He was Chairman of the Building Committee when the Family Life Centers was built on the Rosewood First Baptist grounds. Rex had the vision and foresight to lead the Church in acquiring the land this facility sits on.
Rex was a founding member of the Fork Township Fire Department (Rosewood Fire Department) where he has been a volunteer for over 50 years. He served as Chief for many years as well as a Chairman of the Board of Directors. He worked diligently to secure the EMS Station in the Rosewood Community. He was the last charter member of the now called Rosewood Fire Department.
Daddy has always been a huge supporter of education and agriculture in the Rosewood community, Wayne County and North Carolina. He introduced the Agricultural Awareness Days in Wayne County to educate school children. He loved and supported the FFA programs in Wayne and Eastern North Carolina. This summer he received the distinguished NC State Honorary FFA Degree.
Rex was a long-time member of the Eastern Carolina Vintage Farm Equipment Club. He loved his 1980 International Harvester 274 tractor. He had so many great friends in this organization and took pride in being a part of it. He made many great friends in this club. Jerry McGinnis, his neighbor and buddy, I’m sure got him involved in this club. As a member he strongly encouraged the raising of funds to provide yearly FFA Scholarships.
Rex was a true farmer. He loved working the land. He farmed with his daddy for many years before obtaining a job with the NC Department of Agriculture at the Cherry Farm Unit. There he served as Superintendent, still working with the land he loved. There he met several employees and coworkers that became lifelong friends. In January 1980 Commissioner Jim Graham presented Rex with the NCDA Supervisor Award. Rex retired in 1999 and came home to farm some more.
Our daddy has been the heart and soul behind the “Field of Dreams” at the NC State Fair for many years. This exhibit shows the different phases of production agriculture in a way that children and those NC citizens who did not grow up in agriculture can understand.
Rex received the Honorary FFA Chapter Degree from the Rosewood FFA. This is the highest honorary degree given by the chapter. Mr. Rex’s impact on the Rosewood agriculture program and FFA is not necessarily in the spotlight for everyone to see, but instead is felt through the behind the scenes work he has been a part of for many years.
The family would like to thank his loving caregivers Eric and Mary. You were so good to him.
Daddy, we know you are resting in the arms of Jesus. You never allowed yourself to rest. We hope you have endless fields to plow in heaven, for on a tractor is where you were most content. We already miss you so much. Thank you for your love, your guidance, your concern…. we love you!
The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 20, 2025 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the family life center at Rosewood First Baptist Church. A service to celebrate Rex’s life will follow at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary with Rev. Vernon Braswell and Rev. Dr. Timothy Lipp officiating. Interment at sunset will be in Pine Forest Methodist Church Cemetery.
Memorials may be given in Rex’s memory to Rosewood First Baptist Church, 562 NC Hwy. 581 South, Goldsboro, NC 27530 or to the Eastern Carolina Vintage Farm Equipment Club, 1080 Sunshine Road, Kenly, NC 27542.
