Aaron Moss

Aaron Bernard Moss, age 91, formerly of Academy St. died Sunday, July 20, 2014 at Carolina Care Center. He was born on November 19, 1922 in Gaston County to the late Ezra Vernon Moss, Sr. and the late Pearl Houser Moss. Aaron was a member of First Baptist Church where he was a former deacon and Sunday School superintendent, member of Bill Barger Sunday School class, and served on various committees. He was a United States Navy veteran, serving in World War II, and was a member of American Legion Post #100 for over 70 years. Aaron attended UNC Chapel Hill, was on the Board of Advisors for Gardner Webb University and was a member of the Cherryville School Board. He served Cherryville for 11 years as Mayor and was the President of Cherryville National Bank for 41 years. He was also a member and past president of the Rotary Club and served on the Board of Health for Gaston County for 14 years, with 16 months being the Chairman. Aaron also served on the board of directors of the Gaston County Chapter of the American Red Cross, past president of the Chamber of Commerce, former owner of the Cherryville Insurance Agency, former secretary and director of Broadcasting Company of the Carolinas, Inc., board of directors for N.C. Orthopedic Hospital, member of the executive committee of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Cherryville Tri-County Crusade for Christ, Chairman group of Nine North Carolinas Bankers Association, and was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award. He was inducted into the Cherryville Sports Hall of Fame, the North Carolina American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame, and Cherryville Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame. As Mayor, Aaron was influential in initiating the "Hobo," a large, plastic garbage can on wheels for curbside trash collection to each household, as well as developing Cherryville's first industrial park, and having natural gas pipelines run from Gastonia to Cherryville. He was also a strong promoter in recreation and developed the Cherryville Recreation Commission which developed the city's first recreational park, now named the "Aaron B. Moss Municipal Park." Aaron was also the chairman of many drives including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Buck Fraley Field, and Rudisill Stadium.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, E.V. Moss, Jr.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Nancy Devine Moss; son, David Lee Moss of Gastonia; grandchildren, Natalie Marie Moss of Charleston, SC, and Jarvis Aaron Moss, student at UNC Chapel Hill; brother, Dr. Tom Moss of Shelby; and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, July 27, 2014 at 2:00 PM at Cherryville First Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Vince Hefner officiating. The family will receive friends on Sunday following the service in COC Family Life Center at the church.

Burial will be private with full military honors conducted by American Legion Post #100.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 301 East First St., Cherryville, NC 28021 or to Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Dr. Shelby, NC 28150.

Condolences may be made to www.carpentersfuneralhome.net