Joseph Setzer Weston

Published in the News Record on 2/26/2009

GREENSBORO — Joseph Setzer Weston, 96, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 24, 2009, at Moses Cone Hospital.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, February 27, in the Sanctuary of Guilford Baptist Church and graveside services will be held after the service at Guilford Memorial Park.

Born in 1913 to Fannie Ora and The Reverend Lientine Setzer Weston in St. Pauls, North Carolina, Setzer was the sixth of 11 children. He grew up in Atkinson on a farm with his ten siblings. He graduated from Guilford College with a BA in 1937.

Setzer first taught at Guilford High School and served as coach for all sports teams, then played semi-pro baseball (AAA) before working for Blue Bell, now VF Corp. in Greensboro.

Setzer was a faithful member of Guilford Baptist Church since 1932, where he met his wife, Trailing Arbutus Reele. A devout Baptist, Mr. Weston devoted much of his time to the church, serving as chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee overseeing construction of the new sanctuary and many additions, as well as chairman of the Board of Deacons, Sunday School teacher, and singing in the choir until recently. Setzer and his siblings gave the baptistry painting to Guilford Baptist Church in honor of their parents.

He was an avid gardener, story teller, and sportsman and was inducted into the Guilford College Quaker Hall of Fame in 1976 for excellence in basketball and baseball.

He is survived by his wife, "Boots"; son, Jerry Setzer Weston and daughter, Linda Weston Langer; two grandchildren, Jared Stephenson Weston and Brett Weston McGarity; sisters, Frances Weston Register and Jane Weston Tippett; brother, Benjamin James Weston.

The family will receive friends and family in the parlor at Guilford Baptist Church on Friday, February 27, at 1 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Guilford Baptist Church, 5904 W. Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27409, in lieu of flowers.

Forbis & Dick Guilford Chapel is serving the family and condolences may be offered at www.forbisanddick.com.