Maurice Eskridge

April 5, 1932 - December 13, 2020

Shelby-Maurice Eugene (Gene) Eskridge passed away on December 13, 2020 at Pardee Hospital in Hendersonville, N.C. He was 88. He was born in Shelby on April 5, 1932 to Maurice Falsom Eskridge and Mary Eula Wesson Eskridge. He graduated from Shelby High School in 1951, and served in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955. Thereafter he attended Appalachian State University earning Bachelors and Masters degrees in business education. Gene taught at Bessemer City High School and taught for thirty years at Cleveland Community College. He was married to Rachel Ann Lemons Eskridge for nearly sixty years until her death in 2014. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, his brother James David Eskridge (Pauline) sisters Betty Eskridge Jordan (Wade) and Sayde Elizabeth Wright (William), and niece Mary Cornelia Putnam (Dan.) He is survived by nephews James David Eskridge, Jr.(Lark), Wade Thomas Jordan (Patty), David Alan Jordan (Wanda) and Richard Montgomery Wright. His great nieces and nephews are Stephanie Queen, Megan J. Kirkley, Daniel Putnam, Katalin J. Rich, Rebecca J. Wright, Matthew Jordan, and Sarah Jordan. In retirement Gene enjoyed gardening, hunting, and watching the Atlanta Braves. For the past few years he resided at Brookdale Shelby. The family wishes to express their gratitude to Bonnie Pearson, Gene and Rachel’s longtime friend, who cared for both as their health declined. A graveside service will be held at Sharon United Methodist Church on Friday, December 18th at 1 p.m., with Rev. Melanie Nichols officiating. Memorials may be made to Sharon United Methodist Church, 871 College Rd. Shelby, NC, 28152.