Josephus Sanford Eury

Josephus Sanford Eury, nicknamed "Ceph" or "J.S. Eury" was born August 3rd, 1884 to James M. Eury and Sarah Honeycutt in Stanly County, North Carolina. He married Rosa Agnes Hill on December 28th, 1905 at the age of 21. He had 12 children with Rosa; however, their second daughter, Nannie, passed away at the age of 2 in 1914. All their children include: Leonard James Eury (born 1907, died 1985), Lester Carl Eury (born 1908, died 1980), Mary Velma Eury (born 1910, died 1974), Nannie Lou Eury (born 1911, died 1914), Hugh Kennie Eury (born 1913, died 1969), Lela Tance Eury (born 1914, died 2008), Paul Revere Eury (born 1916, died 1990), Willie Ray Eury (born 1917, died 1960), Joseph Sanford Eury Jr. (born 1922, died 1976), Edward L. Eury (born 1923, died 1943), Lawson Campbell Eury (born 1924, died 1973), and Craig Allen Eury (born 1927, died 1976).

 

 

Josephus's wife, Rosa, died at 48 years old of ovarian cancer in 1933. After the death of his wife, Rosa, in 1933, Josephus Sanford Eury made the decision to place his son, Edward Eury, who was born with disabilities, in the Caswell Developmental Center in Kinston, North Carolina. Josephus must have believed this was the best option for Edward's care and well-being. The drive from Norwood to Kinston, which is approximately 180 miles, reflects the significant distance Josephus would have traveled to ensure his son received the care he needed. ​

​

Josephus' grandson, Tom Luther, told me a time when Josephus Eury took matters into his own hands to protect his daughter, Lela Eury. Upon learning that her husband, Matthew Ransom Luther Sr., had been abusive, Josephus confronted him and shot him in the hand with his gun.​

​

Josephus got remarried to a woman named "Odessa Taylor", however, not much is known of her. The Eury children seemed to not be very fond of her. Josephus had diabetes and in 1948, Josephus passed away from a pulmonary embolism after stepping on glass left in the bathroom by his wife Odessa. Due to diabetes, the wound healed slowly, leading to infection and reduced mobility. This likely caused a blood clot, which traveled to the lungs, resulting in a fatal embolism.