February 6, 1929 - October 25,2020
GREENSBORO — Paul Harvey McMath, 91, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 25, 2020. Paul was born in Greensboro to the late Gordan B. and Elsie McMath on February 6, 1929. He was married to Virginia McMath, who will remember Paul as her hero.
Raised on the family farm in Chatham County, Paul graduated from Silk Hope School, Siler City, N.C. He moved to Greensboro with his wife, Alma, where two sons, Steve and Alan, would be born and his dear wife would pass away too soon. He married June Carol Harris, a Silk Hope classmate and gained his third son, Mike Moody in 1969.
He was hired to tame the cotton fibers by sweeping the floors at JP Stevens, a Greensboro based textile mill. With hard work and dedication, Paul advanced within the company, taking courses in management and at his retirement after 35 years, he held the position of plant superintendent.
He grew up in the Hickory Mtn. Baptist Church, Siler City, where his family had attended for many years and later moved his membership to Mt. Vernon UMC, Siler City, where he served in many capacities but most notably as Sunday school superintendent, teacher of the adult Sunday school class and delegate to the N.C. Conference of the United Methodist Church for many years. He attended Trinity Church in Greensboro in his later years. Paul was a man of great faith, with a fabulous sense of humor who dearly loved his family and friends.
Paul enjoyed raising cows and for many years he made the journey to Siler City on the weekends to spend time on the farm where he was raised. Later, he had a small garden at his home in Greensboro where enjoyed growing heirloom tomatoes and other vegetables but he was always eager for his visits to “the country” where he could watch his cattle graze and meet the new calves that had been born. He knew them by name and asked after those that were his favorites.
In addition to his parents, Paul was predeceased by his wives, Alma Jackson McMath (1968) and June Harris McMath (2015); brothers, Carl and Keith McMath; sister, Patsy M. Beale; and daughter-in-law, Myra McMath.
Survivors also include his sons; P. Stephen McMath (Brenda), Alan McMath (Carolyn) and Mike Moody (Beverly); his grandsons; Brooks McMath, Drew McMath, Joel McMath (Autumn) and Josh Moody (Nicole); great-grandchildren; Theodore Paul Hester-McMath, Dylan, Dalton and Dakota Rose Moody. Paul is also survived by his sister-in-law, Faye McMath, and extended family.
There was a graveside service at Westminister Gardens on Friday, October 30, 2020, at 2 o’clock. All COVID protocols were observed.
Forbis and Dick Funeral Home, N. Elm St., is serving the family.
Memorials may be made to the memorial association at Mt. Vernon UMC, 3631 Mt. Vernon Hickory Mtn Rd., Siler City, N.C., or to the Hickory Mtn Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 1094 Mt. Vernon Hickory Mtn Rd., Siler City, N.C. 27344.