Mr. Henry Edward Stepp Sr., 64, devoted husband, exemplary father and proud grandfather died Wednesday, June 27, 2007, at Forsyth Medical Center following a brief illness.

He was born in Winston-Salem on June 5, 1943 to Myrtle Hairston Stepp and William Henry Stepp, both of Winston-Salem, NC. He graduated from Atkins High School in Winston-Salem in 1961 and attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, FL. and graduated from Bailey Technical Institute in St. Louis, Mo. After his college years, he played semi-professional baseball for the Winston-Salem Pond Giants, fielding the positions of catcher and first baseman.

On December 23, 1967, he married his soulmate and best friend, Vera Simms Stepp. In 1968, the young couple's family expanded to include a daughter Angela Marie. Six years later, twins Henry Edward II and Holly Elaine completed the family. He worked as a machinist for more than 28 years at the Whitaker Park plant of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., retiring in 1994. After retirement, he worked diligently with the Pan-African Imagery in Winston-Salem, NC.

Henry knew no stranger and was a ready friend to anyone in need. He was a loyal and faithful member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church for more than 39 years serving as a deacon, a member of Laymen's League, the Athletic Association and the Usher board. He led the church's audio-visual team and served in various roles as he was called. His community involvements included serving as president of Odd Fellows Cemetery Reclamation Project, a United Way person-to-person coordinator for R.J. Reynolds, a member of The Jack and Jill of America Inc. Foundation, and a member of the advisory board of the Northwest North Carolina Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Henry was known for his quick wit and charm. He loved cars and was among the best shade-tree mechanics. His passion for a baseball almost equaled his automotive interests. He will be known by those who loved him as a man whose strength of character was only rivaled by the size of his heart. He never turned away from those in need and spent his life in service to others.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother, William Lee Stepp formerly of Chicago, IL.

He is survived by his loving wife, Vera; three children, Angela S. Spence of Winston-Salem, NC, Henry E. Stepp II of Charlotte, NC and Holly E. Stepp of Raleigh, NC.; grandchildren, Danielle and William Eric Spence II and their father Eric Spence of Winston-Salem, NC.; brother and sister-in-law, Alvin and Janet Atkinson of Winston-Salem, NC.; aunts Lorraine Hairston Morton of Evanston, IL. and Irene Hairston of Pfafftown, NC; his father-in-law Nathan Hughes Simms and his brother-in-law Jacob Simms, both of Winston-Salem, NC; sister-in-law Karen Simms Tolson and her husband Jerry of Louisville, KY; brother-in-law Nathan Frank Simms and his wife Helen of Chapel Hill, NC; his adopted family, Michael and Robin Sutton of Winston-Salem, NC; and a host of cousins, friends, and countless others who called him Dad.

Funeral services will be held at 10am Saturday, June 30, 2007 from the Mt. Zion Baptist Church with the Reverend Dr. Serenus T. Churn, Sr. officiating. The family visitation will be held from 6pm until 8pm on Friday, June 29, 2007 at the Church.

Memorials can be made to the Odd Fellows Cemetery Reclamation Project c/o Truliant Federal Credit Union and the National Kidney Foundation of North Carolina, 5950 Fairview Rd Ste 550, Charlotte, NC 28210.