The obituary of Lander Coe (7 March 1935-19 August 2014) not only memorialized his life, but preserved small details of mid-century East Wilson culture.

Lander Coe, 79, of Wilson succumbed to the silent halls of death Tuesday at his residence with his loving wife, Dorothy Thompson Coe, and family at his side. Mr. Coe was employed with Hamilton Funeral Home for over 60 years. He was the Godfather and first mentor in funeral service to Rev. [Ernie] Haskins. He was named honorary chairman of the board of the Haskins Funeral Home. Mr. Coe was employed with Hamilton Funeral Chapel for over 61 years. Mr. Coe was the husband of Dorothy Thompson Coe whom he loved dearly. Lander was born to the late Lenzie Coe and Rebecca McDonald Coe. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his brother, Richard. Lander Coe  was raised by his aunt, Libby McFadden [McPhatter], who owned Libby’s Restaurant. As fate would have it, the restaurant was located across the street from Hamilton Funeral Home. At the adventurous age of 14, young Lander found his way across the street to the funeral home following Baby Hart, who worked at the funeral home at the time. Lander watched under watchful eyes of Talmon Hunter and Landy Hodges. A vibrant youngster, he was assigned the duties of making removals, working funerals and was the infamous ambulance driver who was also the man on call. Back in those days, the night man stayed at the funeral home overnight. Lander was blessed to work with three generations of the Hamilton family including the founder, the late Levi Hamilton and his wife, Geneva B. Hamilton. Over the years, he has observed changes in the funeral traditions of Wilson and the surrounding counties. He remembers removing door frames and windows in order to place bodies in homes for the custom of “sitting ups.” Some of his most vivid memories are of driving the ambulances while transporting expectant mothers. His comical fear was that they would deliver while en route to the hospital. To facilitate the growth of the business, the funeral home moved to 211 South Pender Street in 1961. Lander made his home on the second floor of the funeral home for more than 15 years. During those formative years, Lander always stood ready to answer the phones and perform any tasks needed. He became known as a fixture at Hamilton Funeral Home. At the height of the funeral home’s business, he remembers having nine funerals in one day. Lander had an uncanny talent for arranging flowers at the funerals and even using the beautiful floral arch. You could easily tell the services that he conducted because he would take extra care and arrange the flowers neatly on the grave. He would often say, “the family would be back to look at the flowers.” In 1980, Hamilton added a cemetery, Hamilton Burial Garden. Lander became the sexton of the cemetery. He would maintain the cemetery in a pristine and dignified manner. If asked, he could locate the grave of a family’s loved one without looking at the map. His dedication to his work was evident, as he often [dug] graves by hands when the back hoe was broken. In June 1968, he met Dorothy Thompson, and on April 6, 1973, they were united in holy matrimony. Dot, as she is affectionately known as, made a home in the funeral home’s upstairs apartment. Dot would accompany him to do removals and also dig graves at various cemeteries. She learned patience as she stood by her “Funeral Home Man.” Lander accepted the Lord as his personal Savior in 2004. For many years he was a member of Calvary Presbyterian Church. He later joined the Union Grove FWB Church. A celebration of his will be held on Sunday, August 24, 2014, 2:00 pm at L.N.Forbes Original Free Will Baptist Tabernacle, 1800 Lane Street Extension, Wilson. Pastor George Dupree will officiate with Reverend Ernie Haskins bringing forth the eulogy. Interment will follow at Hamilton Burial Garden Lane Street Extension, Wilson. Loved by all who was blessed to know him, Lander leaves to cherish his beautiful life with loving memories are; a devoted wife of 41 years, Dorothy Thompson Coe of the home; three stepsons: James Thompson of Wilson, North Carolina, Richard Thompson of Suitland, Maryland, and Anthony of Germany; one Godson, Reverend Ernie Haskins (Miranda) of Goldsboro, North Carolina; two Goddaughters: Tishana Graham of Rocky Mount, North Carolina and Jennifer Bynum of Wilson, North Carolina; five brothers: Lenzie (AG) Coe (Bessie) of Wilson, North Carolina, David Coe (Mary) of Covina, California, Curtis Coe and Lennon Coe both of Parkton, North Carolina and Lynwood Coe of Fayetteville, North Carolina; four sisters: Ealer Mae Coe Shells of Wilson, North Carolina, Louise Coe Muse (Clarence) of Washington, DC, Gloria Coe of Parkton, North Carolina and Carolyn Williams of Fayetteville, North Carolina; stepmother: Lula Coe of Fayeteville, North Carolina; and a host of other relatives and friends. A public viewing will take place on Saturday, August 23, 2014 from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm with the family present from 7:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Hamilton Funeral Chapel, 726 Tarboro Street SW, Wilson. All other times the family will receive friends at the residence where they will also assmble one hour prior to the funeral service in preparation for the funeral procession.