Noel Auman

Benson, NC: Mr. Noel James Auman of 400 West Church Street died Thursday, October 3, 2013, at his residence.  Funeral Services will be 2:00PM Sunday, October 6, 2013, at the Benson United Methodist Church. Officiating will be Rev. Ron Patton and Rev. Earl Dulaney.  Entombment will follow in Roselawn Cemetery.     Mr. Auman was born in Randolph County on August 13, 1918 and grew up in Seagrove, North Carolina on a family farm with his parents, the late John R. and Della Russell Auman, and eight brothers and two sisters. He and Doris King were high school sweethearts and they married in 1941.  They made their home in Asheboro during the years that Noel worked with a furniture company as a salesman.  He served in World War II in the Army.  In 1951, he moved his family to Benson and with his brother, Bernice Auman, started Benson Veneer and Plywood.      He always took an active role in his community, serving as a Town Commissioner and taking leadership roles in civic organizations.  Especially near and dear to his heart were the Boy Scouts and Kiwanis Club.  He received many honors and awards for distinctive service including Benson Citizen of the Year.  Mr. Auman was a member of Benson United Methodist Church where he served in many capacities.      He enjoyed road trips with his family, always making sure he was back on Thursday for the weekly Kiwanis meeting except when a convention would send him and his family on adventures across the country.  He loved the beach, and he and Doris spent many happy days at Surfside Beach, SC, with friends and family.  Noel, an avid golfer, enjoyed his friendships on the links and his morning coffee club group. His children and grandchildren remember his entertaining stories and sweet disposition.  He believed that “eating an apple a day keeps the doctor away” and also sampled apple pies all across America and in Europe.  The idea must have worked for him; he died at home at the age of 95.      He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris, and son, Steve.  Mr. Auman is survived by his daughter, Noela Woodall and husband, Bill, of Benson; daughter-in-law, Susan Auman of Benson. Grandchildren include Eric Woodall of New York City, Clay Woodall and wife, Isa, of Raleigh, Allison Auman of New York City and Katherine Auman of Raleigh; and two great grandchildren.      The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall of the church from 1:00PM to 1:45PM Sunday prior to the service.     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Benson Area Medical Center, 3333 NC Hwy 242, Benson, NC  27504 or Benson United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 72, Benson, NC  27504.