Morris W. “Pete” Pully, 96, died Thursday, January 10, 2019. The funeral service will be held Tuesday at 2 pm at Gordon Street Christian Church with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in La Grange.

Mr. Pully was born in La Grange on February 17, 1922 and moved to Kinston later in 1922. He attended Harvey School and Grainger High School in Kinston and graduated in 1939. He entered the University of North Carolina in 1939 and was awarded an AB Degree in Chemistry in 1943 and a BS Degree in Marketing in 1947.

During his years at UNC he maintained an active role in student activities which included serving as Chairman of the Student Council, member of Delta Sigma Pi (Business/Commerce), Scribe of the Order of the Grail, Kappa Alpha Order Chapter President, Recipient of Sullivan Medallion, member of The Golden Fleece #422, member of House Privilege Board, Secretary of UNC Interfraternity Council and Student Legislature, and listed in the Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities.

Mr. Pully was employed by the Massengill Pharmaceutical Company in August 1947 and remained with them for 40 years as its ownership changed to Beecham Laboratories in 1972 and later to Beecham SmithKline Pharmaceutical Company. He was Director of Sales and Marketing Administration when he retired in 1987. He continued to live in Bristol, TN until 1992. During his 45 years in Bristol his volunteer work included terms of service as President of the Evening Kiwanis Club, President of the Bristol Sales and Marketing Club, Board Chairman of the Central Christian Church, Fund Chairman for building the new Central Christian Church and the new Boy’s Club of Bristol, President of the Bristol United Way Board, and Co-author of the History of the S.E. Massengill Co.

Mr. Pully moved from Bristol, TN to Kinston in 1992 and rejoined the Gordon Street Christian Church where he served as Chairman of the Board in 1998. During recent years he has been active via memberships in the Hospital Foundation, Kinston Arts Council, Friends of the Library and the Westminster Townhome Association.