John Alton Askew Sr.

June 14, 1942 - June 22, 2022

John Alton Askew, Sr. was born on June 14, 1942 in Bertie County, NC to the parents of the late John Thomas (JT) and Bessie Sessoms Askew. He departed this life on June 22, 2022 at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, NC. He is proceeded in death by two sons; Darrell D. Askew and John A. Askew, Jr., a grandson, James Sutton; a brother, Edward E. Askew and a sister; Marion A. Hill. John was known for his skillfulness in carpentry. He could cut boards to the exact marking even with his limited vision. John was a devoted family man. At an early age he met and married his soul mate. To their union seven children were born. John leaves to cherish his memories, his wife of 54 years, Shirley L. Askew, five children- Kenneth Askew of Cofield, NC; Kelvin Keith Askew (Carshenia) of Windsor, NC, Brian O.Askew (Kechia), and William L. Askew (Latricia), all of Greensboro, NC, and Marilyn M. Askew of the home; 1 daughter-in-law- Shelia Askew of Raleigh, NC; two sisters, Thelma Brenda Perry (Alexander) of Newport News, VA, and Sonya Askew-Williams of Pendleton, NC; three brothers, William Raleigh Askew (Mildred) of Newport News, VA, Alphonso Askew (Margaret) of Windsor, NC and Larry Donnell Askew (Lisa) of Ahoskie, NC; five sisters-in-law, Margaret Elaine Montgomery, Dorothy Ann Moore (Melvin), Sue Rankins and Shirley Newsome all of Cofield, NC, and Jannie Brown of Tappahanock, VA; three brothers-in-law Calvin Brown (Mattie) of Brownsville, NJ, Richard Moore (Sylvia) of Murfreesboro, NC, and Donnie Moore (Adrienne) of Chesapeake, VA; one aunt, Helen Ruth Artis of Newport News, VA; 12 grandchildren, Chloe, Shirley, Anthony, Jemira, Terri, Ashlee, Brian, Jasmine, Chantel, Shakirah, William Jr. and MaKiyah and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives.