Mr. Vernon Lee Hembree, 81, of Cliffside, passed away on Tuesday, April 24, 2012.

    A native of Abbeville, SC, he was born on April 29, 1930, a son of the late Wade Hembree and Sallie Cox Hembree. He was retired from Cone Mills Corporation - Cliffside Plant and a member of Cliffside Baptist Church.

    In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by one son, James Hembree. He is survived by his wife, Ruby Blackwell Hembree; two sons, Harold Hembree of Charlotte and Ernest Hembree of Cliffside; four sisters, Lena Price of Glenn Alpine, Lila Price of Marion, Fannie Carpenter of Morganton and Marie (Mickie) Benfield of Morganton; two grandchildren, Tina Hembree and Jason Hembree.

    Funeral services were held at Cliffside Baptist Church with the Rev. Joey Cantrell officiating.

    McKinney-Landreth & Carroll Funeral Home is serving the family.