Donald Worsley

Donald Ashe Worsley, of Elizabethtown, NC, passed away at the age of 90 on May 1, 2022 surrounded by his family. He was a man of great love, faith, and joy and lived his life doing for others. Donald was born on August 9,1931 and grew up in Wallace, NC. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Cecil and Annie Pearl Southerland Worsley, and his siblings, Eris Burks, Cecil Worsley, George Worsley, and David Worsley.

Donald was educated in the Duplin County Schools and attended East Carolina University before joining the U.S. Army. Later, when he moved to Elizabethtown to operate his family’s business, Worsley Oil Company, he met and married Shirley Warner. Donald and Shirley were happily married for sixty years. All his life, Donald prioritized giving back. His desire to put the needs of the less fortunate before his own was perhaps his most endearing trait. He was active in the Elizabethtown Presbyterian Church for over 50 years, serving as an elder.  For many years, he volunteered with the Elizabethtown Prison Ministry, where he met individually with inmates in prison to study the Bible. He was also an active member of the Kiwanis Club for over sixty years. Donald had a steadfast dedication to his family, serving God, and others.

Donald is survived by his wife, Shirley Warner Worsley and their three children: Don Worsley (Shawna) of Cary, Julie Chappell (Stephen) of Wilmington, and Jill Rogers (Michael) of Winston-Salem, and seven grandchildren, all of whom he adored: Andrew Chappell, Collin Chappell, Caroline Chappell, Adam Worsley, Michael Rogers, Anna Rogers, and Emma Rogers as well as many nieces, nephews, and their families.

A service to honor Donald’s life will be held on Friday, May 6 at the Elizabethtown Presbyterian Church at 2:00 pm with a visitation beginning at 1:00 pm. He will be laid to rest in a private graveside service prior to the celebration of life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Community Care Hospice or the Elizabethtown Presbyterian Church.