Bernard L. Dayvault, Sr.

On Thursday, July 6, 2006, Bernard Lynn Dayvault departed this earthly life. His legacy is a record of achievement touching his family, friends, business and community. He was a primary architect in building Kannapolis and Cabarrus County. Mr. Dayvault was born on November 2, 1916, in Concord, North Carolina, the first child of Aldine Dayvault and Ada Linn Dayvault, both whom are deceased. His brother is the late A. C. Dayvault of Wilmington and his sister, Aliene Seymour lives in Kannapolis. While a student at Winecoff, Mr. Dayvault met and fell in love with Sarah Mills from Concord, who survives in Kannapolis. They were married on June 27, 1936, and celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary together this year. His family was his greatest pride and joy. His children are daughter Jane Kiser and husband George Kiser; son Lynn and his wife Karen of Orlando Florida; and son Thomas Dayvault and wife Judy of High Point, NC. His grandchildren are Elizabeth Kiser Norris, George "Lee" Kiser, Jr., Matthew Kiser, Russell Dayvault, Joshua Dayvault, Julie Dayvault, Sarah "Katie" Dayvault Mason, Lauren Dayvault Estep and Emily Dayvault Hoogerwerf. Great grandchildren are Victoria, Aaron, Sarah and Kiser Norris, Bayne and Nolan Kiser and step-great grandson TJ Allman. Mr. Dayvault's entire business career was in Kannapolis and Concord. He became a leading retailer in furniture, managing Maxwell Brother's stores in both towns. He began his real estate business in 1953 and for nearly 50 years built and developed residential areas in Kannapolis and Rowan County as an owner of Home Realty Company and later Dayvault & Company, Realtors. He was also a certified real estate appraiser for over 20 years. As a highly recognized businessman, he was involved in the establishment of many of his hometown's long-time organizations. He founded and served as the Charter President of the Cabarrus County Homebuilder's Association and is the only person to ever serve as the presidents of both the Kannapolis and Concord Merchants Association. He was one of the founding members of the Concord-Kannapolis Board of Realtors and the author of the multiple listing program in Cabarrus County. He served as president of both the Concord Executive Club and the Kannapolis Businessmen's Club and served as a director for both the North Carolina Association of Realtors and the North Carolina Merchant's Association. In his community, Mr. Dayvault made significant contributions as president of the Kannapolis Rotary Club, chairman of the Cabarrus Unit of the American Red Cross and the Cabarrus Rescue Squad, which he helped establish. He also served his community as president of the Kannapolis Community Fund (now the United Way), the Kannapolis Music Club, the Kannapolis Chapter of the North Carolina Symphony Society and served as chairman of the Kannapolis Christmas Parade for numerous years. He helped build the Kannapolis Golf Course (now Kannapolis Country Club). He was the first person to ever receive both the Distinguished Service Award as Young Man of the Year and 25 years later be recognized as the Senior Man of the Year by the Kannapolis Jaycees. He was honored by the Kannapolis Rotary Club as a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a Life Member of the Oasis Temple of the Shrine and received recognition as a 50 Year Mason. He was a member of the Cannon Memorial Masonic Lodge, Concord York Rite, Cabarrus Shrine Club and Cabarrus Royal Arcanum. Mr. Dayvault was a champion of education and helped hundreds of students receive college degrees while serving as a trustee of the Independent Student Aid Association for over 30 years. He was also a member of the Board of Trustees for Wingate College and served as a member of the Development Council of the Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in California. He also served his church, First Baptist Church of Kannapolis, in many capacities. He was a choir member and a Deacon for nearly 40 years and served on the Finance Committee for over 25 years. He served as Chairman of the Stewardship and Property Committees and was chairman of the fund drive to build the present sanctuary in 1955. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 6:00 pm on Sunday at First Baptist Church. Visitation with the family will be from 4:00 to 5:30 in the Fellowship Hall of the church. Flowers and remembrances may be sent to Lady's Funeral Home in Kannapolis and memorial contributions may be made to the Harvest of Thanks Building Fund at First Baptist Church, 101 North Main Street, Kannapolis, NC, 28081. The family would like to give special thanks to the nurses and staff of Brian Center of Cabarrus for the skilled and loving care of their husband, father and grandfather.