Buddy Ray Sasser, 48, of Goldsboro, departed this earthly life on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill.

 

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. in the chapel of Howell Funeral Home & Crematory in Goldsboro. Interment will follow at Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Goldsboro. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 10:30 a.m. until 11:15 a.m.

 

Buddy was born in Wayne County on December 25, 1977. He was a proud graduate of Eastern Wayne High School, Class of 1997, where he later served as an assistant football coach. He was also a valued employee of Georgia-Pacific.

 

Those left to cherish his precious memories include his loving wife, Latonia Sasser; his father, Ray Charles Sasser Sr. of Fremont; his mother, Minister Bessie Carolyn Howell (Robert Lee) of Goldsboro; his children, S'ven and S'veya Sasser; Brian Shannon, DaVeje' Shannon, Jayla Shannon and Ariyon Sasser; his brother, Ronyell Sasser; his sister, Carlentina Sasser; his brothers-in-law, Thurman McCuller Jr. and Mike Bell (Dana); and his grandchildren, Alijah Shannon and Brielle Shannon.

 

Buddy was preceded in death by his sister, Conkistia "Pooday" McCuller.

 

His memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved him, and his legacy will live on through the many lives he touched as a husband, father, coach, family member, and friend.