Rufus McAden Obituary

Rufus Yancey McAden III

June 21, 2025

New Bern, North Carolina - Rufus Yancey McAden III, a resident of New Bern since 1967, died on June 21, 2025, at the age of 84.

Rufus was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on November 30, 1940, to Rufus Y. McAden Jr. and Iva Odessa Gray McAden. He attended high school at Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem, where he was a two-time All-State standout on the football team that won a State Championship in 1960. He was awarded a four-year football scholarship to the Georgia Institute of Technology where he played under Coach Bobby Dodd. Rufus graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management in 1964.

Rufus married his high school sweetheart Nancy Dunham McAden of Winston-Salem in 1963. Rufus began his professional career immediately after college, working in High Point for two and a half years in insurance before settling in New Bern in early 1967. In New Bern, Rufus started with Beaman & Carpenter Insurance before assuming responsibility for the practice and merging with Bill 'Goose' Lancaster and forming Lancaster-McAden Insurance, which later became The Insurance Center.

Rufus was a long-time upstanding member of the New Bern community. He was active in the First Presbyterian Church where he taught Sunday School and was a Ruling Elder; served on the Craven County School Board; coached youth football; and held his Captain's License from the US Coast Guard. He was an avid fisherman, an enthusiastic golfer, and an adventurous windsurfer.

Rufus was a loving and steadfast husband and father. Rufus is survived by his wife, Nancy D. McAden of Trent Woods, and his four children: Rufus (Natalie) Yancey McAden IV of Harker's Island, NC; Michael (Kristie) Edward McAden of Trent Woods, NC; James (Kendis) Gray McAden of Vienna, VA; and Nan (Jason Mills) Keenan McAden of Trent Woods, NC. Rufus was beloved by his thirteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren, who all knew him as "Pawpaw". Rufus was preceded in death by his brother, Benjamin Terry McAden.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24th, at First Presbyterian Church in New Bern.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to the medical team and staff at the CarolinaEast Cancer Center and Palliative Care Unit.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Children's Hope Alliance at www.childrenshopealliance.org, First Presbyterian Church of New Bern at www.firstpresnb.org, or the charity of your choice.

Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the McAden family.