Vestal Irving Boyles Jr.

Vestal Irving Boyles, Jr., 84, of Statesville, passed away Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Iredell Memorial Hospital following a brief illness.

Irving was born on July 31, 1941, in Surry County, North Carolina, to the late Vestal Irving Boyles and Emma Lucille Hudspeth Boyles. A dedicated student and lifelong learner, he graduated from Pilot Mountain High School before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Irving devoted more than six decades to the field of pharmacy. He served as Director of Pharmacy at Iredell Memorial Hospital from 1967 until his retirement in 2007. Even after retiring, Irving continued serving his community through part-time pharmacy work, most recently with Peoples Drug Store in Taylorsville, NC. He also served as pharmacist for the Iredell County Health Department for many years. He was awarded the Rexall Drug Company and the Merck Pharmaceuticals Awards for Excellence in Pharmacy.

A faithful member of First Baptist Church, Irving cherished his church family and was President of the Pioneer Sunday School Class for several years. Among his greatest enjoyments was spending time with friends as a member of Club 18 at the Statesville Country Club. He will be remembered for his dedication to his profession, his quiet faith, and the lasting impact he made on those who knew him.

Left to cherish Irving’s memory, are his beloved wife of 61 years, Martha Jane Vaughn Boyles; daughters, Amy Boyles Guess, and husband, Frank Guess, of Athens, GA, and Susan Emma Boyles of Graham, NC; one son, David Irving Boyles of Statesville; three grandchildren, Connor Summerville Guess, and wife, Dana Guess, Carolina Emma Burkett and Wyatt James Burkett; along with his sister, Carolyn Sue Boyles.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, May 27, at First Baptist Church, with Rev. Nelson Granade and Rev. Tom Sherrod officiating. The family will visit with friends from 10:00 am until 11:00 am in Adams Hall at the church. Burial will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Boyles Family Scholarship, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Attn: Heather Lewis, 301 Pharmacy Lane, Campus Box 7355, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7355, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Arrangements for Mr. Boyles are in the care of Troutman Funeral Home.