Pete's Grill

Date: 1953
Location: Gibsonville, Guilford, North Carolina, United States
Surnames/tags: Ray Bradford Hursey

Pete's Grill

This page is a tribute to the owners and employees of Pete's Grill, who, for more than 65 years have provided incredible food and great service.

History

Pete's Grill is a family-owned restaurant located at 137 Peidmont Avenue, Gibsonville, North Carolina. The building, originally a Trailways bus station, was bought by Jesse William Ray, also known as "Pete" and "Petie", who established the grill in 1953.^[1] Despite being on it's 5th owner, there has been little change to the great food and friendly service for almost 70 years.

Pete's Grill Staff ca. 1967

Jesse William "Petie" Ray was born 1917 in Rockingham County, NC.^[2] He was married to Ivora "Bo" Englebright (1917-1969) in 1940^[3] and had three children: Lemuel Ronald, Trudy Ann, and Teddie Lynn.^[2] In the early 50s he purchased the space and in 1953 opened Pete's Grill. He was the owner/operator until he passed away in 1967.^[4][5] After his passing, his wife was unable to run the cafe so she sold it to Jack Brafford. "Bo" continued to work at Bennet Hosiery Mill until she passed away in 1969. At the time of her passing Teddie was still underage and was taken in by the Methodist Children's Home in Winston-Salem, NC.^[1] Lemuel passed away in 1956^[5] and Trudy passed away in 2018. During "Petie's" time at the helm some of his employees included: Bobbie King (more below); cooks Hilda, her daughter Nannie Lee, and Nannie's daughter Joyce; and pastry chef Polly Troxler.^[6] A patron, Bob Marlett said, Polly "made the best pies and cobbler I have ever eaten...her peach cobbler was my lunch."

Jack Brafford mid-1980s

Jack Brafford was the owner/operator of Pete's from about 1967 until he passed away. He was born in 1933 in Guilford County.^[2] In 1950 he married Fay Marie Harris and had two children: Kenneth Wayne, and Sandra. In 1974 he married Virginia Ann Sparkman, and they had a son, Jonathan. When he bought the restaurant, he decided not to change the name to "Jack's" because of Jack's BBQ right around the corner. According to Jonathan and Sandra, many people came just to see Jack. He was always joking around making people laugh -- a real bright spot in an otherwise hectic day for most people. Jack was a very generous man who gave blank checks to preachers and paid medical bills for patrons with sick kids.^[6][7] When Jack died in 1995^[5][8] he left the restaurant to Jonathan with instructions that Bobbie King was to run it. When word spread of Jack's passing, three former Elon University students contacted the family, offering to buy the restaurant "as-is."^[6]

Bobby King

Bobbie King, a long time employee of Pete's and a good friend to Jack, was to be the "operator" and pay only $600 a month in rent when Jack died.^[7] Bobbie was a staple of Pete's for many decades, staying until her unexpected death in 2009. She is remembered for being sweet, kind, and always ready with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Jonathan Brafford said, "Bobbie was like a mother to me...Bobbie and my father taught me how to cook" Pete's recipes which means "all my friends and family love to come over for food."^[7] The $600 rent that Bobbie paid did not cover the expenses of owning the building so in 1997 Jonathan decided to sell.^[7]

Kostas Hatzipangiotou took over as owner in 1997^[9] with Bobbie still managing the business. When Bobbie passed away, Kostas began managing the business and continued to run the restaurant with kind, friendly service and the great "downhome" cooking that the patrons have always enjoyed. Kostas was always understanding when someone had to leave without paying so they could run to the ATM to get cash.

Charles Sylvester "Tripp" Hursey, III bought Pete's grill from Kostas in March 2022.^[10][11]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Information passed to Allan Capps by Petie's son, Teddie.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Raleigh, North Carolina: North Carolina State Archives. Microfilm.
3. ↑ Virginia Department of Health; Richmond, Virginia; Virginia, Marriages, 1936-2014; Roll: 101168489
4. ↑ Memorial for "Petie" on Find A Grave: Memorial #57825186
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2} North Carolina State Archives; Raleigh, North Carolina; North Carolina Death Certificates
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2} Information passed to Allan Capps by Jack's daughter, Sandra.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3} Information passed to Allan Capps by Jack's son, Jonathan.
8. ↑ Memorial for Jack Brafford on Find A Grave: Memorial #138092209
9. ↑ Pete's Grill, Inc. Articles of Incorporation from the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State.
10. ↑ Pete's Grill of Gibsonville, LLC Articles of Organization from the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State.
11. ↑ Article: Chandler, J. (2022 March 11). Times News of Burlington, NC - "Pete’s Grill In Gibsonville Sold To Local Man With Ties To Hursey Barbecue Family."

Petie's Obituary

• Obituary of Jesse William "Pete" Ray - Funeral services for Jesse William (Pete) Ray, 49, of Gibsonville will be conducted Saturday at 2 p.m. at Gibsonville Methodist Church by the Rev. W. W. Blanton. Burial will be in Alamance Memorial Park. Mr. Ray died Thursday in a Burlington hospital. He was a native of Rockingham County and was owner and operator of Pete's Grill in Gibsonville. Surviving are his mother, Mrs. Mamie Miller Ray of Burlington; his wife, Mrs. Ivora Englebright Ray; one son, Teddy Lynn Ray of the home; one daughter, Trudy Ann Ray of the home; five brothers, Carl and Jack Ray of Flint, Mich., Ervin Ray of Burlington, Ed Ray of Gibsonville and Fred Ray of Miami, Fla; and four sisters, Mrs. Lucille Carnatzie of Flint, Mrs. Margie Whitaker of Burlington, Mrs. Ethelene Porter of Elon College and Mrs. Pauline Stephens of Greensboro. (citation: 23 Sep 1967. Herald-Sun of Durham, NC).
• Obituary of Jack Brafford - Mr. Jack Franklin Brafford, 62, of Gibsonville passed away July 20, 1995. Funeral will be 4 p.m. Sunday at Lambeth-Troxler Funeral Home Chapel, with interment to follow in Lakeview Memorial Park. A native of Guilford County, he was a graduate of Rankin High School, was formerly employed by Pet Dairy and had owned and operated Pete's Grill in Gibsonville for the past 30 years. He was a member of the Elk's Lodge 1633, the Moose Lodge 742 and VFW Post 63, all of Burlington. He was the son of the late Thomas Franklin Brafford. Survivors include his mother, Clara Fain Brafford; sons, Kenneth Wayne Brafford and Jonathan Sparkman Brafford; daughter, Sandra Brafford Kendrick; grandson, Austin Randolph Kendrick, all of Greensboro; sister, Julia Brafford Green of Burlington; and his devoted companion, Diane Kay Brooks of Gibsonville. He will be remembered best as a loving Dad, Paw Paw, and a devoted friend. The family will receive friends 7-9 p.m. tonight at Lambeth-Troxler Funeral Home and other times at the residence. Memorials may be made to Hospice at Greensboro, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, N.C. 27405.
• Obituary of Bobbie King - Bobbie Jean Underwood King, of N.C. Hwy. 61 North, passed away on Friday, April 10, 2009 at her residence. She was born in Caswell County and was the daughter of the late John Wesley and Murkadese Apple Underwood. Bobbie was a current employee and former owner of Pete's Grill in Gibsonville and a member of Friedens Lutheran Church. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Kimberly and John Justice Jr. of Gibsonville; grandchildren, Ashley and Tyler Justice; brother and sister-in-law, Charlie and Billie Underwood of Browns Summit and loving dog, Dash. She was preceded in death by her parents, six sisters, Florence Flynt, Nita Summers, Willie Underwood, Alma Underwood, Nancy Underwood and Mary Mitchell and four brothers, James F., J.D., Woodrow and Robert Underwood. A memorial service will be held at 6 P.M. Tuesday evening at Friedens Lutheran Church by the Rev. Raymond Petrea, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 Monday evening at the church and other times at the home of her daughter, Kimberly Justice, 2027 Cullen Road, Gibsonville. Memorials may be made to Friedens Lutheran Church c/o the Kitchen Fund 6001 NC Hwy 61 North, Gibsonville, NC 27249.