BIG LICK, NC (WBTV) - Bluegrass fans around the world are just learning about the death of Earl Scruggs, the man from Shelby, North Carolina who made such an impression on other musicians.

Scruggs passed away Wednesday morning at 88 of natural causes. Flowers will be placed on his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday morning.

Scruggs' funeral arrangements are incomplete. He's survived by two sons, Gary and Randy. Louise, his wife of 57 years, died in 2006.

Previous article: Bluegrass legend Earl Scruggs dies at 88 in Tenn.

NORTH CAROLINA - Governor Bev Perdue today announced her intention to nominate Acting Commissioner of Banks Ray Grace to serve as Commissioner.

“Ray has helped guide the state’s financial system through the toughest economic times that many of us have ever seen,” Gov. Perdue said. “With more than 35 years of experience at the Office of the Commissioner of Banks, he comes to this job uniquely qualified and able to seamlessly step into this critical role.”

Grace joined the N.C. Office of the Commissioner of Banks (NCCOB) in 1974 as an examiner trainee and served variously as a Consumer Finance Examiner, Commercial Bank Examiner, Special Supervisory Examiner responsible for overseeing troubled bank supervision, and as Director of Bank Applications. 

In 2009, he was named Deputy Commissioner, in charge of supervision of banks and savings banks.  He was appointed Chief Deputy Commissioner of Banks in 2010, overseeing all supervision of depository institutions, mortgage lending, consumer finance lending, and other nondepository entities.