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Myrtle Drexel Metz
Myrtle Drexel Metz, 80, of Cary died Feb. 23, 2005, at WakeMed Cary Hospital.
Mrs. Metz was born in Crawford, Colo., in 1924. She was the oldest daughter of a beekeeper and was raised amidst a family who loved music and singing. As a young pianist during the Great Depression, she was fortunate to have the opportunity to study with a good teacher who was 25 miles away and whose $1 lesson fee was a weekly sacrifice for her parents. Myrtle pursued music at the college level, earning her bachelor of arts in piano from the University of Colorado.
In Boulder, she met and married the man of her dreams, Louis J. Metz, whose career brought them to North Carolina. They enjoyed 48 wonderful years together until Louis' passing in 1995. Myrtle also enjoyed a long and full career teaching piano lessons and working with the Raleigh Piano Teacher's Association. She was an accomplished accompanist, composer and author. Her charming book, "Of Haviland And Honey, " was published in 1992 and gives a delightful glimpse of her colorful and rich Colorado girlhood.
Myrtle was active in church all of her life. She and Louis very much enjoyed their ties to First United Methodist Church in Cary, where they served for many years. Myrtle is survived and cherished by her two daughters, Donna Metz and Linda Metz, both of Cary, and her younger sister, Marie Duke, of Albuquerque, N.M.
A memorial service was held Saturday, Feb. 26, at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Cary in the main sanctuary. The family received friends following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to honor Myrtle's love for music and teaching by having memorials made to the Community Music School, providing lessons to under-served, at-risk youth (www.cmsraleigh.org), P.O. Box 2545, Raleigh, NC 27602. The family also wishes to thank the wonderful folks at FUMC, FOC, Cary Medical Group and WakeMed Cary Hospital and the many personal friends who have done so much to enhance Myrtle's quality of life.
Thomas Eugene Martin
Thomas Eugene Martin, 73, of Cary, died unexpectedly at home Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005. Born in Jacksonville, Fla., Feb. 19, 1932, he received his mechanical engineering degree from the University of Florida in 1954. He worked for Martin Marietta and North American Rockwell for 18 years during the Apollo flights at the Kennedy Space Center. He was the chief test conductor for the second stage for all manned moon flights until 1972. Tom and his family moved to Cary and he began work as the plant manager for Aeroglide Corporation, where he worked for 18 years. He later worked for the N.C. Department of Transportation in the Equipment Depot until his retirement in 2000. Tom was a devoted husband and a loving father and grandfather. His most cherished moments were spent with his family and friends, with whom he shared his passion and enthusiasm for life. He took pride in the activities of his four daughters and five grandchildren.
Tom is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jeannette Martin; his four daughters, Alice Martin, Patti Martin, Sandy Clark and Judy Moore; his sons-in-law, Ken Clark and Wes Moore; his brother, James Martin and his wife, Mary Jean; his sister, Julia Raymond; his sister-in-law, Lois Martin; grandchildren, Jay Greene, Kathy Clark, Will Clark, Lauren Moore and Caroline Moore; and numerous nieces, nephews, friends and relatives. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Irene and Haygood Martin, and brothers, Wilbur Martin and Bill Martin.
The family received visitors Sunday afternoon, Feb. 27, at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary. A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 28, at First United Methodist Church of Cary.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Cary or Habitat for Humanity.
Mia Angela Tomczak
Mia Angela Tomczak, beloved infant daughter of Eugene Patrick and Laura Rose Tomczak, died Friday, Feb. 25, 2005, at home after an extended illness.
Mia was born Nov. 10, 2004 in Cary.
In addition to her parents, Mia is survived by her maternal grandparents, Joseph and Diane Zielinski, and her paternal grandparents, Gene and Elaine Tomczak, all of Erie, Pa.; her maternal great-grandfather, Chester Osiecki; her maternal great-grandmother, Mary Zielinski; her paternal great-grandmother, Jean Markiewicz; her great-aunts and uncles, and aunts and uncles; and many cousins.
The family received friends Sunday evening, Feb. 27, at Apex Funeral Home. There was a prayer service at 7:45 p.m.
The family also received friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, at Garr Funeral Home in Erie, Pa.
A funeral Mass was held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 2, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Erie, Pa. Burial followed in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to UNC Children's Hospital, Attn: Susan Blalock, 101 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514.
Elizabeth K. Williams
Elizabeth K. Williams, 34, passed away peacefully at sunrise Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2005, at WakeMed in Raleigh. Beth was a loving, compassionate person who touched many lives. She will always be remembered for her ability to make those around her stronger. Her proudest accomplishments are the relationships she cherished with family, friends, coworkers, clients and all animals.
Beth is survived by her husband, Russ; her parents, Bill and Martha Knight of Fisherville, Tenn.; her aunt and uncle, Diane and Billy Spears of Tupelo, Miss.; her best friend, Tara King of Collierville, Tenn.; her father and mother-in-law, Phil and Terra Gaye Williams of Southport; her brother and sister-in-law, Jeff and Karen McWatters of Rock Hill, S.C.; and her nieces, Stephanie and Taylor, and nephew, Justin, all of Rock Hill. She was also loved by many aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmothers and friends. Beth loved and cherished her three "children": her dogs, Colby and Marley, and her cat, Cosmo.
A funeral service was held 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25, at Westwood Baptist Church in Cary, officiated by Pastor Mike Lee.
Interment followed at Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh.
The family received friends at the church prior to the service, beginning at noon.
Memorial contributions may be made to: "Believe the Unbelievable" at Hope Community Church, 1337 Buck Jones Road, Raleigh, NC 27606, or to Best Friend Pet Adoption, P.O. Box 5305, Cary, NC 27512.
Hurley Edward Wilson
Hurley Edward Wilson, 74, of Durham died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2005, at Durham Regional Hospital. Mr. Wilson was a native of Chatham County and was retired from IBM.
A funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28, at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Apex. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
He is survived by his children, Michael Wilson and wife, Tammy of Oxford, Paula Mercer and husband, James of Efland, Kevin Wilson and wife, Anna of Mt. Airy, and Keith Wilson and wife, Tammy of Graham; grandchildren, Kellan, Meagan, Matthew, Amanda and Collin; and sisters, Rachel Suggs of Apex, Clara Williams of Raleigh and Betty McCullen of Apex.
His wife, Pauline Riley Wilson, and daughter, Lisa Wilson, preceded Mr. Wilson in death.
The family received friends Sunday, Feb. 27, at Apex Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 434 Fayetteville St. Mall, 2 Hanover Square, Suite 1500, Raleigh, NC 27601, or to Meals on Wheels of Durham, 2506 N. Roxboro St., Durham, NC 27704.
Donald George Mitchell
Donald George Mitchell, 58, of Raleigh died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2005. He was born in Durham in 1946 to George and Margaret Broadwell Mitchell. Don graduated from Durham High School and, shortly after graduation, joined the U.S. Navy Seabees for a two-year tour in Vietnam, where he was an architectural designer. Don was an all-around athlete and tennis pro, coaching high school tennis in Michigan. He also loved golf and other sports. Don served as a minister and most recently worked as a loan officer for Allied mortgage.
A funeral service was held Wednesday, March 2, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary, officiated by Pastor Steve Ellis of Hope Community Church. The family received friends Tuesday evening at the funeral home.
Don is survived by his wife, Brenda Medlin Mitchell; daughter, Michelle Mitchell of Cary; sons, Chad Mitchell of Cary and Scott Mitchell of Apex; sisters, Brenda Cole and husband, Greg and Karen Turner, all of Creedmoor; granddaughters, Brooke Mitchell of Cary and Lilly Mitchell of Apex; nieces, Meredith Cole of Durham and Amber Young of Creedmoor; and nephew, Brian Cole of Durham.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Hope Community Church Building Fund, 1337 Buck Jones Road, Cary, NC 27606.
Blanche I. Staib
Blanche I. Staib, 95, of Apex died Monday, Feb. 28, 2005 at The Laurels in Pittsboro. Mrs. Staib was born June 10, 1909 in Potts Grove, Pa., to John Hein and Edna Kelly Hein. She lived in Williamsport, Pa., until 2003, when she moved to Apex.
A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Monday, March 7, from St. Boniface Catholic Church, Williamsport, Pa. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Mrs. Staib is survived by her children, the Rev. Donald Staib of Apex, Richard J. Staib of Parker, Colo., James F. Staib of Raleigh, Margaret Letteer of Lancaster, Pa., and Jean Fitzpatrick of Williamsport, Pa.; 12 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, 325 Magdala Place, Apex, NC 27502.
Local arrangements are entrusted to Apex Funeral Home.
Williamsport arrangements are by Crouse Funeral Home, 129-33-35 E. 3rd St., Williamsport, PA 17701.
Dr. William Jouette Tapp Jr.
Dr. William Jouette Tapp Jr., 86, of Apex, died Feb. 17, 2005.
Dr. Tapp received his bachelor of science degree from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. In 1943, he received his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Cornell University. Dr. Tapp was with Union Carbide from 1943 until he retired in 1982. In 1943, he was hired by Union Carbide in South Charleston, W.Va. In 1966, he transferred to the New York area and moved to Stanford, Conn. Dr. and Mrs. Tapp lived in Stanford for more than 24 years. It was in 1991 that Dr. Tapp and his wife moved to Apex.
Dr. Tapp is survived by his wife of 58 years, Hortense "Horty" Tapp; son, Dr. William J. Tapp III and his wife, Debra, of Garner; grandchildren, Heather Tapp, Brandon Houston and Christopher Houston.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice. The family wishes to express their appreciation to Spring Arbor and Rex Nursing Care of Apex for their special care given to Dr. Tapp.
Cremation services are entrusted to Apex Funeral Home, 511 W. Williams St. (N.C. 55), Apex.
