John Nicholas Nelli
March 30, 1957–Oct. 8, 2004
John Nicholas Nelli, 47, of Cary died Oct. 8, 2004, with his family at his home. John was a loving husband, devoted father, dutiful and caring son and brother, and loyal friend whose enthusiasm for life, strength of character and love of the Lord will be missed. He is survived by his wife, Patrice Cecchetti Nelli, and his sons, Nicholas, Nathan, Garrett and Austin. He is also survived by his parents, Joseph and Dolarita Nelli of Gastonia, and his grandmother, Giovannina Nelli of Riverton, N.J. Also surviving are brothers, J. Robert Nelli Jr. and wife Eileen of South Windsor, Conn., James Nelli and wife Katherine of Gastonia, Thomas Nelli and wife Cortney of Fisherville, Va., Christopher Nelli and wife Michelle of Austin, Texas, William Nelli and wife Kristen of Simpsonville, S.C., and Steven Nelli of Las Cruces, N.M., and sister Jeanne Marie Vick and husband John of Simpsonville, S.C.; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. John also was blessed with a dedicated and loving in-law family.
Born March 30, 1957 in Cincinnati, Ohio, he grew up in Gastonia. He attended St. Michael's Catholic School and Ashbrook High School. He graduated from Appalachian State University and received his master's degree in accounting from Virginia Polytechnic Institute.
John began his professional career in Durham in 1980 and lived in Raleigh and Durham until 1989, when he and his family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, Pawleys Island, S.C., and Matthews. A resident of Cary since 1995, he was most recently employed by Tangram Enterprise Solutions of Cary as senior vice president and chief financial officer.
He was a dedicated parishioner of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Apex. As an avid outdoorsman, John loved to fish, camp and especially duck hunt. He also enjoyed coaching youth basketball and baseball. His special passion was football, which he coached for the past eight years with Cary Pop Warner.
John was devoted to his children, giving them an example of faith lived with enormous courage, grace and humor. The courageous spirit with which John Nelli lived his life will live forever in all those who knew him. Visitation was held at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church and School on Sunday evening, Oct. 10. A funeral Mass to celebrate John's life and faith was held at St. Mary Magdalene Church at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 11, with Father Donald F. Staib officiating. Pallbearers were Norwood G. Jones Jr., James McCormick Jr., Mitchell Mumma, James Nelli, J. Robert Nelli Jr. and James V. Taggart. A graveside service followed at New Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family extends its gratitude for the many prayers and the kindness demonstrated by family and dear friends around the world. A special thank you to the staff at the Duke Brain Tumor Center, especially Elaine Martell and Dr. James Vrendenburgh.
Memorial contributions may be made to Duke Brain Tumor Center – 04BT, Angels Among Us, c/o Team Nelli, DUMC 3828, Durham, NC 27710; or to St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church and School, 625 Magdala Place, Apex, NC 27502.
Arrangements by Apex Funeral Home.
Karen Sauls-Maynard
Karen Sauls-Maynard, 38, of Cary, beloved wife of Robert F. "Bobby" Maynard, and "mom" to José, died Thursday, Oct. 7.
Born Sept. 20, 1966, she was the daughter of Billy and Wilma Sauls of Morrisville. Karen graduated in 1984 from Cary High School and attended Mars Hill College before following her calling to become an RN. A 1991 graduate of the nursing program at Wake Technical Community College, she worked for several years at Rex Hospital.
A lover of books and music, of the mountains and the beach, and of learning and experiencing all life has to offer, she was deeply committed to her large, extended family. In addition to her husband and parents, Karen will be missed by her grandparents, Willie and Dorothy Moore of Goldsboro, and by many aunts, uncles and cousins; by her sisters, Sharon Barber and Rhonda Sauls, and their children, Christy and Ashley Barber, and Chris, Mark and Reneé Sauls, all of Morrisville; by her sisters- and brothers-in-law and their spouses, Suzy and John Barile of Cary, Ellie Maynard and Dicki Parrish, formerly of Wendell, Donnie Maynard of Erhardt, S.C., Bonnie Hutchinson of Raleigh, Tom and Angie Maynard of Knightdale, and Pattie and Jeff Brooks of Castalia; by their children, Jen Brett of Wilmington, Joey Barbour and Annie and Bryson Parrish, formerly of Wendell, Sydney Maynard of Raleigh, Ben and Alex Maynard of Knightdale, and Jack and Joseph Brooks of Castalia; and her parents-in-law, Don and Kay Maynard of Cary. She was pre-deceased by her mother-in-law, Eleanor Hope "Ellie" Maynard.
Services were held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10 at Highland United Methodist Church in Raleigh, where she was a member, followed by burial in Raleigh Memorial Park on U.S. 70. Memorials may be made to the church.
Jessie Ruth Mason Womble
Jessie Ruth Mason Womble, 87, of Apex died Thursday, Oct. 7, 2004 at Laurels of Chatham in Pittsboro. She was born in Chatham County on March 15, 1917 to William Henry Mason and Mertie Wimberly.
Mrs. Womble was a faithful member of Bell's Baptist Church and a loving grandmother. Although she cherished her role as a homemaker, she worked at Woolen Mills and BVD Mill in Carrboro for many years.
Her husband, Alvin Wilson Womble, preceded her in death on April 29, 1968.
A funeral was held Saturday, Oct. 9, at 11 a.m. in the Apex Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Ray Gooch, Rick Washington and John Singletary officiating. Burial followed in Bell's Baptist Church Cemetery.
She is survived by her son Gene Franklin Womble and his wife Annette of Pittsboro; grandson, Glenn Womble of Apex; sisters-in-law, Katherine Stone of Pittsboro, Ellen Mason of Apex and Josephine Womble of Staunton, Va.; and several nieces and nephews.
The family received friends Friday evening, Oct. 8, at Apex Funeral Home and at other time at the home of Glenn and Annette Womble in Pittsboro. Memorial contributions may be made to Bell's Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 1274 Farrington Road, Apex, NC 27523.
Billy George Oglesby
Billy G. Oglesby, 68, of Holly Springs died early Saturday morning, Oct. 9, at Rex Hospital in Raleigh.
A service celebrating his life and homegoing was held Tuesday, Oct. 12, at 11 a.m. in the Vandora Springs Freewill Baptist Church in Garner. Burial followed in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Fuquay-Varina.
Billy was a member of Vandora Springs Freewill Baptist Church. He will be remembered for his faithfulness to God, and for his generosity and helpfulness to his fellow man. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, who will be missed by all.
Surviving are his wife, Shirley B. Oglesby of the home; two sons, Wayne Oglesby and wife Beverly of Willow Spring, and Timothy Oglesby of Raleigh; four grandchildren, Tim Oglesby Jr. and Anna, Rachel and Brittany Oglesby; and two sisters, Estell Averette and Libby Murphy, both of Holly Springs.
Flowers are welcome, or memorials may be made to Hospice of Wake County, 1300 St. Mary's St., 4th Floor, Raleigh, NC 27605.
The Oglesby family received friends Monday evening, Oct. 11, at the Apex Funeral Home.
Laura Elizabeth Reffett
Laura Elizabeth Reffett, 83, of Evans, Ga., formerly of Cary, passed away Oct. 9 at 8:30 p.m., surrounded by her family.
Laura was born in Westville, Ill., Aug. 31, 1921, the daughter of Steve and Laura Kocurek. On May 18, 1939, she married Val H. Reffett in Covington, Ind. Laura was employed at Taylorville Consolidated Telephone Co. for 25 years, retiring in 1977.
Laura and Val relocated to Titusville, Fla., where they made their home for 15 years. They also lived in Raleigh and in Evans, Ga., during their later years.
Val and Laura had three children, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband, Val H. Reffett of Evans, Ga.; son, Val Reffett of Evans, Ga.; daughter, Mrs. Gary (Jeanette) Smith of Fuquay-Varina; grandsons, Mark Reffett of Evans, Ga., and Scott Reffett of Atlanta; granddaughters, Michelle DeVoss of Apex, Dawn Noelle Ramirez of Willow Spring and Vicki Gallahue of Evans, Ga.; and brothers, Paul and Aime Kocurek, and sister, Flora Morrisey, all of Taylorville, Ill. Her daughter, Shirley Ann Reffett, preceded her in death in 1945.
A memorial service honoring her life will be held Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 218 S. Academy St. in Cary.
Memorial donations may be made to Laura Reffett Memorial Fund, Westwood Nursing Home, Evans, GA 30809.
Elizabeth Wall Little
Mrs. Elizabeth ("Lib") Wall Little, 76, of Stanfield went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2004. She passed away peacefully at home following complications from surgery in March.
Mrs. Little is survived by her husband of 44 years, Hoyle E. Little of Stanfield; and daughter, Beth Little Bowen and her husband, James Vann Bowen, and two grandsons, Taylor Vann Bowen and Carson Stuart Bowen, all of Cary. Preceding her in death were her son, Robert Michael Little; her parents, Vernon E. Wall and Nora Taylor Wall Greene; and her brother, Dr. Vernon E. Wall Jr.
She was born May 23, 1928 in Winston-Salem, graduated from Monroe High School and was educated at Monroe Business School and Wake Forest University. She worked at Allstate Insurance Company for 12 years, owned clothing stores for 15 years (The Little Shop) and also a grocery store (Little Grocery).
Mrs. Little was active in The First Baptist Church of Stanfield, singing in the choir, teaching and serving as treasurer for 21 years. She also enjoyed membership in the Stanfield Lions Club, which she served as secretary. Her hobbies included painting, arts and crafts, heraldry, studying genealogy, sweeps taking, miniature dollhouse collecting, reading and watching her grandsons play baseball and basketball.
She was deeply loved by so many and was admired for her energy, humor and long list of talents. The way she helped others and loved others was inspirational — especially the way she adored her family.
The family received friends Thursday, Oct. 14, at the Hartsell Funeral Home in Midland. Funeral services were held at the First Baptist Church of Stanfield on Friday, Oct. 15, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Bruce League and the Rev. Dan Freeman officiating. Burial was at First Baptist Church of Stanfield Cemetery. Arrangements were by Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to either of the following: First Baptist Church of Stanfield, P.O. Box 279, Stanfield, NC 28163; Stanfield Lions Club (attn: Kathy Anderson, treasurer), 12331 Oak Grove Road, Stanfield, NC 28163; or Hospice at Charlotte, 1420 E. Seventh St., Charlotte, NC 28204.
Alice Olive Richardson Alice Olive Richardson, 87, lost a short but courageous battle with cancer Oct. 15, 2004. Alice was the daughter of the late Selma and Michael Nonne of Culbertson, Mont. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Thomas Jerald Richardson.
Alice is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law: Jere Michael and Faye of Lyme, Conn., and Gregory Neil and Stephanie of Raleigh; and two grandsons and their wives, Thomas and Marla of Lyme, Conn., and Peter and Dass of Ventura, Calif. She is also survived by four beloved great-grandchildren: Maddy, Sara, Alex and Anna. Additionally, Alice is survived by a brother, Gilbert Noone of Portland, Ore., and a sister, Dolores Locatti of Walla Walla, Wash.
A memorial service will be held at Woodland Terrace, 300 Kildaire Woods Drive, Cary, Saturday, Oct. 23, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her name to the SPCA of Wake County, 200 Pet Finder Lane, Raleigh, NC 27603, or Hospice of Wake County, 1300 St. Mary's Street, Raleigh, NC 27605. Arrangements by Mitchell Funeral Home at Raleigh Memorial Park (783-7128).
Irene M. Hendricks
Irene M. Hendricks, 73, of Hudson, Fla., died suddenly Oct. 18, 2004. She was born in Huntingburg, Ind., in 1930, to Herman Englert and Hester Harpenau Englert. Irene was visiting her daughter, Leslie Kelsey, in Cary at the time of her death.
A funeral was held Saturday, Oct. 23, at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary, officiated by Father Michael Burke. A committal service was held Tuesday at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens in Indianapolis, Ind.
Irene is survived by her daughters, Leslie Kelsey and husband, George, of Cary, and Barbara Bruno and husband, Guy, of North Hampton, N.H.; and her grandchildren, Andrea, Sara, Aaron and Morgan Kelsey, all of Cary, Lara Carpenter of Orlando, Fla., and Thomas Carpenter and wife, Ashley, of London, England. She was predeceased by her husband, Morris Harold Hendricks.
The family received friends on Friday evening, Oct. 22, at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the American Lung Association of North Carolina, P.O. Box 27985, Raleigh, NC 27611. Condolences may be sent to the family at MeM.com.
Nancy Ford Hodges
Nancy Ford Hodges, 76, of Cary, died Friday, Oct. 22, 2004, surrounded by her loving family at the Durham home of her son. Mrs. Hodges was born July 30, 1928 in New Bern to David E. Ford, M.D., and Mildred Bascom Ford. Mrs. Hodges graduated from St. Mary's High School and Junior College in Raleigh and UNC-Greensboro with a bachelor of science degree in home economics. Later, she attended Pitt Community College, where she earned an associate's degree in health and human services. She worked in various positions throughout her life, including being an American Airlines stewardess. Her lifelong passions were Ecclesiastical embroidery and her talent for, and interest in, restoring wedding dresses.
Mrs. Hodges was a former resident of Washington, N.C., where her parents moved in 1931. She was the Eastern Regional vice president of the N.C. Mental Health Association and president of the Beaufort County Mental Health Association, and worked with the association for 13 years. She was the president of the Winsteadville Ruritan Club and served on the Board of Elections. For 40 years she served in various capacities in the O. Henry Book Club of Washington. In 1984, Nancy and her husband, Robert, were part of a group that started Zion Shelter and Kitchen in Washington. She remained active in shelter activities until her death.
Mrs. Hodges was active in multiple capacities with St. Peter's Episcopal in Washington, where she was a lifelong member. She was also active in Bethany UMC in Winsteadville and with St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Cary. She moved to Cary in 1996 and worked more than seven years at the N.C. Bar Association in the Lawyer Referral Service, from which she retired in 2003.
Mrs. Hodges is survived by her son, Edward Ford Rodman and wife Angela of Wayside, N.J., and their children, Andrew, Sarah and Jessica; daughter, Anne Rodman Helm and husband Gregory of Apex and their daughters, Rebecca and Katherine; and son, Thomas Blount Rodman and wife Joyce of Durham. After she married Lt. Col. Robert L. Hodges, the couple adopted a son, Michael Johnson Hodges, who lives in Garner with his wife Caroline; their children are Cullen, Corbin and Sutton. Survivors also include a sister, Priscilla Tennent of Richmond, Va.; a niece, Kathie Tennent; and two nephews, David and Jay Tennent.
The family received friends Sunday afternoon, Oct. 24, at Apex Funeral Home. A funeral was held at 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Cary. Burial was Tuesday, Oct. 26, in New Bern National Cemetery, New Bern.
Memorials may be given to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 211 Union St. Cary, NC 27511.
Kenneth LeRoy Williams, 76, of 310 High House Road, died Friday, Oct. 22, 2004. He was a former resident of Carolina House of Cary, where for five years he enjoyed many friendships. A service celebrating his life and homegoing was held Monday morning, Oct. 25, in the Bethel Baptist Church in Cary with Pastor Bobby G. Jordan officiating. Burial was in Hillcrest Cemetery in Cary.
Kenneth was preceded in death by two brothers, Clarence and Elwood Williams; by three sisters, Margaret Dickens, Marie Walls and Helen Barker; and by his parents, Leander C. Williams Sr. and Willie Stedman Williams.
Surviving are a brother, David A. Williams and wife Wanda of Wendell; a sister, Becky W. Sauls and husband Watson of Cary; a brother-in-law, Charles V. Barker of Cary; two sisters-in-law, Kathleen J. Williams and Jean L. Williams, both of Cary; a special aunt, Merle U. Phillips of Raleigh; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family received friends for an hour prior to the funeral service, at Bethel Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers you may make memorials to Bethel Baptist Church's building fund, 1111 W. Chatham St., Cary, NC 27511, or to Hayes-Barton Baptist Church's Television Ministry, 1800 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC 27608.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Apex Funeral Directors.
Melba Austin White
Melba Austin White of Cary died Oct. 24, 2004. She grew up in Raleigh, the daughter of Pauline G. and Durwood E. Austin. She graduated from Raleigh High School and St. Mary's Junior College. Melba later married and moved to Mebane, where she remained until moving to Cary in 1995 to make her home at Glenaire Retirement Community. Mrs. White was an active member of Mebane Presbyterian Church until December 1998, when she transferred her membership to Kirk of Kildare Presbyterian Church in Cary. She was preceded in death by her husband, D. F. White, in 1984.
Mrs. White is survived by her daughter, Melba Austin White, and two grandchildren, David and Caroline.
A memorial service will be held at Glenaire Retirement Community in Cary on Friday, Oct. 29, at 2:30 p.m.
Visitation will be at the home of her daughter, Melba White, 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28. A private family burial will take place in Historic Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh.
Donald David 'Don' Wangerin
Donald David "Don" Wangerin, 78, of Riverbend died Saturday, Oct. 23, 2004 at Craven Regional Medical Center.
Mr. Wangerin was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in New Bern. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a professional licensed engineer. Don, formerly of Cary, was a member of Raleigh Sports Club and the Cary Kiwanis Club.
Mr. Wangerin is survived by his wife, Ilse M. Wangerin of the home; his sons, David D. Wangerin and wife Rebecca Lile of Maggie Valley, and Steven W. Wangerin and wife Cathy of Jacksonville; daughter, Doris W. Smith and husband Gary of Trenton; sister, Dorothy Wangerin of Palm Desert, Calif.; cousin, Joan Asselin of Long Island, N.Y.; and grandchildren, Nathan and Christopher Wangerin, Lile, Stephanie and Amy Wangerin, and Hannah and Dylan Smith.
Memorial services were held Monday evening, Oct. 25, at Trinity United Methodist Church with the Rev. Madison Hankal officiating. The family received friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association, Eastern N.C. Chapter, 400 Oberlin Road, Suite 220, Raleigh, NC 27605-1351, or to a charity of one's choice.
