Col. E. J. 'Jack' Barker
Lt. Col. Edmund J. "Jack" Barker passed away on April 27, 2005. He was born June 14, 1921, in Fremont, Va., the son of William Rolf Barker and Betty Holloway Cummings Barker. He was the fourth of 15 children. After graduating from high school in Bladensburg, Md., he joined the National Guard in February 1939 and was inducted into regular Army service on Feb. 3, 1941. He retired at the rank of lieutenant colonel after 35 years of dedicated service to his country.
During his military career, he rose through the ranks of enlisted man, warrant officer and commissioned officer. He was a veteran of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. A few of his military accomplishments include: two-time recipient of the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service, two-time recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal, two-time recipient of the Army Commendation Medal, instructor for Armed Forces Cold Weather Mountain School in Alaska and member of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions. In addition, he was an Airborne Ranger with the Special Forces, Glider Qualified, and a Master Parachutist. At the time of retirement he was an Army adviser to the N.C. National Guard in Raleigh.
He married Dorothy Elizabeth Chadwick on June 14, 1957. He is survived by his wife; three children, Katherine Armstrong Gimlick, Edmund Jackson Barker II, and Marck Chadwick Barker; six grandchildren, David Shanley Armstrong, Aaron Lee Armstrong, Caitlyn Jae Barker, Jessica Claire Barker, Marck Chadwick Barker II, and Robert Murray Barker; and numerous brothers and sisters.
A funeral service was held Saturday, April 30, at 11 a.m. at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 S.E. Maynard Road, Cary. Burial followed at Wake Memorial Park.
The family received friends Friday evening, April 29, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Shiners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607-1460 or the American Heart Association, 3131 Raleigh RDU Center Drive, Suite 100, Morrisville, NC 27560.
Tributes may be sent to the family at www.brownwynne.com.
Kathryn Hillyer Barnett
Kathryn Stuart Hillyer Barnett of Raleigh died April 28, 2005 at the Rex Nursing Care facility in Apex, after a long illness. She would have been 91 years old this September. Mrs. Barnett was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., but spent almost her entire life in New Jersey, leaving the city for the fresh air of the suburbs as a small child, and remaining there until she went off to college.
Mrs. Barnett graduated from Goucher College in Towson, Md., and then went on to earn her master's degree in English literature from Columbia University in New York, N.Y. On the last evening of her graduate studies, Mrs. Barnett agreed to go out to meet the scholarship student her roommate was in love with. However, the night took an interesting twist and three years later Miss Hillyer, instead, married the late Lynn F. Barnett.
Mrs. Barnett lived in Greenwich Village for the first year of her marriage, but like her own parents, decided to move back to New Jersey when she became pregnant with her first child. She was a devoted mother who stayed home and raised four children in a wonderful, rambling house that offered everything a child could wish for. However, the summers at the Jersey shore provided the happiest time for the entire family, even though for many years the family of seven and two dogs were squeezed into a tiny cottage. The family would leave for the beach only minutes after the school doors closed in June and return the morning that they opened again in the fall. In later years, the family relocated to a home in Mantoloking, N.J., where her children and grandchildren were able to enjoy the delights of summers at the beach.
After the death of her husband in 1972, Mrs. Barnett moved to Colts Neck, N.J., where she lived until moving to Raleigh in 1995.
A woman of unsurpassed humor and fervent passions throughout her entire life, Mrs. Barnett was rarely seen without a book in her hand or at least one dog at her feet. She adored dogs all her life, never going for more than a few weeks without her "best friend" and always showering them with the greatest love and attention. Mrs. Barnett was also an avid baseball fan who loved the N.Y. Mets and a talented artist who dabbled in poetry, creating personal poems for her grandchildren on their birthdays.
Mrs. Barnett leaves two sons, Peter and his wife Caroline of Colts Neck, N.J., and Robert and his wife Virginia of Raleigh; two daughters, Mary Tennaro and her husband Clem of Scituate, Mass., and Betsy Small and her husband Tim of Chesterfield, Va.; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Wake County, 1300 St. Mary's St., Raleigh, NC 27605.
Apex Funeral Directors are entrusted with the arrangements.
Patricia Ann O'Farrell Johnsson
Patricia Ann O'Farrell Johnsson, 74, of Cary, died unexpectedly on Thursday, April 28, 2005, at her home. A memorial service is planned for a later date.
Mrs. Johnsson is survived by her husband of 52 years, Thomas C. Johnsson; children, Thomas Johnsson Jr. and wife, Bernetta of Clayton, and Patricia Lynn Jarman and husband, Richard of Clinton; granddaughters, Kristal Jarman and Sarah Elizabeth Johnsson; and brother, Michael G. O'Farrell Jr. and wife, Janice of Mountain Grove, Va.
Apex Funeral Directors Inc., 550 W. Williams St., Apex, is entrusted with the arrangements.
Arthur Bruce Worrell
Arthur Bruce Worrell, 57, of Cary passed away Monday, May 9, 2005. He was a computer software engineer for 26 years, had served in the U.S. Army and was a Vietnam veteran.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, May 12, at noon at Peace Presbyterian Church in Cary, with the Rev. Steve Bostrom officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the church fellowship hall.
He is survived by his wife Kathy of the home; daughter, Robin Worrell of Raleigh; son, Tim Worrell of the home; mother, Katie Worrell of San Antonio, Texas; and brothers, Bill Worrell of San Antonio, Texas, and Robert Worrell of Georgetown, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3624, Durham, NC 27710; or to Hospice of Wake County, 1300 St. Mary's St., Fourth Floor, Raleigh, NC 27602.
Apex Funeral Directors is handling arrangements.
David Anthony Kusa
David Anthony Kusa, 25, of Columbia, S.C., died Saturday, May 28, 2005. David was a 1997 graduate of Frankfurt International School, Oberursel, Germany. He received his bachelor of arts degree in European history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2001. In May of this year he received his juris doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law.
A funeral mass will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 3, at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Apex. A family reception will be held immediately following the funeral mass in the St. Andrew's Fellowship Hall. Father Alban Carroll and Father Phillip Leach will conduct the mass.
David is survived by his wife, Kristina Welch Kusa of the home; his parents, Joseph and Ilona Kusa of Apex; a brother, Jonathon Kusa and wife, Sarah, of St. Paul, Minn.; a sister, Andrea Kusa Toussaint and husband, L. Gerard III, of Rochester, Minn.; his maternal grandmother, Agnes Nemeth of Urbana, Ill; his parents in-law, Edmond and Patricia Welch of Woodbridge, Va.; his paternal grandmother-in-law, Edith Crockford Welch of Chapel Hill; a sister-in-law, Jennifer Caroline Welch of Eugene, Ore.; godparents, Elielson and DeAnne Hilfinger-Messias of Columbia, S.C.; two nephews, a niece, four uncles, two aunts, four great-aunts and a host of loving friends and extended family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the David A. Kusa Class of 2005 School of Law Room and mailed to Assistant Dean Sharon C. Williams, University of South Carolina School of Law, 701 S. Main St., Columbia, SC 29208.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted with Apex Funeral Directors, 550 W. Williams St., (N.C. 55) Apex.
Floyd Avery Wheeler
Floyd Avery Wheeler, 70, of Holly Springs, owner and operator of Floyd Wheeler's Grocery in Duncan for more than 50 years, went to be with his Lord on Saturday, May 28, 2005, at home with his family by his side. He was a loving husband, father, "papa" and friend.
A service celebrating his life and home going was held Tuesday, May 31, in the Macedonia Baptist Church, Holly Springs. Burial was in the church cemetery. The Revs. Danny Jarmon, Paul Jones and Russell Blackman officiated.
Floyd was preceded in death by his parents, James and Virgie Wheeler, and by two brothers, Roy and William Wheeler. Surviving are his wife, Shirley B. Wheeler of the home; a son, Ken Wheeler and wife Marie of Holly Springs; a daughter, Barbie Butler and husband Johnny of Sanford; and four grandchildren, Anna and Andrew Wheeler, and Sara and Ryan Butler. Also surviving are three sisters, Maybell Bryant of Angier, Sadie Congleton and husband Bruce of Beaufort, and Hilda Gregory and husband Jerry of Fuquay-Varina; four brothers, Bobby Wheeler and wife Peggy of Apex, John H. Wheeler and wife Brenda of Fuquay-Varina, Horace Wheeler and wife Lola of Fuquay-Varina, and Robert Wheeler and wife Nan of Lillington; four sisters-in-law, Glenda Wheeler of Mamers, Janet Wheeler of Fuquay-Varina, Judy Dean and husband Ronnie of Holly Springs, and Dorothy B. Burns of Holly Springs; a brother-in-law, Jimmie Baker of Fuquay-Varina; numerous nieces and nephews; and two special friends, Smiley and Ethel Pearce of Raleigh.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Wake County, or to Macedonia Baptist Church, 10481 N.C. 42, Holly Springs, NC 27540.
Magdalen 'Madge' Carter
Magdalen Hayes "Madge" Carter, 75, of Franklinton died Sunday, May 29, 2005 at her home.
She was born in Wilson County, the daughter of the late John Hayes and Martha Short Hayes, and was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas Earl Carter.
Carter was a member of Franklinton Baptist Church and among her many contributions to the community, she was salutatorian of the Franklin High School Class of 1947, past president of the Women's Club and of the PTA, past president and district president of the American Legion Auxiliary and the community seamstress.
Funeral services were held May 31 at Franklinton Baptist Church with the Rev. Wayne G. Rigney officiating. Burial followed in the Fairview Cemetery.
Carter is survived by her sons, Chris Carter of Cary and Dennis Carter and wife Shirley of Cary; grandchildren, Jon Carter and wife Erica of Columbia, S.C., and Andrya Carter and Stephen Carter both of Cary; and great-grandson Jackson Carter of Columbia, S.C.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the many people who cared for their Mom over the years.
Memorial contributions may be made to Franklinton Baptist Church, 108 W. Mason St., Franklinton, NC 27525, or to Tender Loving Care Hospice, 1937 N.C. 39 N., Louisburg, NC 27549.
Wanda Joyce Dean
Wanda Joyce Dean, 64, of Morrisville passed away Monday, May 30. A funeral service will be held at the Cary Church of God on Friday, June 3, at 11 a.m. Pastor Richard Dial will officiate. Burial will follow in the Apex Cemetery.
Dean is survived by five children, Gordon Jeans of Apex, Sharon Southard of Franklinton, Gail Kramer of Cary, Daniel Jeans of Apex and David Jeans of Cary; her sister, Shirla Neff of Ohio; her brother, Robert Dean of Ohio; her sister-law, Diane Dean of California; 15 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. today, Thursday, at the Apex Funeral Home, 550 W. Williams St. (N.C. 55), Apex.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Church of God Building Fund, 1427 Walnut St., Cary NC 27511.
John Meares
John Meares, 94, of Cary, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2005. Mr. Meares was born in Columbus County on Jan. 24, 1911, to the late Rufus and Etta Meares.
He is survived by his three children, Joyce Meares Boddie of Atlanta, Ga., Carol Meares of Cary, and John M. Meares Jr. and wife, Marguerite of Wake Forest; three grandchildren, Blaire DeSantis and husband, Mark of Atlanta, Ga., Jacque Wismer and husband, Sam of Atlanta, Ga., and John Melvin Meares III and wife Sharon of Hickory; great-grandchildren, Tony, Nick, C.J., Kenzi, Meredith, Melissa, Amanda, Jeffrey and Sarah; and one great-great-grandchild, Aedyn.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Docia; grandson, George Timothy Meares; and son-in-law, Jack Boddie.
A funeral service was held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, at First United Methodist Church of Cary, 117 S. Academy St., Cary. Entombment will follow at Montlawn Memorial Park in Raleigh.
The family received friends on Friday evening, Dec. 30, at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 S.E. Maynard Road, Cary.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the John and Docia Meares Appreciation Fund, 117 S. Academy St., Cary, NC 27511. Tributes and condolences may be sent to the family at www.brownwynne.com.
Wolodymyr Osyp Demchuk
Wolodymyr "Walter" Demchuck, 83, of Cary, died on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2005, at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, following complications from surgery.
A native of Mszana, Ukraine, he was born on Dec. 17, 1922, to the late Osyp and Tekla Procyk Demchuk. In addition to his parents, his sisters, Nadia Gulay and Luba Mrylotzky, also preceded him in death.
Wolodymyr was the son of a school teacher. As a young man, he was a Ukrainian freedom fighter. In 1944, he was wounded in Brody, Ukraine. Following World War II, he continued to fight against Soviet occupation of his beloved Ukraine. Wolodymyr was a published author who extolled upon his wartime experiences, poetry and life.
After immigrating to the United States, he attained a baccalaureate degree in engineering from Brooklyn Polytechnic University. He spent his professional career designing bridges and highways, including the Washington, D.C., Metro system. Upon retiring, Wolodymyr moved to Cary to be close to his family. He will be immortalized in the hearts of those who loved him. They will forever remember his wonderful sense of humor and how he enjoyed love, life and laughter until his very last day. Surviving are his wife of 41 years, Tania Demchuk of the home; daughters, Luba Demchuk of Winnetka, Calif., and Tania Guy and husband, David of Cary; sister, Vera Jaworsky of Frenchtown, N.J.; and grandchildren, Stefan and Katherine Guy. Also surviving are niece, Nadia Jaworsky of Frenchtown, N.J.; nephew, Robert Gulay and wife, Luba of Sarasota, Fla.; grandnephews, Robert, Mark and Eric and their mother, Arlene Gulay; special friend, Roma Danysh of Washington, D.C.; as well as the Osadca, Jetter and Pauksis families, both in the United States and Ukraine.
A funeral mass was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2005, at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 S.E. Maynard Road, Cary. The Rev. Taras R. Lonchyna officiated. Burial will follow in Wake Memorial Park, Cary. Afterward, the family received friends and loved ones at the home of Tania and David Guy, 203 Homestead Drive, Cary, NC 27513.
The visitation was held at the funeral home Friday evening, Dec. 30, followed by a parastas service. The family received friends again Saturday morning, Dec. 31, before the service at the funeral home.
For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to: Building Fund of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church, C/o Rev. Taras R. Lonchyna, 16631 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20905. Tributes may be made to the family at www.brownwynne.com.
Phoebe Doyle Medlin
Mrs. Phoebe Doyle Medlin, 91, of Cary, passed away Monday, Dec. 26, 2005, at Glenaire Retirement Community.
Mrs. Medlin is the daughter of the late William Henry Doyle and Goldie Ethel Medlin. She is preceded in death by her first husband, James "Jimmy" Powers, and second husband, Roy Medlin; two brothers, John and Wilber Doyle; two sisters, Mary Estelle Doyle and Lucille Duvall; and sister-in-law, Helen Finch Doyle.
Mrs. Medlin is survived by her daughter, Sue Lewis and husband Curtis of Raleigh; brother, Conan Doyle of Raleigh; sisters, Shirley Nance of Raleigh, Ethel Watkins of Garner and Rene Poulus of Southern Shores; grandson, Scott Lewis and wife Ginger; grandchildren, Cody, Christian, Alton and Bianca; and sister-in-law, Alma Lee Doyle.
Mrs. Medlin was retired from the N.C. State Department of Agriculture and was a resident of Glenaire Retirement Community. She became an artist later in life and was known as "Fe."
Family received friends Wednesday evening at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary. Funeral Service was held Thursday, Dec. 29, at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home Chapel in Cary at 2 p.m. Burial followed at Montlawn Memorial Park. The Rev. J.P. Johnson officiated the services. Tributes may be made at www.brownwynne.com.
Eleanor Ruth Jones
Eleanor Ruth Jones of Cary passed away Monday, Dec. 26, 2005. She was a loving mother and grandmother whose life revolved around her family and relationship with God.
Survivors include her daughter, Andrea Hadley of Cary, and granddaughters, Debra Hadley Wright and husband, David of Morrisville, and Laura Hadley Irvin and husband, Lee of Cary.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold A. Jones, and her parents, William and Meta Brandenburg.
A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 30, at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home. The family received friends prior to the service. Interment
followed at Raleigh Memorial Park.
Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 S.E. Maynard Road, Cary, is in charge of arrangements.
Tributes and condolences may be sent to the family at www.brownwynne.com.
Josephine 'Elaine' Potter
Josephine "Elaine" Potter, 90, of Cary, died on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2005, at Cary Health and Rehabilitation Center.
A native of New Hampton, Iowa, she was born on Dec. 4, 1915, to the late Frank and Lulu Glass Fertig. In addition to her parents, Don Potter, her husband of 58 years, also preceded her in death. Elaine was a member of the Cary Prime Timers for many years and attended St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
Her son, Marc R. Potter, of Cary, survives.
A brief graveside service was held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 30, at Raleigh Memorial Park. Inurnment followed.
The family received friends Wednesday evening, Dec. 28, at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 S.E. Maynard Road, Cary.
For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to: Cary Health and Rehabilitation Center, 6590 Tryon Road, Cary, NC 27511. Tributes may be made to the family at www.brownwynne.com.
Joseph Clarence Pleasants
Joseph Clarence Pleasants, 67, of 113 Strawbridge Court, Raleigh, died Friday, Dec. 30, 2005, at Rex Hospital. Mr. Pleasants was a native to Wake County and retired sales manager. He was past president of the Raleigh Civitan Club. He enjoyed golf and gospel music. Mr. Pleasants was a member of the Rawhide Club.
A funeral service was held 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, in the Chapel of Apex Funeral Home, 550 W. Williams St. (N.C. 55), Apex. Burial followed in the Apex Cemetery.
He is survived by his brothers, Daniel Cliff Pleasants and wife, Marie of Apex, and B. Carlton Pleasants and wife, Dawn of Pennsylvania; and his special friend, Bybe Graham of Raleigh.
The family received friends Monday evening, Jan. 2, at Apex Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Masonic Home for Children of Oxford, 600 College St., Oxford, NC 27565.
Mabel Irene Sessoms
Mabel Irene Sessoms, 93, of Apex died Friday morning, Dec. 30, 2005, at home. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who devoted her whole life to her family.
A service celebrating her life and homegoing was held on Monday, Jan. 2, at 2 p.m., in the Apex Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Edward Sessoms and the Rev. Millard Crumpler officiated. The family received friends before the service at the funeral home. Burial was in the Olive Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mabel was preceded in death by her loving husband, Fred Sessoms, in 1994. She is survived by her daughter, Ann S. Goodwin and her husband, Curtis Lee; granddaughter, Carol Ann Scarth; and great-grandson, William Lee Scarth, all of Apex.
