Gary Bennette Wrenn
Gary Bennette Wrenn, 54, of Cary died Sunday, May 14, 2006, at WakeMed Cary Hospital.
A memorial service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, at Apex Funeral Home, 550 W. Williams St. (N.C. 55), Apex, conducted by the Rev. Mark Palmer.
Gary is survived by his sister, Julie Ray of Durham; brothers, David Yates of Apex and Robbie Wrenn of Cary; nieces, Kim Seagroves and Kay Ray; his special aunt, Kay Yates of Apex; and his other aunts, uncles and cousins.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday prior to the service at Apex Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials should be made to the American Cancer Society, 620 W. Morgan St., Raleigh, NC 27603.
Kerry Don Powell
Kerry Don Powell, 43, of Cary, and formerly of West Memphis, Ark., died May 12, 2006.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 18,in the Apex Cemetery. The family will receive friends from noon to 2 p.m. prior to the graveside service at Apex Funeral Home, 550 W. Williams St. (N.C. 55), Apex.
He is survived by his parents, Don E. Powell and Louise Pratt Powell of Cary; sister, Kriste Nunnally and her husband, Dean, and niece, Mackenzie of Cary; grandmother, Dean Pratt of Tulsa, Okla.; and several aunts and uncles.
Memorials may be given to: the MS Society, Eastern NC Chapter, 3101 Industrial Drive, Suite 210, Raleigh , NC 27609; and Raleigh Church of Christ, 911 Barringer Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606.
Dr. Luther M. Talbert, 76, infertility pioneer
Published Nov. 20, 2003
Dr. Luther M. Talbert, a Cary infertility specialist and pioneer of in-vitro fertilization in North Carolina, died Nov. 17 at his home in Chapel Hill.
Dr. Talbert, 76, had been in poor health in recent months, his colleagues said.
Dr. Talbert, who is credited with the first successful in-vitro fertilization in North Carolina, was on the UNC-Chapel Hill Medical School faculty for 34 years. He established and directed the in-vitro fertilization program for a decade before retiring in 1993.
However, that was not the end of a long and fruitful career, one which he continued until he fell ill late last summer. Along with two other doctors, Dr. Talbert founded the North Carolina Center for Reproductive Medicine in Cary, renamed the Talbert Fertility Institute in his honor.
"It's a great loss not just to us, but also to patients with fertility problems," said Dr. Sameh Toma, co-founder and medical director of the center. Toma worked under Dr. Talbert as a resident at UNC Medical Center, and was also advised by him.
"I attribute everything that I learned in OB/GYN to him," Toma said. "Especially in fertility treatment and surgery. He's a great surgeon, and probably one of the best infertility doctors in the country."
Dr. Talbert was born in Virginia. After graduation from high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served during World War II. He attended Emory and Henry College in Virginia and began his medical training at the University of Virginia at Charlottesville. He joined the faculty at UNC-Chapel Hill in 1958. During his time there, he was a clinician, researcher and teacher, instructing residents and fellows in all aspects of obstetrics and gynecology, including reproductive endocrinology and infertility, said Dr. Robert Riehl, laboratory director at the Talbert Fertility Institute.
"He's 20 years my senior, but as a student, if I wanted to know anything about the human ovary and things like that, I would go and read his papers that he published. Not being a basketball fan, I knew about UNC only through Luther Talbert," Riehl said.
During his career, Dr. Talbert worked with Dr. Bob Edwards, one of the English doctors who pioneered the procedure that led to the 1978 birth of the first IVF baby in the world, Louise Brown of Great Britain, according to a recent story in the local publication Health & Living. Dr. Talbert also helped form the medical board to certify doctors in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, a subspecialty of the OB/GYN board certification. In fact, he was the first doctor to earn the subspecialty certification. He served as director of the UNC Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility as well as director for the In-Vitro Fertilization/Gift Program.
Even after he left UNC, "he was a wonderful supporter of the department and friend of the School of Medicine," said Dr. Valerie Parisi, chairwoman of OB/GYN at the UNC School of Medicine, who added that Dr. Talbert supported clinical work and research through endowment funds such as the Nova Carta Fund.
Dr. Talbert published many academic writings and was well-known nationally and internationally, his colleagues said. He served in numerous positions of leadership in his profession, including as the director for the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology for the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He was awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Gov. Mike Easley for his commitment to women's health and his service to the state of North Carolina.
"The reason Luther and I got along so well," Riehl said, "was, number one, he was just down-to-earth and non-ostentatious. He grew up in the mountains of Virginia and had very simple beginnings, similar to myself. We actually started in the in-vitro fertilization field about the same time, even though he was 20 years older than me. ... He was just the salt of the earth, the most honorable, altruistic and empathetic person I've ever known."
Those who worked with Dr. Talbert said he touched many lives. Attempting to put a number on the families who have been helped by his knowledge, compassion and expertise, "it's like the house that Jack built — if you include all the people he trained and the work they do ... it goes into the millions," Riehl said.
On a personal level, "I will miss everything about him," Toma said. "His leadership at our practice, his ability to shed light on difficult cases."
Nurse coordinator Judy Moretz said Dr. Talbert "opened so many people's hearts (helping them) to have babies. ... When he was working, he drove every day from Chapel Hill. He tried to leave about 4:30 every day to try to beat traffic and go home and ‘play with mama' — that's what he said all the time. His family was so important to him."
Dr. Talbert is survived by his wife and childhood sweetheart, Annie B. Talbert; and children John Talbert and wife Cheryl of Seattle, Luther Talbert and wife Hope of Bozeman, Mont., and Cay Bacon of Tampa, Fla. He is survived by grandchildren Ryan and Caytie of Seattle, Molly and Kristine of Bozeman, and Catherine and Luke of Tampa. He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Elizabeth Neese, and is survived by brother John and sisters Eleanor, Eva and Becky, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
"You're asking a lot," said his wife, when asked to describe her husband of 54 years. "I don't know how to answer that, except to say I wouldn't have wanted to marry anybody else. If I was 23, I'd do it all over again."
A graveside service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, in the Greenfield Baptist Church Cemetery in Meadowview, Va., by Dr. Robert Seymore.
A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at Binkley Baptist Church in Chapel Hill.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Luther Talbert Infertility Trust Fund, c/o South Trust Bank, Tryon Road, Cary, NC. Local arrangements were made with Walker's Funeral Home, Chapel Hill.
John L. Hite
John L. Hite, 71, of Tucson, Ariz., formerly of Cary, died Thursday, Nov. 13, 2003, in his home in Tucson. He was born June 16, 1932 in Topeka, Kan., a son of Oral Lee Hite and Jessie Rebecca Bagley Hite. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean conflict. He retired in 1994 as a radiation specialist from Allied Corporation in Moncure. Mr. Hite is survived by his wife, Susan Mirantz Hite of Tucson; daughter, Jacqueline Hite Bell of Wade, N.C.; son, Richard W. Hite of Cranston, R.I.; sister, Lucille Hite Dinwiddie of Denton, Texas; brother, Robert E. Hite of Topeka, Kan.; stepdaughter, Katherine E. Porter of Cary; stepsons, Raymond N. Porter III of Wilmington and Jonathan C. Porter of Cary; four grandchildren; and two step-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held Dec. 7 at the Community Church for Positive Living in Tucson. Arrangements are being handled by Heather Mortuary in Tucson.
Memorial contributions may be made to Community Church for Positive Living, 4241 W. Ina Road #111, Tucson, AZ 85741.
Donald 'Danny' Loosman
Donald "Danny" Loosman, 70, of Apex passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2003, at Western Wake Medical Center. He was born April 27, 1933, in Syracuse, N.Y., and raised in Oneida, N.Y. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.
Danny served in the U.S. Marine Corps, including two tours in Vietnam. He retired in 1974 as a gunnery sergeant. Following his retirement from the Marines, Danny was an employee of Wise Foods Inc. for many years. He was an avid collector and could often be found at the flea market on Sundays.
Danny was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Marie Kent Loosman. He will be missed by his family: his daughters, Debby and her husband Hank West of Columbia, S.C., and Kathy Arthurs of Apex; his son, Donny and his wife Sharon Loosman of Cary; his granddaughters, Kelly Newton of Durham and Chelsea Arthurs of Apex; his grandsons, Sean West of Chapel Hill, Brad Arthurs of Apex and Brandon Loosman of Cary; and numerous other extended family members.
A funeral Mass was held Friday, Nov. 14, at St. Andrew The Apostle Catholic Church in Apex. The family received friends at the church prior to the service. Burial followed in the Apex Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Falcon Children's Home, P.O. Box 60, Falcon, NC 28342, or to a charity of one's choice. Apex Funeral Home handled arrangements.
Devin Leigh Smith
Devin Leigh Smith, 52, of Morrisville passed unto the Lord's kingdom Nov. 11, 2003, due to an extended illness. She was a loving spouse, exemplary parent and loyal friend who touched many lives. She lived a purposeful life filled with love, compassion, decency, acceptance, patience and great strength.
She is survived by a loving family and wonderful group of friends. Services and burial were to beheld in her home state of Texas. Apex Funeral Home handled local arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Hospice of Wake County, 1300 St. Mary's St., Raleigh, NC 27605.
Alice Pleasants Hodges
Alice Pleasants Hodges, 85, of Cary died Sunday, Nov. 23, 2003.
Graveside services were held Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 26, at Hillcrest Cemetery in Cary and were led by the Rev. Mark Palmer, pastor of Inwood Baptist Church.
Surviving are her son-in-law, Emmett Wadford of Cary; two grandchildren, Janet Wadford Masouras of Cary and Greg Wadford of Cary; and two great-grandchildren, Ashley Wadford of Garner and George Masouras of Cary. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lem W. Hodges, and her daughter, Louise B. Wadford.
Brown-Wynne Funeral Home of Cary handled arrangements.
Clifford Keith Pritchard
Clifford Keith Pritchard, 46, of Morrisville passed away Nov. 18, 2003, after a long and courageous battle against cancer. Cliff was a loving husband, father, son, brother, grandfather, nephew, uncle and cousin, and a trusted friend.
Cliff was a member of The Potters Hand Bible Church of Cary, a recently founded church whose membership, since its inception, has dedicated itself to Cliff and his family's well-being. He is survived by his beloved wife, Diane Pritchard; daughters, Alicia Veldman and husband Cory of South Beloit, Ill., Dana McGrath and husband Doug, Jessica Pritchard and Nicole Ferrise, all of Morrisville; sons, Bo Pritchard, and Michael and David Ferrise, all of Morrisville; one adored granddaughter, Calla Veldman, of South Beloit, Ill.; father and step-mother, Boston and Barbara Pritchard of Albion, Mich.; beloved brother, Jim Pritchard of Rochester Hills, Mich.; precious sisters, Teresa Schoch of Bethesda, Md., Freda Mendez of Galvaston, Texas, and Marsha Eirschele of Plymouth, Mich.; uncles and aunts; nephews and nieces; and numerous cousins. A memorial service was held at Calvary Chapel, 1600 Center St. in Apex, on Monday afternoon, Nov. 24. The family received friends prior to the service.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be sent to The Potter's Hand Bible Church Building Fund, 1151 Executive Circle, Suite 201B, Cary, NC 27511. Apex Funeral Home handled arrangements.
Brandon Chase Adams
Brandon Chase Adams, 21, died suddenly Nov. 20, 2003. He is survived by his parents, Belinda Parks Adams and John Otha Adams; sister, Kimberly Adams Plourde of Moyock; and brother, Eric John Adams of Raleigh.
The family received friends at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary and at other times at 3710 Yates Mill Pond Road.
The funeral service was held Saturday afternoon, Nov. 22, in the Chapel of Brown-Wynne Funeral Home. Interment
followed at Montlawn Memorial Park in Raleigh.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Hope Line at P.O. Box 10490, Raleigh, NC 27605 or Teach Crisis Center at P.O. Box 129 Clyde, NC 28721.
Jeffrey Burton Ermolowich
Jeffrey Burton Ermolowich, 18, died Nov. 17, 2003. Jeff was born March 8, 1985.
Jeff fulfilled a lifelong dream in September when he graduated as a PFC from Marine Corps Boot Camp in Parris Island, S.C., where he was awarded the sharp shooter medal and nominated for the good conduct award. He was a 2003 graduate of Cary Senior High School, where he was an active member of NJROTC.
Jeff is survived by his mother, Becky Ermolowich; his brother, John Ermolowich; Michael Salomone, Wayne and Lois Eidson; Bill and Ronnie Stenson, his grandmother, Olga Ermolowich; Willie and Cathy Ermolowich; his cousins and friends. His father, Michael Ermolowich, preceded him in death.
A family visitation was held at Apex Funeral Home on Thursday evening, Nov. 20. The memorial service was to be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Cary Police Department, Family Support Group Fund, 316 N. Academy St., Cary, NC 27512.
Harold R. Lockwood
Harold R. Lockwood, 77, of Apex died at his home Monday, Nov. 24, 2003 after an extended illness. Mr. Lockwood is survived by his wife of 52 years, Ann Quinn Lockwood; sons, Mark Lockwood of Charlotte and Gary Lockwood of Suquamish, Wash.; daughters, Patricia Queen of Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Christine Hilt of Apex; four grandsons and one granddaughter; brothers, John Lockwood o Mattapoisett, Mass., and Roy Lockwood of North Attleboro, Mass.; and sister, Dorothy Smith of Walpole, Mass.
There will be a funeral Mass at 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 28, 2003 at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Apex. The family will receive friends following the service. Inurnment will be at the church columbarium.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Boy Scouts of America, P.O. Box 41229, Raleigh, NC 27629 or to the charity of your choice.
Victoria Joan Pucino Jankowski
Victoria Joan Pucino Jankowski, 65, of Holly Springs died Sunday, Nov. 23, 2003 at Rex Nursing Care of Apex. Mrs. Jankowski was a wonderful and beautiful wife of 41 years and a devoted mother, and loved by all that knew her.
A funeral Mass was held Wednesday, Nov. 26, at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Apex. Burial followed in Apex Cemetery.
She is survived by her husband, Joseph Louis Jankowski of the home; son, Mark Joseph Andrews, and his wife Karen, of Morrisville; grandchildren, David Ross Andrews and Wesley Eric Andrews; and brother, Richard Pucino of Newburgh, N.Y.
The family received friends Tuesday evening, Nov. 25, at Apex Funeral Home.
Those considering memorial contributions may make them to the American Cancer Society, 11 S. Boylan Ave., Raleigh, NC 27603.
Ann Carol Fernandez
Ann Carol Fernandez, 64, passed away Nov. 23, 2003. She was born Nov. 9, 1939, in New York, N.Y., to the late James and Louise Passierllo. She had been employed by Oxford University Press and Becton Dickinson Pharmaceutical Co. For the last 10 years, she had worked for RPS/FedEx as an administrative assistant to the terminal manager.
Ann is survived by her husband, Joseph A. Fernandez, to whom she was happily married for the past 14 years. She is also survived by stepchildren Jose L. Fernandez of Florida, Michael P. Fernandez and his wife Rosalinda of Georgia, Ramona Fernandez of Georgia, Candida Figueroa and her husband Louis of Connecticut; niece Linda Harlor and her husband Mark of Danville, Pa., and their children Evan and Katie; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild; and her special pets, Perky and Paws.
The family received friends Tuesday evening, Nov. 25, at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary. The Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 26, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. Interment
followed at Raleigh Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 27624, Raleigh, NC 27603.
