LaRue B. McGhee
LaRue B. McGhee, 77, of Raleigh, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, April 3, 2004.
LaRue is survived by her devoted husband of 57 years, Thorny, and four loving children: Phyllis McLamb and husband John, Sheryl Watson and husband Bruce, Carl McGhee and wife Sharon, and Mark McGhee. She has 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Also surviving are five sisters, Dot Mulholland, Pansy Womble and husband Wallace, Marilyn Martin and husband David, Jessie Lesher and husband Joe, and Sue Holcomb. Her sister, Margaret Mitchell, and brother, Buddy Broadwell, proceeded her in death.
She loved the Lord with all her heart. She was a counselor at a Christian camp for more than 30 years and taught many women’s Bible studies and Good News Clubs. She was also instrumental in starting the Christian Women’s Conference at Faith Bible Fellowship in Raleigh.
She never stopped telling people what the Lord had done for her on Calvary.
Funeral services were held at Apex Funeral Home Chapel at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 6. Interment
followed in Oak Grove Cemetery in Durham.
The family received friends at Apex Funeral Home on Monday evening, April 5, and at other times at the home of Thorny McGhee, 5141 Milner Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606.
Robert Earl Ennis
Robert E. Ennis, 53, died April 2, 2004.
He is survived by two daughters, Rachel King of Cary and Kellie Cooper of Morrisville; two sons, Matthew Ennis and Stephen Ennis, both of Cary; his mother, Sylvia I. McCown and stepfather, Hank McCown of Cary; a sister, Ann Mann of Cary; four grandchildren, Jacob King of Cary, Cole and Camden Cooper of Morrisville, and Alyssa Ennis of Cary; and his former wife, Linda Ennis Price of Cary.
A memorial service was held Wednesday, April 7, at 11 a.m. at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary. The Rev. Jerry Parker officiated.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.MeM.com.
Edward Vincent Creamer Sr.
Edward Vincent Creamer Sr., 83, died Thursday, July 8, 2004, at Hillcrest Convalescent Center.
He was born June 23, 1921 in Uniontown, Pa., the eldest child of the late Edward Eugene and Ida Carolyn "Edith" Roos Creamer. His wife of 57 years, Ann Rita O'Leary Creamer, predeceased him.
Edward is survived by their seven children: Catherine (and Wayne) Starnes of Cary, Mary (and Judson) Edeburn of Cary, Teresa (and Richard) Yarbrough of Fremont, Edward Jr. (and Barbara) Creamer of Arlington, Texas, Gerald (and Rebecca) Creamer of Roanoke, Va., Philip (and Elizabeth) Creamer of Temple, Texas, and John Creamer Sr. of Milton, W. Va. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren, Karen Rosales, Stephanie and Andrew Starnes, Richard and Kristin Yarbrough, Jennifer Cooper, and Katherine, Sarah, Ryan, Aimee, Patrick, Meghan, John, Melanie and Bradley Creamer; and six great-grandchildren, Alec, Thurston, Jessie, Kyleigh, Kaleb and Jaxon; a brother, Donald Creamer; sisters, Carolyn Duke and Harriet "Jeanne" Tabarini; and a special niece, Mary Ann Kinney.
A graduate of St. Joseph's High School in Huntington, W. Va., Edward served in World War II, attended Marshall University and worked as an engineer for International Nickel Company and Ashland Oil.
Following his move to North Carolina in 1999, Edward pursued in earnest his lifelong interest in art. His paintings appeared in shows at Duke University, Gambro Health Care, Jerry's Artarama and the N.C. State Fair.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Hillcrest for their fine care during Edward's brief stay and the doctors and staffs of the Duke Medical Center and Gambro Dialysis Center for helping him live the last five years fully and creatively.
Edward's family is grateful for his example of how to live life with optimism, humor and love, and how to face the end of life with dignity and courage.
The family received friends Tuesday, July 13, at Apex Funeral Home, prior to a funeral service held at 11:30 a.m. Burial was in Huntington, W. Va., arranged by Reger Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be given to the American Diabetes Association, 2 Hanover Square, Suite 1500, Raleigh, NC 27601-1764, or www.diabetes.org.
Johnnie Sue Highsmith
Johnnie Sue Highsmith, 94, died Wednesday, July 1, 2004, at the Masonic and Eastern Star Home in Greensboro. She was born Nov. 24, 1909 to the late Tressie and John Nowell of Oteen, N.C. She was the widow of the late Walter Ray Highsmith Sr., to whom she was married 36 years.
She was a member of Westover United Methodist Church and a member of the Women's Society of Christian Service.
Mrs. Highsmith is survived by her children, Sue Stephens of Chula Vista, Calif., Mattie Franklin of Raleigh, Barbara Hudson and her husband Flynn of Cary, and Walter Ray Highsmith Jr. and his wife Bonnie of Cary; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She is also survived by one brother, Theodore B. Nowell of Greensboro. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister.
Funeral services were held Friday, July 9, at 10:30 a.m. at the Masonic and Eastern Star Home in Greensboro. A graveside service was held at 3 p.m. at Montlawn Memorial Park in Raleigh.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summitt Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405; to Westover United Methodist Church, 300 Powell Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606; or to the Masonic and Eastern Star Home, 800 S. Holden Road, Greensboro, NC 27407.
The family would like to thank the medical staff at the Masonic and Eastern Star Home and Hospice of Greensboro for the loving care that was given to their mother.
Dr. Charles Ellington Porterfield
Dr. Charles E. Porterfield, 82, died Friday, July 9, 2004. Dr. Porterfield graduated from Birmingham-Southern College in 1944 with a bachelor of arts degree in speech and a minor in chemistry. He earned his master's degree at the University of Iowa in rhetoric and public address, and his doctorate at Louisiana State University in 1965. He was inducted into the U.S. Navy in 1942, attained the rank of lieutenant and served during World War II.
Dr. Porterfield dedicated his life to education, holding positions at six major Southern universities including Appalachian State University, Birmingham-Southern College, Central Missouri State College and the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. He was a talented performer and acted and sang in productions everywhere he lived. After retirement he taught as professor emeritus at Appalachian State. He and his wife Becky moved to Cary in 1994, and he taught at N.C. State University, St. Augustine's College and Meredith College.
Dr. Porterfield was a devoted church member. He served on many committees, taught Sunday school and sang in the choir at Boone United Methodist Church and at Pullen Memorial Baptist Church in Raleigh. Most recently he found great joy in leading the children of Pullen in singing before Sunday school. He was a wonderful husband, father, brother and grandfather, and he will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife, Becky of Cary; three daughters, Ellin Porterfield and husband, Bob Winstead of Raleigh, Mary Lee Porterfield of Cary and Anne Porterfield of Raleigh; one brother, Clifford Porterfield of Clarksdale, Miss.; and two granddaughters, Emily and Hannah Porterfield Winstead.
A memorial service was held Wednesday afternoon, July 14, at Pullen Memorial Baptist Church. The family received friends at the church on Tuesday evening, July 13.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pullen Memorial Baptist Church; the Charles Porterfield Scholarship Fund, Appalachian State University in Boone; or the charity of one's choice. Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary handled arrangements.
Robert G. Gwyn
Robert G. Gwyn, 64, of Apex died suddenly Tuesday, July 13. He was a native of Mt. Airy in Surry County, served in the U.S. Air Force and was an associate professor at N.C. State University. He was a member of the Apex Baptist Church and the Apex Fire Department.
A funeral service was held Saturday, July 17, in the Moody Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed at the Skyline Memory Gardens in Mt. Airy. The family received friends prior to the service. The Rev. Phil Qualls officiated the service.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia Inez Gwyn of the home, and a son, Myron G. Gwyn of Charlotte; a brother, Jerry Gwyn and wife, Helen of Mooresville, and a sister, Libby Lawrence and husband, Craig of Bedford, Va.; and special nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Apex Baptist Church, 110 S. Salem St., Apex, NC 27502.
Craig George Blanchette
Craig George Blanchette, 42, of Apex went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Wednesday, July 14, 2004. Craig was devoted to his family and his church. He was employed as a financial analyst at IBM.
A funeral service was held Monday, July 19, at Apex Funeral Home Chapel. A private Inurnment was planned at a later date in Apex Cemetery.
Craig is survived by his wife, Myra Blanchette; his sons, Shaun and Wayne Blanchette; mother, Rita Blanchette of Naples, Fla.; father, Eudo Blanchette of Bristol, Conn.; and his sisters, Gwen Kolegue and her husband, Larry of Naples, Fla., Rhonda Loveitt and her husband, Tom of Gorham, Maine, and Laurie Richardson and her husband, Jim of Austin, Texas. He is also survived by his father and mother-in-law, Li Zhentang and Cheng Guilan, and his brother and sister-in-law, Li Mingyi and Li Yanyu, all of Tianjin, China. Craig leaves behind several aunts and uncles and many nieces and nephews.
His memory will be deeply cherished by all.
The family received friends Sunday, July 18, at Apex Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Trust Fund for Shaun and Wayne Blanchette, c/o The Village Church at Holly Springs, P.O. Box 1267, Holly Springs, NC 27540.
David Lee McCorrison
David Lee McCorrison, 59, of Cary died Sunday, July 18, 2004 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Mr. McCorrison was employed by Clark Pavement Marking Co. of Apex. A memorial service was held Wednesday afternoon, July 21, at Faith Baptist Church and conducted by the Rev. Carey Horrell.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Jones McCorrison; son, Sean McCorrison and his wife, Michelle of Sanford; daughter, Lisa McCorrison Harvey of Cary; grandchildren, Lucas Harvey, and Kyle and Kayla McCorrison; mother, Geneva McCorrison of Unity, Maine; brothers, Stanley McCorrison Jr. and his wife, Flora of Thorndike, Maine, and Melvin McCorrison of Green, Maine; and nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 11 S. Boylan Ave., Raleigh, NC 27603 or www.cancer.org.
Carrie Black Hacker
Carrie Black Hacker, 89, of Cary died July 16, 2004 at WakeMed Cary Hospital. Carrie was born July 22, 1914 in Cleveland, Ohio, to Edith and Roy Black.
She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and artist. She also worked for many years as a certified nursing assistant caring for elderly people. Carrie was rich in the love of her children and grandchildren and in her outstanding imagination and talent as an artist. She loved animals and nature and she expressed this love through her art. Carrie's artistic talent ranged from charcoal sketches to sculpture to oil and watercolor paintings, and her artworks are prized possessions of those lucky enough to have one.
Carrie will be especially missed by her lifelong companion and best friend, her daughter Linda. Carrie helped Linda raise her four children as they all moved together many times across the country for Linda’s job. Carrie will also be missed by her devoted friend and caregiver, Hannah Ngugi.
Carrie is survived by her sister, Mary Ann Forbes of Pittsburgh, and brother, Louis Black of Baycliff, Texas; a daughter, Mrs. Penny Poland of Punxsutawney, Pa.; a daughter, Linda Kooistra of Cary; a son and daughter-in-law, William and Kathy Hacker of Cleveland, Ohio; a granddaughter, Kathryn Kooistra of New York City; a grandson, Scott Kooistra of Cincinnati; a granddaughter, Rebecca Kooistra of the home; a grandson, Steven Kooistra of the home; a granddaughter, Christine Hostetter of New York City; a grandson, Christopher Archibald of Pittsburgh; a grandson, Stephen Archibald of Pittsburgh; and a great-granddaughter, Emma Hostetter.
A graveside service was to be held at Lakeview Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio.
Brown-Wynne Funeral Home of Cary is handling arrangements.
Joan Marie Bracco-Stearns
Joan M. Bracco-Stearns died Wednesday, July 21, 2004 at home. She was born on May 26, 1940 to Domenica and Giachino Bracco in Hempstead, N.Y. She attended Holy Redeemer School in Freeport, N.Y., and Queen of the Rosary Academy in Amityville, N.Y. She grew up in Freeport, N.Y., and later married Emory Ward Stearns on Sept. 9, 1961. Joan was retired from her position as an import and export coordinator at GlaxoSmithKline.
She is survived by her husband, Emory "Woody" Stearns; one son, Richard D. Stearns of Raleigh; mother, Dinca Bracco of Selden, N.Y.; brother, Ronald Bracco and his wife, Carol of Selden, N.Y.; sister, Rita Duffy of Bellmore, N.Y.; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews in New York and New Jersey. She was preceded in death by her father, Giachino Bracco and brother, Leo Bracco. She will be greatly missed by many good friends in Cary and Raleigh.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, July 29, at 3 p.m. at Glenaire Retirement Community in Cary.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Glenaire Foundation, 4000 Glenaire Circle, Cary, NC 27511; or to Hospice of Wake County, 1300 St. Mary’s St., Fourth floor, Raleigh, NC 27605.
The family wishes to express a special thanks to Ms. Sue King of Cary, loyal friend for 25 years; and to Brother John Malich of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., for all his help and service.
Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Cary, is handling the arrangements for the family.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.MeM.com.
Shirley Evans Brenner
Shirley Evans Brenner, born Jan. 12, 1914 at Pactolus, died Friday, July 23, 2004. She was the daughter of the late William Henry Evans and Penny Eliza Dunn.
Shirley is survived by her husband, Harold H. Brenner, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Shirley, who had lived in Cary for 23 years, was a member of the Asbury Station Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
Memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice, 3117 Poplarwood Court, Suite 114, Raleigh, NC 27604 or to one’s favorite charity.
Arrangements are pending at this time and are being handled by Crest Lawn Funeral Home.
William Calvin Currie
William Calvin Currie, 77, of 5410 N.C. 751, Apex, died Friday evening, July 23, 2004 at home surrounded by his family.
A service celebrating his life and homegoing was held Monday, July 26, at 1 p.m. in the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
His wife, Thelma Odell Currie, and his son, James Ray Currie, preceded Mr. Currie in death. He is survived by a son, William Paul Currie and his wife, Debbie of Durham; a daughter, Patricia Currie Glover of Coats; and a brother, Edward Currie, and a sister, Myrtle Partin, both of Durham. Also surviving are eight loving grandchildren and 12 special great-grandchildren.
The Currie family received friends on Sunday evening, July 25, at the Apex Funeral Home.
Robin Cynthia Jones
Robin Cynthia Eschert Jones, 50, of Apex, died July 22, 2004. Mrs. Jones was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Cary. Mrs. Jones is survived by her husband, Samuel W. Jones; children, Courtney, Hillary and Doug-las, all of the home; mother, Rosemarie Duffin, and father, George Eschert, both of Philadelphia; sister, Gaye Lynne Eschert of Stratford, Conn.; and brother, George Eschert of Trumbull, Conn.
The family received friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 25, at Apex Funeral Home. A prayer service followed.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in the First Lutheran Church, Southington, Conn.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Triangle/Eastern NC Chapter, 2210 Millbrook Road, No. 109, Raleigh, NC 27604.
Emma Frances Garrison Roof
Emma Frances Garrison Roof, 65, of Kure Beach, N.C., died Saturday, July 24, 2004.
Emma Frances was born on March 30, 1939 in Lancaster, S.C., to Robert G. Garrison Sr. and Mary Emma (Grant) Garrison. She retired after a 40-year career as a legislative and political assistant in Washington, D.C. She was a graduate of Chester High School and Winthrop College.
Survivors include her husband, Ralph W. Roof of Kure Beach, N.C.; daughter, Jennifer Marie Lamb and husband, Douglas Lamb of Cary; grandchildren, Emily Lamb and Ashley Lamb of Cary; and brother, Robert G. Garrison Jr. of Chester, S.C.
A service was held Saturday, July 31, at Purity Presbyterian Church. Interment
followed at Union Cemetery in Richburg, S.C. The Rev. Marc Masson and the Rev. Rodney Hamm officiated.
Memorials may be made to a charity of one's choice.
Winfred Monroe Henson
Winfred Monroe Henson, 75, of Cary died Tuesday, July 27, 2004. Fred was born in Dalton, Ga., in 1929 to James Henson and Pearl York Henson. He was an Eagle Scout. Fred retired from service in the U.S. Navy. While in the Navy, he served the U.S. Space Program in space recovery for both the Apollo and Gemini missions.
He later served as director of juvenile detention for Wake County and was employed by the Employment Security Commission.
A funeral service was held Friday, July 30, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary, officiated by the Rev. Jeff Archer. Burial followed at Hillcrest Cemetery in Cary.
Fred is survived by his wife of 54 years, Peggy Joyce Carter Henson; their three daughters, Denise Spruill of Graham, Darlene Wiltzius and husband, Michael, of Cary, and Lisa Bell and husband, Hugh, of Fort Mill, S.C.; and grandchildren, Nathan Wiltzius, Amanda Wiltzius, Jennifer Spruill, Ashley Bell and Hugh Bell.
The family received friends Thursday evening, July 29, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Walnut Street Church of Christ, 217 Walnut St., Cary, NC 27511.
Condolences may be sent to the family at MeM.com
Susan Jane Keating Bandi
Susan Jane Keating Bandi, 59, of Cary died July 30, 2004 surrounded by her loving family.
Susan was born in Flushing, N.Y., in 1944 to Charles and Gladys Ehren Keating. She had lived in Cary with her family since 1988.
The family received friends Monday morning, Aug. 2, at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary. A funeral was held at 11:30 a.m. Monday at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Cary. Burial followed at Apex Cemetery.
Susan is survived by her children, Suzanne Bandi White of Apex, David Bandi of Cary and Elizabeth Bandi McCabe of Apex; brother, Richard Keating of Queens, N.Y.; sister, Barbara Dunn of Cary; and grandchildren, Cameron White, Katie White, Charlie White, Connor McCabe and Daniel McCabe. She was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel Lehon Bandi, in 2001.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 100 S. Boylan Ave., Raleigh, NC 27603 or Rex Cancer Center, 4420 Lake Boone Trail, Raleigh, NC 27607.
Condolences may be sent to the family at MeM.com.
Katherine Marie Ramsey
Katherine Marie Ramsey, 60, of New Hill died Monday, Aug. 2, after a long illness.
She was a seamstress for the Apex Manufacturing Company for many years. A funeral was held Wednesday morning, Aug. 4, in the Apex Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed in the New Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. The Rev. Ray Wickham officiated the service. The family received friends Tuesday evening, Aug. 3.
Ramsey is survived by her husband, James Ramsey of the home; and two daughters, Debbie Pauley and husband, Gregory, and Teresa Ramsey and husband, David, and a son, Gerald W. Ramsey and wife Peggy, all of New Hill. She is also survived by a sister, Minnie Williford of New Hill, and six grandchildren, John, Jeremy, Tiffany, Bradley, Caitlyn and Miranda.
