John Burns Bullock



DURHAM — John Burns Bullock, 91, of Durham, N.C. left this world for a better one on Thursday, November 19, 2009.

John was born in New Haven Connecticut on December 14, 1917 to Marie and Clifton Bullock. His father hailed from Henderson, so eventually the family moved back to North Carolina. John graduated from North Carolina State University in 1939 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. In 1941 he joined the Army and taught at Harvard, instructing young soldiers in communication equipment. He was later ordered to the Philippines to “report to General McArthur” which he did, literally. He left the service as a Major.

He worked for CP&L, now Progress Energy, and for 33 years at RCA, designing microwave communications equipment. After retirement, he worked for the Public Broadcasting Station operating and maintaining a system he had designed years before.

He was a private pilot and HAM radio operator. He served as a Presbyterian church elder in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

John and his wife moved back to North Carolina, which he always considered his second home, to be near their daughter and her family.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Prather Bullock, two daughters, Janet M. Vaught and husband, Larry, of Creedmoor, N.C. and Martha C. Carlson, of Raleigh, N.C., a sister, Virginia Y. Bullock of Riverside, Calif.; and three grandchildren, William Vaught, Elizabeth Vaught, and Sara Vaught.

Beloved husband, father, and grandfather, your toils are over. Thank you for all you taught and did for us. We love you. Go in peace.

A graveside service will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens, in Henderson, N.C. at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, 2009.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Eastern North Carolina Chapter, 400 Oberlin Road Suite 220, Raleigh, N.C. 27605, or to Duke Home Care and Hospice, 4321 Medical Park Drive Suite 101, Durham, N.C. 27704.

Arrangements are by Flowers Funeral Home of Henderson, N.C.

Ruby Mason

DURHAM — Ms. Ruby Mason, 96, of 301 S. Elm St. #D, died November 16, 2009 at Duke Medical Center. Her funeral service will be conducted Monday, November 23, 2009 at 12 noon at Burthey Funeral Chapel. The family will receive friends on Monday at the Chapel from 11 a.m. to 12 noon one hour prior to the service.

Interment will follow at Markham Memorial Gardens. There will be a public viewing Sunday from 1 until 5 p.m. at Burthey Funeral Chapel.

Arrangements by Burthey Funeral Service.

Orange

Nancy Boggs Taylor



HILLSBOROUGH — Nancy Boggs Taylor, 61, of 4144 Cross Anchor Road devoted and loving wife of Wayne Taylor for 38 years passed away Friday, November 20, 2009 at the Regional Hospice Home.

A native of Hillsborough, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Cashe and Mabel Hissim Boggs. She was an active member of Cedar Shoals Baptist Church where she shared her christian faith with many. Mrs. Taylor was an educator for 25 years in public school education at Buffalo and Monarch Elementary Schools in K-4 and K-5 Programs in Union County.

Surviving are two sons; Jeff Taylor and his wife Kim of Enoree and Jeremy Taylor and his wife Amanda Taylor of Woodruff; six grandchildren; Carrie, Bradley, Brayden, Brooklyn, Logan and Elijah Cashe Taylor. Mrs. Taylor is also survived by her loving sister Lynne Laws and her husband Tony and family of Hillsborough, N.C. She is also survived by her father-in-law; J.I. Taylor of Enoree, several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins in North and South Carolina.

Funeral services will be conducted Monday, November 23, 2009 at 3:00 P.M. at Cedar Shoals Baptist Church by the Rev. Stephen Cannon and Mr. Jeff Taylor. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 1 to 2:45 p.m. Monday prior to the service in the church sanctuary.

Serving as pallbearers will be, Brian Whitmore, Lewis Taylor, Wayne Davis, Keith Evans, Wayne Burgess, Tony Hawkins, Derrick Duckett and Roger Taylor.

Honorary Escort will be the Candle Light Sunday School Class of Cedar Shoals Baptist Church, Buffalo Elementary School, Orange High Class of 1966, Beth Grant, Peggy Duncan, Betty Wallace, Dot Stewart and Zora O’Dell.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Children’s Security Blanket, 1855 East Main Street, Suite 14, Box 101, Spartanburg, S.C. 29307.

The family is at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Kim Taylor, 115 Taylor Town Road, Enoree.

For directions to Cedar Shoals Baptist Church go to www.cedarshoalsbaptistchurch.org.

Lanford Funeral Home, Woodruff, N.C.

Elsewhere

Norfleet Earl Umstead

MOUNT AIRY — Mr. Norfleet Earl Umstead, age 84 of 308 Jackson Rd., Mt. Airy, died Thursday, November 19, 2009 at his home. Mr. Umstead was born in Durham County, May 16, 1925 to Henry Lee and Emma Harris Umstead. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Harris Lee, Malcolm Bruce and Paul Clyborne Umstead; two sisters, Annie Laura Umstead Tippett and Margaret Umstead Bomar. Mr. Umstead was a paratrooper with the 17th Airborne in WWII, earning the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart during the Battle of the Buldge. After his war service he graduated from the University of North Carolina and was a life long Tar Heel supporter. He retired from Lederle Laboratories Pharmaceutical sales division earning their highest gold cup sales honor. He was a committed member of First Baptist Church serving as out-reach director, youth director, Sunday school teacher, deacon and co-chair of his beloved Prime Timers. He is survived by his wife of fifty seven years, Melba Jean Teague Umstead; two sons, Conley Lee Umstead of the home; and Norfleet Kevin Umstead and wife Pamela; three grandchildren, Sean Kevin, Peter Henry and Jennifer Lee of Cary; a sister, Evelyn Clarke of Durham and several nieces and nephews. A celebration of life memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, November 22, 2009 at First Baptist Church by Dr. Roger Gilbert. The family will receive friends in the Fireside Room from 1:30 until the time of the service. Interment will be private at Mount Bethel Methodist in Bahama, NC. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Ben Brannock Bus Fund at 714 N. Main St. Mt. Airy, NC 27030 or to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care at 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mt. Airy, NC 27030. The family wishes to express their deep felt thanks and gratitude to Flannery Heath and to Mountain Valley Hospice.

Online condolences may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com.

Tony Reid Bolton

DURHAM -- Mr. Tony Reid Bolton, 61, of Durham, died on Tuesday, November 17, 2009.

He was predeceased by his parents, Cecil S. Bolton and Alice Barnes Warren; and his wife, Debra Lassiter Bolton. He attended the Living Waters Christian Community Church. He worked at the Durham Exchange Club Workshop.

He is survived by two brothers, Ray Bolton and Cecil R. Bolton and wife, Carolyn, both of Durham; two sisters, Brenda B. Holder and husband, Billy, of Creedmoor and Ginger B. Stanhope and husband, Ralph, of Rougemont; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Friday at 2 p.m. at Hudson Funeral Chapel, officiated by Pastor Ron Watts. Burial will be in Oak Grove Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hudson Funeral Home. Flowers are acceptable. Arrangements are being handled by Hudson Funeral Home.

Frances 'Frankie' Harris

DURHAM -- Mrs. Frances 'Frankie' Harris, 85, died Tuesday night at the Hock Family Pavilion.

Mrs. Harris was born in Durham Co., the daughter of the late Virgil Clarence Talley and the late Rosa Mae Rasberry Talley. Prior to her retirement, she was employed by Wright's Machinery. Mrs. Harris was a member of Homestead Heights Baptist Church and Guess Road Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Neil Harris.

Mrs. Harris is survived by a daughter, Sheila Harris Martin and husband, Bruce; a son, Billy Harris and wife, Renee; two grandsons; one granddaughter; three great grandsons; and one great granddaughter.

A graveside service will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at Woodlawn Memorial Park with Chaplain Danny Green officiating. The family will receive friends Friday from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at Clements Funeral Home in Durham.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Duke Home Care and Hospice at The Hock Family Pavilion, 4023 North Roxboro Street, Durham NC 27704.

Demario Montez Jackson





DURHAM -- Funeral services for Demario Montez Jackson, 15, of 608 N. Hardee St., #F-6, will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at United House of Prayer For All People, 505 Holloway St. Family visitation, one hour prior to service.

Survivors include his mother, Cherell Jackson (Willie); father, John Dixon III (Sonja); sisters, Shamaine Dixon, Jamaica Dixon and Shanacia McGhee; brothers, Jermaine Jackson, Dominique McGhee, Quincey McGhee, John Dixon IV, Emmanuel Malone and Jonathan Frazier; stepbrothers, Sheldon James and Nicolus Wright; maternal grandparents, Yvonne McClamb and Mike McClary; paternal grandparents, Charley and Clara Mae Williams; great grandfather, Patterson Dublin; aunts, Eula Owens (George), Veretta Oakley, Candice Bowden (Vernon) and Jessica Finch.

Viewing, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday at Fisher Funeral Parlor.

David C. Knauert





DURHAM -- Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) mission worker, Dr. David C. Knauert, 38, died Saturday, Nov. 14, in Atlanta after he collapsed while jogging.

Knauert and his wife, Leigh, were appointed to mission service in July. They and their four children were living in Atlanta awaiting visas for a planned move to Brazil.

A 2009 Ph.D. graduate of Duke University, Knauert had been appointed to teach biblical studies at the Post-Graduate Ecumenical Institute in Sao Paulo. His service had been requested by the Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil. 'We're deeply thankful to God for David and Leigh's willingness to follow God's call into mission and, as part of their mission family, will grieve David's loss for some time,' said Hunter Farrell, director of Presbyterian World Mission. 'But we commit ourselves anew to working for the world of God's peace, justice and grace that David had dedicated his life to.'

'While we had known David only a short time, he touched many lives in the World Mission family,' said Maria Arroyo, the PCUSA's coordinator for South America. 'Our partners in Brazil were looking forward to David sharing his many gifts with them.'

In addition to his wife, Leigh, David leaves his children, Peter, twins, Harrison and Lily, and David; his mother, Holly Knauert; and a sister, Melissa Knauert-Brown.

David was born in Davis, Calif., but spent most of his childhood in Potomac, Md. Besides a Ph.D. from Duke, he held an undergraduate degree from Harvard University and the M.Div. from Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Ga. David was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Durham.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Friday from First Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Walter Brueggemann, the Rev. Joseph S. Harvard III and the Rev. Marilyn Hedgpeth officiating. Private cremation will follow at the Hall-Wynne Crematory Chapel. Contributions in David's memory may be made to: First Presbyterian Church, 305 E. Main St. Durham 27701.

For on-line memorials: www.hallwynne.com Select Obituaries.



GRANVILLE

Lewis Gerald Byrd





OXFORD -- Lewis Gerald Byrd, 82, a resident of 4653 James Royster Road, died Wednesday, November 18th at his home.

A native of Durham County, the son of the late Junie Daniel and Ellie Stewart Byrd, he was a Mason and Shriner and was a retired Senior Master Sergeant in the Air Force after 24 years of service. He also retired from GTE in Durham.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday in the Eakes Funeral Chapel in Oxford by the Rev. Eddie Mauldin.

Surviving are his wife, Teresa Taylor Byrd of the home; a step-daughter, Brandy Self Loyd, who grew in his heart and husband, Doug of Oxford; a sister, Evelyn Cvacho of Lancaster, Penn.; and his loving dogs, Otis, Cricket, Gracie and Lillie.

Visitation is from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Friday prior to the service at the Eakes Funeral Home in Oxford and at other times at the home.

Online condolences can be made at www.eakesfuneralhome.com. Select Obits.



ORANGE

Russell Bernard McBroom Sr.

HILLSBOROUGH -- Russell Bernard McBroom Sr. was born July 28, 1936. He died November 16, 2009 in the Veteran Hospital.

The funeral will be Sunday, November 22, 2009 at 2 p.m. at Payne's Chapel AME Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 7 to 8 p.m. at Chavis-Paker Funeral Home.

Survivors are his wife, Elizabeth McBroom; one daughter, Diane McBroom; two sons, Russell Bernard McBroom Jr. (Kim, Walker Marcellus McBroom (Lynn).

Arrangements by Chavis-Parker Funeral Home.

Alan Mathias Miller





HILLSBOROUGH -- Alan Mathias Miller, 49, died November 17, 2009, in UNC Hospitals after a valiant struggle against liver disease.

Born March 26, 1960, in Winston-Salem, he was the son of Mathias and the late Alice (Call) Miller. He was married in Chapel Hill April 27, 1991, to Mandy, who survives with their three children, Zachary Daniel, Kylie Elizabeth and Carson Belle, all of Hillsborough.

In addition to his father, survivors include his brother, Michael; the Burks, Chet, Erin, Nicholas and Chase; the Ingles, Bruce, Jennifer, Sarah and Matthew; David Friedman, and William and Elizabeth Friedman.

Alan was the maintenance supervisor for Timberlyne Apartments for more than 20 years. He took deep satisfaction in his ability to fix anything. He aspired to perfection in all things, and his home was truly the House that Alan Built.

Alan and Mandy spent many hours in various, sometimes far-flung locations, often involving extreme weather conditions, in order to watch their children participate in baseball, softball, soccer, track, basketball and wrestling. No matter what, they rarely missed a game. They consider those among the best times of their lives. They enjoyed traveling with their children, endeavoring to expand their horizons and to show them the world.

Alan liked hunting, fishing, gardening and boating, and shared his love of the outdoors with his children and his nephews. All of them benefitted from his considerable knowledge of the natural world. He loved to play with his children, his niece and his nephews, too, and they well remember wonderful times on their boat, fun at the beach and camping.

His family was his greatest joy. He loved his wife and children with all his heart, and they, him. We all will miss his sweet smile, his dry wit, his friendship and his hearty laugh.

Services for Alan will be Saturday, November 21, at 3 p.m. at Binkley Baptist Church, Chapel Hill. There will be a reception in the church following the service. One of the family's greatest wishes is that everyone consider signing a card for organ donation.

Those wishing to make a gift in Alan's memory may wish to contribute to Habitat for Humanity, where both his mother and his son worked in the past. Habitat's address is Habitat for Humanity, 1829 E. Franklin St., Suite 1200B, Chapel Hill, NC 27514.



PERSON

Ava Evelyn Oakley Clayton

ROXBORO -- Ava Evelyn Oakley Clayton, age 90, of 116 Harris Clayton Rd., died Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at her home.

She was born November 27, 1918, in Person County to the late Alvis Oakley and Aldine Clayton Oakley. Mrs. Clayton was preceded in death by her husband, James Carlton Clayton, and a son, Tony Clayton. She was a member of the Cavel Baptist Church.

Survivors include her son, Mike Clayton, and wife, Nancy; brother, Harold Oakley; sister, Louise Oakley; and daughter-in-law, Faye Clayton Buchanan, all of Roxboro; seven grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, November 19, 2009 at the Brooks & White Funeral Home.

The funeral service will be 2 p.m. Friday, November 20, 2009 at Cavel Baptist Church with the Rev. Tobie Stone officiating. Burial will be in the Person Memorial Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Larry Daniel, Donny Clayton, Gerald Clayton, and grandsons, Rob Clayton, Josh Clayton, and Andy Clayton.

Memorials may be made to Cavel Baptist Church, 1885 N. Main St., Roxboro, NC 27573, or Home, Health, and Hospice of Person County, 325 S. Madison Blvd., Roxboro, NC 27573.

Condolences may be made to www.brooksandwhite.com.



WAKE

Cynthia 'Cindy' Graham Currin





RALEIGH -- Cynthia "Cindy" Graham Currin, 56, of Raleigh, died Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at her home.

She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend and was a faithful servant and follower of Christ. She loved quilting, volunteering and spending time with family and friends. Cindy touched the lives of many and those who were privileged to know her were blessed.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 Friday morning, November 20, 2009 at First Assembly of God, 3249 Blue Ridge Road in Raleigh. Burial will follow in Brier Creek Memorial Gardens.

Cindy is survived by her husband, Thomas Currin; son, Justin Currin of Raleigh; daughters, Leslie Currin and Alesha Currin of Raleigh; granddaughter, Madeline Currin of Creedmoor. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Elmer "Jack" Graham and Flora Hicks Graham.

Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, 230 W. Monroe, Chicago, ILL 60606. Please earmark for 'The N.E.D Fund'.

Friends may visit with the family from 6 to 8 Thursday evening at Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center -- www.brightfunerals.com -- 405 S. Main St., Wake Forest.

Inez Davis Wheeler

WAKE FOREST -- Inez Davis Wheeler, 86, died Wednesday, November 18, 2009.

She was born in Granville County, the daughter of the late Lee and Pearl O'Neal Davis and was retired from Westinghouse after 33 years of service.

Funeral services will be held at 11 o'clock Friday morning, November 20, 2009 at Mary's Chapel Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Mrs. Wheeler is survived by her children, Lillian W. Parrish of Louisburg, Barbara W. Peace of Franklinton, Sam Wheeler of Timberlake, Milton Wheeler of Wake Forest and Joan W. Watson of Creedmoor; sister, Louise Allgood of Henderson; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Woodrow W. Wheeler.

Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to Mary's Chapel Baptist Church or to the charity of your choice.

Friends may visit with the family from 7 to 8:30 Thursday evening at Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center -- www.brightfunerals.com -- 405 S. Main St., Wake Forest.