Mary P. Taylor
Wake Forest
Mary P. Taylor, 81, expired on Saturday, June 15, 2019, at the William Dunlap Center in Raleigh. She was born on December 2, 1937 in Spartanburg County, South Carolina to the late Will and Mattie Peeler of Pacolet, South Carolina.
She was a graduate of Benjamin E. Mays High School in Pacolet. She was a dedicated employee at the Velvet Cloak Hotel in Raleigh until she retired in 2004.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Kitchell, eight brothers, three sisters, one grandson and one great-granddaughter.
She leaves to cherish her memories two daughters, Sheila Jones of Raleigh and Mattie McCray of Rolesville; a son, Richard Taylor of Louisburg; two granddaughters; three grandsons; one great-granddaughter; four brothers-in-law; and a host of other loving relatives and friends.
The funeral was on Friday, June 21, 2019, at 11 a.m. at Feggins & Feggins Chapel in Wake Forest, and burial followed in the Wake Forest Cemetery.
A service of Feggins & Feggins Funeral Service, 430 North White Street, Wake Forest, NC (919-556-1018)
Larry Fowler
Youngsville
Larry Fowler, 52, of 152 Quail Drive expired on Sunday, June 16, 2019, at his family’s residence. He was born on June 23, 1966 to Annie Fowler.
Larry was known by everyone and was employed with Al Privette for most of his life. Larry enjoyed operating heavy equipment such as John Deer backhoes, bulldozers and tractors, and there was nothing that Larry couldn’t drive.
Leaving to cherish his memories are a mother, Annie Fowler of Youngsville; a sister, Linda Fowler of Youngsville; three nieces; one nephew; two aunts; one uncle; and a host of cousins and other loving relatives and friends.
The funeral was held Sunday, June 23, 2019, at 2 p.m. at Feggins & Feggins Chapel in Wake Forest with burial following in the Wake Forest Cemetery.
A service of Feggins & Feggins Funeral Service, 430 North White Street, Wake Forest, NC (919-556-1018)
Mary Margaret (Maggie) Washington
Youngsville
Mary Margaret Washington (Maggie) of Youngsville died Friday, June 21, 2019, at her home. She was born in Durham, the daughter of the late Harold R. Washington and Thelma G. Washington on March 23, 1963. Maggie graduated from Wake Forest High School and attended Louisburg College. After school she lived in Philadelphia and the Outer Banks of North Carolina, returning to the area in 1990. Maggie was truly a lover of all things large and small and her home was filled to the brim most of the time with rescues.
She is survived by her husband, Gale Davis (Brent); a sister, Gayle Adams (Jim Adams); a brother, Harold Washington Jr., (Brenda); step-sister, Jane High (Danny); step-brother, Bill Connelly (Maryellen); dear second mother, Pearl Peppers; 10 nephews and nieces; 15 great-nephews and great-nieces; a host of Washington and Gooch cousins; and all her “fur children”.
A graveside service for family and friends will be held at 11 o’clock Thursday morning, June 27, 2019, at Pine Forest Memorial Gardens. Friends may visit with the family following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Safe Haven, 8431-137 Garvey Drive, Raleigh, NC 27616-3267.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest. (919) 556-5811
Vickie Alford Mitchell
Youngsville
Vickie Alford Mitchell, 75, passed away on Monday morning, June 24, 2019, at Rex Hospital. She was born in Wendell to the late Valton “Red” Alford and Yvette Snead Alford. She was also preceded in death by her son, Joey Alford.
Mrs. Mitchell is survived by her husband of 49 years, Ted Mitchell Sr.; two step-sons, Ted “Teddy” Mitchell Jr. and wife, Cindy, and Jeff Mitchell and wife, Angie; grandsons, Justin Mitchell and Jason Mitchell and wife, Lilli; Nathan Mitchell and wife, Stephanie; great-grandchildren, Ada, Izze, David, Jesse and Myah; sisters, Betty Mae Williamson and husband, Sam, Myrna Johnson and husband, Phillip, and Gayle Alford; and special friends, Judy and Will Etheridge.
Friends may visit with the family on Friday, June 28, 2019, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. before the service at 11 at Beulah Christian Baptist Church, 8225 Mitchell Mill Road, Zebulon.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest. (919) 556-5811
Alice Gray Ellington
Raleigh
Alice Gray Ellington, 62, passed away on Sunday, June 23, 2019 ,at Wake Medical Center. She was born in Franklin County, the daughter of the late Walter V. and Bonnie Belle Justice Ellington. Alice was a faithful church attendee. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister; Doris Britt.
Alice will always be remembered for her kindness in passing on compliments to others; in a telephone conversation, stopping to pray for the person she is speaking with and for always singing Happy Birthday to others. She was devoted to her cats, which she treated as her children. She always enjoyed being taken to the Mayflower restaurant where she was always treated so kindly by the servers.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday morning, June 29, 2019, in the New Hope Christian Church Cemetery with Mr. Rick Chappell officiating.
Alice is survived by a nephew and his wife, Ricky and Joanna Mustian of Wendell.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest. (919) 556-5811
Robert ‘Bobby’ J. Griffin
Louisburg
Robert “Bobby” J. Griffin Jr., 89, of Louisburg passed away at his home on Thursday, June 20, 2019. He was born April 7, 1930 in Wake County, a son of the late Robert J. Griffin Sr., and Samana (Watkins) Griffin. He was predeceased by his wife, Donnie Barlow Griffin, in March of 2012 and his brothers, Ed Griffin, and Billy Griffin, and his sister, Bettie Grace Griffin Alibrandi.
Bobby was a successful business owner and most notably known for Griffin’s Restaurant in Raleigh. He was a member of Amran Shrine and an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing. He was a very generous man supporting many charities with his time.
He served his country during the Korean War as a U.S. Army medic, treating the wounded on the front line.
Bobby is survived by his sons, Robert J. “Robby” Griffin III and his wife, Linda, of Louisburg, and William Edward “W.E.” Griffin of Raleigh and his wife, Kim; grandsons, William Robert Griffin of Franklinton, Christopher Thomas Griffin of Scotland Neck, Bailey James Griffin of Raleigh and Darby Samuel Griffin of Raleigh; a niece, Dawn Woods of Zebulon; and sister-in-law, Helen Sanderford of Wake Forest.
Visitation was held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, 2019, at Bright Funeral Home. The funeral was held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 26, 2019, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home. Entombment followed at Historic Oakwood Cemetery, Raleigh.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Flat Rock Baptist Church, 1529 Flat Rock Church Road, Louisburg, NC 27549.
Patricia K. Hill
Wake Forest
Patricia K. Hill, 70, of Wake Forest passed away on Friday, June 21, 2019. She was born in Wake County on September 18, 1948, a daughter of the late Daniel Kearney and Lucille (Henry) Kearney. She was predeceased by her husband, Bobby Hill, and her three siblings, Alton, Tommy and George.
Patricia enjoyed spending time with her family, enjoyed the races and road trips.
She is survived by her two sons, Wayne Kearney and his wife, Sherron, of Wake Forest and Anthony Hill and his wife, Jesica, of Wake Forest, five grandchildren, Cristen, Megan and Daniel Kearney, Madi Wynn and Spencer Regan; and one brother, V.C. Kearney and his wife, Pat.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest. (919) 556-5811
Nathan ‘Rob’ Perry
Zebulon
Nathan “Rob” Perry, 66, of Zebulon passed away in Raleigh on Sunday, June 23, 2019. He was born in Wake County, a son of the late Robert Henderson Perry and Nancy Estelle (George) Perry.
Rob loved peacocks and hanging out at Mitchell’s Store every morning with his friends. He also enjoyed riding his golf cart around and going to McDonald’s for ice cream.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Bonnie (Murray) Perry; his children, Marsha Arnold and husband, James, and Randy Perry and wife, Judy; grandchildren, Amy Arnold and Robyn Perry; siblings, Othella Burger, Rose Penny and Ida Eddins; and his lifelong friend, Donald “Humpy” King.
The funeral was held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 26, 2016, at Beulah Baptist Church in Zebulon. Interment followed at the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest. (919) 556-5811
Bessie Richards Beam
Wake Forest
Mrs. Bessie Beam passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 20, 2019, at Hillside Nursing Home in Wake Forest. She worked at the NC DMV for a short period of time before marrying Jesse Young Beam Jr. and becoming a dedicated homemaker and loving mother to Jesse’s young daughter Kim.
Bessie loved to sew and was a skilled seamstress and quilt maker. One of her finest pieces of clothing was a wedding gown she made for Kim. She enjoyed daily walks with Jesse at the medical arts mall, especially around Christmas when the mall was decorated with beautiful Christmas trees. She loved spending time with her family and was proceded in death by her husband, Jesse Young Beam Jr.; stepdaughter, Kim Cox; sister, Alwayne Holmes; brothers, Junior, Jack and Macon Richards; and nephew, Sid Richards.
A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 11 o’clock Thursday morning, June 27, 2019, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home with Rev. Gary McNair officiating
She is survived by grandson, Christopher Cox; nephew, Brooks Holmes and his wife, Wendy, and their daughter, Gwendolyn; nieces, Cathy and Lori Beam and their mom, Sue; nephew, Ned Richards; niece, Debbie Soles; nephews, William and Jeff Richards; niece, Angela Goins; and Domino the cat.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest. (919) 556-5811
Louis Alva Rollins
Louisburg
Louis Alva Rollins Jr., 76, of Youngsville passed away June 22, 2019 at his home. He was born in Johnston County, a son of the late Louis Alva Rollins Sr., and Esther (Underhill) Rollins.
Louis is survived by Joyce Jackson of the home; his sons, Jeffrey Rollins and his wife, Jody, and Darrell Rollins and his wife, Crissy; grandchildren, Matthew Rollins and his wife, Jenny, and Keylee Rollins; his sisters, Patricia Wicker and husband, Timothy, and Helen Privette and husband, Donald; and many nieces and nephews.
No services will be held at this time.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest. (919) 556-5811
Kenneth Neely
Wake Forest
Kenneth Neely was born on May 6, 1944 in Canton, Ohio and departed this life on June 22, 2019 at Hillside Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Wake Forest.
Kenneth was the son of the late Robert and Rheutita Neely. He was preceded in death by one brother, Bobby. Kenneth married his soul mate and the love of his life, Cleaster Tate, on June 8, 1968 in Los Angeles, California. From that union, they were blessed with one daughter, Kimberly Nicole. Kimberly preceded her father in death on May 21, 2006.
Kenneth had a zest for life. He normally had a smile on his face and something funny to say. Ken was known throughout his community because of walking Buffy and making friends along the way. He will truly be missed. Ken and Cle had a full and blessed life during their 51 years of marriage.
At a young age, Kenneth became an altar boy in the Catholic Church. In his adult life he continued his service in church as an active member at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Takoma Park, Maryland, where he served as the president on the pastoral council. Ken devoted a great deal of his time while serving in that position. After retiring to Wake Forest, North Carolina, he joined Hope Lutheran where he continued his service to his church. Ken immediately became active in the church by joining Men of Hope Men’s Group, where he was the vice president and participated fully in many activities. He also was an usher at Hope Lutheran.
Ken volunteered in helping to renovate home through Habitat for Humanity. Ken was one of the first Hope members to participate in preparing and passing out lunches to families in certain areas of Wake Forest. He also volunteered at the Boys and Girls Organization of Wake Forest. He always provided uplifting and comical statements, which always made the job go smoothly, and with fun. Ken was highly regarded by the members of his volunteers groups. Ken was always ready and willing to help in the church and his community. Above all, Kenneth was a devoted husband and father.
Kenneth received his education in Canton, Ohio, Belmont, North Carolina, and furthered his education after moving to the Raleigh area. Kenneth retired from the Washington, D.C. Government’s Transit Authority, where he enjoyed working with and interacting with a diverse group of people.
Kenneth loved to create and build. He took pride and was extremely talented in that area. It was not much he could not conquer in and around the house. Kenneth was truly in his element when he was looking at or playing football, playing tennis, golfing and fishing.
Kenneth will be lovingly remembered as a positive and kind person. He had a way of turning sadness or something negative into words to uplift. He constantly tried to ease pain with a smile or an uplifting word. He always enjoyed getting together with his golfing partners.
Although Kenneth’s home address has changed, he will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. His desire was to have a reunion and live on the same street with his daughter in heaven.
Kenneth leaves to mourn his lasting and loving memories by his beloved wife, Cleaster; his sisters, Margaret Williams of Charlotte, Edith Neely and Carolyn Alexander of Gastonia and Kathy Barnett (Mac) of Lowell; one sister-in-law, Barbara Currence of Gastonia; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends. Kenneth was blessed with some very special and supportive friends. Words cannot express the love and thanks to each of them from the beginning to the end of his illness.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 29, 2019, at Hope Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Duke Cancer Care.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest. (919) 556-5811
