Carol Harvell Looper
Wake Forest
Carol Harvell Looper, 88, of Wake Forest, passed away peacefully Sunday, May 26, 2024 at Hillside Nursing Home in Wake Forest. She was born in the Falls Community, the daughter of the late James Thomas and Ada Lassiter Harvell and was married to Wallace E. “Buddy” Looper who preceded her in death also on Sunday, May 26 in 1992 after 40 years of marriage.
Carol was an excellent cook and loved cooking for family and friends. She loved to travel and fondly spoke of her many trips including those to Israel, Alaska, Hawaii, New Zealand and Scotland. She was a woman of deep faith and a lifelong member of Falls Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
She is survived by sons, Jerry (Wanda) Looper of Youngsville and Jeff (Sandy) Looper of Raleigh; grandchildren, Matthew Looper of Youngsville and Leah Looper of Denver, Co. and special friend Thomas Littleton.
A graveside funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm Thursday, May 30, 2024 at the Falls Community Cemetery.
Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to Falls Baptist Church, 9700 Fonville Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center. (919-556-5811)
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Nathan Andrew Pace Jr.
Franklinton
Nathan Andrew Pace Jr., 76, of Franklinton, NC, passed away on Sunday, May 26, 2024.
A funeral service will be held at 12 PM on Thursday, May 30, 2024 in the funeral home chapel. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 11-12 PM at Bright Funeral Home, 405 S. Main St. Wake Forest, NC 27587.
A graveside service will be held at 2 PM on Thursday, May 30, 2024 at Montlawn Cemetery, 2911 S Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27603.
A complete obituary will be made available soon.
Please visit www.brightfunerals.com to share words of comfort to the family.
Bright Funeral Home is serving the Pace family.
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Christopher Dean Acord
Rolesville
Christopher Dean Acord, 31, of Rolesville, NC, passed away on Thursday, May 23, 2024.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 2, 2024 from 1-4 PM at Bright Funeral Home, 405 S. Main St. Wake Forest, NC 27587.
A complete obituary will be made available soon.
Please visit www.brightfunerals.com to share words of comfort to the family.
Bright Funeral Home is serving the Acord family.
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Jeffrey Lorne Smyth
Wake Forest
Jeffrey Lorne Smyth was born in Rochester, New York, on February 14, 1956, and passed away in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on May 23, 2024. He was a faithful and beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend, and he will be greatly missed.
As a young boy he moved with his family to Annapolis, MD, where he spent his childhood and his young adult years. He enjoyed many different sports and worked a variety of jobs while growing up, and he also had many good friends. When he finally escaped high school (as he would say), Jeff worked on a road crew laying pipes before deciding that he would go to college after all. He attended community college and then earned his bachelor’s degree at Towson State University in Maryland. After college, he followed in his father’s footsteps and began working in the electronics manufacturing industry. He continued in that field with various companies until his death. In 1981 he moved to Raleigh to be closer to Myra Miller, who he met through family connections and with whom he had fallen in love. They were married on July 31, 1982, and settled in Wake Forest, NC, to raise their family.
Jeff was known for his generous spirit, his strong work ethic, and his ability to make people laugh. He valued relationships and the joy of laughter around a table of good food more than prestige, career, or money. He faithfully worked and generously shared what God provided with those around him. He was a gracious man who always accepted and loved others exactly as they were. He loved making memories with his family, watching his kids and grandkids play sports, talking about politics, and teasing anyone nearby. His family was very dear to him, and he was proud of each and every one of his children and grandchildren.
Jeff was a follower of Jesus Christ, and God’s work was evident in his life to those who had the privilege of knowing him. His was a practical theology: like Jesus, he loved others well. “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17). After battling pancreatic cancer for a year, it was heart failure that led to his summons home on May 23. Jeff met death courageously, being sure of the hope of heaven that comes through the gospel of Jesus Christ. We rejoice that he is free of pain and in the presence of the King of Heaven.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Peter Smyth, his father, Kenneth Smyth, and his brother-in-law, Sidney Oaksmith.
Jeff is survived by his wife of 41 years, Myra; his six children, Emily (Ben) Garner of Holly Springs, NC; Peter (Mary) Smyth of Wake Forest, NC; Andrew (Amanda) Smyth of Montclair, VA; Rebekah (Josh) Mills of Zebulon, NC; Matthew (Sierra) Smyth of Wake Forest, NC; his youngest daughter, Grace Smyth; fourteen grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his mother, Margaret Smyth of Annapolis, MD, and two sisters, Becky Oaksmith and Corry (Steve) Atwell, both of Maryland.
A celebration of life service will be held at 2 PM on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at Open Door Church, 9801 Durant Rd. Raleigh, NC 27614.
Please visit www.brightfunerals.com to share words of comfort to the family.
Bright Funeral Home is serving the Smyth family.
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Sybil Ann Stephenson Sturchio
Wake Forest
Sybil Ann Stephenson Sturchio, 82, of Wake Forest, NC, passed away on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.
Sybil was born on June 6, 1941 in Durham, NC to the late Jesse and Mucy Stephenson. She worked as a Pharmaceutical Operator at Mallinckrodt Medical, she enjoyed crochet, dancing, sci-fi movies, and spending time with her family.
She is survived by her children, Donna (David) Sturchio-Tignor, Philip (Jennifer) Sturchio, John (Elissa) Sturchio, Bobby (Robbie) Coates of Timberlake, NC; grandchildren, Alan Sr., Ashley, Philip IV, Addison, Anna, Christopher, Justin; great-grandchildren, Alan Jr. “AJ”, Scarlett, Oliver “Peanut”, Lillie, Ayden, and Eli; a special longtime good friend, Mike “Pepa” Pearce.
The family will receive friends on Friday, May 31, 2024 from 6-8 PM at Bright Funeral Home, 405 S. Main St. Wake Forest, NC 27587.
Please visit www.brightfunerals.com to share words of comfort to the family.
Bright Funeral Home is serving the Sturchio family.
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Donald (‘Don’) Lee Champion
Raleigh
Donald (“Don”) Lee Champion, 89 of Raleigh, NC passed away peacefully on May 21, 2024 surrounded by family. Don was born in Atlanta, Georgia on June 22, 1934 and graduated from Georgia Tech in 1956 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. He married his wife Gail that same year and they moved to Winston-Salem, NC to begin his engineering career.
After working for manufacturers in NC, Connecticut and Cape Kennedy, FL Don went back to school and earned master and doctoral degrees in business management from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Fl. He began his career in education at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC and eventually moved to Radford, VA where he taught undergraduate and graduate students at Radford University until he retired in 1996. In 2002, Don and Gail moved to Raleigh, NC
Don loved the outdoors and enjoyed hiking, camping and white water rafting among other activities. He was a devoted husband to Gail and a wonderful father to his three children. He and Gail served as leaders to their children’s Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops as well as supporting their athletic and musical endeavors.
Don is survived by his three children, Pam (Edward), Tania (Marvin-deceased) and Stephen (Robin), five grandchildren, Nicole, John, Kyle, Vlad and Donovan and a nephew (Casey) and niece (Lenore). Don was predeceased by his wife Gail, his parents, Cecil and Lillian (Champion) and his brother (Fred).
Arrangements provided by Bright Funeral Home.
Services will be at 11 am on Saturday, June 22 (Don’s 90th birthday) with reception to follow at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 834 Durham Rd, Raleigh, NC.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church or to Transitions Lifecare in Raleigh in Don’s memory.
In the care of Bright Funeral Home.
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Michael Bird
Wake Forest
In the care of Bright Funeral Home. Obituary to follow.
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Joel Lawrence Callihan
Franklinton
Joel Lawrence Callihan, 70, of Franklinton, NC passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2024.
Joel worked at City Service Station (Family-owned business in Franklinton) starting at 12 years old, he later became the owner when his father passed away. He sold the business and began selling fire trucks and equipment and went on to work with CW Williams Fire Equipment in May 1994 and worked until he was transported to Transitions LifeCare Hospice on May 15, 2024.
Joel will be remembered for his funny personality, wit, jokes, and love of life. He loved the fire industry, people, and life in general, but above all he loved his family and spending time with them.
He was preceded in death by his father, Johnnie Callihan; mother, Nellie Summerlin Callihan; and brother, Freddie Callihan.
He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years and 10 months, Angie Perkinson Callihan; daughter, Blair Callihan (Jeff) Reynolds; granddaughter, Callihan Grace Reynolds; and goddaughter, Briana Gray Abbott.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Franklinton United Methodist Church at 109 N Main St, Franklinton, NC 27525 or to the Joel Callihan Scholarship Fund by mail C/O Angie Callihan, 136 Oak Ridge Rd. Franklinton, NC 27525 or by Venmo, @joelcallihanscholarshipfund.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 from 6-8 PM at Bright Funeral Home, 405 S. Main St. Wake Forest, NC 27587.
A celebration of life service will be held at 1 PM on Thursday, May 23, 2024 in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Johnny Llerena and Rev. Joi Johnsen officiating.
The family invites those unable pexto attend to view the service via livestream: Joel Callihan Service.
Please visit www.brightfunerals.com to share words of comfort to the family.
Bright Funeral Home is servinRg the Callihan family.
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Ralph Herbert Kuhnel
Apex
Ralph Herbert Kuhnel, of Apex and formerly of Ocean Isle Beach, died on May 24, 2024 in hospice care.
Ralph was born in The Bronx, New York City, New York on February 17, 1929. The son of the late Herbert Kurt Kuhnel and Katherine Voll Kuhnel. He was preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Rosemary M. Kuhnel.
Ralph was a Korean War veteran, having served as a Storekeeper aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Philippine Sea. After serving in the Navy, he graduated from Albany Business College. He worked for IBM in Kingston, New York and RTP in North Carolina as an Accountant and Systems Analyst until his retirement in 1987. He served in several capacities at St. Brendan the Navigator Catholic Church and an AARP sponsored Tax-Aide Volunteer in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina.
Surviving is his wife of almost 70 years, Joan Crosby Kuhnel of the home; daughters, Kathleen Kuhnel Lewis (Richard) and Joanmarie Kuhnel, sons, Kevin J. Kuhnel (Kathy Robinson) and Michael R. Kuhnel (Stephanie); brother, Fred G. Kuhnel; ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will have a private memorial service and will receive friends 12 – 1 pm Friday, May 31, 2024 at Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 1051 Durham Road, Wake Forest, NC.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Brendan the Navigator Catholic Church, P.O. Box 2984, Shallotte, NC 28459.
Arrangements by Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 1051 Durham Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-7400)
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