Gary Charles Rooth
Raleigh
On August 5, 2016, Gary Charles Rooth passed away after a strongly willed fight against pancreatic cancer at the age of 63. Gary was able to use his passion for helping people with their finances every day at Janney Montgomery Scott.
He entered heaven leaving a legacy of seven children, two grandchildren, many friends, extended family, and his loving wife, Nancy. Gary has been taken to greet many friends and family members in heaven, but most importantly his Savior, Jesus Christ, has welcomed him home.
A celebration and remembrance of Gary’s life was held at 11 o’clock Tuesday morning, August 9, 2016, at Bay Leaf Baptist Church.
In lieu of sending flowers, Gary asked that you make a donation to Bay Leaf Baptist Church (bayleaf.org) or The Summit Church (summitrdu.com) to further spread the Gospel.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center. (919-556-5811)
George Samuel Arnett
Raleigh
George Samuel Arnett, 78, died at his home in Raleigh on Friday, August 5, 2016. He was born January 18, 1938, in Meadowview, Virginia, the son of the late Lelia Scott and James Fletcher Arnett. George proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force, and was employed for many years as a mill worker with Carolina Components.
Graveside funeral services were held at 2 o’clock Monday afternoon, August 8, 2016, at Blackwells Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Scott Spence officiating.
George is survived by his son, George; sister, Eleanor Blevins of Raleigh; brother, James Oscar Arnett of Wake Forest; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his sister, Anita McNew, and brother, William “Bill” Arnett.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center. (919) 556-5811
Gene Donald Ventura
Raleigh
Gene Donald Ventura, 80, of Raleigh, husband of Annette Wachs Ventura, passed away Wednesday morning, August 3, 2016 at Hillcrest Raleigh. Gene was born January 1, 1936, in Neptune, New Jersey, the son of the late Esther Ruth and Eugene Lewis Ventura Jr. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy and was a computer engineer.
The family will have a private memorial service.
In addition to his wife, Gene is survived by his children, Jewel Christensen and Michael Ventura and step-children, Jeffrey Pincus, Pamela Pincus, and Shari Jo McGonnigal; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be sent in Gene’s memory to Alzheimer’s NC, 1305 Navaho Drive, Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27609.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center. (919-556-5811)
John Michael Ryan
Youngsville
John Michael Ryan, 75, of Youngsville passed away on August 5, 2016, surrounded by family. John was born July 30, 1941, to John and Barbara (Smith) Ryan (both deceased) and grew up in the Albany, New York area with his brother Walter (also deceased).
He is survived by his spouse of 37 years, Anne Fitzsimons Ryan; three children; Mary Elizabeth (Brad) McAdams of Raleigh, Shawn (Amber) Ryan of Richmond, Virginia, and Scott (Jessica) DiMartino of Charleston, South Carolina; his grandchildren Ella, Jack, Connor, Alexandra, Meghan and Jake; and his beloved dog, Marley.
John was a veteran of the United States Navy and was a computer and business systems developer while that field was in its infancy. He received an associate degree in accounting from Albany Business College and taught computer math at Ulster Community College in the late 1960s. His career included long tenures with Xerox and IBM. At various times he called Albany, New York, Saugerties, New York, Rochester, New York, Sacramento, California, and finally Youngsville home. Stationed in Naples, Italy, during his enlistment, his personal and professional travels also took him to New York City, Cairo, Egypt, and Copenhagen, Denmark among other places.
John will be remembered for his love of God, family, friends, the New York Yankees, horse racing and his Irish heritage. A parishioner at St. Catherine’s of Siena in Wake Forest, he enjoyed men’s bible study and service to his parish and his community. As a boy visiting his great aunt, Sister Mary Michael Ryan, in the Bronx, he developed a life-long passion for the Yankees, and he attended many games – the apex being Game One of the 1998 World Series. Horse racing was another love, which he shared with many dear friends. He loved nothing more than a summer weekend in Saratoga – win or lose. Throughout his life he remained devoted to his Irish and Roman Catholic heritage and is a past President of the Rochester and Raleigh Chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Despite his many interests he always had time for his family and friends – you would find no one more loyal, generous, humorous or caring in your corner.
The family would like to recognize the many extraordinary caregivers from Rex Hospital, UNC Cancer Center and Transitions LifeCare who ministered to John and our family over the last few weeks of John’s life. We appreciate your attentiveness, compassion and willingness to learn about the man in your care.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 o’clock Wednesday morning, August 10, 2015, at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to The USO at uso.org, an organization founded in the year of his birth, and which he supported regularly.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Service. (919) 556-5811
Edith Alford Pearce
Youngsville
Edith Alford Pearce, 85, of Youngsville passed away on Monday evening, August 1, 2016, at her residence. She was born in Wake County, the daughter of the late Ida Lee Woodlief Alford and James Hyatt Alford. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Pearce Sr.; by a grandson, Joshua Woodruff; and by four brothers.
Funeral services honoring her life were held at 2 o’clock Thursday afternoon, August 5, 2016, at Beulah Christian Baptist Church with the Rev. Ronnie Snead officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Mrs. Pearce is survived by her daughters, Pamela Pearce Woodruff and husband, Woody, of Youngsville, and Elaine Pearce Bunn and husband, Wayne, of Pilot; a son, William Pearce Jr. and wife, Betty, of Youngsville; sisters, Kathleen Perry of Youngsville and Etta Hawley of Fuquay-Varina; grandchildren, Scott and Brian Pearce, Shane Woodruff, Justin Bunn and Jessie Schafer; and six great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Beulah Christian Baptist Church, 8225 Mitchell Mill Road, Zebulon, NC 27579.
Pallbearers were David Holbrook, Dennis Hicks, Robert Hopkins, Herb Alford, Clem Mitchell Jr., and Ryan O’Neal. Honorary pallbearers were Ted Mitchell and Marcus Poe.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center. (919-556-5811)
Jason D. Gilleland
Youngsville
Jason D. Gilleland, 39, of Youngsville passed away peacefully surrounded by friends and family on Monday, August 1, 2016. Jason enjoyed life and valued his friendships, his faithfulness never wavered. When not working as a claims adjuster, Jason enjoyed traveling or spending time at the coast. Salt coursed through his veins and he was at home on the ocean, riding his board. As J.F.K. said, “We are tied to the sea, and when we go back, we are going back from whence we came. Jason is headed home.
A celebration of Jason’s life was held at 4 o’clock Saturday afternoon, August 6, 2016, in the Family Life Center of Rolesville Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Randy Bridges and the Rev. J. Marshall Neathery officiating.
He is survived by his mother and father, Gail and Donnie Gilleland of Youngsville; twin brother, Jon Gilleland of Wilmington; sister, Shannon Tew and her husband, Keith, and their children, Camille and Nick of Wilson; a girlfriend, Meredith Taylor; and an epic circle of family and friends. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, W.N. and Betty Timberlake and Reath Gilleland and Catherine Leonard.
Memorial contributions may be made to Tess Perry’s Medical Fund at https://www.gofundme.com/tessperry, or to the Rolesville Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 185, Rolesville, NC 27571. Tess is battling leukemia and is the daughter of a dear friend of Jason’s.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center. (919-556-5811)
Esther Scott Hardison
Raleigh
Esther Scott Hardison, 89, of Raleigh died Sunday evening, July 31, 2016, at Universal Healthcare in Raleigh. Esther was born October 21, 1926, in Johnston County, the daughter of the late C. Parker Johnson and Bernice Brown Johnson. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Cindy Hipp; a son, Charles Scott; two husbands, Alton Scott and Elton Hardison; and a brother, C.P. Johnson Jr.
A memorial service was held on at 1 o’clock Saturday afternoon, August 6, 2016, at Mary’s Chapel Baptist Church with the Rev. Al Thomas officiating
Mrs. Hardison is survived by her children, Sandra Scott Thomas, of Wake Forest and A. B. Scott Jr. of Whittsett.
Memorial contributions may be sent to either Mary’s Chapel Baptist Church, 3500 Bruce Garner Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587, or to Transitions Life Care, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center. (919-556-5811)
Tim McCoy Watkins
Raleigh
Tim McCoy Watkins, 79, of Raleigh passed away Friday, August 5, 2016, at his residence. He was born in Wake County, the son of the late Rozena Barham Watkins and Charles E. Watkins.
Funeral services were held at 11 o’clock Wednesday morning August 10, 2016, at the Mount Vernon Baptist Church with the Rev. Shannon Scott and the Rev. Steve Barham. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Mr. Watkins is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joyce Wilson Watkins; sister-in-law, Jewel Drye of Oxford; nephews, Danny Drye and wife, Carol, of Bahama, and Jeff Dry of Oxford; great-nieces, Lydia Eanes and husband, M.J., Chandler Dry and Carsyn Dry; a great-nephew, Jakob Dry; two great-great-nephews, Reagan and Sawyer Eanes; two uncles; and several cousins.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mount Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 7600 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh, NC 27615.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center. (919-556-5811)
Hilda Smith Warren
Wake Forest
Hilda Smith Warren of Wake Forest died peacefully on August 5, 2016, with her Pastor Bill Slater by her side. The daughter of Robert and Annie Smith, she was born March 26, 1917, in the White Cross Community of Orange County.
Hilda graduated from Chapel Hill High School, Campbell Junior College and High Point College. She and her husband, J. L., moved to Wake Forest in 1946. They were both actively involved in many community organizations, especially the Wake Forest schools and Wake Forest Baptist Church. For 25 years, Hilda was a cordial teller at Wake Forest Savings and Loan.
After J.L. died in 1994 Hilda became extremely active in visiting and helping others: shut-ins, the sick and the elderly. She was a regular at local rest homes, always bringing comfort to others.
Hilda had seven brothers and sisters, of whom only sister, Delilah Daniel,is surviving. She has two children, Mary Alice, and James (wife Carol); grandchildren Alex, Jack, Amy, Tom and Anthony; and great-grandchildren Clayton, Baity, Walker, Campbell, Ruthie, Olivia, Trane, and Theo.
Funeral services were held at 2 o’clock Monday afternoon, August 8, 2016, in the Wake Forest Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Bill Slater and the Rev Dr. Tom Jackson officiating. Burial was in Wake Forest Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Wake Forest Baptist Church Heritage Foundation, 118 E. South Ave., Wake Forest, NC 27587.
Pallbearers were Ricky Wright, John Byrne, Don Warren, Robbie Smith, Bill Hedrick, George Braswell, Ken Wright, and Bary Hayes.
A service of Bright Funeral Home and Cremation Center. (919-556-5811)
