Olive Elizabeth Warren Keith
Wake Forest
Olive Elizabeth Warren Keith, 85, left this world to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 9, 2017, after several years of declining health. Olive was the daughter of the late Walter Clarence Warren and Alice Elizabeth Young Warren. She was also preceded in death by her husband, John Edward Keith; grandson, Christopher Warren Keith; brother, Charles Hardison; and a sister, Juanita Dean.
Olive was born in Wake County and was a member of Glen Royal Baptist Church. She was a graduate of Wake Forest High School in 1949, was class president and excelled as a basketball player. She had a love of fellowship, friends, family and loved to travel. She worked for over 49 years at Burlington Industries.
Funeral services were held at 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon, April 12, 2017, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home with the Rev. Robert Faile officiating.
Olive is survived by her daughters, Wanda Batchelor and husband, Terry, and Joni Ratkiewicz and husband, Michael; granddaughter, Meghan Elizabeth Batchelor; great-granddaughter, Kaleah Olive Batchelor, all of Clayton; and her adopted son, William Philip Pearce of Stedman.
The family would like to thank North Pointe of Garner and Heartland Hospice for their care of Olive.
A service of Bright Funeral Home, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-5811)
Marie Higgins Racine
Raleigh
Former New York resident Marie Higgins Racine, 45, died Monday, April 10, 2017, with loved ones at her side in Raleigh.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 22, 2017, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home.
Marie was born on March 24, 1972 in Port Jefferson, New York to Robert Higgins and Joan Johnston Higgins. Marie’s father served as a marine in World War II and Korea. After leaving the military he had a long career in advertising. Her mother immigrated to New York City in 1960 from England. Marie’s parents met at work. After the birth of their first child in 1968, the family moved to Stony Brook on Long Island, New York.
Marie was an active member of the Stony Brook Community United Methodist Church throughout childhood. She was a Girl Scout from Brownies to Senior Scouts. Marie graduated from Ward Melville High School in Setauket, New York in 1990. She attended college at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, where she met John Racine. After graduation the couple moved to Houston, Texas. They returned to New York and were married in 1997. After working at Harris Publications in New York City, Marie was a homemaker. A son was welcomed in 2000 followed by a daughter in 2003. In 2008, the family moved to Wake Forest. Marie and John divorced in 2014.
Marie had great senses of humor and drama. She loved to laugh and could tell a great story. Living most of her life on an island, Marie loved the beach. Her interests included family, friends, travel and decorating. Marie devoted much of her time to her children.
Marie’s parents preceded her in death. Her mother passed in 1985 and her father in 2010.
Marie is survived by her brother, Matthew Higgins; sister in-law, Jennifer Higgins; nephew, Duncan Higgins; sister, Alexandra Higgins; ex-husband, John Racine; and her son and her daughter, Jared and Sophie Racine.
Marie’s life would seem too short to many, but we understand that the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives.
Donations may be sent to Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle Raleigh, North Carolina 27607.
The family will be present from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 22, 2017, at Bright Funeral Home, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC, 27587. (919-556-5811)
Betty Lee Holland
Wake Forest
Betty Lee Holland, 74, of Wake Forest passed away on Wednesday, April 12, 2017, at WakeMed. Lee was born at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C.
A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 22, 2017, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home.
Lee was called “Mata” by her family and is survived by her only son and child, Greg Holland and his wife, Courtney, along with her two grandchildren, Halie Dhara Holland and Neera Cotton Holland of Wake Forest. She is also survived by her sister, Christine Cooper of Fullerton, California; her brother, Richard Brophy of Miami, Florida and wife, Leslie; and nieces, Jennifer, Kristin, and Laura Breunig of Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin.
Lee had a long distinguished career in retail, working for Lord & Taylor and Macy’s and receiving numerous awards for outstanding service.
She was full of incredible love and compassion, spending time with her grandchildren, the outdoors and her favorite orange cat, Charlee.
In accordance to her wishes, cremation rites were conducted and her ashes will be taken to the island of Kauai, Hawaii where she wanted to go. Her memorial service will be held on Earth Day.
A service of Bright Funeral Home, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-5811)
Gina Marie Stell
Knightdale
Gina M. Stell, 39, whose presence is truly missed, died suddenly on Tuesday, December 6, 2016, at home. She was born March 17, 1977 to Gail Mangan Morse and Major Shirley.
Graveside services were held at 1 p.m. Monday, December 12, 2016, at Falls Community Cemetery.
Surviving are her husband, Kenneth Wade Stell Jr.; three daughters, Lillian Savon Stell, Chloe Amelya Stell and Olivia Cheyenne Stell; her mother, Gail Marie Morse; brother, Mark William Shirley and wife, Ruth; sister, Susan Renee Jenkins; nephew, Dylan Grey Jenkins; mother-in-law, Phyllis Winter Coats; father-in-law, Kenneth Wade Stell Sr.; brother-in-law, Alex Stell; sister-in-law, Laura Stell; and a niece, Violet Jean Stell.
A service of Bright Funeral Home, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-5811)
