Lyell John Colburn
Rolesville
Lyell John Colburn, 93, passed away Sunday morning, January 21, 2018, at The Oaks at Whitaker Glen. He was born in Orleans County, New York to the late Eugene Rudolph Colburn and Louise Fretag Colburn.
Mr. Colburn was a veteran of the United States Army and was a member of the Hamlin Post 6703 Veterans of Foreign Wars. Lyell was a supervisor for many years with Duffy-Motts.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Richard E. Colburn, and brothers, Herbert Colburn and Bernard Colburn.
Mr. Colburn is survived by his children, Donna (Fred) Tucker of Rolesville, Lyell T. Colburn of Rolesville, and Lisa (Ed) Kennedy of Kent, New York; grandchildren, Tamera Tucker, David Todd Schmeer, Tracie Schmeer, Justin Colburn, Sunni Colburn, Michael Kennedy, Andrew Kennedy and Tia Kennedy; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Friday, January 26, at the Merrill Grinnell Funeral Home, 12 Ingersoll St., Albion, NY. Burial will be in Sandy Creek Cemetery in the spring.
A service of Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home, 1051 Durham Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-7400).
Thomas McCauley ‘Mackie’ Sikes
Raleigh
Thomas McCauley “Mackie” Sikes, 48, of Raleigh died unexpectedly at his home on January 23, 2018.
He was born June 2, 1969 in Monroe, the son of Leonora and Olin Sikes, formerly of Monroe and now of Raleigh. Mackie was educated in the Monroe city schools, attended East Carolina University and was employed in the medical supply field.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his brother, Jason Sikes, and his wife, Shelley; nieces, Pricilla and Caroline Sikes[ and a number of cousins.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 11 a.m. in the Monroe City Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the cemetery following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 293, Monroe, NC 28111.
A service of Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home, 1051 Durham Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-7400) and Gordon Funeral Service & Crematory, 1904 Lancaster Ave, Monroe, NC 28112.(704-283-8141)
Mary Mitchell Elliott
Durham
Mary Mitchell Elliott, 65, of Durham passed away Tuesday, January 23, 2018, at Hock Family Pavilion after a courageous battle with lung cancer. She was born in Durham County to the late Robert Pendleton Mitchell Jr. and Vivian Magedanz Mitchell. Mrs. Elliott retired from GTE/Verizon after 30 years of service and was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and will be greatly missed.
Mary loved all animals especially cats. She enjoyed being with family, camping with her husband (Ronald), and going to the beach. She had a strong passion for recycling and ensuring that nothing ever went to waste. She will be missed by her family and friends and the many stray animals that she took in and nurtured. Over the last year, Mary has fought a long and hard battle. Her strong will to live has left a lasting impression on all of us.
Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon, January 27, 2018, at Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home. Burial followed at Pine Forest Memorial Gardens.
Mrs. Elliott is survived by her husband, Ronald Elliott; children, Bryan High and wife, Debbie, of Durham, Jenny Seward and husband, Mike, of Apex and John High of Durham; step-son, J.R. Elliott of Roxboro; brothers, Bob Mitchell and wife, Sheri, of Greenville, South Carolina, Tom Mitchell and wife, Cindy, of Cary and Jim Mitchell and wife, Carla, of Mebane; grandchildren, Miranda High of Durham and Ashley and Amber Seward, both of Apex; and a host of extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Hock Family Pavilion, 4023 North Roxboro Street, Durham, NC 27704.
A service of Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home, 1051 Durham Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-7400).
Nancy Bennett Barnes
Raleigh
Nancy Bennett Barnes, 74, died on Tuesday, January 23, 2018, at Duke Raleigh Hospital. She was born in Wake County, the daughter of the late Hildreth Squires Barnes and Henry Barnes Jr.
A graveside funeral service was held Friday afternoon, January 26, 2018, at the Wake Forest Cemetery.
Ms. Barnes is survived by her brother, Walt Barnes and wife, Lib, of Raleigh; a nephew, Chip Barnes of Suffolk, Virginia; nieces, Elizabeth Barnes and Julie Brannen of Chapel Hill; great-niece, Hallie Barnes of Rolesville; and numerous cousins.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Guiding Eyes for the Blind/ www.guidingeyes.org
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC. (919) 556-5811
Anna Luise Jordan Allen
Wake Forest
Anna Luise Jordan Allen, known in later life to her friends as “Danielle,” died as she prayed she would peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of Saturday, January 27, 2018. at Duke Raleigh Hospital with her son by her side. With her warm and loving personality, she will be missed by all who knew her.
In her life, she was a dutiful and loving wife to A. Ward Allen, who has been waiting for her in Heaven since November of 2005.
She is survived by her son, Luke L. Allen and wife, Melody Allen; her grandchildren, Sean N. Allen and Genevieve A. Dasher and husband, James Dasher; her step-grandchild, K. Sean Finch and his girlfriend, Jen Vieceli; and by her only great-grandchild, Shilo Carter, son of Sean A. Allen.
While her formal occupation was as a homemaker and wife, she always embraced helping others, trying to bring a smile to those around her. A student of ballet in her youth, she later loved to dance for friends at parties. She loved fashion. She was a self-taught seamstress, who loved to make clothes and then share them with her friends. She loved to model and was a favorite subject for local photographers in New Bern. She participated in and helped execute fashion shows for the Junior League in New Bern and Wilson. In later years she loved to knit scarves for friends and to donate to those in need.
She was raised in Germany along with her fraternal twin sister, Elsie Jordan, and her older brother and sister. She experienced first-hand World War II. She was inspired by her mother, Berta Jordan, who was a widely-known doctor and healer of any who needed her services. This included Jews when it was illegal to do so. It was her mother’s inspiration that inspired Danielle to reach out with kindness to those she met. Her family members are surely there to greet her in Heaven.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 3, 2018, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home. There will be a visitation from 1 to 2 p.m. before the service
Memorial donations to Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3120 North New Hope Road, Raleigh, NC 27604, can be made in lieu of flowers.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC. (919) 556-5811
Kenneth Alden Lye
Wake Forest
Kenneth Alden Lye, 68, passed away on Sunday, January 28, 2018, at his residence. He was born in Wake County, the son of the late Eileen Jones Lye and James Lye.
Kenneth was born and raised on the family farm in Wake Forest. He graduated from Youngsville High School and attended N.C. State to study agriculture. As work on the farm became demanding, he decided to leave school to help on the farm with his father. During this time Kenneth also served in the National Guard as a helicopter mechanic based out of the RDU division.
He soon took the reins from his father and was a fulltime dairy farmer. He had a passion for animals, tending land and seeing what that hard work would yield. At its peak, the farm was milking 95 head of Holstein cattle. When he retired in 2000 he was operating the last dairy in Wake County.
He then began an owner-operator dump truck service. His pastimes included socializing with friends, gardening, attending Wake Forest High School football games, following N.C. State athletics, watching stockcar racing, and fishing. He attended Woodland Baptist Church and enjoyed worship and fellowship there. Kenneth was a loving father, friend and will truly be missed by many.
A memorial service honoring his life will be held at 3 o’clock Thursday afternoon, February 1, 2018, at Woodland Baptist Church with the Rev. Tito Madrazo officiating.
Kenneth is survived by his daughter, Alden Strandburg and husband, Dean, of Guyton, Georgia; a son, Alex Lye and wife, Jody, of Wake Forest; a sister, Martha Smith and husband, Gary, of Raleigh; brothers Steve Lye and wife, Rexie, of Raleigh and Gordon Lye and wife, Lynn, of Wendell; grandchildren, Camille and Warren Strandburg and Charlotte Lye; many nieces and nephews.
Friends may visit with the family from 2 to 3 Thursday afternoon before the service at the church.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC. (919) 556-5811
Reverend Monsignor Desmond Roberto Keenan
Wake Forest
Reverend Monsignor Desmond Roberto Keenan, 91 years old, died on Thursday, January 25, 2018, at his home in Wake Forest.
He was born in Bangor, County Downs, Ireland on January 29, 1926 to the late Margaret (Quinn) Keenan and Robert Edward Keenan, who was employed by an American company and in 1935 moved his family from Ireland to New Orleans, Louisiana. Monsignor Keenan is survived by his nephew, Kevin and his wife, Mary Louise, with their children, Ian and Lauren, along with their spouses and family.
After discerning a vocation to the priesthood, Monsignor Keenan entered into studies and priestly formation for the Archdiocese of New Orleans at Saint Joseph Seminary College in Saint Benedict, Louisiana. He then studied philosophy at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana and continued studies and priestly formation in theology at Saint Mary’s Seminary at Baltimore, Maryland. During his studies in philosophy, he asked for and received permission from the Archbishop of New Orleans to serve in the home missions. Monsignor Keenan was granted incardination in the Diocese of Raleigh, which then covered the entire State of North Carolina and was considered a mission territory. Monsignor Keenan was ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 1949 at Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Charlotte by the Most Reverend Vincent S. Waters, the third bishop of Raleigh.
In the Diocese of Raleigh, Monsignor Keenan served as parochial vicar at Sacred Heart Parish in Whiteville and on the Trailer Chapel Mission Apostolate; parochial vicar at Saint Mary Parish in Shelby; parochial vicar at Saint Patrick Parish in Charlotte; parochial vicar at Saint Mary Parish, Goldsboro; pastor at All Souls Parish in Columbia; pastor at Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, Tarboro; pastor at Saint Paul Parish, Henderson; and pastor at Saint Therese Parish, Wilson.
On November 5, 1965, Monsignor Keenan began 30 years of dedicated priestly ministry in the missions of Latin America, having been granted leave to serve in the Latin American Apostolate for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, eventually becoming its director. Monsignor Keenan established numerous parishes throughout Latin America, especially within the Archdiocese of Mexico City and the Diocese of Texcoco. For reasons of health, Monsignor Keenan then returned to the Diocese of Raleigh and on November 11, 1994 was appointed vicar for Hispanics.
Monsignor Keenan retired from active priestly ministry on July 10, 2001 and was named a Prelate of Honor by His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI on April 11, 2006 with the title, Monsignor. Following his retirement, Monsignor Keenan lived in Wake Forest and continued to assist in priestly ministry throughout the Diocese of Raleigh.
The funeral arrangements for Monsignor Keenan are as follows: Reception of the Body and Vigil for the Deceased on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018 at 7 p.m., Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh, Monsignor David D. Brockman, V.G., Presiding. The Visitation will follow until 9 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, Feb. 2, 2018 at 11 a.m., Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh, Most Rev. Luis R. Zarama, Principal Celebrant and Rev. Fernando Torres, Homilist. Internment will take place at Iglesia del Espíritu Santo in Ojo de Agua, Edo. de Mexico.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC. (919) 556-5811
Kenneth Glendon Thorne
Youngsville
Kenneth G. Thorne, 81, passed away on Sunday, January 28, 2018. He was born in Wilson County, the son of the late Lucille Ferrell Thorne and Leonard Thorne. He was a veteran of the U. S. Navy.
A graveside funeral service will be held at 1 o’clock Friday afternoon, February 2, 2018, in the Bailey Town Cemetery.
Mr. Thorne is survived by his daughter, Lisa Mills of Raleigh; a son, Ken Thorne and wife, Robin, of Roxboro; sisters, Barbara Thorne of Washington, D.C., Cheryl Thorne of Rocky Mount and Brenda Thorne of Youngsville; grandchildren Jennifer Pavlovich and husband, Pete, Crystal Mills, Robert Mills and Bonita; and eight great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, Virginia 22312
Friends may visit with the family from 6 to 8 Thursday evening, February 1, 2018 at Bright Funeral Home.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC. (919) 556-5811
Kenneth Wade Stell Jr.
Knightdale
Kenneth Wade Stell Jr. 40, died Monday, January 29, 2018. He was born September 1, 1977 in Wake County to Kenneth Wade Stell Sr. and Phyllis Winter Coats. Wade was employed as a plumber for many years and attended Wake Technical College.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Gina Stell, in 2016.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 1, 2018, at Falls Community Cemetery. The Rev. Karl Leonard will officiate.
Wade is survived by three daughters, Lillian Stell of Chapel Hill and Chloe and Olivia Stell, both of Clayton; his mother, Phyllis Coats and husband, Benjamin Coats, of Clayton; his father, Kenneth Wade Stell Sr. of Knightdale; his grandmother, Alice Hill and husband, Wayne, of Clayton; a brother, Alex Stell and his wife, Laura West, of Willow Springs; his aunt, Susan Winters and husband, Paul, of Clayton; along with many other aunts, uncles and cousins.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC. (919) 556-5811
Thomas Lorenzo Walden Sr.
Youngsville
Thomas Lorenzo Walden Sr., 89, went to be with his Lord on January 24, 2018. He was a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a doctorate of pharmacy. He was retired from Upjohn Pharmaceutical Company and was a Lieutenant Colonel, U..S Army, Retired. He was a dedicated lay leader of the United Methodist Church.
He is preceded in death by brothers Henry, Jim and Dick.
Surviving to honor his memory are his wife, Jan Walden of the home; children, Dr. Tom Walden Jr. and wife, Gai, of Lumberton, Col. Joseph Walden and wife, Kay, of Lawrence, Kansas, Jane Murphy and husband, Ricky, of Thomasville and Gregg Walden and wife, Suzy, of Cary; grandchildren, Suzanne Wilder, Amber Burns, Betty Vandivier, Bobbi Walden, Cameron Murphy, Dillon Wilder and Sam Walden; and great-grandchildren, Anne Marie Burns, Skylar Burns and Weston Vandivier
Visitation was held Saturday, January 27, 2018, at Wake Forest United Methodist Church and funeral services followed at 11 a.m. Interment followed in Raleigh Memorial Park with military honors.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC. (919) 556-5811
Tom Hayes
Franklinton
Tom Hayes, 82, passed away on Wednesday, January 24, 2018, at his residence. He was born in Franklin County, the son of the late Annie Barnes Hayes and Milton H. Hayes. He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Wyvette Hayes.
Funeral services were held at 3 o’clock Sunday afternoon, January 28, 2018, in the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. Burial followed in the Fairview Cemetery in Franklinton.
Tom is survived by his daughter, Debra Hayes Allen and husband, Terry, of Franklinton; a son, Steven Douglas Hayes and wife, Christie, of Franklinton; grandchildren, Bronson D. Murphy and wife, Lindsay, of Franklinton, Anna M. Thompson and husband, Scott, of Raleigh, Jessi E. Hayes, Ashton B. Hayes and Austin D. Hayes, all of Franklinton; great-grandchildren, Chloe Murphy and Bishop Thompson; a sister Annie Lee Gilliam of Franklinton; and a brother-in-law, Ray Wall and wife, Deborah, of Wake Forest.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 1245 Mt. Olivet Church Road, Franklinton, NC 27525.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC. (919) 556-5811
