Celia Hicks Woodby
Wake Forest
Celia Jones Hicks Woodby, 79, passed away on Monday morning, March 12, 2018. She was born in Wake County, the daughter of the late Helen Beddingfield Jones and Cleveland Anderson Jones.
A graveside funeral service was held Wednesday afternoon, March 14, 2018, at the Wake Forest Cemetery.
Mrs. Woodby is survived by her children, Tracy Smith and husband, Christian, Windy Read and husband, Christopher, Buck Hicks and wife, Kimbo, and Sonya Hicks; sisters, Ella Pergerson and husband, Freddie, and Jean Floyd; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC. (919) 556-5811
John Rex Stuart
Raleigh
John Rex Stuart of Raleigh died peacefully March 6, 2018 surrounded by his family and loved ones after many years of declining health.
Rex is survived by his devoted wife of 34 years, Karen Phelps Stuart of Raleigh; daughter, Kara Elizabeth Hergenrader, and husband, Matt, of Wake Forest; and daughter, Mary Kaitland Davis, and husband, Gene, of Raleigh. Also surviving are four beautiful grandchildren, Garrett Ryan Hergenrader and Emma Gray Hergenrader and Stuart Wynn Fortescue Davis and Elizabeth Ann Rogers Davis.
Rex was predeceased by his parents, Mary Agnes Dellinger Stuart and John Rex Stuart.
Rex was born April 7, 1941, in Charlotte and grew up in Lincolnton. While there he became an Eagle Scout and earned a full football scholarship to Appalachian State University where he was an all-conference middle linebacker. He earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Appalachian State.
Rex returned to his hometown of Lincolnton and taught high school and coached. He then pursued a career in banking in Asheville where he was also president of the Asheville Jaycees.
Rex then moved into management with Traveler’s Insurance and some years later became a State Farm Agent in Raleigh where he remained until his retirement. He earned many awards and trips with State Farm. He served as president of the Raleigh Association of Life Underwriters and was presented the Man of the Year Award for his service.
Rex loved sports and began officiating football, basketball and wrestling at all levels ultimately becoming an umpire with the National Football League. He excelled at this position. Over 14 years, he umpired the Pro Bowl, the American Bowl in Japan, and many playoff and championship games. He was an alternate for Super Bowl XXIX.
Rex served as treasurer for several years in the Professional Football Referees Association. Rex also officiated in the World League for a season and umpired the first World Bowl in London, England.
After retiring from the field, Rex continued to serve the NFL as an instant replay official for seven years. Again, he excelled and officiated Super Bowl XXXVII. He is famous for the Tuck Rule call he made on January 19, 2002 during a blizzard at Foxboro Stadium between the Patriots and Raiders.
While Rex loved football, he loved his family more. He was a very involved and supportive father. He attended the girls’ every performance, school program, recital, and horse show. He was their biggest cheerleader. Rex was a generous man who not only made sure his wife and daughters were spoiled, but also taught his girls the rules for the game of life.
Rex was also a gifted motivational speaker. He spoke at many sports banquets, civic groups and youth groups. He was humbled to be inducted into the Lincoln County Sports Hall of Fame. He loved going back to Lincolnton or “God’s Country” as he liked to call it.
Rex was a great animal lover. He might remove a snake from the premises, but he would never kill one. Any dog was his best friend, and he fell in love with horses when Mary Kaitland started riding. In lieu of flowers, he requests donations be made to the SPCA of Wake County.
Rex was an active member of Bayleaf Baptist Church and was baptized there with Kara on the same day. He enjoyed singing in the choir during the “off-season.” He was a member of the Joy IV Sunday School Class, and the family wishes to thank the members for all the support and love especially during his declining years. Many thanks to Don Gilbert who ministered to Rex faithfully and joyfully through visits, phone calls, and the sharing of many meals – there is no one like you.
The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to the staff at Sunrise at North Hills Senior Living for their wonderful care of Rex for the past 2 ½ years. Rex enjoyed the activities, food, and friends he made there. Many thanks to Transitions for their devotion and tender care for the last four months of Rex’s life.
Rex often said, “What you are is God’s gift to you. What you become is your gift to God.” Rex became a man of humility and faith. Thanks to God for the life of John Rex Stuart. He is out of the wheelchair and is walking again with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Funeral services were held Friday, March 9, 2018, at Bay Leaf Baptist Church. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC. (919) 556-5811
Deydra Vaughan Bragg
Franklinton
Deydra Vaughan Bragg, 71, passed away on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. She was born in Vance County, the daughter of the late Sarah Jackson Vaughan and Linwood Vaughan. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elbert Bragg; a son, Eric Bragg; a daughter, Sherry Holland; and a brother, Johnny Vaughan.
A graveside funeral service was held at 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon, March 10, 2018, in the Wesley’s Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Deydra is survived by her son, Chris Summerlin and his wife, Rometa, of Creedmoor; grandchildren, Paige Alford of Creedmoor and Dylan Holland of Louisburg; her companion, Gordon Appleford of Franklinton; and her brother, Jimmy Vaughan of Franklinton.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC. (919) 556-5811
Billy Dailon Godfrey
Franklinton
Billy D. Godfrey, 80, passed away on Monday evening, March 5, 2018, at Rex Hospital. He was born in Franklin County, the son of the late Lizzie Wilson Godfrey and Henry Joe Godfrey, and was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Nall Godfrey, and a brother, Donald Godfrey.
A funeral service was held Friday afternoon, March 9, 2018, in the chapel of Bright Funeral Home with the Rev. Spencer Strickland officiating. Burial followed in the Fairview Cemetery in Franklinton.
Mr. Godfrey is survived by his daughters, Pam Godfrey, Paula Breslin and husband, Chris; a son Chris Godfrey; grandchildren, Shannon Schlafer and husband Shawn, Christian Godfrey, Ashley Breslin and Morgan Breslin; great-grandchildren, Ramsey and Natalie Schlafer; and brothers, Wade Godfrey and Mack Godfrey.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC. (919) 556-5811
Verlie Leofa Kornegay
Youngsville
Verlie Leofa Kornegay, 93, died Wednesday, March 7, 2018. She was born June 16, 1924, in Pope County, Arkansas, to the late Stephen Douglas McDonald and Belva Lou Yarber McDonald. Verlie worked as a seamstress.
Verlie was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. James Wallace Kornegay Sr.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at Stonewall Farm, Youngsville. Burial followed in the family cemetery at the farm.
She is survived by two sons, James Wallace Kornegay Jr. and John Douglas Kornegay and wife, Uwhana; grandchildren, Saundra Springer, Kim Smythe, Kris Kornegay, James Kornegay III, Holly Hallock, Jason Kornegay, Jeremy Kornegay, Joanna McKinney, Sarah Erwin and Mary Endicott; two step-grandchildren, Marcy Wright and Buddy Snow; 13 great-grandchildren, TJ Springer, Jessica Springer, JJ Smythe, Hayley Smythe, Christopher Henny, Kolton Kornegay, Piper Kornegay, Rebekah McKinney, Elizabeth McKinney, Caleb McKinney, Naomi Jordan, Charlotte Jane “Charlie” Kornegay and Alice Cather “Ally” Kornegay; a great-great-grandchild, Ellie Jordan; four former daughters-in-law, Jean Gaydos, Martha Thuston, Julie Knell, Jeanette Miller Elkins and Xiahaou Kornegay; also survived by brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South. Main Street, Wake Forest, NC. (919) 556-5811
