Martha Ann (Hovious) Mengel
Franklinton
Martha Ann (Hovious) Mengel of Franklinton was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 21, 1938. She passed away in Oxford on June 16, 2016 of complications of Alzheimer’s. She is survived by her husband, Larry Lee Mengel; her daughter, Stephanie Mengel Knudsen; granddaughter, Camille Lee Knudsen; two sisters, Mary Ann Brown and Deborah McFerren; and a brother, Ron Brady. Martha was the daughter of George Hovious and Ida Helen Sublett.
Martha was an Army wife for 30 years. She and Larry moved 26 times during their Army career, including a three-year tour in Germany and time in Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. She made each duty station a home full of love, beauty, and hospitality.
Most important in her life was her personal relationship with her Savior, Jesus Christ. She lived her faith through her church, her love for her family, and her volunteer work. She was active in church in every place she lived. Most recently, Martha was a member of the Memorial United Methodist Church in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, where she served as president of the United Methodist Women for two years.
She was a consummate homemaker, gourmet cook, and craft artist, but her passion was gardening. She built and maintained an elaborate garden at every home and became a garden club enthusiast. She served as president of the Potted Few Garden Club at Fort Knox, the director of the Dogwood District of the Garden Club of Kentucky, and then as president of the Garden Clubs of Kentucky serving 60 clubs with 2,000 members.
Wherever Martha found herself stationed with Larry, she became actively involved in the community serving in leadership roles in numerous organizations. She served the military community in varied roles in the Officers’ Wives’ Club. Much of her volunteer efforts were on the part of The Red Cross. During their stay in Kentucky, she was president of the International Group of Fort Knox for six nonconsecutive years serving as a social sponsor to 60 families of international students, who were temporarily attending schools at Fort Knox. Additionally, she was active in the Woman’s Club of Elizabethtown doing work to support the local library, the Spouse Abuse Center and many other community activities. She served as president of the Women’s Club for four years. During Larry’s career in the Army, Martha sang in chapel and church choirs around the world.
The Elizabethtown Junior Woman’s Club honored Martha as its 17th annual Hall of Fame Award recipient in 2009.
Throughout her life she worked to make life better and more beautiful for everyone around her. Her family hopes that Martha’s life of service to others will continue to have an impact for years to come.
Funeral services will be held at 10 o’clock Saturday morning, June 25, 2016, at Hope Lutheran Church in Wake Forest. In addition, a memorial service will be held at Memorial United Methodist Church in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, at a time to be scheduled in early July 2016. In lieu of flowers consider making a memorial contribution to the Garden Club of Kentucky or to the Alzheimer’s Association.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Wake Forest, NC (919-556-5811)
Wayne Allen Stevens
Raleigh
Wayne Allen Stevens, 58, passed away peacefully on Thursday at home in Raleigh.
Funeral services were held at 1 o’clock Monday afternoon, June 20, 2016, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Wake Forest.
He was born November 2, 1957, in Orlando, Florida, to the late Dana and Margaret Stevens. He lived all over the world as his father served in the United States Air Force. Later in life they settled down in Southern Florida where he met the love of his life and eventual wife, Lisa. Wayne attended and graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s in accounting and was always very passionate about his career.
Together they had two wonderful children, Michael and Adam, who always looked up to their father as a superhero and the most caring father/husband growing up. Anyone who walked through the door of their home immediately grew fond of the strong, caring, loving man who was known as Big Wayne.
Throughout Wayne’s life he always made time for the kids whether it be driving them to practice or spending weekends during summer doing the thing he loved most, being behind the helm of a boat on Lake Gaston with this family.
Although they could be a handful, Wayne always loved seeing his “four-legged grandchildren” as they came bursting through their Raleigh home or running around the endless acres at the vacation home in Candler. He will always be remembered as an amazing person who truly cared for people around him and provided everything for friends and family before he thought about himself; anyone who was lucky enough to know Wayne will be forever grateful for that.
Wayne is survived by wife of 37 years Lisa; sons, Michael and wife, Amy, Adam and his girlfriend, ChonFawn; and his brother, Dana, who resides in Winterburg, Florida.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.
A service of Bright Funeral Home and Cremation Center. (919) 556-5811
Keith Bryan Farmer
Wake Forest
Keith Bryan Farmer, 56, of Wake Forest passed away on Monday, June 13, 2016, at Wake Med. He was born in Saint Louis, Missouri, the son of Janet McArthy Farmer and Will Farmer.
Keith enjoyed spending time with his family and dogs, cooking, working on cars, fishing and spending time at the beach.
Funeral services were held at 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon, June 18, 2016, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home.
Keith is survived by his sons, Sean Farmer and his wife, Lisa, and Tony Farmer; and by his parents, Janet Farmer and Will Farmer.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center. (919-556-5811)
Frances Wood Cooke
Youngsville
Frances Wood Cooke, 81, of Youngsville died on Monday, June 20, 2016, at her home. She was born December 23, 1934, in Franklin County, the daughter of the late David Harrison Wood and Allie Mattie Wood. She was a member of Flat Rock Baptist Church and was retired from Nationwide Insurance in Raleigh. Upon her retirement from Nationwide, Mrs. Cooke went on to work with her beloved husband, Garland, in their country store just out of Youngsville where they nurtured lifelong friends and relationships. Her passion in life was her family and friends.
Funeral services were held at 11 o’clock Wednesday morning, June 23, 2016, at Flat Rock Baptist Church with the Rev. Gary McNair officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Mrs. Cooke was preceded in death by her husband, L. Garland Cooke. She is survived by one daughter, Nancy Cooke White and husband, Curtis Allen White; three grandchildren, Allen White (wife, Crystal), Jeff White (wife, Mandy) and Daniel White (wife, Bethany); and six great-grandchildren, Noah, Emerson, Mitchell, Harper, Kennedy, and Zachary. She is also survived by a fine group of loving caregivers and many wonderful friends.
Memorial donations in Frances’s memory may be made to Flat Rock Baptist Church Building Fund.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremaion Center. (919-556-5811)
Ruth Margaret Pittman
Raleigh
Ruth Margaret Pittman, 96, of Raleigh died Sunday, May 1, 2016, at the Oaks of Mayview in Raleigh. She was born in Fairmont, Minnesota, the daughter of the late Emanuel and Mathilde Nolte Haertel, and was married to John L. Pittman, who preceded her in death after 65 years of marriage.
As a teenager, Mrs. Pittman was a championship swimmer. She attended the University of Minnesota and was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church. Her husband John’s job took the family to seven different states but Mrs. Pitman always made sure that her family was actively involved in the Lutheran Church where there lived. When her husband retired, Ruth and John traveled extensively throughout Europe, the Caribbean, and the United States.
A memorial service will be held at 3 o’clock Sunday afternoon, June 26, 2016, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 7000 Creedmoor Road in Raleigh with Pastor Dave Wegner officiating.
Mrs. Pittman is survived by her son, Michael Pittman and wife, Sallie, of Wake Forest; daughters, Virginia Pittman of Norwalk, Connecticut, and Nancy Kirkhum and husband, Eldon, of Wilmington. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Amy Kirkbaum and spouse, Sean Carton, of Raleigh, Danny Kirkbaum and spouse, Tereza, of New York, Katherine Reppe and spouse, Steven, of Wake Forest, Kim Kirkbaum and spouse, Ginny, of Raleigh; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sisters and five brothers.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 7000 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh, NC 27613.
The family wishes to thank the staff of the Oaks of Mayview for the care they gave Ruth for the three years of her stay with them.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center. (919-556-5811)
J.W. Hudson Jr.
Wake Forest
J.W. Hudson Jr., 85, of Wake Forest passed away on Saturday evening, June 18, 2016, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born in Franklin County, the son of the late Myrtha Davis Hudson and Joe Willie Hudson Sr.
Mr. Hudson retired from Brinks with 33 years of service. He was a faithful member of Woodland Baptist Church, serving in many roles including deacon over the years. His exemplary life was an example for all and he will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Mr. Hudson was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Delmas and Ethel; his first wife, Dorothy; and by his son, Norman.
Funeral services honoring his life were held at 2:30 Tuesday afternoon June 21, 2016, at Woodland Baptist Church with the Rev. Chris Walker and the Rev. Al Thomas officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Mr. Hudson is survived by his wife of 23 years, Frances Bailey Hudson; a grandson, Steven Wheeler and his wife, Shan; siblings, Ava Edwards (Jason), Mary Turner (E.G.) and Ben Hudson; in-laws, Willis Winston and Yvonne Hudson; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Woodland Baptist Church, 190 Woodland Church Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587 or to Transitions Life Care, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.
Pallbearers were Steven Wheeler, James Height, Tim Hudson, Larry Turner, Archie Edwards, Bill Winston, Randy Turner, and Bradley Hudson.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center. (919-556-5811)
Billy Gene Marshall Sr.
Wake Forest
Billy Gene Marshall Sr., 76, of Wake Forest died Monday, June 20, 2016, at his home. He was born in Wake County and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving from 1956-1960. Mr. Marshall was the owner and operator or Marshall’s Locksmith Service, Inc. in Raleigh for over 43 years.
Funeral services were held at 3 o’clock Wednesday afternoon, June 22, 2016, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home. Entombment was in the Tharrington Family Cemetery.
Mr. Marshall is survived by his wife of 60 years, JoAnne Tharrington Marshall; daughters, Debbie Atkinson and husband, Paul, of Raleigh, and Donna Kaye Marshall of Epps Fork, Virginia; son, Billy G. Marshall Jr. of Fuquay-Varina; grandchildren, Ashleigh Anne Atkinson of Knightdale, Amanda Leigh Moody of Butner, Hunter Tharrington Marshall and Greyson Reece Marshall, both of Fuquay-Varina; great grandson, Braxton Moody of Butner; sister, Linda Stroud and husband, Phil, of Wake Forest and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Emitt Marshall; his mother, Earnestine Marshall; and by step-mother, Eloise Marshall.
Memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice, 3200 Atlantic Avenue, Suite100, Raleigh, NC 27604.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center. (919-556-5811)
Angelina Aurora “Angel” Rebollar
Louisburg
Angelina Aurora “Angel” Rebollar, 13, of Louisburg passed away Monday, June 13, 2016, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. She was born in Wake County to Estanislao Rebollar and Melissa Ann Desha Rebollar. Angel was a member of Hope Lutheran Church and loving person who touched the lives of everyone she met.
Angelina was an incredible person loved by all, was an amazing dancer and very active in her church. She had a smile that could light up a room and enjoyed being with her friends and family.
Funeral services were held at 2 o’clock Monday afternoon, June 20, 2016, at Hope Lutheran Church. Burial followed in Pine Forest Memorial Gardens.
Angelina is survived by her mother and step-father, Melissa Rebollar and Jesus Antonio “Chucho” Hernandez Sanchez; father, Estanislao Rebollar; siblings, Crystal Ann Rebollar and Joshua Antonio Hernandez; grandparents, Mel and Debra Hall Desha, Juana Zamora and Dionicio Rebollar; godparents, Jesus Hernandez and Yessica Mendoza; and many aunts, uncles and extended family.
In lieu of flowers marker contributions or memorial contributions can be made to Hope Lutheran Church, 3525 Rogers Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587.
Friends visited with the family from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, June 19, 2016, at Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 1051 Durham Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587.(919)556-7400
Renee Lynn Desha Stokes
Wilson
Renee Lynn Desha Stokes, 33, of Wilson passed away Monday, June 13, 2016, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. She was born in Houston, Texas, to Mel and Debra Hall Desha. Renee was a loving wife, mother, sister, and friend and will be greatly missed by everyone she knew.
Renee was always a devoted family member and loved each and everyone of them. She attended East Carolina University where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Middle School Education. During her time at ECU, she met her husband while both being brothers of Phi Sigma Pi national honor fraternity. After teaching at Wellcome and Speight Middle Schools, she went to Chef’s Academy and graduated with a culinary degree. Renee was a wonderful baker who loved bringing a smile to people’s faces. She loved her children; they were her life and she was very active with boy scouts and baseball with her sons.
Funeral services were held at 2 o’clock Monday afternoon, June 20, 2016 at Hope Lutheran Church. Burial followed in Pine Forest Memorial Gardens at 770 Stadium Drive Wake Forest, North Carolina.
Renee is survived by her husband Matt Stokes; children, Isaac Matthias Stokes, Elijah Gabriel Stokes and Seth Aaron Stokes; parents, Mel and Debra Desha; siblings, Melissa Rebollar, Cristen Desha, Michael Desha, Derrick Desha, Erin Barker, Christina White, David Bashak, Monica Singletary and Carla Schoolcraft; and many nieces, nephews and extended family. Mrs. Stokes was preceded in death by her sister, Laura Bashak Rogers.
In lieu of flowers marker contributions or memorial contributions can be made to Hope Lutheran Church, 3525 Rogers Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587.
Friends visited with the family from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, June 19, 2016, at Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 1051 Durham Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587.(919)556-7400
