Ester Louise “Pinky” Creech Bunn
Wake Forest
Ester Louise Bunn, 87, passed away on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at Hillside Nursing Center. She was born April 20, 1929 in Johnston County to Charlie and Newport Creech.
She is survived by her daughters, Linda Dickerson, Dianne Mitchell (Jackie), Kathy Street (Chris); her son, Donald Bunn (Dorothy); a brother, Marvin “Tap” Creech of Emerald Isle; along with 13 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse Bunn; daughter, Peggy Keith; and, son, Douglas Bunn.
Services were held Friday, January 13, 2017, at Bright Funeral Home. Burial was in Wake Forest Cemetery.
The family would like to thank everyone at Hillside Nursing Center for their loving care of “Granny Bunn” during the last two and a half years.
A service of Bright Funeral Home, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC, 27587. (919-556-5811)
Ulane Nance Clyburn
Raleigh
Ulane Nance Clyburn, 75, passed away on Saturday, January 7, 2017, at Hillside Nursing Center. She was born in Guilford County the daughter of the late Josephine Hyatt Nance and Raymond Charles Nance.
A graveside funeral service was held Friday afternoon, January 13, 2017, at Lakeview Memorial Gardens in Greensboro.
Mrs. Clyburn is survived by her daughters, Diane Cox and her husband, Danny, of Raleigh and Carolyn Leggett and her husband, Larry, of Liberty; grandchildren, Amber Medlin, Daniel Cox, Ashley Smyth, Adam Cox and Audrey Presnell; 10 great-grandchildren; a sister, Sandra Smith of McLeansville; and a brother, Ronnie Nance and his wife, LeeAnn, of Staley.
Friends visited with the family immediately following the service at the cemetery.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-5811)
Gene Allen Funk
Rolesville
Gene Allen Funk, 87, died Thursday, January 12, 2017. Gene was born January 1, 1930 in Beach City, Ohio, to the late Russell and Nadine Hay Funk. He was a graduate of Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Mr. Funk was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War. He retired after 36 years from AT&T.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Juanita Taylor Funk; a sister, Mary Fowler; and a daughter-in-law, Donna Funk.
A celebration of Gene’s life was held Monday, January 16, at Bright Funeral Home.
Gene is survived by five children and six grandchildren, Kathleen Funk of Vienna, Virginia, her husband, Patrick Blasz, and children, Christopher and Gregory; Leslie Funk of Great Falls, Virginia; Barbara Youmans of Rolesville, her husband, Dan, and children, Callie and Erika; David Funk of Rolesville and son, Ryan; Stephen Funk of Vienna, Virginia, his wife, Lisa, and daughter, Casey; his sister Mary’s children, Debbie Fletcher of Charlotte, her husband, Bob, and children, Courtney and Scott and Jon Fowler of Charlotte, his wife, Heather, and son, Zach.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Gene’s memory may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301
A service of Bright Funeral Home, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC, 27587. (919-556-5811)
Lisa Lynn Hollowell
Wake Forest
Lisa Lynn Hollowell, 50, formerly of Washington, D.C., and Virginia Beach, Virginia, before moving to Wake Forest at the end of last year, was born in Olean, New York to Gerald P. and Linda R. Hollowell. She graduated from Fredonia High School, followed by the University of Buffalo with a B.S.E. in industrial engineering in addition to receiving a masters degree in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University, Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C.
Lisa spent her last 25 years in private industry and government service with the Department of the Navy working as a technical engineer for submarine and surface ship combat systems in concepts, designs, warfare analysis, system engineering, integration and program management, including working for the U.S. Joint Forces Command where she led the Joint Command and Control Futures Planning and Operations Branch. She worked at Dam Neck in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the Pentagon, and most recently for the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C.
Lisa received many Excellence and Meritorious Unit Commendations from NAVSEA and other divisions for the outstanding dedication and many achievements over the years. Her executive director praised her as “one of our brightest system engineers…with unwavering passion for technical excellence and commitment to the Fleet.”
Lisa loved to travel and cruise the oceans with her sister, family, and friends, both personally and for work. She has explored most of the U.S, and has been to many countries around the world. Lisa always found joy in doing for others to ensure every event went recognized, and being there for anyone needing anything, no matter how busy her life was.
Lisa is survived by: her parents, Gerald P. and Linda R. Hollowell of Wake Forest; a sister, Michele Babcock, and husband, Robert, of Ormond Beach, Florida; a brother, Michael Hollowell of Franklinton; several loving aunts, uncles and cousins, and many amazing friends and colleagues.
A celebration of life will be held for family and friends in Olean at a later date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network or Duke Cancer Institute.
A service of Bright Funeral Home, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC, 27587. (919-556-5811)
Alwayne R. Holmes
Louisburg
Alwayne Richards Holmes, passed away on Wednesday, January 11, 2017. She was born in Wake County, the daughter of the late Annie Helen Frazier Richards and Fletcher Richards. Mrs. Holmes was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Carl “F.C.” Holmes.
A funeral service was held Saturday morning, January 14, 2017, at Flat Rock Baptist Church. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Mrs. Holmes is survived by her son, Brooks Holmes and his wife, Wendy, of Louisburg; a granddaughter, Gwendolyn Holmes of Louisburg; and a sister, Bessie Beam of Smithfield.
Friends visited with the family immediately following the service at the cemetery.
A service of Bright Funeral Home, Wake Forest, NC (919-556-5811)
Raymond David Kelly
Rolesville
Raymond (Ray) Kelly, 46, passed away Friday, January 6, 2017, at his home in Rolesville after a courageous 21-month battle with brain cancer. He was born on February 20, 1970 and grew up in Tolland, Connecticut.
Ray served in the Army National Guard for eight years. His career began in the insurance industry where he developed his computer technical expertise at several insurance companies. He then worked for IBM where he became an experienced project manager and was known as one of the most technical professionals in the industry. He was successfully employed with IBM for many years.
Ray was a kind-hearted, funny and selfless person who made his family his first priority. He will always be remembered for his contagious sense of humor, his love for the Patriots and his passion for fishing. Ray was an active den leader while his boys were in Boy Scouts. He enjoyed coaching, volunteering and cheering for the boys’ hockey teams over the past six years.
A memorial service was held Wednesday, January 11, 2017, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home.
Ray is survived by his wife, Cara (McCune) Kelly of Rolesville; sons, Derek (18), Ryan (16), and Jack (13); mother and step-father, Shirley and George Horn of Tolland; sister, Brenda Norman of Marlborough, Connecticut; and brother, Walter Kelly and wife, Allison Kelly, of Marlborough, Connecticut.
He is also survived by his niece, Elizabeth Norman; great-niece, Alyzza Taylor of Manchester, Connecticut; Ray’s loving in-laws, Bud and Donna McCune of Fort Mill, South Carolina, and Jon and Jerlynn Greene of Durham; his brother-in-law and wife, Jay and Ellie McCune, and nephews, Aiden and Sam of California; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Ray was predeceased by his father, Walter “Mike” Kelly.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to be made to the following organizations in memory of Ray:The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke
https://www.cancer.duke.edu/btc/makeagift.php#OnlineDonationInstructions
Duke HomeCare & Hospice, specifically the Unicorn Bereavement Center (UBC), which can be named under the unlisted designation link. UBC helps to facilitate a safe and healing grief process for people in the Triangle area who are adjusting to a loss due to death. https://www.gifts.duke.edu/daa
A service of Bright Funeral Home, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC, 27587. (919-556-5811)
Virginia Thornton Olsen
Wake Forest
Virginia Belle Thornton Olsen, 104, of Wake Forest was called home peacefully on Sunday, January 15, 2017. Born and raised in Milford, Virginia, she came to Wake Forest in 1964 with her late husband, Bob, when his company, Schrader, moved here.
She was a longtime member of the Wake Forest Woman’s Club, as well as a longtime member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, where she served on the altar guild and was treasurer of the Episcopal Church Women. She was named Wake Forest’s Citizen of the Year in 1995 for her involvement in her church and community. Virginia taught school for 45 years, mostly third grade, including teaching at Ravenscroft School in Raleigh.
She was predeceased by her husband. Robert (Bob) Olsen; her brother, Edward G. Thornton III; and her sister, Ellen Thornton. Survivors include two nephews, Edward G. Thornton IV and his wife, Janet, and William Thornton and his wife, Linda; a niece, Lou Brent; two great-nieces, Jennifer Farrar and her husband, Chris, and Stephanie Thornton; a great-nephew, Will Thornton; three great-great nephews, Aidan Huff, Nolan Huff, and Christopher Farrar; and Bob’s nephew, Bob Olsen and his wife, Mona Lillien, from Colorado.
The family is so grateful and appreciative of Durward Matheny and his wife, Shirley, and Connie Cole and her husband, Herman, for being very special long-time friends and for loving and caring for Virginia until her last breath.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, January 19, 2017, in Pine Forest Memorial Gardens, Wake Forest, with the Rev. Sarah Phelps officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church, 834 Durham Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Wake Forest, NC (919-556-5811)
Vernon Waylon Parrish
Louisburg
Vernon Waylon Parrish, 61, passed away on Friday, January 6, 2017, at Transitions Life Care Hospice in Raleigh. He was born in Wake County, the son of the late Eris Lucille Couch Parrish and George Waylon Parrish.
Mr. Parrish was a volunteer Boy Scout Leader from 1993 to 2004 and was a Scout Master for Louisburg Troop 555 and Cub Scouts Pack 510.
A memorial service celebrating his life was held Saturday afternoon, January 14, 2017, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home.
Mr. Parrish is survived by his son, Waylon Parrish and his wife, Suzanne of Louisburg; and two grandchildren, Makayla and Aidan Parrish.
Memorial contributions may be made to Transitions Life Care Hospice 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607, the American Cancer Society 8300 Health Park Suite #10 Raleigh, NC 27615 or to the American Heart Association 4217 Park Place Court Glen Allen, VA. 23060-9979.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-5811)
- Lloyd Stone
Wake Forest
- Lloyd Stone, 80, died Tuesday, January 10, 2017. Lloyd was born September 30, 1936 in Patrick Springs, Virginia, to the late Alfred Hardie Stone and Mattie Sue Stone. Beside his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Peggy Stone; sisters, Loreen (Bill) Law and Evelyn (Harvie) Lewis; and a brother, Escar Stone.
Lloyd was a 1966 graduate of the University of Virginia with a bachelor’s degree in commerce and a 1968 graduate of Institute of Textile Technology with a master’s in textile technology. Lloyd had a long career in textiles serving as vice president or manager of Riegel Textile Corporation, JP Stevens Inc., JP Morgan knitting mills, Fries Textile Company and Santens of America. Upon retirement, Lloyd became a licensed real estate broker/owner of Stone Real Estate.
Lloyd had a true giving spirit to his family, his church, and his community. He was an active member of Wake Forest Baptist Church and many local service clubs such as Lions Club, Rotary Club and Kiwanis Club.
Funeral services were held Saturday, January 14, 2017, at Wake Forest Baptist Church. Rev. Dr. William Slater officiated. Burial is in Pine Forest Memorial Gardens.
Lloyd is survived by his wife, Becky Stone; brother, Frank Stone; three children, Brent Stone, Christy Lambright and husband, John, and Kevin Stone and wife, Allison; step-son, Randy Sherron and wife, Erin; five grandchildren, Watson Lambright, Jack Stone, Luke Stone, and Madelyn Stone; and step-granddaughter, Cassidy Sherron.
Donations in Lloyd’s memory may be made to Wake Forest Baptist Church, Transitions Hospice or the Wake Forest Kiwanis Club.
The family would like to thank everyone at Wake Forest Baptist Church for all the support that they have shown during Lloyd’s illness.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-5811)
