Deborah Geraldine ‘Debi’ Syme
Wake Forest
Deborah Geraldine “Debi” Syme, 54, of Wake Forest passed away Wednesday, January 25, 2017, at UNC Rex Hospital. She was born on September 1, 1962 in Burns Lake, British Columbia, Canada, to the late Jacob Bueckert and Agatha (nee Martens) Bueckert.
Debi grew up in Burns Lake, where at age 4 she became best friends with Sharon (nee Gerow) Crawford and has remained in contact ever since. After graduating from high school in Burns Lake, Debi attended Peace River Bible Institute in Peace River, Alberta, where she met two of her good friends, Melba and Marvin Fast. Later, she moved to Wetaskiwin, Alberta, where she worked as a florist and in retail and became good friends with Heather Rix. Then, Debi moved to Edmonton where she made many good friends (sorry, too many to list), attended Fellowship Baptist Church, and eventually met her future husband, Dave. Debi enjoyed the many summers and times she spent with her nieces and nephews, building fond memories.
In 1993, Debi married Dave and moved to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where they attended Ebenezer Baptist Church, were blessed with children Jennifer and Craig, and made more friends. The family moved to the Raleigh area in 2013 as Dave was offered an new role in the company he worked for since 1993 and Debi embraced the opportunity to explore new areas and meet people.
Debi had a passion for helping and encouraging others. She was faithfully involved in Lifepointe Church and churches in Canada, where she was always willing to step in and help out with whatever the need may be. Debi was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend. Her presence and love will be greatly missed by everyone that knew her.
A celebration of Debi’s life was held Saturday afternoon, January 28, 2017, at Lifepointe Church at 9500 Durant Road. The family is also planning a celebration of Debi’s life that will be held at a later date in Canada.
Debi is survived by her husband of 23 years, David Syme; children, Jennifer Nicole Syme and Craig Geoffrey Syme; brother, John Bueckert and wife, Lorraine, of Langley, British Columbia, Canada; sisters, Marie Tarry and husband, Wes, and Anne Berg and husband, Larry, all of Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada; 14 nieces and nephews; and extended family. She was preceded in death by her brother, Hank Bueckert (survived by Janet Bueckert) and her sister, Kathy Tarry (survived by Melvin Tarry).
Memorial contributions can be made in honor of Debi’s strong faith, love of family and compassion for others to support the ministry of her nephew, Darryl Bueckert and his wife, Jodi, in making a lasting difference against world poverty. For more information, please go Help-Project.org. Please designate the donations to Help-Project: Darryl and Jodi Bueckert #510.
A service of Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home& Cremation Service, 1051 Durham Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919) 556-7400
Ned Richard Johnson
Raleigh
Ned Richard Johnson, 78, died Sunday morning, January 22, 2017, at Transitions Life Care Hospice in Raleigh. He was born in Johnston County, the son of the late Martha Amelia Messer Johnson and Otis Johnson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine Pearce Johnson.
A funeral service was held Wednesday afternoon, January 25, 2017, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home. Burial followed in the Brier Creek Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Johnson is survived by his daughters, Dana Finch (Dale) of Youngsville and Melanie Green (Chris) of Zebulon; grandsons, Matthew Finch (Allison), Daniel Finch and Joshua Green (Christin); granddaughter, Megan Carper (Stephen); great-grandchildren, Rylie and Rowyn Carper, Joshua Green Jr. and Arianna Green; brother, Wayne Johnson of Garner; and a sister, Cathie Mangum of Garner.
Memorial contributions may be made to Transitions Life Care Hospice 250 Hospice Circle Raleigh, NC 27607.
Friends visited with the family for an hour before the service at Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-5811)
David Christopher Pearce
Youngsville
David Christopher Pearce, 46, of Youngsville passed away peacefully on Monday, January 23, 2017. David was born in Raleigh on June 16, 1970 to his beloved parents, Michael and Linda Pearce. He graduated from Broughton High School in 1988 where his friends lovingly knew him as “Droop.” While at Broughton, David played football but more importantly met his future wife, Paige Barefoot Pearce. What began as a friendship in Spanish class grew into a 22-year marriage to his best friend.
David graduated from North Carolina State University in 1992 with a political science degree. He shared his family’s passion for the electric motor business and was president and owner of East Coast Electrical Equipment Company. David took great pride in growing a successful business but without a doubt his greatest accomplishment was his two children, Coleman and Brooke. He loved spending time with his children and watching them grow into amazing young adults. Many of David’s most treasured moments were spending time with his family at his farm, fishing, riding four-wheelers, and hunting. While a courageous 20-year battle with Multiple Sclerosis provided him with many physical challenges, he never lost his passion for encouraging others to reach their fullest potential.
A funeral service were held Thursday, January 26, 2017, at Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Raleigh with a graveside service following at Pine Forest Memorial Garden in Wake Forest.
David is survived by his wife, Paige Barefoot Pearce; children, Coleman and Brooke Pearce; his parents, Michael and Linda Pearce; father and mother-in-law, Robert and Paula Barefoot; sister-in-law, Natalie Comer; and brother-in-law, Brad Comer.
The family also wishes to express their great gratitude to his special caregivers for their love and friendship and to the staff of Transitions Life Care for their compassionate care of David.
Donations may be made to Transitions Life Care 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607, or National MS Society PO. Box 4527 New York, NY 10163 or Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church 7506 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh, NC 27615
A service of Bright Funeral Home, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC, 27587. (919-556-5811)
Thomas John Mahoney
Raleigh
Thomas John “Jack” Mahoney, 86, passed away on January 22, 2017 at home in the presence of his loving family. He was born in New York City on July 29, 1930, the son of Thomas and Mary Mahoney. After high school, he entered the Marine Corps, serving for four years and retiring with the rank of staff sargent. He then attended Columbia University and graduated with a masters in finance. He enjoyed a successful 25-year career with Mobil Oil, retiring at the age of 55 as assistant treasurer.
Jack enjoyed a good round of golf with friends and particularly loved boating in the Long Island Sound where he would always take his friends, family and grandchildren for a ride. In 2013, they moved from Connecticut to Raleigh.
A funeral mass was held on Friday, January 27, 2017 in the chapel of Saint Raphael Catholic Church in Raleigh.
A beloved husband, father and grandfather, Jack Mahoney is survived by Nellie, his devoted wife of 58 years, and his three children, Deborah Jean Mahoney PhD, Ellen Mahoney Jardine and Thomas John Mahoney. He was a proud grandfather to his six lovely and accomplished granddaughters, Rebecca and Keara Soloway, Jilllian and Kaitlin Jardine and Lynne and Angela Mahoney.
The family would like to thank all of the wonderful, compassionate caregivers at Gentiva Home Health and Hospice, as well as Homewatch Caregivers.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the AlzheimersAssociation.
A service of Bright Funeral Home, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC, 27587. (919-556-5811)
Zeb Grafton Perry
Wake Forest
Mr. Zeb Grafton Perry went home to be with the Lord on January 24, 2017. He was 78 years old.
A beloved father and husband, Mr. Perry spent an award-winning career in sales, where he touched the lives of many and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Humorous and with an easy smile, Mr. Perry enjoyed the company of family and friends and was eager to help any in need.
Funeral services were held Friday afternoon, January 27, 2016, at Wake Cross Roads Baptist Church. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Mr. Perry is survived by a daughter, Kathy Perry of Wake Forest; sons, Dean Perry and wife, Angie, of Sneads Ferry, Kelly Perry and wife, Suzanne, of Wake Forest, and Monte Perry and wife, Veronica, of Wake Forest; grandchildren, Brittany (Perry) Norris, Brooke (Perry) Masone, Grafton Perry, Jake Perry, and Cole Perry; and two great-grandchildren, Haygan Norris and Adaleigh Norris. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Loretta Liles Perry.
Pallbearers were Stevie Norris, Christian Masone, Kyle Sutherland, Ronnie Perry, Barry Maye, and Dale Keith.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center. (919-556-5811)
Polly Tilley
Wake Forest
Polly Tilley, 70, died Wednesday, January 25, 2017. She was born December 17, 1946 to the late Clarence and Mary Dale Williams. Polly was an avid Elvis fan, and she loved fishing and drag racing.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Jan O’Brient-Moody.
Polly is survived by her former husband, James M. Tilley of Raleigh; a son, J. Scott Tilley of Wake Forest and wife, Astrid; a sister, Gail Moore, and husband, Terry, of Wilton; and two brothers, Larry Williams and wife, Becky, of Wake Forest and Jerry Million and wife, Kim, of Stem. In lieu of flowers, donations in Polly’s memory may be made to Duke Hospice, c/o Hock Family Pavilion, 4023 North Roxboro St., Durham, NC 27704.
The family was present from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, January 26, at Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC, 27587. (919) 556-5811
Andrew Yarmchuk
Raleigh
Andrew Yarmchuk, 94, passed away on January 25, 2017 at his home in Raleigh. Andrew was born November 1, 1922 in Piney Fork, Ohio, to Paul and Irene Zubal Yarmchuk.
Andrew worked several years as an auto mechanic before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1943 to serve honorably during World War II in the 127th Airborne Engineer Battalion of the 11th Airborne Division. Following his discharge in 1946, he established a dry cleaning business in Paterson, New Jersey, which he and his wife, Elizabeth, ran for many years. He went on to manage a parts repair group for Sears and retired in 1994.
Andrew was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth in 2006; his brothers, Plato, Alexander, and William Yarmchuk; and sisters Perena Brown, Pauline Bruno, Frances Haskowich, Olga Yaremchuk, and Mary Zaitzew. He leaves two sons, Robert and Edward, and four grandchildren, Keith, Jill, Larisa, and Anna.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 S. Main St., Wake Forest, NC (919) 556-5811
Betty Johnston Frankow
Youngsville
Betty Johnston Frankow, 87, of Youngsville passed away Thursday, January 26, 2017, at Litchford Falls Healthcare. Mrs. Frankow was born in Boone, and raised in Wake Forest, the daughter of the late Helen Saintsing Johnston and Clement Bernard Johnston. She was a member of Youngsville Baptist Church and the Youngsville Woman’s Club.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, February 2, 2017, at Youngsville Baptist Church with the Rev. Charles Stratton officiating. Burial will follow in Pine Forest Memorial Gardens.
Mrs. Frankow is survived by her husband, David Frankow; son, Dexter Horton and wife, Shirley, of Youngsville; grandchildren, Sally Morton of Holly Springs and Jennifer Hunt of Raleigh; mother-in-law, Helen Frankow; sister-in-law, Patricia Buckingham; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Youngsville Baptist Church, P.O. Box 297, Youngsville, NC 27596 or to Carolina Tiger Rescue, 1940 Hanks Chapel Road, Pittsboro, N.C. 27312
Friends may visit with the family from 7 to 8:30 Wednesday evening, February 1, 2017, at Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-5811)
Jean Bryant Underwood
Rolesville
Jean Bryant Underwood, 83, died Monday morning, January 30, 2017, at Transitions Life Care Hospice. She was born in Nash County, the daughter of the late Sallie Boone Bryant and Needham Bryant. She was preceded in death by her husband, Curtis Underwood, and daughters, Carolyn Bailey and Faye Barnes.
A funeral service was held Wednesday morning. February 1, 2017 at Rolesville Baptist Church. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Mrs. Underwood is survived by her daughter, Susan Fulghum (Mark) of Sims; step-daughter, Debbie Williams of Rolesville; step-son, Michael Underwood of Rolesville; sisters, Vandelia Winbourne and Billie Wells; grandchildren, Chelsea and Nicholas Fulghum, Chris Langston, Ronnie Bailey, Michael J. Williams, Dustin Williams and Jennifer Serrano; 10 great-grandchildren; and a special friend and caregiver, Janet Baker.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-5811)
