Evelyn Imelda Ryan
Wake Forest
Evelyn Imelda Ryan, 83, departed this world on the evening of May 8, 2017 at Duke Raleigh Hospital. Evelyn was the youngest of the magnificent seven, the children of John J. and Julie (Barrett) Ryan. She was born on May 13, 1933 in Hasbrouck Heights New Jersey. Evelyn was raised in North Bergen, New Jersey where she graduated from S. Brigid’s School, and Saint Michael’s High School in Union City, New Jersey. Ms. Ryan furthered her education by earning a bachelor of arts degree from Caldwell College for Women in 1963. She enhanced her edification by attending The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and completed her education by earning a master of arts in teaching from Saint Michael’s College in Winoonski Park, Vermont in 1974.
Evelyn started her professional career as an operator for New Jersey Bell telephone before embarking on her vocation of choice, education. Dedicated to the education of young people she worked as a teacher at several schools throughout northern New Jersey. After completing her education, she assumed a leadership role with the Archdiocese of Newark. In the early 1980s Ms. Ryan joined the publishing firm of William H. Sadlier Inc., proudly providing guidance on copyright materials published by the organization. She commuted daily from her long-time home in Newark, New Jersey to Manhattan before retiring in 2003.
Once retired, Evelyn selected Wake Forest as the location of her new home to enjoy her retirement years. She became an active member of the community serving on her homeowner’s board and as a member of the local chapter of Civitan International. Through Civitans she volunteered each year at the Special Olympics competition held in Raleigh. In 2013 Evelyn established her final home at the Lodge in Wake Forest where she made numerous friends and served as an ambassador.
Evelyn is survived by her sister, Veronica Boccher of Park Ridge, New Jersey; 21 nieces and nephews, their spouses and children.
She derived tremendous joy in being a member of such a large, active and interesting family.
She was predeceased by her parents; a sister, Francis and her husband, Paul Mueller; brothers, John Ryan and his wife, Renee, and Daniel Ryan and his wife, Dorothy; sisters, Margarete and her husband, Cyril McGranahan, and Loretta and her husband, Norman Garry. Evelyn also endured the loss of two of her nephews, Steven Ryan and Thomas McGranahan.
A memorial service was held for Evelyn in the courtyard at the Lodge in Wake Forest on Thursday, May 11, 2017. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Special Olympics of North Carolina.
A service of Bright Funeral Home, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-5811)
Eloise Greene Thornton
Raleigh
Eloise “Weze” Greene Thornton, 95, went peacefully home to be with her Lord on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. She was born in Cerro Gordo on October 7, 1921 to the late Waitus Greene and Minnie Mae Morgan Greene.
Weze graduated from Cerro Gordo High School as salutatorian of her class and graduated from Watts School of Nursing. She was a dedicated and loving nurse for over 25 years. She was a gifted care-giver her entire life.
Weze was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John W. Thornton Jr.; her grandson, Jeffrey Forbes Meadows; her sister, Christine Smith; and her brothers, Edmund, Reuben, L.C., Gene and Rudolph Greene.
She is survived by her son, John Thornton (Kathy); daughters, Alice Meadows (Jim) and Marte Thompson (Mark); sisters, Lois McKinney, Carolyn Thompson, Shelby Hill (Gene) and Pat Greene; a brother, Jimmy Greene; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to Rolesville Baptist Church, P. O. Box 185, Rolesville, NC 27571.
A service of Bright Funeral Home, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-5811)
Willie (Bill) A. Eaton Jr.
Youngsville
Willie (Bill) A. Eaton Jr., 78, of Youngsville, formerly of Wakefield, Rhode Island and Seabrook, New Hampshire, died suddenly May 10, 2017 and is now in the presence of his beloved Jesus. He was born on July 6, 1938 in Seabrook New Hampshire to Willie and Laura (Walton) Eaton Sr.
He grew up in Seabrook where he enjoyed hunting, fishing and neighborhood activities. He graduated high school and later joined the U.S. Air Force, serving four years. Bill worked for Bailey Corp. for many years as a machine operator before moving to Rhode Island. There he worked as a welder for the General Dynamics shipbuilding, before moving onto furnace repair and custodial work at a Christian school.
He enjoyed spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, flying planes and riding motorcycles. He was a member of the Warriors of Truth, Youngsville NC Chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association and the many outreach and fellowship opportunities it presented. Bill attended Wake Cross Roads Baptist Church in Raleigh.
Bill is survived by: his nieces, Linda Fowler of Exeter, New Hampshire and Luellynn Valtin of Epping, New Hampshire; several grand-nieces and nephews; and many friends.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Eldora (Mills) Eaton.
A memorial service will be held 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 25, 2017, at Poplar Spring Baptist Church, 89 Brantleytown Road in Zebulon.
A service of Bright Funeral Home, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-5811)
Leon Frank Schenker
Raleigh
Leon Frank Schenker, 92, passed away on Saturday May 13, 2017. He was born in Flawil, Switzerland to the late Frank Joseph Schenker and Anna Meader.
Mr. Schenker was a college professor and artist. He showed his paintings at numerous galleries in New York, Ohio and North Carolina.
A memorial service was held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 17, 2017, at Pine Forest Memorial Gardens in Wake Forest.
Mr. Schenker, a World War II veteran, is survived by his wife, Catherine Cook Schenker; daughters, Susan Schenker (Kevin Suggs) of Miramar, Florida and Cyndy Ratcliffe (Dan) of Wake Forest; and sisters, Marguerite Snider of Massapequa, New York, and Lucy Darling of Wooster, Ohio.
Leon was preceded in death by his daughter, Sandra Schenker Capell.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the PMP Research Foundation @ www.acpmp.org.
A service of Bright Funeral Home, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-5811)
Barnard ‘Barney’ Earl Bailey
Wake Forest
June 23, 1939 – May 12, 2017
Barnard “Barney” Earl Bailey, 77, died Friday, May 12, 2017. Barney was a lifetime resident of Wake County and was born on June 23, 1939 to the late Macon and Blonnie Ray Bailey.
Barney owned and operated Barney’s Tire Company in Wake Forest for many years.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 19, 2017, at the Bailey-Ray Family Cemetery in Wake Forest. The Rev. Robert Collier will officiate.
Surviving are a daughter, Judy Phillips; a granddaughter, Stephanie Basnight; and dear friends, Dwight and Peggy Harding.
The family will be present from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 18, 2017, at Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-5811)
Carl S. Harris
Wake Forest
Carl S. Harris, 87, died Tuesday, May 25, 2017.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, May 19, 2017, at Grace Baptist Church, 1815, South Clearview Drive, Henderson. Burial will follow in the Wake Forest Cemetery.
Friends may visit with the family from 7 to 8:30 Thursday, May 18, 2017, at Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-5811)
