Kaaren Sue Kayser
Raleigh
Kaaren Kayser, age 75, of Raleigh died Saturday, May 20, 2017, of cardiac arrest. Kaaren was a retired business manager at Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She previously worked in a myriad of interesting jobs from bus driver to dog groomer to pastor’s wife in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Florida, and Michigan before settling in North Carolina near her daughter.
Kaaren was the daughter of the late Harold and Mable Seaman. Her husband of almost 50 years, John Kayser, passed in 2011. She is survived by her sister, Jackie Collins, and her brother, Max Seaman. Kaaren’s surviving children include Christopher Kayser, Mark Kayser and his wife, Jennifer, and Katherine Stroupe and her husband, Timothy. Kaaren also had four grandchildren, Thomas, Michael, Johannah, and Jonathan. Her beloved dog, Buddy, and many grandpets also survive her.
Throughout Kaaren’s life, her favorite role and title was “Mom.” And she was Mom to much more than just her own children. She was a surrogate mom to most of her kid’s friends, her own younger friends, as well as many students at the university. She would share the gospel with them and how Christ worked in her life. She loved to hug and feed them, hosting many in her home over the years.
Wherever she was, Kaaren was always known for having tremendous common sense and being an uncanny card shark. She will be greatly missed.
A funeral service was held Tuesday afternoon, May 23, 2017, at Hope Lutheran Church.
Memorial gifts may be sent to the Concordia University – Ann Arbor general fund.
A service of Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home, Wake Forest, NC. (919)556-7400
Henry Clark Black Jr.
Raleigh
Henry grew up in Mississippi with four siblings, a father who was a telegraph operator for the railroad and a mother who was a teacher. He fought in WW II, landing in Normandy and recovering from his injuries in England. After the war, he completed his master’s degree in chemistry from Oklahoma A&M University. There he met the love of his life, Maurice. They married and had two sons, Henry III and John.
Henry worked for the DuPont Company and the family eventually settled in Wilmington, Delaware. After retiring from DuPont, he and Maurice opened a travel agency, enabling them to travel the world.
After his wife passed away, Henry moved to Raleigh to be closer to family. Sunday breakfast was a happy occasion and he enjoyed his grandchildren, watching them grow up into wonderful adults.
Henry was fondly known as The Gadget Man around his apartment complex for his scientific and ham radio hobbies. His humor was infectious and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Monday morning May 22, 2017, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home. Burial is in the Gracelawn Memorial Park in New Castle, Delaware.
A service of Bright Funeral Home, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-5811)
JOSEPH ‘JOE’ WESLEY ROUSE
Raleigh
Joseph W. Rouse passed away on Sunday, May 14, 2017, following a courageous battle with cancer. Joe was born in Magnolia on April 24, 1939 to the late Joseph H. and Rannie K. Rouse.
After graduating from Magnolia High School in May 1957, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a hospital corpsman. He proudly served his country for 12 years, including a one-year assignment in Vietnam from September 1966 to September 1967. In June 1969, at the expiration of his enlistment, he left the military and, in 1970, he began a career with the U.S. government in the field of automated data processing, retiring in 1993 with 36 years of military/government service.
Joe was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather and was most proud of his family.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Geraldine; his daughter, Cathy Rouse; his son, J. Shannon Rouse (Tamara); his granddaughter, Sarah; and his grandsons, Matthew and Carson. He also leaves a brother, Robert Gene Rouse (Anne); two sisters, Betty R. Tucker (Ellis), and Sharon R. Smith (A. Q.); five nieces and one nephew and their families; four aunts, Sindy Whaley, Mavis Brinson, Janet Cox, and Lois Rouse; two uncles, Paul Kennedy (Barbara) and Floyd Kennedy (Nora); and numerous cousins.
After retirement, he and Gerri loved traveling and took many wonderful trips in their RV. He adored his children and grandchildren, and was always there to love them, and to support and encourage them in their endeavors. He will be greatly missed. Joe was a humble servant; he loved his Lord. He was a member of Trinity Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and on many committees in varied capacities. He was active in numerous mission functions of the church and immensely enjoyed helping others.
A Celebration of Life service was held on Monday, May 22, 2017, in the Trinity Baptist Church Recreational Outreach Center (ROC) conducted by the Reverend Dr. G. Jeffery Roberts.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Baptist Church, Shaw Mission Fund, 4815 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27609.
A service of Bright Funeral Home, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-5811)
Beth Scarboro Creech
Raleigh
Beth Scarboro Creech, 60, died on Sunday, May 14, 2017 at Rex Hospital. She was born in Wake County, the daughter of the late Vernon Scarboro Sr. and Lyndell Fowler Scarboro Pleasants.
A graveside funeral service was held on Thursday afternoon, May 18, 2017, in the Youngsville Cemetery with the Rev. Robert Faile officiating.
Beth is survived by her husband, Dwayne Creech; stepsons, Michael Creech of Holly Springs and Dustin Creech of Raleigh; a brother, Vernon “Tink” Scarboro of Wake Forest; step-grandchildren, Joshua and Daniel Creech; and a niece, Brittany Scarboro.
A service of Bright Funeral Home, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-5811)
Carl Swain Harris
Wake Forest
Carl Swain Harris, 87, passed away on Tuesday, May 16, 2017. He was born in Yancey County, the son of the late Flossie Thomas Harris and Lee Harris. He was preceded in death by two infants and his wife, Rachel.
Mr. Harris was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Henderson and he was a retired supervisor for Nello Teer Corporation.
A funeral service celebrating his life was held Friday afternoon, May 19, 2017, at Grace Baptist Church with the Rev. Calvin Mills officiating. Burial followed in the Wake Forest Cemetery.
Mr. Harris is survived by his daughters, Rebecca Francis and husband, Roger, of Franklinton and their special son, David Francis and wife, Lisa, of North Wilksboro, Linda H. Edwards and husband, Jerry, of Wake Forest; sons, Edward A. Howard Jr. of Durham, Wayne C. Howard and wife, Ramona, of Graham, West Virginia, Dallas A. Howard and wife, Teresa, of Athens, Georgia; daughter-in-law, Dorothy Howard of Henderson; special daughter-in-law, Dot McGhee of Wake Forest, 10 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.
Flowers are accepted or memorials can be made to a charity of one’s choice.
A service of Bright Funeral Home, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-5811)
Ann Marie Doria
Wake Forest
Ann Marie Doria walked through God’s other door on May 21, 2017.
Born on January 27, 1944 in New York City, New York to Ignatius and Sophie Quartararo, Ann Marie was blessed with a good family and friends.
She is survived by her husband, Vincent, and five children, Christine, Bernadette, Elizabeth, Vincent and Kim, plus eight grandchildren.
Ann Marie’s memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 10, 2017, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home at 405 South Main Street in Wake Forest.
Ann Marie has requested in lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation to Unitarian Universalist PEACE Fellowship, 4104 Watkins Rd. Raleigh, NC 27616
A service of Bright Funeral Home, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-5811)
Ester Bland ‘Doc’ Davis
Wake Forest
Ester Bland “Doc” Davis, 88, of Wake Forest passed away Thursday, May 18, 2017, at his home after a lengthy illness. He was born in Wake County, the son of Lacy & Z.E. Davis. He was married to Lois Keith Davis for 63 years. Mr. Davis was retired from Westinghouse after 35 years of dedicated service. He was a U.S. Marine Corp veteran serving during the Korean War.
He had a deep abiding love for his family and friends. He was a man who taught humility, honesty and integrity by example more so than words. He leaves behind a void in his family’s heart that can’t be filled.
Graveside services were held Saturday, May 20, 2017, in the Lowery Family Cemetery on Choplin Road in Wake Forest.
He is survived by his wife, Lois Keith Davis; a son, Marty Keith Davis and wife, Julie, of Wake Forest; a grandson, Joshua Davis of Wake Forest; sister-in-law, Peggy Keith of Wake Forest; brother-in-law, Benny Keith and wife, Sandra, of Wake Forest; several nieces and nephews; and special caregivers, Belinda Davis, Joyce Reagan, Judy Horton, Mary Thomas, and Betsy Williams.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lacy & Z.E. Davis; sisters, Gladys Davis Perry, Helen Davis Perry and Virginia Carrie Davis; and a brother, Bruce Davis.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association, 2451 Crystal Dr., Suite 900, Arlington, VA 22202, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave, 7th floor , New York, NY 10001, Helping Hands Ministry, Stony Hill Church, 7521 Stony Hill Rd, Wake Forest, NC 27587 or Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.
A service of Bright Funeral Home, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-5811)
