Clifford Burt Gilliam
Youngsville
Clifford Burt Gilliam went home to be with his Heavenly Father on October 23, 2017. He was born in Franklin County on November 28, 1923, to the late Charles Edward and Lillian Burnette Gilliam and graduated from Bunn High School in 1941.
In 1943, Clifford was drafted into the United States Army; and, upon completing Basic Training and Non-Commission Officer School, he became a Basic Training Instructor at Camp Wheeler, Georgia. In December 1944, and upon his request for combat duty, he received orders as a Platoon Sergeant in the 103rd Infantry Company G, 43rd Infantry Division (8th Army) and was sent into the Pacific Theater. In January 1945, he was part of the beachhead at Lengayen Gulf, Philippines. and participated in the retaking of Luzon, Natangalan, Cabanatuan and Manila. Among his military honors are the American Theater Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, Philippine Liberation Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, a Combat Infantryman Badge, a Good Conduct medal, and a World War II Victory medal.
Following his discharge from the Army, Clifford taught classes for several years at Youngsville High School to help veterans learn trades, especially farming. He joined the National Guard unit in Louisburg in 1947 as a Sergeant First Class; and in 1949, he was in charge of organizing a National Guard Unit in Zebulon. The unit later became Battery A, 113th Field Artillery Battalion. He resigned his commission, which was Chief Warrant Officer, in 1951, to begin farming.
For 50 years he grew tobacco and soybeans on a farm near Youngsville. He was also an assistant manager at the Western Auto in Wake Forest for 30 years.
He was a charter member and Elder Emeritus at Faith Baptist Church in Youngsville.
In December 2010 a panel, including county government and historical representatives, selected Clifford from 18 nominees to represent Franklin County at a new North Carolina Veterans Park in Fayetteville which opened on July 4, 2011. His right hand was molded into a bronze casting to be displayed in the park, along with veterans’ hands from North Carolina’s other 99 counties.
A funeral service was held at 1 o’clock Friday afternoon, October 27, 2017, in the Faith Baptist Church in Youngsville. Burial followed in the Harris Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Gilliam is survived by his daughter, Carol Gilliam Bumpass (James); grandchildren, Matthew Steven Kinton (Monica) of Wake Forest and Tiffany Reagan Carter (Chris) of Youngsville; ad four great-grandchildren, Micah, Mason and Molly Kinton; and Owen Carter.
He was preceded in death by his wife Jewel Poythress Gilliam; sisters, Burnice Gilliam and Mildred Gilliam Ayscue; and brothers, Clarence, Thurston and Willard Gilliam.
The family would like to express special thanks to Dr. George Moore, Dr. Steven Liebowitz, special friends Avery Clifton and Jack Mercier, and the staff at Litchford Falls Healthcare for their faithful friendship and care of our father and grandfather during his later years.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Faith Baptist Church, 249 Holden Rd. Youngsville, NC 27596 or to a charity of your choice.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-5811)
Norma Jean Bridges
Youngsville
Norma Jean Johnson Bridges, 79, of Youngsville passed away Wednesday, October 25, 2017. She was born in Franklin County, the daughter of the late Joseph and Recer Johnson, and was a member of Flat Rock Baptist Church.
Funeral services were held at 11 o’clock Saturday morning, October 28, 2017, at Flat Rock Baptist Church. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Mrs. Bridges is survived by her husband, Donald Bridges; sister, Minnie Kay Tharrington and husband, David, of Centerville; and special aunt, Sarah Pearce of Zebulon.
Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-5811)
Carl Louis Cole
Raleigh
Carl Louis Cole, 64, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family after a courageous 15-year battle with cancer.
He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Jana Everitt Cole; his daughters, Holly Baldwin (Brad) and Nicole Cole (Andrew); his two grandchildren, Cadence and Jacob; and many, many more who loved and cherished him.
He has joined his father, Donald Louis Cole; his mother, Margaret Groh Cole; his father-in-law, R.G. Everitt; and his sister, Donna Cole Hooks, in heaven.
Visitation was held from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 28, 2017, at Bright Funeral Home followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home. Burial followed in Pine Forest Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Smile More Complain Less, 5901 Fortress Drive, Holly Springs, NC 27540 or Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.
www.brightfunerals.com (919) 556-5811
Melissie Bailey Ray
Wake Forest
Melissie Bailey Ray, 86, passed away on Thursday, October 26, 2017, at her residence. She was born in Wake County, the daughter of the late Mandie O’Neal Bailey and F. Paul Bailey. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy Ray, and her son, Wayne Ray.
A funeral service was held at 3 o’clock Sunday afternoon, October 29, 2017, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home with the Rev. Chris Walker and the Rev. Al Thomas officiating. Burial followed in the Woodland Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Ray is survived by her sister, Frances B. Hudson; her nephew, Steven Wheeler; and several other nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Woodland Baptist Church, 190 Woodland Church Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587 or to Transitions Life Care Hospice, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.
The family would like to thank all of the caregivers for everything they did during this time for Mrs. Ray.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-5811)
David Lee Pearce
Raleigh
David Lee Pearce passed away in his home in Raleigh on Wednesday, October 25, 2017, after a long illness. He leaves behind his wife of 41 years, Dr. Patricia Pearce; his daughter, Dr. Amanda Roper; her husband William Roper; and their two daughters, Madeline and Daisy.
He was born on December 3, 1936 to Luby Lee and Thelma Pearce and raised in Princeton, West Virginia. He attended Concord University outside Princeton for his bachelor’s degree in math, and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia, for his master’s degree in education. He began working for IBM soon after, meeting his wife in Lexington, Kentucky, where their daughter was born.
His first career was teaching mathematics in the public schools, from which he was recruited for IBM as a systems engineer and teacher. On his retirement from IBM he became an active advocate for women’s basketball with his daughter’s high school and club teams. He relished every opportunity to vacation by the sea or go sailing in the Caribbean. He enjoyed his lifelong passion of reading up until his final days.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 2, 2017, at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest. Friends may visit with the family immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund (curealz.org) or to your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter.
