Dorothy Marie Ward
Youngsville
Dorothy Marie (Battles) Ward, 85, passed into glory on Tuesday, October 31, 2017, in Raleigh. Dorothy was born March 31, 1932 to Walter and Emma Battles in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She was the oldest of four children.
Dorothy spent much of her life in the Pittsburgh area where she met her husband, Henry (Wally) Ward, and they married in 1957 in Bellevue, Pennsylvania. They lived in the Pittsburgh suburbs until the early 1980s when they moved to North Carolina, eventually settling in Youngsville.
Dorothy was a devoted wife and mother. She also was known for her culinary skills from her many years as a chef and restaurant owner in western Pennsylvania. Her husband was born in England, so she learned how to prepare British foods such as cottage pie, Yorkshire pudding and sausage rolls, much to the delight of her husband and family—and anyone else who had the opportunity to share a meal with them. Dorothy loved to spend time with her family and friends, and took special delight in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In more recent years, she became a voracious reader, averaging a book a day! A woman of remarkable faith, Dorothy looked forward to the day when she would be freed from the pains of her earthly body and would be united with her Savior in heaven.
Dorothy is survived by: daughter, Tammie Buckwalter (husband, Randy); son, Eric Ward (wife, Amy); daughter, Lorie Ward; grandchildren, Anna (Buckwalter) Baughman and Ryan Buckwalter, Alyssa Ward, and Samantha, Katie, Melissa and Dominic Vescio; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Wally, a son, David, and her parents.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2017, at Franklinton United Methodist Church, 109 North Main Street, at 4 p.m. The family will greet friends from 3 to 4 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church or Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.
Joseph Hunsinger Miller
Wake Forest
Joseph Hunsinger Miller, 53, died Monday, October 23, 2017. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 25, 1964 to the late Joseph H. and Mary Elizabeth Miller.
He was a civil engineer with the DOT in Wake Forest. Grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he maintained friendships with much loved friends.
Joe was a doting father who loved attending his son’s hockey games and eating hot dogs with his daughter. He was a talented musician, and played bass guitar. He was a precious and treasured child of God who will be dearly missed.
Surviving are his children, Dalton Miller and Olivia Frances; and siblings, Robert Miller of Birmingham Alabama, Janet Bick of Ottumwa, Iowa, and Patricia Mann of Delran, New Jersey.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, November 4, 2017, at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest. (919) 556-5811
John Alan Bruursema
Youngsville
John A. Bruursema, 66, went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, November 1, 2017. He was the son of the late Elmer and Gertrude Bruursema. He was a retired residential and commercial carpenter in Wake and Franklin County for over thirty years.
John is survived by his wife, of 38 years, June; daughters, April Hamm and Jason, Crystal Bruursema and Neil; grandsons, Matthew, Dustin, and Zachary; brother, William; sisters, Rita and Sherri, both of Grand Rapids, Michigan; and 21 nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 12 pm Monday, November 6, 2017, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation or to the Lung Initiative of NC
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest. (919) 556-5811
John was a good soul and would help anyone he could.
Jesse Willis Horton
Wake Forest
Jesse Willis Horton, 94, passed away on Tuesday, October 31, 2017, at Transitions Life Care Hospice in Raleigh. He was born in Wake County, the son of the late Iola Watkins Horton and Jonah Horton. He was preceded in death by his wife, Flora Mae Horton, and his sister, Bobbie Lou Austin.
A funeral service was held at 3 o’clock Sunday afternoon, November 5, 2017, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home. Entombment followed in Pine Forest Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Horton is survived by his sons, James Michael Horton of Youngsville and Phillip W. Horton and wife, Sheri, of Raleigh and grandchildren, Laura Horton and Ethan Horton.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Pilot Baptist Church Building Fund, 1012 N. Blount Street, Raleigh, NC 27604.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest. (919) 556-5811
Shirley Perry
Raleigh
Shirley Perry, 85, of Raleigh went home to be with her Lord and Savior on November 1, 2017. She was born in Charlottesville, Virginia, but raised in the heart of Washington, D.C., when her family, which included grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, migrated to because of the Great Depression. This became the foundation of her life where a fierce patriotism and love of country was born. A deep-seated faith in God was nurtured by Metropolitan Baptist Church (presently named Capitol Hill) and the support of a huge family. They made it through difficult times because of their love for the Lord and for each other. Times were hard, but God was great and memories were made.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, of almost 60 years, James N. Perry, and liked to refer to herself as “His Helper.” Also preceding her in death were her father, Elmo D. Bradshaw, who prematurely died at age 32, and mother, Evelyn Bradshaw Wright Hill, stepfather, Hawes C. Hill, and sister, Wanda Bradshaw Burton.
She is survived by: four children, Carol Perry Dysart (Eddie), Douglas Perry (fiancé, Tammy Malone, and his former wife, Rita Perry Spicer and husband, Gary), Rebecca Perry Sink (Robert), Darlene Perry Takacs (Larry), and Glenda Wright Geoghegan, a cousin who resided with the family for many years. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, Amber Perry Ledbetter (Simon), Crystal Dysart West (Jeffrey), Tia Perry Gomez (Daniel), Brett Dysart (Jenna), Heather Perry Kent (Sam), Garrett Dysart (Katherine), Jared Sink (Jessica), Tiffany Dysart Gay (Matthew), Natalie Sink Yerger (David), Scott Takacs, Molly Sink, Alex Takacs, and Maryn Takacs. Lastly, she is survived by nine great-grandchildren, Owen and Evelyn West, Elliana and Hunter Gomez, Camryn, Max and Logan Dysart, and Audrey and Adalyn Kent; and brother-in-law, Frank Perry (Juanita), along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Shirley Perry’s love for people was only surpassed by her love for her husband Jim, and her love for God. She dearly loved her four children, her 13 grandchildren were the light of her life, and later in life, her nine great-grandchildren brought her immediate smiles and laughter.
We are eternally grateful for the love and support of Bayleaf Baptist Church. Shirley loved being Jim’s helper in his role of being pastor to the Senior Adults at Bayleaf. As a couple, many visits were made to homes, hospitals, and nursing homes. Participation in Keenagers was always a highlight as well as the Onward Sunday School class. We are also thankful for the daytime care at Ruth Sheets Adult Care, Transitions LifeCare, and lastly, the angels that surrounded her at Elmcroft North Ridge.
We want to express our gratitude to the many caregivers who loved and served Shirley. We want to give special thanks to Lois Robson for her daily dedicated morning service and Sue Bathgate for her loving ways.
Shirley was always telling her grandchildren that they were “perfect,” knowing that on this earth they were not, but in Jesus they were. She wanted them to know that’s how she saw them too.
We give God all the glory for Shirley’s spiritual influence and steadfast faith as she took hold of every opportunity to tell others about Jesus. She spread his joy to all those she met. We praise God she is now at home in Heaven with him, and are thankful for the memories and love that we will cherish forever.
Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma Shirley–now you really are PERFECT!
Memorial contributions may be made to the Bay Leaf Baptist Church Benevolent Fund, 12200 Bayleaf Baptist Church Road, Raleigh, N.C. 27614.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest. (919) 556-5811
Wilda Jewell Rinker Barefoot
Raleigh
Wilda Jewell Rinker Barefoot was granted her angel wings on October 30, 2017. Her final days were spent surrounded by family and friends at Universal Healthcare.
She was born on June 21, 1935 in Cumberland, Maryland to the late Wilda Burch Evans and Paul M. Jewell. She was also preceded in death by her step-father, George H. Evans, and husband, Raymond Glen Wertz.
Over the years, Wilda worked as a medical administrative assistant in Maryland and North Carolina. Church has always been an important part of Wilda’s life. Since she moved to North Carolina, she has been an active member of the Wake Forest United Methodist Church serving in many capacities.
For over 40 years Wilda has been an active member of Mountain Chapter, Eastern Star of Frostburg, Maryland, where she at one time served as Worthy Matron. Wilda was active in sports growing up. In high school she was a cheerleader and also played basketball. After her high school years, she played semi-pro basketball. Other activities Wilda enjoyed during her lifetime were swimming, traveling, sewing, crafting and bowling.
But, the most important love of Wilda’s life was her family. Family was everything to her.
Wilda is survived by her husband, Donald; six children, Peggy Hughes (Jack) of LaVale, Maryland, Denise Rinker (Randy Rodeheaver) of Estero, Florida, Victor Rinker (Melodie) of Wake Forest, Theresa Nave of Clear Spring, Maryland, Beverly Melmed (Mark) of Cumberland, Maryland, and Jason Rinker (Hannah) of Frederick, Maryland; eight grandchildren, Todd Hughes of Alexandria, Virginia, Raymond Rinker (Emily) of Raleigh, Nathan Rinker (Jackie) of Franklinton, Victoria Rinker of Wake Forest, Sophie and Ethan Rinker of Frederick, Maryland and Summer and Cody Anderson of Clear Spring, Maryland; eight great-grandchildren; a brother, George Raymond Evans (Jennie), Lexington; many cousins, nieces and nephews; and former husband, Blaine Rinker, Westminister, Maryland.
A celebration of her life will be on Thursday, November 2, 2017, at 2 p.m. at the Wake Forest United Methodist Church, 905 South Main Street. Visitation will be one hour prior to the celebration of her life.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the general fund of the Wake Forest United Methodist Church in loving memory of Wilda.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest. (919) 556-5811
James Victor Fowler
Louisburg
James Victor Fowler, 51, of Louisburg died Monday, October 30, 2017, as a result of an auto accident. He was the son of Mary Helen Long and the late James Ruffin Fowler Jr.
He was predeceased in death by maternal grandparents, Lillian Holmes Grissom and Iris Victor Grissom, and paternal grandparents, James Ruffin Fowler Sr. and Pearl Warren Fowler.
He is survived by his wife, Cindy Morgan Fowler of Zebulon; a son, James Victor Fowler II of Youngsville; a daughter, Sonya Efird and husband, Benner, of Salisbury; a step-son, Tyler Thorne of Zebulon; grandson, Hunter Dale Thorne; brother, Bobby Fowler and wife, Lisa, of Youngsville; nephews, Pvt. Robert Wayne Fowler Jr., Robert Edward Fowler, Nick Doup, Jordan Cooley, Griffin Morgan; two nieces, Stephanie Morgan and Samantha Cooley; sister-in-law, Susan Morgan; and brother-in-law, Roby Cooley.
He was a valued employee of Barnhill Contracting Company, with many faithful years of service.
Through his outgoing personality and many talents he developed a love for hunting, fishing, boating, water skiing, and camping with friends and family at Kerr Lake. Unknown to many, he was musically talented as a trumpeter and pianist.
He will leave many friends with memories of his laughter and love of the outdoors.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Saturday, November 4, 2017 in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home, Wake Forest. Burial followed in New Hope Christian Church Cemetery, Louisburg.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest. (919) 556-5811
Tamara Leonard Merritt
Wake Forest
Tamara Leonard Merritt, 55, of Wake Forest passed away on Saturday, November 4, 2017, at Wake Medical Center. She was born in Wilson County, the daughter of the late Barbara Newton Leonard and R. Nelson Leonard.
A memorial service will be held at 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon, November 11, 2017, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home.
Tamara is survived by her husband, Stephen Wayne Merritt; brother, Andrew Lyons; stepdaughters, Lindsey Merritt Slaughter and husband, Chris, and Jessica Joy Merritt; and step-granddaughters, Sophia Alexyis Slaughter and Lidia-Mae Slaughter.
Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service at Bright Funeral Home. & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-5811)
