Montell Cymarcus Swinson
Wake Forest
Mr. Montell Cymarcus Swinson of 5045 Hartsfield Drive, Wake Forest died Sunday, April 22, 2018 at WakeMed in Raleigh.
The funeral was held at noon Saturday, May 5, 2018, at Christ Holiness Church #1 in Wake Forest. He was laid to rest in the Wake Forest Cemetery.
A service of Leon Randolph Funeral Home, 208 West Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Washington, NC 27889
Rhonda Kaye Blackley
Zebulon
Rhonda Kaye Blackley of Zebulon passed away Monday, April 30, 2018, at Transitions Life Care Hospice in Raleigh. She was born in Fayetteville on August 13, 1946.
Rhonda is survived by her son, Larry Blackley Jr. of Zebulon; her daughter, Cheryl Stevenson and husband, Lonnie, of Jacksonville, Florida; grandson, Korey Stevenson and wife, Kayleigh, of Jacksonville, Florida; great-grandchildren, Ryker and River Stevenson of Jacksonville, Florida; and her brother, Bob Crouch and wife, Rebecca, of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
A graveside funeral service was held Friday morning, May 4, 2018, in the Beulah Christian Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family would like to thank everyone for all their love and support, and also to Transitions Hospice Care during this time.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC (919-556-5811)
Marie Cunningham Wall
Salisbury
Marie Cunningham Wall, 97, died Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at Trinity Oaks Health & Rehabilitation Center. She was born April 28, 1921 in Wake County to the late Essie Pearl Sherron Cunningham and Edwin Cunningham.
Marie was a graduate of the Medical College of Richmond and the School of Public Health at UNC Chapel Hill. She worked as a registered nurse in Wake, Durham and Rowan Counties.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Chester; a son, Andy; and six siblings.
Funeral services were held at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 6, 2018, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home with Pastor Carl Haynes officiating. Burial was in Rolesville Baptist Church Cemetery.
Surviving are a son, Glenn Wall and wife, Sue, of Salisbury; a daughter-in-law, Lynne Wall of Kill Devil Hills; four grandchildren, John (Holly) Wall, Susan (Kevin) Holland, Coy (Niki) Privette and Brandi Privette; and six great-grandchildren, Olivia Claire Wall, Hunter, Carson and Andrew Privette, Annabel and Henry Holland.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to charity.
Marie’s family would like to thank all of the caregivers who assisted Marie through the years for their kind care.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC (919-556-5811)
Mabel Pleasants Bailey
Wake Forest
Mabel Pleasants Bailey, 99 years old, wife, mother and grandmother passed on to be with the Lord on May 2, 2018. Mabel was born on February 21, 1919. Mabel lived all her life as a resident of Wake County. She met and married the love of her love, Melvin Bailey, in 1942.
A funeral service was held at 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon, May 5, 2018, at the Stony Hill Baptist Church. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
She is survived by: her daughter, Linda B. Lairson; a grandson, Dean Lairson; two grandchildren, Jordan and Jessica Lairson; one adopted granddaughter, Donna O’Neal; and one sister, Louise P. Bailey.
She was predeceased by her husband, Melvin Bailey; her son, Roger Bailey; and two infants.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Stony Hill Baptist Church, 7521 Stony Hill Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC (919-556-5811)
Sime Koscica
Youngsville
Sime Koscica, 90, of Youngsville went to be with the Lord on April 30, 2018. Sime was born in Olib, Croatia and immigrated to the United States in 1960 to make a better life for his family. Sime and his wife moved from Norwood, New Jersey to Youngsville in 2004 after his retirement from the Norwood Public School System. Sime was an active member of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Wake Forest.
His funeral mass was held Friday, May 4, 2018, in St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church. Entombment followed in Pine Forest Memorial Garden.
Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Yerka of Youngsville; a daughter, Janet Wallace and husband, Bernie; three sons, Anthony Koscica and wife, Denise, John Koscica and wife, Marion, and Sam Koscica and wife, Lorie; grandchildren, Julie, Bernie, Vonnie, Adam, Ashley, Leandra and Nicole; many great- and great-great grandchildren; and a sister, Jerolima Jovan of Olib, Croatia.
He will be greatly missed by his loving family.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC (919-556-5811)
Jacqueline Marie Helmke
Wake Forest
Jacqueline Marie Helmke of Wake Forest passed away April 26, 2018. She was 29.
Born at Lake Forest Hospital in Illinois on November 1, 1988, she enjoyed photography, traveling, and church. She knew the Lord and always had a smile on her face and found joy in helping others. She loved working with seniors and aspired to become a registered nurse. Starting in her early teens, Jackie worked many roles in senior housing from administration to activities planning, sales and marketing, and as a certified nursing assistant.
Surviving Jackie are her daughter, Lillie Marie Wright; parents, William E. Helmke and Betty Sue Anderson-Helmke; brother, William S. Helmke; and grandmother, Dorothy F. Anderson.
Predeceasing Jackie are her grandfathers, John Anderson and Roy Helmke; grandmother, Clara Heinz Helmke; great-uncle, Steven Anderson; and husband, Greyson Wright.
A visitation was held at Bright Funeral Home followed immediately by a graveside service at Wake Forest Cemetery.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC (919-556-5811)
www.brightfunerals.com/tributes/Jacqueline-Helmke
Gracie Ilene Klingler
Wake Forest
Gracie Ilene Klingler was granted her angel wings on April 24, 2018. Her final days were spent at home surrounded by family and friends that Gracie’s loving soul had touched in some small way throughout her very memorable life.
Gracie’s life was spent as a wife, mother, caterer and friend. She enjoyed cooking, dancing, laughing and spending time with her family, especially being an amazing Gigi to her grandson.
Gracie is survived by her husband, George G. Klingler; daughter, Kimberly R. Yates (Jeffrey); brother, Santo Capone (Janet); grandson, Roman A. Yates; sister-in-law, Carol Capone; and numerous nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents, Anthony and Rose Capone, and a brother, Anthony.
A memorial service will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at 3 p.m.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC (919-556-5811)
Lawrence Hicks Jr.
Wake Forest
Lawrence Hicks Jr., 94, died at his daughter’s home on Sunday, May 6, 2018. He was a native and lifelong resident of Wake County. Mr. Hicks was born April 26, 1924 to the late Lawrence and Effie Wall Hicks.
Lawrence was a U.S. Navy veteran. He was a professional home painter for over 50 years. He was an avid golfer and fisherman.
Mr. Hicks was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Daphine; a son, James Lawrence Hicks; four sisters, Virginia Hicks, Mary Grace Ivie, Ellen White and Frances Medlin; along with three brothers, John, Richard and David Hicks; and three step-children, Charles Horton, Joseph Hicks and Peggy Crawford.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 12, 2018, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home. Pastor Chris Bagley will officiate. Burial will follow in Pine Forest Memorial Garden.
Surviving are a daughter, Miriam Pollard and husband, James, of Clayton; a son, Danny Hicks of Wake Forest; two brothers, Frank Hicks and wife, Darlene of Salisbury and Ronnie Hicks of Wake Forest; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 12, 2018, at Bright Funeral Home.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC (919-556-5811)
Sonja “Toni” Maurer Sutton
Youngsville
Sonja “Toni” Maurer Sutton, 78, died peacefully Saturday morning with her family by her side at the nursing home, Carillon Assisted Living.
She owned and operated a data processing business. Toni loved her Border Collie, Brittney, and has always had a love to rescue animals. She was a member of ASPCA. She spent several childhood years growing up at Oxford Orphanage and often liked to visit and donate to them. She graduated from Sykesville High School in Baltimore, Maryland.
A private memorial service will be held with the family on Friday on Ocracoke Island on the Outer Banks, which she and her daughter often visited.
She is survived by her son, Doug Sutton and wife, Wanda, of Leland.; her daughter, Brenda Wade of Youngsville; her son, Charles Brantley and wife, Sharon, of Youngsville; her sister-in-law, Hannah Maurer; her grandchildren, Brett Sutton, Christopher Sutton, Tim Sutton, Brooke Brown, Sarah Brantley and Devon Brantley; and her best friend, Shirley Day Barrick of Baltimore, Maryland.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Masonic Home for Children, 600 College Street, Oxford, NC, 27565, 919-693-5111 or ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) www.aspca.org, or the Alzheimer’s Association, 3739 National Drive, Raleigh, NC 27612.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC (919-556-5811)
Alvin Vick Edwards
Spring Hope
Alvin Vick Edwards, 95, of Spring Hope passed away on Monday, May 7, 2018. He was a retired farmer and a life-long member of Peachtree Baptist Church. Mr. Edwards was a veteran of WW II, serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was a member of Central Cross Lodge #187 A.F. & A.M for over 69 years.
A funeral service was held Wednesday afternoon, May 9, 2018, at Peachtree Baptist Church with the Rev. Gene Whitehouse officiating. Entombment with military honors and Masonic graveside rites followed in the church cemetery.
Mr. Edwards is survived by his daughter, Cindy Mitchell and husband, Howard, of Wake Forest; grandchildren, Anna Marie Schumitta and husband, Aaron, of Youngsville and Rob Mitchell and wife, Meaghan of Wake Forest; and great-grandchildren, Jaina Schumitta and Holton Mitchell. He was preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine Moore Edwards; his parents, C.R. and Fannie Edwards; and by six brothers and one sister.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Masonic Home for Children, 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC (919-556-5811)
Mary Elizabeth Field
Wake Forest
Mary Elizabeth Field, 81, passed away Monday, April 30, 201 at WakeMed in Raleigh. She was born December 31, 1936 in Morrisville, New York to Glenn and Magdelene Babcock, the youngest of seven siblings. She graduated from Morrisville High School in 1954 and married Donald Field in December of 1955. Together they had five children, all raised in Mexico, New York.
Mary truly lived a beautiful life. She became a devoted Baha’i in 1963, and her entire life embodied the Baha’i spirit and message of her faith, which is unconditional love towards all mankind regardless of race, nationality, or religion.
She enjoyed singing, playing music, bowling, having coffee with friends, and ice cream, but her greatest joy was that of her family. She had the ability to reach out to people with her beautiful smile and warm touch. She blessed the lives of everyone she met. She was cherished by patients and co-workers alike during her years working as a CNA at Oswego Hospital in New York and Brandermill Assisted Living in Midlothian, Virginia.
She is survived by: her sister, Alice (Ray) Lowery; our father, Don (Shirl) Field; her children, William Scott (Joan) Field, Beth (Phil) Staiano, Cheryl (Dave) Schneider, Lisa (Brian) Twiss and Janine ( Derek) Smithers, 15 beloved grandchildren and one beautiful great-granddaughter, as well as many family and friends.
Everyone Mary encountered was met with love and kindness. She believed everyone had at least one good quality- so search until you find it. Mary was loving and kind-hearted, leading her life with a quiet strength, and just enough stubbornness and sass to help make her point while offending no one- a rare quality indeed. There has never been a more devoted and faithful sister, mother, grandma, aunt or friend. She will be forever etched in our hearts, her life a legacy of love to us all.
There will be a celebration of life at the Baha’i Center of Raleigh on Saturday, May 12, 2018, at 3 p.m.
Donations may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America or the American Heart Association.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587
Edward Allen ‘Eddie’ Howard Jr.
Durham
Edward “Eddie” Howard Jr., 70, passed away Monday May 7, 2018, at Duke Medical Center. He was born in Lenoir County, the son of the late Rachel Huldah Baker Howard and Edward Allen Howard Sr. He was preceded in death by a brother; Danny Howard, and his step-father, Carl Harris. Eddie was a veteran of the U.S. Army.
A graveside memorial service will be held at 11 o’clock Thursday morning, May 10, 2018, at the Wake Forest Cemetery.
He is survived by his daughter, Sherry Barbour and her husband, Al; a son Glenn Howard; and sisters, Linda Edwards and Dorothy “Dot” McGhee.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587
