Dr. Roger G. Franklin Jr.
Wake Forest
Dr. Roger George Franklin Jr., 77, was promoted to heaven on October 25, 2018. He was born June 2, 1941 in Oxford, a son of the late Roger and Lillie (Jones) Franklin. Roger was predeceased by his sister, Barbara Jane Franklin.
Roger was a Christian, a devoted husband and father, an ordained minister, carpenter and business owner of the Franklin’s Inn in Wake Forest for 38 years. He was the founder and president of Dove Ministries Inc., and founder and pastor of Dove Christian Fellowship. He preached the gospel of Jesus Christ internationally, locally and through television and radio for more than 40 years. He will be remembered for his passion to serve Jesus and his love for his family.
Roger is survived by his wife of 41 years, Barbara Franklin, his seven children and their families, Jason, Charity, Joshua, Elizabeth, Wayne, Rodney and Kenneth Lee; 19 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; and three sisters and their families, Virginia House, Mary Pegram, and Elizabeth Dunn.
A funeral service was held Monday, October 29, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home. A graveside followed at Pine Forest Memorial Gardens in Wake Forest.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to Dove Ministries to carry on his legacy to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Please send the donations to P.O. Box 183, Wake Forest, NC, 27587.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest. (919) 556-5811
Rev. Keith Daniel ‘Danny’ Benfield
Raleigh
Rev. Keith Daniel “Danny” Benfield, 67, of Raleigh passed away Wednesday, October 24, 2018. He was born in Cleveland County on November 27, 1951, a son of the late Dwight and Helen (Grayson) Benfield.
A memorial service was held Monday, October 29, 2018, at Bay Leaf Baptist Church in Raleigh. Inurnment followed in the church columbarium.
Danny earned his bachelor’s degree from Gardner Webb University in Boiling Springs and his master of divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest. He was a pastor in North Carolina for 20 years before Parkinson’s disease forced him to retire. Danny loved preaching and singing in the choir. In 2012 he published Start the Day Words of Hope and Inspiration, a collection of daily devotions.
Danny is survived by his wife, Ellen; three children: Peyton B. Cline and husband, Chris, Michael Benfield and wife, Jacqueline, and Mark Benfield and wife, Elizabeth; four grandchildren, Grace Cline, Olivia Cline, Henry Benfield and Imogene Benfield; sisters, Linda Lemasters and Elaine Davis; and also his nieces and nephews.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest. (919) 556-5811
Joseph Mazzola
Wake Forest
Joseph Mazzola, 74, of Wake Forest passed away Sunday, October 28, 2018, in Raleigh. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, a son of the late Joseph and Susan (DeGennaro) Mazzola.
Joseph served in Vietnam as a member of the U.S. Army. He worked as a printer for many years. During his retirement he enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and Italy. He lived in Summerfield, Florida for 13 years. During that time he was a pitcher for the Del Webb Softball. He was an avid sports fan, enjoying baseball, football, hockey, thoroughbred horse racing and the vacationing by the beach.
He was predeceased by his brothers, Anthony and Frank Mazzola.
Joseph is survived by his wife of 50 years, JoAnn (Nascenta) Mazzola; his children, Denise Clemente and husband, Vincent, and Christopher Mazzola and his wife, Melanie; his grandchildren, Amanda Nicole Mazzola, Samantha Nicole Clemente, Vincent Frank Clemente, and Grayson Dominick Mazzola; his sister, Ann D’Agostino and her husband, Andrew; and sisters -in-law, Anna Mazzola and Teresa LaRocca and her husband, Dominick.
A memorial mass will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, November 1, 2018, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest. (919) 556-5811
Shelby Swanson Bunn
Raleigh
On Monday, October 29, 2018, Shelby Swanson Bunn went home to be with the Lord. Our loss, while great, pales in comparison to the joy experienced by Shelby and her late husband, William (Booty) Bunn, being reunited in the presence of their Savior Jesus Christ.
Born in Franklin County to the late Clinton David Swanson and Hattie Bell Swanson, she was also predeceased by a brother, Dwight; sisters, Faye Layton (and husband Fred), Pansy Overton (and husband Roy); and brother-in-law Julius Layton.
Mrs. Bunn is survived by her daughter Vicky (Bob Loblein); and her son, David Bunn; grandchildren, Nichole, Bobby, Mitch and Michael; six great-grandchildren; and her sister, Jennie Layton of Raleigh. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom she greatly loved.
As a founding member of Friendship Baptist Church in Raleigh, she worked alongside Booty to pour their lives into others, most notably the Young Couples Sunday School Class. This group found a special place in her home and heart, building memories on earth and storing treasures in Heaven. Never did she come across to them as perfect, she was just real and loving.
Shelby had a warm way about her, making others feel special. Having never met a stranger, she often welcomed newcomers.
Shelby was particularly gifted in her creative abilities. Her gifts of beautiful wreaths and flower arrangements brought great joy to those she knew and loved.
Christ Baptist Church was where she found treasured friendships with like-minded brothers and sisters in Christ to share the last season of her life.
Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, October 31, 2018, at Christ Baptist Church at 400 Newton Road, Raleigh at 1:30 p.m. followed by a service at 2:30. Burial will be held at 4:30 p.m. at Duke Memorial Baptist Church, 3976 NC 581, Louisburg.
A service of Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home, 1051 Durham Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587 919-556-7400
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