Jerry L. Singletary
Raleigh
Jerry L. Singletary, age 79, of Raleigh passed away in his home surrounded by his loving family on Monday, January 7, 2019.
Jerry is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Julia H. Singletary; son, J. Lane Singletary (Diane) of Clayton; daughters, Tracey S. Day (Dondi) of Crystal Lake, Illinois and Jessica H. Gardner (David) of Waxhaw; his adored grandchildren, Brayden and Logan Day, Kate and Hampton Gardner; step-granddaughter, Lauren (Scott) Amaral; and his brother, G. Max Singletary of Elizabeth City; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Born in Whiteville, he was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Garland M. and Jessie B. Singletary, and brother, Gene P Singletary.
He was an active member of Bay Leaf Baptist Church and an avid golfer. For 30 years, Jerry was in sales at Unisource. Jerry will be remembered for his quick wit, a good story to share and his big caring heart for others, especially his family.
A celebration of life was held at 1 p.m. on Friday, January 11, 2019, at Bay Leaf Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers please consider memorials to ALS Catfish Hunter Chapter, Transitions Life Care Hospice of Wake County or Bay Leaf Baptist Church Missions.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest. (919) 556-5811
Wiley Marvin Roberts
Youngsville
Wiley Marvin Roberts passed on January 5, 2019, at age 92. He was born in Franklin County and resided in Youngsville. He was the son of Charlie Hinton Roberts Sr. and Annie Perry Roberts. Marvin was predeceased by his wife, Alice Barnes Roberts; sisters, Pattie Cash, Edna Bridges, Linda Mae Wiggins, Thelma Hall and Ruth Boykin; and brother, Charlie Hinton Roberts Jr.
Marvin was a loving father, husband, son, brother, friend, and community servant. He was born and lived on a tobacco farm, then became a bank manager and later started Carolina Insurance Agency, which he ran with his wife. He was an active member of Youngsville Baptist Church, a volunteer fireman, Lions Club member, mayor of Youngsville and town commissioner. He served in the National Guard. His hobbies were fishing, sports, gardening and travel.
He leaves behind his dear friend, Martha, whose diligent and loving care was an amazing blessing; also, a son, Rodney (Cindy) Roberts from Cornelius; a daughter, Jan (Barry) Hossler from Prosperity, South Carolina; a granddaughter, Jenny Roberts from Huntersville; a granddaughter, Alli (Jeremy) Cox; and great-grandson, Layne Cox.
The funeral service celebrating Marvin’s life was held Tuesday, January 8, 2019, at Youngsville Baptist Church.
Memorials can be directed to Youngsville Baptist Church, 315 E. Main Street, P.O. Box 297, Youngsville, NC 27596.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest. (919) 556-5811
Anna ‘Ann’ Schweizer
Wake Forest
Anna “Ann” Schweizer, passed away on the morning of January 9, 2019. Ann passed away peacefully at Transitions Life Care in Raleigh. Ann was 79 years old.
Ann was born on December 12, 1939, in the borough of Queens, New York. She was the youngest of seven children (Jack, Fred, Barbara, Katherine, Dorothy, and Fran), born to John and Barbara Holleritter, all of whom preceded her in death.
Ann liked to keep busy. In addition to raising three children, she worked as an ice cream store owner and operator, her last ice cream venture being Scoopy Doos Ice Cream in West Islip, New York.
After moving from New York to Red Lion, Pennsylvania in 2009, Ann eventually rented space at the Markets at Shrewsbury, where she primarily sold crocheted items that she personally made. Shortly after Ann’s retirement from the market, she moved to Wake Forest to be able to spend some time in a warmer climate.
Ann had a variety of interests. She loved to crochet, making afghans and baby blankets for friends and family. When she moved to North Carolina she insisted on bringing four shelving units of yarn with her, much to her son-in-law’s dismay. Ann also enjoyed taking care of her plants and watching the Hallmark Channel. She was “proficient” in the use of the iPhone, often accidentally texting pictures of floors or ceilings and claiming the phone was broken.
Ann was a devout Catholic who regularly attended services at St Elizabeth’s in Melville, New York and then St. Joseph the Baptist Catholic Church, New Freedom, Pennsylvania.
Ann’s passion was her family, all of whom survived her. She enjoyed taking care of her husband Walter, shopping with daughter Faith (spouse Bob), attending son Walter’s (spouse Michelle) stock car races, and attending daughter Ann Marie’s (soon to be spouse Keith) dance recitals and concerts. She adored her grandchildren, Taylor, Caden and Avery, and was very excited to learn that she had a new granddaughter due in Summer 2019. Ann was also a lover of animals. She had a number of pets (too many to name) and loved her current grand-pups, Kabuki, Jeter, Buddy, and Bella.
A funeral service was held Saturday, January 12, 2019, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest. (919) 556-5811
Christine Parrish Kreitzer
Wake Forest
Christine Parrish Kreitzer, age 89, of Wake Forest passed away January 9, 2019, surrounded by her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Irvin Everette Kreitzer; her mother, Florence Parrish May; father, Vernon Edward Parrish; brothers, Vernon Edward Parrish of Ohio, Raymond Wiley May, Joseph Robert May and Douglas Pearce Parrish of Louisburg.
She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Kreitzer Shearon and husband, Keith; granddaughters, Sarah Shearon Hicks and husband, Peter and Jessica Shearon Baker and husband, Brandon; great-grandchildren, Solomon, Judah, Miriam, Helena and Benjamin; and sister, Elizabeth Gupton of Wood; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
A funeral service was held Saturday, January 12, 2019, at Faith Baptist Church, Youngsville. Internment followed at Flat Rock Baptist Church, Louisburg.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Faith Baptist Church (designate “in memory of Christine” on the memo line). All gifts will go toward the Rainey Adoption via missions.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest. (919) 556-5811
Catherine Raynor Garner
Creedmoor
Catherine Raynor Garner, 70, died Friday, January 11, 2019, at Hock Family Pavilion in Durham.
Catherine is survived by: her husband of 39 years, Kenneth Earl Garner; a daughter, Catherine “Megan” Garner Hernandez and husband, Carlos; sisters, Daris Leadbetter, Jean Strickland and husband, Greg, and Judy Grady and husband, Pat; nieces, Christine Lassiter and husband, Bryan, Nancy Keller, Elizabeth Martin and husband, Scottie, Katie Duvall and husband, Phil and Emily Grady; nephews, Ronnie Keller, Christopher Land and wife, Stacey, Arron Strickland and wife, Kristi, and Ryan Grady; 12 great-nieces and great-nephews; and six great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.
A memorial service was held Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at North Raleigh Presbyterian Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hock Family Pavilion, Durham.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest. (919) 556-5811
Debora ‘Debbie’ Lee Levinson
Youngsville
Debora “Debbie” Lee Levinson, 45, of Youngsville passed away peacefully Thursday, January 10, 2019, after a year of battling stage four colon cancer.
Debbie was born Nov. 9, 1973 in Washington, D.C. Her family eventually moved to Burke County, where Debbie lived most of her life growing up. Debbie was 19 when she met and soon after married her best friend and husband, Eric Levinson. The couple lived in Raleigh where they raised their two twin girls. Debbie was loved by her family and friends, and was appreciated for her love for other people, her bold spirit, and her amazing strength and resilience. Debbie loved music and singing was her passion.
Debbie is survived by her husband, Eric Levinson; her two daughters, Erica Levinson Hamric and Lauren Levinson of Raleigh; her brother, Keith Mather of Drexel; and her father, David Mather of Drexel.
Debbie was preceded in death by her brother, Randy, who passed away in 2016; and her mother, Millie Mather, who passed away in September 2018.
A memorial service to celebrate Debbie’s life was held Monday, January 14, 2019 at Rolesville Baptist Church Family Life Center.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest. (919) 556-5811
Thomas Whitney Strickland
Wake Forest
Our precious father, Thomas Whitney Strickland, 82, died Saturday, January 12, 2019, at Rex Medical Hospital. He was dearly loved and cared for by his family. He was the son of the late Ernest and Annie Strickland. He loved the Lord and was ready to meet Jesus and be reunited with his loved ones who’ve gone on before him.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Phyllis Strickland; his son, Thomas Whitney Strickland Jr.; and his grandson, Eddie Thomas Strickland Jr.; as well as all of his siblings.
A funeral service for Thomas was held Tuesday, January 15, 2019, at Beulah Christian Baptist Church, 8225 Mitchell Mill Road Zebulon. Entombment with military honors will follow at the church cemetery.
He is survived by his children, Eddie Thomas Strickland Sr., and Rose Marie Branam, both of Georgia, Donna Melton and husband, Jeff, of Wake Forest and Marsha Zobel and husband, Chris, of Louisburg; step-children, Debra Scarboro (Mike) and Rhonda Langston (Jerry), both of Zebulon; grandchildren, Serena Jenkins, Sean Strickland (Jamie), Jeremy Strickland, Paige Cashwell (Aaron), Tyler Melton and Alexis Watt; and step-grandchild, Bridget Cusumano (Mike).
Pallbearers will be Alan Greer, Ricky Wadford, Kevin Parks, Parker Woebke, Billy Harris and Ron Cox.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest. (919) 556-5811
Earl Floyce Darnell
Raleigh
Earl Floyce Darnell passed away peacefully on January 13, 2019 at the age of 74. He was born on November 19, 1944 to the late Walter Earl Darnell and Etrulia Gray Darnell.
Floyce, more affectionally known as Papa, was loved for his kind heart and jovial spirit. He loved his family and friends. He always wanted to lend a helpful hand and make a positive difference in other’s lives. Floyce was an inspiration to others as he persevered through his own challenges with a humble heart and a smile on his face.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Judy Darnell; his daughter, Jessica Kuse; his son-in-love, John Kuse; his granddaughter, Mattie Kuse; his brother, Cloyce Darnell (Sharilyn); and nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Earl Darnell and Etrulia Gray Darnell; his brother, Wendell Darnell; his niece, Kim Kile; his nephew, Jeff Darnell; and his nephew, David Darnell.
All the offers of food are appreciated, but in honoring Floyce’s heart of service, the family asks in lieu of food you donate supplies to a local food bank or do random acts of kindness in his memory. Spread joy and kindness as he always did.
In lieu of flowers, give to your favorite charity in his memory. He loved giving and there isn’t one charity that could be chosen to embody this love.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, January 20, 2019, at Benson United Methodist Church, 4706 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh. A time of visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m., before the service, at the church.
Floyce lived one step at a time knowing that God was with him in each of those steps. In knowing this, the family asks you to remember in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). You don’t have to be a victim of your circumstance. With God, overcoming anything is possible (paraphrased from Philippians 4:13). He has a plan for you to prosper you and give you hope and a future (paraphrased from Jeremiah 29:11).
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587 (919) 556-5811
Nora Gray Russell Dickens
Wake Forest
Nora Gray Russell Dickens, wife, mother, grandmother, “Auntie” and friend, entered the presence of the Lord on January 13, 2019. She was born in Bracey, Virginia, on May 5, 1925, the daughter of James Hendricks and Nora Meredith (Orgain) Russell.
Due to the early death of her father, Nora grew up living a farm life and staying with various family members. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Mary Washington College and went to work in Raleigh. Nora got married in 1948 and moved to Wake Forest which became her home for 70-plus years. She said her hobby was spending time with and visiting family: siblings, children, extended family across the country and even in Japan, Wake Forest Baptist Church family, and community family friends.
She loved and shared with these friends and they loved her back. Maintaining contact with her extended family was particularly important to her. She enjoyed her bridge club, the DAR, Book Club STUDIOSA, WFBC Sunday School class, Sophie Lanneau Circle, and spending time at the lake and the beach.
She was preceded in death by her two husbands, Dr. Paul T. Harrell and Dr. Carl W. Dickens, six brothers, and one sister.
She is survived and loved by son, Paul T. Harrell Jr. (Kathy deceased, Peggy Hannan); daughter, Nora Ellen Hoffman (Kent); four grandchildren; five great-grands; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at the Wake Forest Baptist Church on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at 1 p.m. with a reception at the church to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Wake Forest Baptist Church, 107 East South Avenue, Wake Forest NC 27587.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest. (919) 556-5811
