Martha ‘Billie’ Ann Mincey
Youngsville
Martha “Billie” Ann Mincey, 85, died peacefully in her home on Sunday, March 31, 2019. She was predeceased by her parents, Wilbur and Daisy Slate; her beloved husband, Leslie Mincey; and her daughter, Cheryl Ann Wilson.
While living in Wilmington in the early 1960s, Billie was instrumental in organizing the Wilmington Women’s Bowling Association. During that time, she also played a major role in the creation of the Carolina All Star Bowling Association (CASBA), the first women’s scratch tournament organization in North Carolina.
Billie moved to Raleigh from Wilmington in 1966. During her years in the Raleigh area, she was instrumental in developing the Raleigh Junior Bowling Association (RJBA). She was active in all areas of the sport she loved.
She is survived by her daughters, Donna Leigh Smith, husband Terry, and Sherry Mincey Poole; six loving grandchildren, Trey Wilson, Brook Godwin (Andrew), David Preddy (Katie), Steven Preddy, Tara Roebuck, Leslie Poole Boller (Ethan); and four great-grandchildren, Addison Godwin, Dean Preddy, Micah Roebuck, and Aric Roebuck.
Billie was the heart of her family. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend who loved her family and friends unconditionally. She always made sure to express her love and extreme pride in their accomplishments, great and small. She leaves behind countless friends and loved ones who will miss her loving and patient aura.
A celebration of Billie’s life will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2019, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Bright Funeral Home, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587 (919) 556-5811
Robert ‘Bobby’ Homer Bowden
Louisburg
Robert “Bobby” Homer Bowden, 81, died Saturday, March 30, 2019, at his home. He was born in Wake County, a son of the late Annie Bell (Crenshaw) Bowden and Robert Riggin Bowden.
A funeral service was held at 3 p.m. Monday, April 1, 2019, at Harris Chapel Baptist Church. Interment followed at the Church Cemetery.
Bobby married Carolyn Pernell 59 years ago on February 14. He worked for Lucent Technologies for 45 years. With his job, he and Carolyn were able to travel across the United States. After his retirement you could find him sitting with his friends and sharing many stories at Frazier’s Store.
Bobby was a dedicated deacon and Sunday school teacher for over 50 years at Harris Chapel Baptist Church. He loved his church family dearly.
He had three children, which he thought the world of.
Bobby was preceded in death by his daughter, Tammy Bowden Wall, and her infant son, Christopher; and his brother, William (Billy) Bowden.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; his daughter, Belinda B. McGhee (Randy); and his son, Derek Bowden (Toni); three grandsons, Travis McGhee (Amy Blackmer), Trevor McGhee (Megan) and Reid Bowden; four granddaughters, Leslie McGhee Demers (Jeremy), Ashlyn, Emily and Taylor Bowden; and three great-grandchildren, Brooklynn and Liam Demers and Colton McGhee.
The family would like to thank everyone for all of the kind words, cards, prayers, visits and most of all the love shown to them during the last two years while he fought his tough battle with pancreatic cancer.
In lieu of flowers the family ask that you make a memorial contribution to Hospice or Harris Chapel Baptist Church, 2960 Tarboro Road, Youngsville, NC 27596.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest 27587 (919) 556-5811
Marylou K. Hilmes
Raleigh
Marylou K. Hilmes was born February 5, 1941 and died mid-morning March 26, 2019.
She is survived by her husband, Bernard F. Hilmes; son, Eric M. Hilmes; daughter, Jennifer L. Hilmes; and grandchildren, Michael, Michelle, Heather, Dylan, Sabrina, and Raelin.
Marylou was a cherished member of St. Catherine’s of Siena’s Catholic Church and School. She lived her faith by providing service to St. Catherine’s as a teacher assistant for 10 years and previously as the fifth grade teacher for 30 years at St Mary’s Catholic School in Rockville, Maryland.
Marylou was the rock of her family, uplifting everyone and thinking of herself last. She was a loving, dedicated spouse, mother, and friend. She has left an empty space that can never be filled.
Funeral services will be held at St. Catherine’s of Siena Catholic Church at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 3, 2019. Please join her family in paying their last respects and celebrating her life.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School, 520 West Holding Avenue, Wake Forest, NC 27587.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest 27587 (919) 556-5811
Lorraine Glenn Simms
Daleville, Virginia
Lorraine Glenn Simms, 94, of Daleville, Virginia, went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 25, 2019.
She was born November 23, 1924 in Little Rock, Arkansas, to John Capers Glenn and Ethel Haskew Glenn. Her family moved to Raleigh while she was in high school. There she met and later married John M. Simms in 1944. They were married for almost 72 years and left a godly heritage to their children.
Preceded in death by her loving and faithful husband, John, she is survived by her daughter, Sarah Lanier (David) of Wake Forest; her son, John Simms Jr. (Carole) of Greensboro; and Kathy G. Simms of Jamestown.
Lorraine loved her grandchildren and planned many special “cousins’ camps” for Jonathan Lanier (Kathryn) of Sanford; Elizabeth Crutchfield (Alex) of Durham; and Peter Simms of Raleigh. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Jaxon and Olivia Crutchfield.
Lorraine was always active in the local fellowship of believers wherever she lived: Tabernacle Baptist in Raleigh; First Baptist in Alexandria, Virginia; and First Baptist in Roanoke, Virginia, since 1983. She served faithfully on various committees, in choir, Sunday school, WMU groups, and Awana. For 17 consecutive years, she and John, as concerned laymen, attended the annual Southern Baptist Convention meetings, during which time Southern Baptist committees and institutions returned to their original Baptist beliefs. She, at her husband’s side, was actively involved in the founding years of the Board of Visitors at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest. Politics was also a passion as she volunteered tirelessly for efforts of Eagle Forum, Right to Life, and the National Right to Work Committee while she lived in Alexandria, and even after the move to Roanoke.
Lorraine earned her B.S. degree from Women’s College (now UNC-Greensboro) and her M.A. degree in psychology from North Carolina State University in Raleigh. She was listed in Who’s Who of Students in American Colleges and Universities for 1945-46. For several years in the 1960s she worked as a school psychologist at the Governor Morehead School for the Blind in Raleigh. She was a consummate hostess, constant encourager, and faithful prayer warrior for family and friends. She will be greatly missed.
No flowers please. Contributions may be made in her memory to First Baptist Church of Roanoke Lottie Moon Christmas Offering (PO Box 2799, Roanoke, VA 24001), Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (PO Box 1889, Wake Forest, NC 27588), or Samaritan’s Purse Heal Our Patriots (PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607).
A graveside service for John and Lorraine will take place April 6, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Oakwood Cemetery, 701 Oakwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27611.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest 27587 (919) 556-5811
Helen D. Cozine
Louisburg
Helen D. Cozine passed away at Rex Hospital in Raleigh surrounded by her family on March 31, 2019. She was born May 11, 1931 in Patchogue, New York to William H. and Helen L. Cozine. She began her career at Riverhead Savings Bank at the age of 16 as a file clerk and retired as the senior vice president.
Helen, lovingly known as “Sissy” by her family, enjoyed traveling, skiing and spending time with family and friends and serving the Lord.
She is survived by her sister and husband, Sandra and John Schwarz; her niece and husband, Lisa and Michael Marchetta; her great-nephew and great-niece, Jake and Ava, all of Wake Forest; and her nephew, Brian Schwarz of Riverhead, New York.
A memorial service celebrating Helen’s life will be held 1 p.m. Friday, April 2019, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587 (919) 556-5811
