Ben Sigel Johnson
August 8, 1929 – September 30, 2014
Wake Forest
The Angelic heavenly choir recently welcomed into membership a new singer/ Maestro, Ben Sigel Johnson. Ben spent the majority of his life helping congregations, students and especially choir members to truly worship God through music.
Dr. Johnson was born in Springfield, Missouri, the son of Ben W. and Florence Johnson. He spent his childhood in Marshfield, Missouri, and the majority of his adult life in Wake Forest. Educated at the University of Missouri and the Julliard School of Music in New York, he earned his Doctor of Education degree from Columbia University and studied for one year in Vienna, Austria, at the Academy of Music with Conductor Swarski.
Dr. Johnson taught in Wellsville, Missouri, and at William Cary College in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He was head of the Music Department at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary for 45 years.
Ben is survived by his wife of 52 years, Bonnie; daughter, Jennifer Johnson of Wake Forest, sons; Kris Johnson of Huntsville, Alabama, and Ben J. Johnson of Raleigh, and four grandchildren; David, William, Turner and Willow Johnson of Raleigh.
Funeral services will be held at 3 o’clock Sunday afternoon, October 4, 2014, in The Binkley Chapel on the Southeastern Seminary Campus. Burial will follow in the SEBTS Cemetery.
Ben’s choir members and students who would like to honor him by singing in the service please come to a rehearsal in the Chapel Choir Room at 2:15 p.m. on Sunday.
Memorial contributions may be made to Transitions Life Care, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607; to Millbrook United Methodist Church, 1712 East Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC 27609 or to Stay at Home Senior Care of Wake Forest, P.O. Box 1027, Wake Forest, NC 27588.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.brightfunerals.com
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center.
M. Oscar O’Neal
Wake Forest
M. Oscar O’Neal, 83, died Monday, September 29, 2014, at his home. He was born in Franklin County, the son of late Robert Connie O’Neal and Nesby Davis O’Neal.
Funeral services were held at 11 o’clock Wednesday morning, October 1, 2014, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home. Burial was in the Woodland Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. O’Neal is survived by his wife of 44 years, Ellen Inscore O’Neal; daughter, Nancy O’Neal Vaughan and husband, Ricky, of Wake Forest; grandchildren, Chad Perry and wife, Michelle, of Wake Forest, Crystal Edwards of Franklinton, Sara Ellis and husband, Brian, of Youngsville and Dylan Vaughan of Wake Forest; great-grandchildren, Jordan Edwards, Joshua Howard and John Vaughan; and brother, Linwood O’Neal and wife, Joann, of Youngsville. He was preceded in death by his daughters, Charlene O’Neal Perry and Teresa O’Neal Dark.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.brightfunerals.com.
Larry Bryant Aiken
Raleigh
Larry Bryant Aiken, 62, went to be with the Lord after a courageous battle against cancer on Sunday, September 28, 201,4 at Rex Hospital. Larry was born in Wake County on December 7, 1951, the son of the late, Frank “Ad” Aiken and Lida Jones Aiken.
A memorial service will be held at 7 o’clock Friday evening, October 3, 2014, at Eakes Funeral Home in Creedmoor. A private burial will be at the Keith Family Cemetery.
He is survived by his sister, Norma Aiken Turner and husband, Jimmy, of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; brother, Jerry L. Aiken of Wake Forest; and a brother-in-law, Claude Jones of Durham.
In addition to his parents, Larry was preceded in death by his brother, Frank E. Aiken, and by his sister, Lida A. Jones.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.brightfunerals.com.
Linda M. Griffin
Louisburg
Linda Marie Griffin, 70, formerly of Wake Forest, died Saturday, September 27, 2014. She was born in Robeson County, the daughter of the late Alice Miller Griffin and James Dewey Griffin.
Funeral services were held at 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon, October 1, 2014, at Landmark Baptist Church. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Linda is survived by her daughters, Melinda Green of Wake Forest, and Cindy Ballance of Creedmoor; a sister, JoAnne Bruce of Wendell; grandchildren, Kristy Strickland Joyner of Wake Forest, Jeremy Strickland and wife, Julia, of Youngsville, and Kimmie Green of Wake Forest. She was looking forward to the birth of her first great-grandchild in March of 2015.
Memorial contributions may be made to Transitions Life Care, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607 or to Landmark Baptist Church, 3149 Walters Rd., Creedmoor, NC 27522.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.brightfunerals.com.
Teresa Ann Wood Werkheiser
Louisburg
Teresa Ann Wood Werkheiser, 43, died Saturday Morning September 27, 2014 at the Transitions Life Center in Raleigh. She was born in Wake County, the daughter of the late James C. Wood, Sr. and Alice Faye Height Wood.
A memorial service honoring her life will be held at a later date.
Teresa is survived by her husband, Rick Werkheiser; children, Tara and Joclyn Werkheiser; step-father, Albert Jeans of Louisburg; sister, Barbara Carter and husband, Mike, of Wake Forest; brothers, Jim Wood and wife, Jeanette, of Louisburg, and Ronnie Wood of Louisburg; mother-in-law, Shirley LaMotta of PA; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Transitions Life Care (Hospice) for all the wonderful care they have provided during Teresa’s illness.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, P. O. Box 646, Wake Forest, NC 27588.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.brighfunerals.com.
Arnold Elmer Slee Jr.
Wake Forest
Arnold Elmer Slee Jr. 67, died Tuesday, September 23, 2014, at his residence. He was born in Dayton, Penn., the son of the late Velma Hartman Slee and Arnold Elmer Slee Sr. Mr. Slee was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam.
Funeral services were held at 7 o’clock Thursday evening, September 25, 2014, at Unity Baptist Church with the Rev. Harold Woodlief officiating. Burial was in the Smicksburg Lutheran Cemetery in Smicksburg, Penn.
Mr. Slee is survived by his wife, Norma Peterman Slee; daughters, Renee Love and husband, Mark, of Avonmore, Penn., and Brenda Stevens and husband, Mark, of Youngsville; grandsons, Doug and Greg Love; sisters, Beverly Haight of Marion Center, Penn., Glenda Matlo and husband, Johnie, of Aledo, Texas, and Delores Augie and husband, Brian, of Punxsutawney, Penn.; brothers, Donald Slee and wife, Dora, of Shelocta, Penn., Roger Slee and wife, Cindy, of Raleigh, and Bill Slee and wife, Donna, of Bud Lake, N.J. He was preceded in death by his sister, Ester Jane Thompson.
Memorial contributions may be made to Transitions Hospice Care 250 Hospice Circle Raleigh, N.C. 27607.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.brightfunerals.com.
Jerril Lynn “Jere Macht
Wake Forest
Jereril Lynn “Jere” Macht, 59, passed away, Sunday, September 21, 2014, at Duke University Medical Center.
Jere was a remarkable woman who always held her confidence and gave endlessly to those around her. She was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on December 20, 1954, to Harold and Norma Fessler with two older and protective brothers, Ron and Bob. The family ran and owned a business called Fessler Carbonic Gas; Harold ran the operations and Norma was the accountant. Jere had an interesting upbringing – born into a family that owned a business. Her childhood was spent around her family and the day-to-day operations of the business as a young girl.
Jere and her husband, Paul, had met in the sixth grade at the Franklin Ice Rink at Tower Park in Des Moines, Iowa. They became friends and stayed friends but went to different school districts. After college Paul had returned home to Des Moines but had taken an engineering job offer to move to Colorado. The night before Paul was moving, he and Jere met by chance. The moment his eyes saw her, he knew she was the one for him. She was the loveliest woman he had ever seen – her poise, her grace and her beauty. After getting permission from her father, Paul proposed, Jere said yes and he was the happiest man alive. He remembers how beautiful she looked walking down the aisle at our wedding. Her big brown eyes and her cheeks flushed with excitement, her father beside her looking proud, but a little apprehensive.
Jere followed in her mother’s footsteps and became a wife, business woman and Paul’s partner. Her calling was nature and gardening, the outdoors and animals. She loved the ocean, the beach and especially sea shells; she would go walking on the beach for hours hunting for nice looking sea shells. She has always been that way even as a little girl, influenced by both her mother and her father’s love of the outdoors. Her need to help and care for others was the very essence of who she was.
When Jesse and Shawn were born, Jere was thrilled – Paul and Jere felt blessed. She had longed to have children of her own, but it had taken longer than we had hoped. Jessica and Shawn were the twinkle in her eyes, and we all formed a strong bond. Jere was tough but fair and when the kids got older, they formed special friendships that never faltered over the years.
When Jere fell ill, we were all devastated. She was always fit and strong. She had so much to live for and so much love to give. She was so used to caring for others that she did not like any fuss being made over her.
Jere, my beautiful, sweet, darling wife, may you be at peace, our love, souls and energy will only transform and never dissipate.
Funeral services will be held at 3 o’clock Friday afternoon, October 3, 2014, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home. Friends may visit with the family immediately following the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, P. O. Box 2095, Surf City, NC 28445.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.brightfunerals.com.
Nancy Frances Nine
Wake Forest
Nancy Frances Nine, 94, died Sunday, September 28, 2014, at Zebulon Rehabilitation Center. She was born in Johnston County, the daughter of the late Elsie McGhee and Theodore Edward Nine Sr.
Mrs. Nine was a truck farmer and also worked at Flint’s Laundry for many years. She enjoyed needle work, including crocheting and embroidery, reading, and her house plants.
Funeral services were held at 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon, October 1, 2014, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home with the Rev. Dr. Mike Jones officiating. Burial was in Popes Chapel United Church of Christ Cemetery in Franklinton.
Mrs. Nine was preceded in death by her sister, Elsie McGhee Nine, and by her brother, Theodore Edward Nine Jr. She is survived by her nieces, Marie Nichols and husband, George, and Mary Alice Clark; nephews, Sammy Ray, T. E. Nine and wife, Brenda, Terry Nine and wife, Rachel, and Tim Nine; and many great-great- and great-great-great nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to Transitions Life Care, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.
The family would like to express special thanks to Transitions Life Care nurse Glenda Grant and to Zebulon Rehabilitation Center nurses Jackie Watson and Angela Crowson and CNA Lois Avery for their kind and compassionate care.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.brightfunerals.com.
Beth Dickerson
Wake Forest
Elizabeth Beasley “Beth” Dickerson, 87, passed away Monday, September 29, 2014, at her home. She was the daughter of Elizabeth Wagstaff Beasley and Joe Ben Beasley of Franklin County.
After graduating from Mills High School, Beth attended Louisburg College. In 1947, she married R. C. Dickerson. She was a long-time member of Wake Forest United Methodist Church and will be remembered as a devoted wife and a loving mother. She was a friend to everyone she met and found so much joy in encouraging children and loving them.
Funeral services will be held at 11 o’clock Friday morning, October 3, 2014, at Wake Forest United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Pine Forest Memorial Gardens.
Mrs. Dickerson is survived by her husband of nearly 67 years, R.C. Dickerson; son, Robert “Dick” Dickerson and wife, Susy, of San Antonio, Texas; daughter, Liz Dickerson Morris and husband, Jason, of Lillington; and grandchildren, Robert Zachary Dickerson of San Antonio, Texas, and Sydney Michelle Dickerson of Houston, Texas. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Ben Beasley.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Wake Forest United Methodist Church Building Fund, 915 S. Main St., Wake Forest, NC 27587 or to the charity of your choice.
Friends may visit with the family at the church one hour before the service.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.brightfunerals.com.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center.
