Ralph A. Smith
Zebulon
Ralph A. Smith, 78, of Zebulon, NC, passed away on Saturday, November 4, 2023.
Ralph was born on December 3, 1944. He was enlisted in the US Army for 13 ½ years. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved to walk in the woods. During those hikes he would collect wood and make walking sticks and gift them to family and friends.
He loved his Lord, his country, and his family.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Smith; and granddaughter, Shaye Smith.
He is survived by his children, Allen (Teresa) Smith, Brad (Trish) Smith, Melissa (James) Edwards; grandchildren, Tyler Smith, Tori Smith; great-grandchildren, Hudson Smith, Kaylee Burnett, Kyle Burnett; special sons, Paul Teachey, Motea; and lifelong friend and fishing buddy, Rick Satterlee.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Care and Share Food Pantries of Louisburg, NC at www.freefood.org.
The family will receive friends on Friday, November 10, 2023 from 6-8 PM at Bright Funeral Home, 405 S. Main St. Wake Forest, NC 27587.
A funeral service will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, November 11, 2023 in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow at Red Bud Baptist Church Cemetery in Castalia, NC.
The family will receive friends at the home of Allen and Teresa Smith in the evenings and after the service on Saturday.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Please visit www.brightfunerals.com to share words of comfort to the family.
Bright Funeral Home is serving the Smith family.
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Martin Lee Morrissey
Raleigh
Martin Lee Morrissey, 72, of Raleigh, NC, passed away on Friday, November 3, 2023.
Martin was born in 1950 in Holden, Massachusetts. He graduated from Rochester University in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in economics as an ROTC Navy scholarship student.
Martin was commissioned as an Ensign and advanced to the rank of Lieutenant. He flew P3 Orion’s for most of his Navy career, was carrier qualified, and finished the U.S. Navy commitment as flight instructor in Corpus Christi, Texas. He began his 36-year career with American Airlines in 1979 and retired as a 767 International Captain in 2015.
He enjoyed many travels to many places; he was an incredible handyman including furniture making and porch building, as well as being a loyal friend who was loved by many.
He is survived by his loving wife Camille Morrissey; sister, Jane (Larry) Friel; sister-in-law, Carol (Mark) Bauer; brother-in-law, Len (Linda) King; and beloved nephews, Ben Bauer, Mark Friel, Brandon King, Hunter King; and niece, Sarah Sansone.
Services will be announced at a later date.
Please visit www.brightfunerals.com to share words of comfort to the family.
Bright Funeral Home is serving the Morrissey family.
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Edmund ‘Ed’ Filetti
Wake Forest
Edmund “Ed” Filetti, 91, of Wake Forest, NC, passed away on Friday, November 3, 2023.
Ed was born in Chicago on Christmas day 1931. He received his undergrad at Illinois Institute of Technology and his PHD from Stanford University. He has Lived in White Sands, NM then Sunnyvale, CA and from 1965-2022 he resided in Chester County, PA and then Wake Forest, NC until his passing.
He served in the Airforce from 1951-1958 and a reservist from 1958-1962, he was a Lt. Col and served as a navigator in the Korean conflict. He was a mechanical engineer who worked at the Franklin Institute Research Laboratories and then in 1972 he founded Energy Technology Incorporated (ETI) in Malvern, PA, in 1982 he retired. In retirement He taught mathematics at one of Penn States satellite campuses.
Ed was a member of the VFW, Knights of Columbus. His many hobbies included bridge and other card games, playing pool, an avid reader, and traveled most of the globe, including Brazil as recently as April of this year.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Ann Filetti; mother, Loretta Miller; father, George Filetti; father, Ascher Miller; brother, Leslie Miller; daughters, Sharon Filetti; second wife, Marlene Workozeskie.
He is survived by his sister, Snook(Dave) Sanders; sons, Robert (Dawn) Filetti, Micheal Filetti, Dan (Cristiana) Filetti, Mark (Theresa) Filetti; daughter, Lynn (Brad) Wynn; grandsons, Jim Filetti, Paul Filetti, Scott Filetti, Jake Wynn, Alex Filetti; granddaughters, Rachel Wynn, Taylor Wynn, and Maddy Filetti; and great-grandson, Theo Filetti.
Ed Filetti will be buried at Valley Forge Memorial Gardens in Prussia, PA at a later date.
Please visit www.brightfunerals.com to share words of comfort to the family.
Bright Funeral Home is serving the Filetti family.
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Faye O’Neal Thompson
Charlotte
Faye O’Neal Thompson, 89, of Charlotte, NC, passed away on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.
Faye was born on June 7, 1934 in Raleigh, NC to the late Van and Meekins O’Neal. She retired from Bell South as a telephone operator. She enjoyed decorating, flowers, and working in her yard.
She was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Memphis Thompson; brothers, Earl O’Neal, Vester O’Neal; daughter, Deborah Hoover; grandson, Michael Garrison; and granddaughter, Kim Query.
She is survived by her, 1 grandchild; several great-grandchildren. 2 nieces and a nephew that loved and took great care of her until the end.
A funeral service will be held at 3 PM on Sunday, November 5, 2023 in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Jack O’Neal officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 2-3 PM at Bright Funeral Home, 405 S. Main St. Wake Forest, NC 27587.
Faye will be buried at Sunset Memory Gardens in Charlotte, NC with her family on Monday.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Avendelle Assisted Living at HeWritage at 5112 Granitic Dr. Rolesville, NC 27571.
Please visit www.brightfunerals.com to share words of comfort to the family.
Bright Funeral Home is serving the Thompson family.
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Richard Millard Shaw
Wake Forest
Richard Millard Shaw (61) passed away unexpectedly in his home on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.
Richard was born on July 16, 1962, in Danville, VA and grew up in London, England. He attended the American School in London, where his father was a science teacher, graduating in 1980. After high school, he enrolled in Old Dominion University and later transferred to Radford University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance.
Richard was an avid baseball fan and a keen follower of the Atlanta Braves. He enjoyed classic rock, Formula One racing, British television shows, history, and most of all, spending time with his best friend & grandson, Carter.
Richard was preceded in death by his father, Millard Roy Shaw.
He is survived by his loving wife, Ramona Putnam; stepchildren, Amanda Snyder (CJ), Brandon Putnam, Joshua Putnam; grandchildren, Madison Snyder, Carter Snyder and soon to be born Sawyer Snyder; mother, Lorraine Shaw; sisters, Tina Perdomo (Manny), Claire Mochan (Jim); nephews, Zachary Perdomo, Cameron Perdomo, Finn Mochan, Tayye Mochan; and niece, Lauren Khan.
A funeral service will be held at 4 PM on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 in the funeral home chapel. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 2-4 PM at Bright Funeral Home, 405 S. Main St. Wake Forest, NC 27587.
Flowers are welcome or donations may be made to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org/donate.
Please visit www.brightfunerals.com to share words of comfort to the family.
Bright Funeral Home is serving the Shaw family.
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Gary Wayne Watkins
Wake Forest
Gary Wayne Watkins, 81, of Wake Forest, passed away on Sunday morning, November 5, 2023, at Hillside Nursing and Rehabilitation. He was born in Wake County to the late Fred and Estelle Holmes Watkins. Gary was a devoted member of Falls Baptist Church and a lifelong resident of Wake County.
A funeral service will be held at 2 o’clock, Sunday afternoon, November 12, 2023 at Falls Baptist Church, 9700 Fonville Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587. Burial will follow in the Falls Community Cemetery.
He is survived by his daughter, Sharon Watkins Stroud of Wake Forest, his son, Alan Watkins, and wife, Trisha of Wake Forest, and his grandchildren, Wyatt Stroud, Michelle Watkins, Allison Watkins, and Ryan Watkins, all of Wake Forest. He was preceded in death by his brother, Ted Watkins. Gary will be remembered for his strong ties to his community and by his loving family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday November 11, 2023 at Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home, 1051 Durham Road, Wake Forest, NC. (919)556-7400
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Alice Honeycutt Baker
Alice Honeycutt Baker, 81, peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Sunday morning, November 5, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. She was the daughter of the late Willard and Gladys Alford Honeycutt.
Alice shared 65 years of her life with her beloved husband, Charles E. Baker. Throughout her life, she exhibited an unwavering faith in the Lord, which she lovingly shared with everyone she met, even during her battles with cancer. Alice’s life was a testament to her faith, love, and strength.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Charles: Baker; her daughter, Sharon (Tony) and her son Craig. Her legacy lives on through her grandchildren: Carmen (Jordan), Page (Kevin), Clarissa (Angel), and Cody. Alice was also blessed with great-grandchildren: Emmett, Minna, Nolan, Reed, Cole, Vera; brother, Phillip Honeycutt (Ann). She was preceded in death by her sister, Frances Perry (Billy) and her brothers, Mike & Don Honeycutt.
In lieu of flowers, Alice had expressed her wish for donations to be made to any of the following charities she passionately supported: Wounded Warriors, Samaritan’s Purse, St. Jude’s, or Clyde’s Chapel Baptist Church Missions.
Friends may visit with the family from 1:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, November 8, 2023 followed by the funeral service at 2:30 p.m at Clyde’s Chapel Baptist Church, located at 16657 Buffaloe Rd, Wendell, North Carolina 27591. A private graveside service will be held at Central Baptist Church Cemetery to honor Alice’s memory.
Arrangements by Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home, 1051 Durham Road, Wake Forest, NC.(919-556-7400)
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MEC Devin Dean Dix, US Coast Guard, Ret,
MEC Devin Dean Dix, US Coast Guard, Ret., 57, a dedicated and proud Chief Maritime Enforcement Specialist, passed away on October 25, 2023 at Duke University Medical Center. He was born on February 3, 1966, in Tampa, Florida, to the late Jerry Dix and Kathleen Cantillon Dix. His life was a testament to honor, protection, and unwavering love for his family and country.
Devin’s legacy was marked by a remarkable 23-year career in the United States Coast Guard before retiring, during which he served his nation with unwavering pride and dedication. His commitment to safeguarding both his country and the innocent was a defining quality that touched the lives of many.
He was not only a protector of the nation but a guardian of those he held dear, particularly women and the innocent. Devin’s love for his family knew no bounds, and he was a steadfast provider, ensuring their well-being and happiness.
Devin wanted to express his deep gratitude to all the military members he served alongside during his distinguished career. He considered it a true honor to stand side-by-side with these brave individuals in service to the nation.
He also cherished the companionship of his neighbors, who provided him with great peace and a sense of community. Living alongside them was a source of comfort and camaraderie that he held dear.
Devin held a special place in his heart for his beloved “Papa Joe”, who played an instrumental role in shaping him into the remarkable man he became. His journey was marked by the invaluable guidance and wisdom imparted by his “Papa Joe”.
Devin’s life was not complete without the love of his life, his late wife, Rosa Dix, who preceded him in death in May 2022. He deeply missed her after her passing, and now they are reunited for eternity, their love enduring beyond this life.
He will be remembered for his selflessness, his dedication to service, and his boundless love for his family. His legacy lives on in the hearts of all those he touched, and his memory will forever be cherished by those who had the privilege of knowing him.
Devin is survived by his daughters, Danielle Dix of Valley Center, CA and Meagan Dix of Ramona, CA; grandchildren, Liam Epperson, Kennen & Melody Fortini and Penelope Limones; Siblings, Roberta Erin Dix of Wake Forest, Shannon Hammett of Marathon, FL and Susan Aversa of Wake Forest; brother-in-law, Will Jimenez; father-in-law, Wilfredo Jimenez; long time friend, Marshall Christy; many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
A memorial service to honor Devin’s life was held at 3 o’clock, Sunday afternoon, November 5, 2023 at Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Devin’s memory to Interact of Wake County. (www.interactof wake.org). InterAct is the only provider of domestic violence and sexual assault services in Wake County, North Carolina – saving lives, rebuilding lives and securing safer futures for individuals and families in our community.
Arrangements by Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 1051 Durham Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587.(919)556-7400
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