Linda Gail Dawson Searight
Blacksburg, Virginia
herLinda Gail Dawson Searight, originally of North Carolina, passed away February 2, 2024 in Blacksburg, Virginia.
Linda was preceded in death by her husband, George Searight and her parents, Owen Dawson and Nancy Dawson Allen.
She is survived by four sisters: Theresa (Michael) Hoyle, Debra Magallanes, Wendy (Mark) Keenan and Peggy Patterson. She was a very proud aunt of several nieces and nephews: Melissa (Robert) Wright, Sarah (Zachary) Martin, Daniel Dawson, Sierra Yarbrough, Myles Magallanes, Jesse Magallanes, Carter Hoyle and Devin McClellan. She also loved doting on her great-nieces and great-nephews. She always surrounded herself with pictures and mementos featuring all who held a special place in her heart.
Spending time with family and reading were among her favorite activities and she will be remembered as unconditionally loving, supportive, caring and devoted by those who knew her as a wife, sister, aunt, cousin and friend.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, February 11, 2024 at Youngsville Town Cemetery, in Youngsville, North Carolina.
Arrangements in the care of Bright Funeral Home.
###
Elizabeth Harrison Keith
Wake Forest
Elizabeth Harrison Keith, 89, of Wake Forest, NC passed away peacefully on February 2, 2024.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by her loving parents, Onnis and Annie Harrison, and siblings, O.H. jr., Alice, and Thomas.
She is survived by her sons, Jerry Keith (Sandra) and Dale Keith (Jane); grandchildren, Jason (Jeannine), Joshua (Alyssa), Justin (Melany), Caroline (Cal), Kayla (Cody) and Sean (Ana), 13 great grandchildren and sister, Joann Rogers.
Elizabeth was a devoted member of Stony Hill Baptist Church and cherished her community dearly. She had a passion for helping others and spent many hours dedicating herself to the Helping Hands organization. Her generous heart extended through her connection with animals of all kinds. Elizabeth could be found often in her yard feeding cats, birds, squirrels and any creature who crossed her path.
Elizabeth’s life was anchored in her family. She never let a day pass without reminding them how much she loved and prayed for everyone. She adorned her house with pictures of family and was proud of them all. She is best known as being a devoted grandmother and cherished long-distance calls with her great grandchildren. Her legacy will live in our hearts and memories always.
The family will receive guests for visitation on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 between the evening hours of 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the Magnolia room of Bright Funeral Home. 405 S Main St. Wake Forest, North Carolina 27587.
A funeral service will be conducted on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 11:00 AM in the sanctuary of Stony Hill Baptist Church. 7521 Stony Hill Rd, Wake Forest, NC 27587.
Immediately following, Elizabeth will be laid to rest in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Helping Hands of SHBC.
Arrangements in the care of Bright Funeral Home.
###
Joseph Steven Gordon ‘Joe’
Raleigh
Joseph Steven Gordon “Joe” died peacefully on February 1, 2024 at the age of 67.
Joe was born on September 26, 1956 in New York, NY. Joseph joined the Air Force right after high school and served in Texas and Japan in the Air Force Communications Service field. After his time in the Air Force, he returned to New York where he married, and the couple welcomed their child into their home. Joe began working as an IT Supervisor at such companies like MCI and Bank of America.
Joe is survived by his son, Michael (Kathleen) Gordon; grandchildren, Jonathan, Brianna; siblings, Laura, Helen, Jennifer; 4 nieces and 4 nephews of New York.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Helen; stepfather, Fred; and brother, Kevin.
Josephs family will remember him as a kind, gentle, patient, and loving Father, Father In-Law, Brother, Uncle and Godfather who encouraged them to pursue their goals and dreams no matter how big or small.
Joe was passionate about cooking, golf, bowling, writing novels, gardening, the military, and his Grandkids. Before Joe got sick, he was an avid golfer and spent most every spring to fall day on the golf course. He was a generous, witty, and dedicated individual who loved to make people happy!
The memorial service will be held on Sunday, February 4, 2024 at Bright Funeral Home 405 S Main St, Wake Forest, NC 27587. The family will receive friends from 2-4 PM. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Joseph’s life.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Wounded Warriors or Transitions LifeCare of Raleigh.
Please visit www.brightfunerals.com to share words of comfort to the family.
Bright Funeral Home is serving the Gordon family.
###
Robert Earl ‘Bob’ Smith
Wake Forest
Robert Earl “Bob” Smith, 87, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2024, after a brief illness at Transitions LifeCare Hospice Home in Raleigh.
He was born and raised on a tobacco farm in Angier, NC where he developed characteristics that served him well throughout his life – a hard work ethic, a love of God and a love of family.
Bob graduated from Campbell College and then attended NC State University. While in Raleigh, he met the love of his life, a young nursing student, Barbara Ann Rigsbee (Bobbie), and they married in 1958. They shared a wonderful 62 years of marriage before her passing in 2019.
Soon after they were married, Bob was drafted into the Army and was stationed in Minneapolis, MN. Upon his completion of service in 1961, they returned to Durham, NC and joined the family tire business, Rigsbee Tire Sales, where he oversaw wholesale operations.
While at Rigsbee Tire, Bob served the NC Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association as an active board member and as president in 1982. He also served on the Hercules Tire & Rubber Dealer Council, the Toyo Tire Dealer Council and the National Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association, the forebear of the Tire Industry Association of today.
In 1984, Bob became the executive vice president of the NCTDRA where he strengthened the board, added more educational opportunities, gave a stronger legislative voice to tire dealers and constantly increased value-driven benefits for members. Bobbie worked alongside him helping with bookkeeping, event planning and ladies’ programs. They retired in 2005 and enjoyed living at Kure Beach and worshipping at First Baptist Church Wilmington.
After leaving active service in 1961, Bob continued his military service through the Army Reserves where he received three meritorious service commendations. He retired in 1986 as Command Sergeant Major, the highest rank for enlisted personnel.
Bob was the original “girl dad.” He loved and supported his daughters, Bambi Berger and Barbi Jones in everything they enjoyed and was always their biggest fan. He is survived and cherished by his daughters, sons-in-law, Randy Berger and Craig Jones, grandsons Trent Jones and Brooks Jones and his granddaughter-in-law, Ashley Jones.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be Sunday, February 11, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Wake Forest Baptist Church. The family invites you to join them for visitation and a reception following the service in the church fellowship hall.
Bob’s ashes will be interred with Bobbie’s at First Baptist Church Wilmington’s columbarium at a later date.
Bright Funeral Home in Wake Forest, NC is serving the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider donations to Wake Forest Baptist Church (wakeforestbaptistchurch.org), Transitions LifeCare (transitionslifecare.org) or Tri-Area Ministry (triareaministry.com), all organizations that were important to Bob.
Arrangements in the care of Bright Funeral Home, 405 S Main St, Wake Forest, NC 27587.
www.brightfunerals.com (919-556-5811)
###
William ‘Bill’ Dean Brenneman
Raleigh
It is with our deepest sadness that we share the passing of William “Bill” Dean Brenneman on Monday, January 29th, 2024, at the age of 81. He was born in Philadelphia, Pa. He moved to California where he met his wife of 50+ years, Kitty and ultimately found his forever home in North Carolina.
A Marine veteran, Penn State football Alum, loving father, grandpa and adoring husband. Surviving him are his wife, Katherine “Kitty” Brenneman, children Michael Anderson, Cindy Montano, Brett Anderson, Cheri Bell and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Services have been arranged for Saturday, February 10th, 2024 beginning at 12 pm EST at Bright Funeral Home in Wake Forest, NC.
Arrangements in the care of Bright Funeral Home.
###
