Obituaries

Hannah Valeria ‘Val’ Harp

Raleigh

Arrangements in the care of Bright Funeral Home. Obituary to follow. 

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Darwin Theophilus Jackson Jr.

Wake Forest

Darwin T. Jackson Jr., 83, of Wake Forest, NC, passed away on Saturday, April 6, 2024.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 6-8 PM at Bright Funeral Home, 405 S. Main St. Wake Forest, NC 27587.

He will be buried at Falls Community Cemetery. 

A complete obituary with service information will be made available soon. 

Bright Funeral Home is serving the Jackson family.   

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Kristin Harr Cochran

Raleigh

It is with deep sorrow, and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Kristin Harr Cochran,32, on April 3, 2024. Kristin was born in Raleigh, NC on January 19, 1992. 

Kristin graduated from Wakefield H.S. in Raleigh, graduated from North Carolina State University (NCSU) with a BS in Chemistry, and then received her PhD in Analytical Chemistry from the University of South Carolina (USC). While finishing her doctoral work, she started working in the development group at Cormetech, a company focused on clean air solutions for the power industry as well as innovative solutions focused on Carbon Capture. She continued to work at Cormetech as a Lab Supervisor and Development Engineer, and loved the challenges of working with equipment, people, and processes.

Kristin always talked about the strong mentorship she received from both Dr. David Muddiman (NCSU) during her undergraduate years, and Dr. Susan Richardson (USC) during her graduate years. Under their guidance, Kristin was able to publish many research papers both during her undergraduate and graduate years, including her latest publication in Environmental Science and Technology “Chlorination of Emerging Contaminants for Application in Potable Wastewater Reuse: Disinfection Byproduct Formation, Estrogen Activity, and Cytotoxicity” by Kristin H. Cochran, Danielle C. Westerman, Cassiana C. Montagner, Scott Coffin, Lorivic Diaz, Benjamin Fryer, Gary Harraka, Elvis Genbo Xu, Ying Huang, Daniel Schlenk, Dionysios D. Dionysiou, and Susan D. Richardson.

Kristin enjoyed her cats and cat shelter volunteer work, reading, tennis, volleyball, the beach, snowboarding, gaming with family and friends and her passion for science.

Kristin will be remembered for her warm and cheerful smile, her dedication to family and friends, her hard work ethic, respect for all those in which she crossed paths and her contributions to science.

She was preceded in death by her uncles; Frank Harr, grandparents; Paul L. Harr, Billy J. Harr, John R. Cochran and Margaret J. Cochran

She is survived by her parents; Donald B. Cochran, Paula H. Cochran, brother; Jonathan B. Cochran, spouse; Jon R. Ruddiman, uncles; Ken Cox, and James R. Cochran (Ruby), cousins; James Cochran, Jr. and Karla Cochran

A memorial service will be held at 4 PM on Saturday, April 13, 2024 in the funeral home chapel with Gary McNair officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 3-4 PM at Bright Funeral Home, 405 S. Main St. Wake Forest, NC 27587.

Please visit www.brightfunerals.com to share words of comfort to the family.

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William Glenn Davis

Franklinton

William Glenn Davis, 53, of Franklinton, NC, passed away on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. He was born in Wake County, NC on December 19, 1970.

Glenn loved his family and enjoyed traveling and spending time with them. He was an expert Well Driller with 40 years of experience.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Katherine Davis; and brother, Durwood Davis Jr.

He is survived by his loving wife of 16 years, Kathy Davis; daughter, Madison Nelson; father, Durwood Davis Sr.; nephew, Jacob (Morgan) Davis; great nephews, Beckett, and Ryder Davis, and great niece; Kinley Davis.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Franklinton Fire Department at 9 Hillsborough St. Franklinton, NC  27525.

The family will receive friends on Friday, April 12, 2024 from 6-8 PM at Bright Funeral Home, 405 S. Main St. Wake Forest, NC 27587.

A graveside service will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at Wake Forest Cemetery, 400 N White St, Wake Forest, NC.

Please visit www.brightfunerals.com to share words of comfort to the family.

Bright Funeral Home is serving the Davis family.

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Michael James Keith

Wake Forest

Michael James Keith, 71 and a proud veteran of the United States Army, unexpectedly passed away in the early hours of April1, 2024 from natural causes. The oldest son of Martin Keith and Catherine Burke, he was born on September 28,1952 in Nome, Alaska. The story goes that his mother was outside watching the picturesque Northern Lights when she went into labor with him, and if you know Mike you know he had a ‘fair for the dramatics’… This may have begun from the start.

He spent time in his early years being “abused by nuns” (his words, not mine) in Catholic school, where he survived with “only minor scars from their rulers” (again…his words, not mine). Mike graduated high school in 1971 from Eastman High School in East Wenatchee, Washington. He then continued his education at Central Washington University where he graduated in 1976 with a degree in Law & Justice.

His passion for his country and others, as well as his strong moral compass, led him to begin an impressive military career with the United States Army, where he served as a CID Special Agent, a Military Policeman, and Warrant Officer before being honorably discharged in 1987. Following that, he took several civilian positions within the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division and later continued an expansive career in finance and private investigation.

He was proceeded in death by his Father, Martin Lowell Keith, and his mother, Catherine Elizabeth Burke. As his mother Katie was the second youngest of thirteen children, we know he was warmly welcomed by numerous family members and is now forever celebrating with them at the Great Burke Family Reunion in the sky.

He is survived by his wife Rhonda Jean Keith, his younger brother Sean M. Keith, his two daughters Kat Smith and Meghan H. E. Keith, and many other descendants of both the Burke and Keith families.

He will be remembered for his generosity and his desire to help others, as well as his storytelling. To know Mike was to know about a lot of topics you have never thought about before… and will probably never think about again. But his stories and his history were important to him and his family, and we hope they will be passed down to future generations to come. Were they all true, or heavily elaborated for dramatic value… those earthside will never truly know.

One of Michael’s final goals was to buy Rhonda and himself a forever home. They found their dream house by the pond and moved in last fall. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to “The Miracle House”. https://angelinkweb.page.link/A9m6N45pSzJ1VjBh9

A Celebration of Life service will take place at 2:00 PM on Sunday, April 28, at Bright Funeral Home Chapel. The family will begin receiving guests prior to the service at 1:00 PM at Bright Funeral Home, 405 S. Main St. Wake Forest, NC 27587. Those in attendance are welcome to share memories of Mike’s generosity and compassion for others above himself.

Please visit www.brightfunerals.com to share words of comfort to the family.

Bright Funeral Home is serving the Keith family. 

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Glenn Roger Allen

Wake Forest

Glenn Roger Allen, of Wake Forest, peacefully passed away in his sleep on April 1, 2024. Born on January 7, 1939, in Neuse, North Carolina, Roger was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. His life exemplified the values of hard work, passion, and dedication, starting with his education at Millbrook High and Hargrave Military, followed by further studies at East Carolina University.

Roger was a man of many talents and interests, known as a jack of all trades. As an Amateur Radio Operator with the call sign KD4MYE, he connected with many, making friends all over the country. As a skilled pilot, he enjoyed flying with his family and friends, including taking “roller coaster rides” in the air with his children, nieces, and nephews. A proficient builder, he handcrafted several homes, and his love for automobiles led him to meticulously restore his cherished 1978 Jeep and maintain a collection of classic cars. Roger had a passion for horses, finding joy in trail riding and competing in events like barrel racing. He treasured time spent with his friends in Emerald Isle. Additionally, Roger served as a pyrotechnician, bringing joy to the town of Wake Forest with his fireworks displays.

Professionally, Roger was the President and COA of Neuse Plastics, INC., dedicating himself to the success of his family’s farm and businesses, including Allen Auto Sales and Allen Lumber Company.

Above all, Roger’s greatest happiness stemmed from the love of his family. He was a loving father to Steven Allen, Glenn Allen, and Karen Allen Ray, a proud grandfather to Matthew Ray, Ashlynn Ray, and Austin Allen, and a devoted husband to the late Christine Humphry. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Hickman Allen and Gladys Holden Allen, and his sister, Elaine Raynor. He cherished the memory of his sister and found comfort in the companionship of his brother Dan Allen and beloved sister-in-law, Lou Allen. He also found solace in the companionship of his beloved dog, Ellie, who was always by his side. In addition to his immediate family, he was a stepfather to James and William and an uncle to the Late Greg Mims, Lisa Schaut, Michael Allen, Dan Allen II, and the late Tracy Penny. Roger held a special place in his heart for his son-in-law, John, and daughter-in-law, Melissa, cherishing the bond they shared with his family.

Roger lived a fun, adventurous life, always ready with a story or a joke to tell while marching to the beat of his own drum. He showed us his playful spirit by departing on April Fool’s Day, leaving us with a bittersweet smile and countless cherished memories. His kindness and generosity knew no bounds, as he was always willing to lend a helping hand. Though he may be gone, his spirit will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him.

A graveside service will be held at 3 PM on Friday, April 12, 2024 at Olde Mount Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery, 11610 Durant Rd. Raleigh, NC 27614. 

Please visit www.brightfunerals.com to share words of comfort to the family.

Bright Funeral Home is serving the Allen family.

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