James B. Wright
James B. Wright, 91, of Wake Forest died Sunday, March 2, 2014. He was born in Paterson, New Jersey, on December 3, 1922, the son of Harry Wright and Mary (Hennessey) Wright. He was predeceased in 2001 by his beloved wife, Bette (Redmond) Wright.
James lived most of his life in Bergen County, New Jersey, before moving to Wake Forest in 2006. During his career, he held several positions in municipal government. He was loved by all who knew him for his warm smile and generosity of spirit. He resided most recently at The Lodge at Wake Forest, where he forged several close friendships.
Mr. Wright is survived by his sons, Kevin Wright of Wake Forest, James “J.B.” Wright of Herndon, Va., and Jeffery Wright of Paterson, N.J. He leaves his sisters, Regina Thomson of Fripp Island, S.C., and Ruth Pasquariello of Wayne, N.J.; stepdaughters, Terri Beth Garrison of Jericho, Ver., Chris Hillman of Bayville, N.J., and Susan Goetz of Sharon, Mass; and many beloved grandchildren, step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A funeral mass celebrating Mr. Wright’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2014, at Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Wake Forest.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Wright’s memory can be made to the Rex Healthcare Foundation in Raleigh.
Online condolences may be made at www.brightfunerals.com.
William Charles ‘Billy’ Riley
William Charles “Billy” Riley, 76, of Louisburg passed away, Sunday evening, March 2, 2014, at Hillside Nursing Center. He was born on August 20, 1937, in Halifax County, the son of the late Bruce M. Riley and Lucille Pendelton Riley. William lived most of his life in Louisburg with his wife, Dorothy Riley, until her death in 2010.
Graveside services will be held at 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon, March 5, 2014, at Fairview Cemetery with the Rev. Spencer Strickland officiating.
William is survived by a brother, Rufus Riley and wife, Vivian, of Rocky Mount; special cousin, Melody Skelton and husband, David, of Franklinton that cared for him; several more cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, all of North Carolina; and a special friend, Terry Murphy of Wake Forest.
The family wishes to express special thanks to the administration and staff at Hillside Nursing Center of Wake Forest for the excellent and compassionate care that they provided for William over the years.
To assist the family with funeral expenses memorial contributions can be made to Bright Funeral Home, P.O. Box 646, Wake Forest, NC 27588.
Online condolences may be made at www.brightfunerals.com.
Leelan A. Woodlief
Leelan Alvin Woodlief, 87, of Youngsville was born on September 6, 1926, and entered heaven March 1, 2014. He was born in Franklin County, the son of late Addie Finch Woodlief and Benjamin Franklin Woodlief. On October 21, 1950, he married the love of his life, Ellen Watkins Woodlief.
Leelan graduated from Youngsville High School in 1943, Louisburg College in 1948 where he played baseball and basketball, and from North Carolina State University in 1950 where he was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity and lettered in baseball and basketball. Leelan and his soon-to-be wife, Ellen, attended the first basketball game in William Neal Reynolds Coliseum on December 2, 1949. He served in the U.S. Navy on board the USS Adirondack from 1944 to 1946.
Leelan made contributions to his community in countless ways. As manager of Woodlief Supply Company and owner of Woodlief Fertilizer and Insurance, his advice and assistance were sought by many since 1950. At his church he served as deacon, Sunday School teacher and superintendent. He was an active member of the Youngsville Lion’s Club and its fundraisers and in the town of Youngsville and Franklin County, he was elected commissioner and served as a founding member of the Economic Development Council. Leelan served the Youngsville High School as a member of the Board of Education appointed by the Franklin County School Superintendent. In 1968 he was instrumental in starting the first Youngsville High School Booster’s Club. Along the way, Leelan also coached Little League baseball, utilizing his own college experiences in baseball. He was a member of the Youngsville Volunteer Fire Department and also served as its chief until required to retire. Leelan served on the Board of Directors of the Wake Forest Federal Savings and Loan until his retirement in 2013. He never spoke of his community involvement as “volunteering,” but was always humbled by his opportunities to serve. In 1982, Governor Jim Hunt honored his contributions by conferring upon him The Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
Leelan always felt blessed by the riches of his family’s love, his community’s spirit, and his faith in God’s love. He believed he was fortunate to live this life in the finest spot on earth.
Funeral services were held at 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon, March 5, 2014, at Youngsville Baptist Church with the Rev. Charles Stratton officiating. Burial was in Youngsville Cemetery with military honors.
In addition to his wife, Ellen, Leelan is survived by his daughter, Connie Ellen Woodlief Moreadith; sons, Leelan Mark Woodlief and wife, Kim, and Larry Joseph Woodlief and wife, Lucia; grandchildren, Kathryn and Andrew Moreadith, Chris and Kayla Tidwell, and Sarah Livengood Roy; sister, Rachel Cox; brothers, Wilbur Woodlief amd wife, Jean, and J. Curtis Woodlief and wife, Helen; sister-in-law, Doris Woodlief; and 16 nieces and nephews, each of whom he had a special bond with. He was preceded in death by his brother, Stancil Woodlief, and by his brother-in-law, Ralph Cox.
Memorial donations may be made to the Youngsville Baptist Church Window Preservation Fund or in memoriam to Chief Leelan Woodlief at the Youngsville Volunteer Fire Department.
Online condolences may be made at www.brightfunerals.com.
Esther Hodges Spencer
Esther Hodges Spencer, 96, of Youngsville died Wednesday afternoon, February 26, 2014 at Hillside Nursing Center. Mrs. Spencer was born on October 11, 1917, in Grimesland. She lived most of her life in Raleigh before moving to Youngsville after her husband’s death in 1978.
Funeral services were held at 11 o’clock, Saturday morning, March 1, 2014, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home. Burial was in Montlawn Memorial Park.
Mrs. Spencer is survived by her daughter, Harriet Woodlief and husband, Larry, of Youngsville; son, John Spencer and wife, Brenda, of Greenville; grandchildren, Catherine Anderson and fiancée, John, of Wilmington, Judith Scott and husband, Bryon, of Elizabethtown and Bryan Woodlief and wife, Stephanie, of Wake Forest; great-grandchildren, Emily Scott, Spencer Scott and Trevor Woodlief; sister, Margie Beacham and husband, Cecil, of Raleigh; sisters-in-law, Ruth Ann Talton and Colleen Spencer; brother-in-law, Jerald Spencer and wife, Wyvette, all of Cary; and many nieces, nephews and extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Lillie Heath Hodges; beloved husband, J.W. Spencer; brothers, Grover Hodges, Dick Hodges and James “Frog” Hodges; and sisters, AnnieRee Moore and Lucille “Monk” Tetterton.
The family wishes to give a special thanks to the administration and staff at Hillside Nursing Center of Wake Forest for the excellent and compassionate care they provided during the last months of her life.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice or to The Alzheimer’s Association of Eastern North Carolina, 1305 Navaho Dr #101, Raleigh, NC 27609.
Online condolences may be made at www.brightfunerals.com.
