Joan Marie Bracco-Stearns
Joan M. Bracco-Stearns died Wednesday, July 21, 2004 at home. She was born on May 26, 1940 to Domenica and Giachino Bracco in Hempstead, N.Y. She attended Holy Redeemer School in Freeport, N.Y., and Queen of the Rosary Academy in Amityville, N.Y. She grew up in Freeport, N.Y., and later married Emory Ward Stearns on Sept. 9, 1961. Joan was retired from her position as an import and export coordinator at GlaxoSmithKline.
She is survived by her husband, Emory "Woody" Stearns; one son, Richard D. Stearns of Raleigh; mother, Dinca Bracco of Selden, N.Y.; brother, Ronald Bracco and his wife, Carol of Selden, N.Y.; sister, Rita Duffy of Bellmore, N.Y.; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews in New York and New Jersey. She was preceded in death by her father, Giachino Bracco and brother, Leo Bracco. She will be greatly missed by many good friends in Cary and Raleigh.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, July 29, at 3 p.m. at Glenaire Retirement Community in Cary.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Glenaire Foundation, 4000 Glenaire Circle, Cary, NC 27511; or to Hospice of Wake County, 1300 St. Mary’s St., Fourth floor, Raleigh, NC 27605.
The family wishes to express a special thanks to Ms. Sue King of Cary, loyal friend for 25 years; and to Brother John Malich of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., for all his help and service.
Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Cary, is handling the arrangements for the family.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.MeM.com.
Shirley Evans Brenner
Shirley Evans Brenner, born Jan. 12, 1914 at Pactolus, died Friday, July 23, 2004. She was the daughter of the late William Henry Evans and Penny Eliza Dunn.
Shirley is survived by her husband, Harold H. Brenner, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Shirley, who had lived in Cary for 23 years, was a member of the Asbury Station Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
Memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice, 3117 Poplarwood Court, Suite 114, Raleigh, NC 27604 or to one’s favorite charity.
Arrangements are pending at this time and are being handled by Crest Lawn Funeral Home.
William Calvin Currie
William Calvin Currie, 77, of 5410 N.C. 751, Apex, died Friday evening, July 23, 2004 at home surrounded by his family.
A service celebrating his life and homegoing was held Monday, July 26, at 1 p.m. in the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
His wife, Thelma Odell Currie, and his son, James Ray Currie, preceded Mr. Currie in death. He is survived by a son, William Paul Currie and his wife, Debbie of Durham; a daughter, Patricia Currie Glover of Coats; and a brother, Edward Currie, and a sister, Myrtle Partin, both of Durham. Also surviving are eight loving grandchildren and 12 special great-grandchildren.
The Currie family received friends on Sunday evening, July 25, at the Apex Funeral Home.
Robin Cynthia Jones
Robin Cynthia Eschert Jones, 50, of Apex, died July 22, 2004. Mrs. Jones was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Cary. Mrs. Jones is survived by her husband, Samuel W. Jones; children, Courtney, Hillary and Doug-las, all of the home; mother, Rosemarie Duffin, and father, George Eschert, both of Philadelphia; sister, Gaye Lynne Eschert of Stratford, Conn.; and brother, George Eschert of Trumbull, Conn.
The family received friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 25, at Apex Funeral Home. A prayer service followed.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in the First Lutheran Church, Southington, Conn.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Triangle/Eastern NC Chapter, 2210 Millbrook Road, No. 109, Raleigh, NC 27604.
Emma Frances Garrison Roof
Emma Frances Garrison Roof, 65, of Kure Beach, N.C., died Saturday, July 24, 2004.
Emma Frances was born on March 30, 1939 in Lancaster, S.C., to Robert G. Garrison Sr. and Mary Emma (Grant) Garrison. She retired after a 40-year career as a legislative and political assistant in Washington, D.C. She was a graduate of Chester High School and Winthrop College.
Survivors include her husband, Ralph W. Roof of Kure Beach, N.C.; daughter, Jennifer Marie Lamb and husband, Douglas Lamb of Cary; grandchildren, Emily Lamb and Ashley Lamb of Cary; and brother, Robert G. Garrison Jr. of Chester, S.C.
A service was held Saturday, July 31, at Purity Presbyterian Church. Interment
followed at Union Cemetery in Richburg, S.C. The Rev. Marc Masson and the Rev. Rodney Hamm officiated.
Memorials may be made to a charity of one's choice.
Winfred Monroe Henson
Winfred Monroe Henson, 75, of Cary died Tuesday, July 27, 2004. Fred was born in Dalton, Ga., in 1929 to James Henson and Pearl York Henson. He was an Eagle Scout. Fred retired from service in the U.S. Navy. While in the Navy, he served the U.S. Space Program in space recovery for both the Apollo and Gemini missions.
He later served as director of juvenile detention for Wake County and was employed by the Employment Security Commission.
A funeral service was held Friday, July 30, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary, officiated by the Rev. Jeff Archer. Burial followed at Hillcrest Cemetery in Cary.
Fred is survived by his wife of 54 years, Peggy Joyce Carter Henson; their three daughters, Denise Spruill of Graham, Darlene Wiltzius and husband, Michael, of Cary, and Lisa Bell and husband, Hugh, of Fort Mill, S.C.; and grandchildren, Nathan Wiltzius, Amanda Wiltzius, Jennifer Spruill, Ashley Bell and Hugh Bell.
The family received friends Thursday evening, July 29, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Walnut Street Church of Christ, 217 Walnut St., Cary, NC 27511.
Condolences may be sent to the family at MeM.com
Susan Jane Keating Bandi
Susan Jane Keating Bandi, 59, of Cary died July 30, 2004 surrounded by her loving family.
Susan was born in Flushing, N.Y., in 1944 to Charles and Gladys Ehren Keating. She had lived in Cary with her family since 1988.
The family received friends Monday morning, Aug. 2, at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary. A funeral was held at 11:30 a.m. Monday at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Cary. Burial followed at Apex Cemetery.
Susan is survived by her children, Suzanne Bandi White of Apex, David Bandi of Cary and Elizabeth Bandi McCabe of Apex; brother, Richard Keating of Queens, N.Y.; sister, Barbara Dunn of Cary; and grandchildren, Cameron White, Katie White, Charlie White, Connor McCabe and Daniel McCabe. She was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel Lehon Bandi, in 2001.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 100 S. Boylan Ave., Raleigh, NC 27603 or Rex Cancer Center, 4420 Lake Boone Trail, Raleigh, NC 27607.
Condolences may be sent to the family at MeM.com.
Katherine Marie Ramsey
Katherine Marie Ramsey, 60, of New Hill died Monday, Aug. 2, after a long illness.
She was a seamstress for the Apex Manufacturing Company for many years. A funeral was held Wednesday morning, Aug. 4, in the Apex Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed in the New Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. The Rev. Ray Wickham officiated the service. The family received friends Tuesday evening, Aug. 3.
Ramsey is survived by her husband, James Ramsey of the home; and two daughters, Debbie Pauley and husband, Gregory, and Teresa Ramsey and husband, David, and a son, Gerald W. Ramsey and wife Peggy, all of New Hill. She is also survived by a sister, Minnie Williford of New Hill, and six grandchildren, John, Jeremy, Tiffany, Bradley, Caitlyn and Miranda.
Maxie Lewter Roberson
Maxie Lewter Roberson, 82, of 1571 Lewter Shop Road, Apex, died Monday morning, Aug. 9, at Rex Hospital in Raleigh.
A service celebrating her life and homegoing was held Wednesday, Aug. 11, at 2 p.m. in the Apex Funeral Home Chapel in Apex. Burial was in the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery.
A brother, Grayson Lewter, preceded Maxie in death.
Surviving are her husband, Robert E. Roberson; a daughter, Pam Roberson of Fayetteville; three brothers, Ralph Lewter of Durham, Billy Lewter of Apex and Gerald Lewter of Pittsboro; and a sister, Betty Williams of Knightdale.
The family received friends from noon until the chapel service Wednesday, at the Apex Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 11 S. Boylan Ave., Raleigh, NC 27603.
Peter Bush
Peter Bush, 82, of Apex died on Aug. 7, 2004, at home after a lengthy illness. A native of Passaic County, N.J., he was born Dec. 31, 1921, to the late John Bush and Lena Vroegindewey Bush.
Mr. Bush served in World War II 11th Corps HQ in the Pacific Theater of Operations. A private service and interment
will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., on Friday, Aug. 27, 2004.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jeanette Nydam Bush; son, Eric C. Bush and his wife Ellen of Baton Rouge, La.; daughter, Lisa M. Coole and her husband Daniel J. Coole of Apex; grandchildren, David and Jason Bush, and Lara, Connor and Amanda Coole; and a sister, Minnie Smith of Sussex, N.J. He was preceded in death by two brothers, John and Herbert, and three sisters, Alice Oosting, Olga Pruiksma and Martha Perrius, all from New Jersey.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607; or to the local Community Home Care and Hospice, 226 Ashville Ave., Suite 10, Cary, NC 27511.
Donald Fraser Ramage
Donald F. Ramage, 75, died Aug. 9 at Sunrise of Raleigh after a long illness. Donald was born June 13, 1929, in San Francisco, the loving son of Helen Anne and Harry Edward Ramage.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joan Elizabeth; his three sons, Mark Fraser and wife Adrienne of Fairfax, Va., Scott Fraser and wife Kathleen of Cary, and Douglas Edward with Richard Howard of Jakarta, Indonesia; and four grandchildren, Christopher, Stephen, Helen and Harry.
Donald was a career foreign service officer for the U.S. Department of State and served his country with honor for more than 25 years at posts in Iran, Belgium, Australia and Washington, D.C. He received presidential appointments to the Senior Foreign Service under presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, and served as executive director for East Asian and Pacific affairs.
Donald will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather. He displayed a quiet strength and deep moral conviction.
A memorial service will be held at Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church of Cary at 1 p.m. Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The National Parkinson Foundation.
Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary is handling arrangements. Condolences may be made through MeM.com.
George Lee Spence
George Lee Spence, 72, most recently of Fayetteville, died Friday, Aug. 6, at the home of his sister in Soldotna, Alaska.
Mr. Spence served his country in the U.S. Air Force during two separate terms and was honorably discharged in 1967.
Funeral services were held Aug. 15 at 2 p.m. at the Chapel of Apex Funeral Directors in Apex. The family gathered prior to the service. Burial followed at the Apex Cemetery.
Mr. Spence is survived by his sons, Walter Lee Spence, Timothy Howard Spence and John Paul Spence; his sisters, Jenny Woods and Catherine Collins; and his grandchildren, Timothy Howard Spence Jr., Christopher Lee Spence, Steven Teague Spence, George Curtis Spence Jr., James Owen Spence Jr., Kelly Elizabeth Spence and Heather Michele Spence; and his great-grandchildren Kimberly, Colin and Christina.
Max Joseph Grams Jr.
Max Joseph Grams Jr., 84, of Apex died Saturday, Aug. 14, 2004 at The Laurels of Chatham, Pittsboro.
A funeral was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17, at Apex Funeral Home Chapel.
He is survived by Helen Grams and their daughters, Jackie Austin and her husband, Warren of Lexington, Ky., and Mary Jo Ahler of Apex; granddaughter, Jenny Ahler of Apex; and his brother, Jordan Grams. The family receive friends Tuesday at the funeral home prior to the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to The WHAS Crusade for Children, P.O. Box 1100, Louisville, KY 40201, or the charity of one's choice.
Le'aniva Mere Fanéné
Le'aniva Mere Fanéné, infant daughter of Moe and Heather Fanéné, died Thursday, Aug. 12. A funeral was held Monday afternoon, Aug. 16, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Apex.
She is survived by her parents, Moe and Heather Fanéné; brothers and sisters, Iose, Jami, Kila and Aulani; paternal grandparents, Sainila and Etelagi Fanéné of American Samoa; maternal grandmother, Raelene Hagan of Utah; and aunts and uncles, Alataua Fanéné, Tilomai Ati'ifale, Mark Fanéné, Mere Sua'ava, Stefanie Hagan and Charley Hagan. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Charles Hagan, and uncles, Iose and Kila Fanéné.
The family received friends at the church Monday prior to the service. The Apex Funeral Home handled arrangements.
David Jonathan Kellen
David Jonathan Kellen, 21, died Thursday, Aug. 12, 2004. David was a kind, tenderhearted and courageous servant of God. He spent his summers volunteering at a camp for underprivileged kids. He dearly loved his family and cherished his friendships and the desire of his heart was to live a life pleasing to God. A junior at Appalachian State University, David planned to serve God by entering the full-time ministry. His life ended unexpectedly and tragically, but his legacy of kindness, gentleness, yet boldness for the Gospel of Christ will be remembered forever.
David was preceded in death by his brother, Stephen Michael Kellen of Cary, maternal grandfather C.A. Watts of Charlotte and paternal grandmother Florence B. Kellen, also of Charlotte.
He is survived by his parents, Peter and Janice Kellen of Cary; sister, Kristin Kellen Johnson and brother-in-law Clint Johnson of Raleigh; sister-in-law Erin Kellen and niece Olivia Kellen, both of Cary; paternal grandfather H.W. Kellen of Charlotte; maternal grandmother, Patricia Watts of Charlotte; uncles and aunts, John and Bonnie Winecoff, Steve and Connie Kellen, Kerry and Laurie Watts; and cousins, Carrie and Amy Winecoff, and Jennifer and Joshua Kellen.
The family received friends Monday evening at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary. Funeral services were held Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Colonial Baptist Church, with a graveside service at 3 p.m. at Sardis Presbyterian Church in Charlotte.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to CBM Ministries, Camp Grace, P.O. Box 1240, Fairmont, NC 28340.
Joshua 1: 6-9; 2 Samuel 1: 17-27; 2 Kings 23:25; Psalm 116: 15; Ephesians 6: 10-20; Romans 8: 1-2, 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.MeM.com.
