Sam was a wonderful and loving person, full of live, and full of compassion for his fellow man, especially the less fortunate. All in all, a great person that will be missed dearly.

Carol Ann Kirby Bohler

Carol Ann touched the lives of not only her family, but the lives of everyone she met. She loved life and passed that love on to everyone she came into contact with. Those who knew her are better people because of her. Carol Ann, you are, and always will be, loved and missed.

Annie Rebecca Wells Boone

Dear Mama
We love you with all our heart
You we've cherished right from the start
We've had our ups and downs
Even so, we were so thankful you were around
Know you have gone to a better place
The tears, they replace the smiles on our face.
God has smiled and laid your soul to rest
God makes no mistakes, and we know He knows best
We love you, Mama, with all our hearts
We have loved you unconditionally, right from the start
We'll miss you lots, this we know
But God has you now, and we must let go
A mother's love we'll always know
That mother's love helped us to grow
Into the persons we are today.
Thank you, mama, for your loving way.

James William Bowen, Jr.

James William Bowen, Jr., was born October 1, 1953, and died July 31, 2002. He was known as Jimbo to family and friends. A large man at almost 6 feet 6 inches, and around 375 pounds, he was often stopped by strangers who inquired about which pro football team he played for. In our local paper, a tribute to him referred to him as a "gentle giant."

While he was physically a giant of a man, he also had the heart of a giant. He was a man who was never ashamed to shed tears of joy or sorrow.
Jimbo loved family, friends, and life. He lived life to the fullest. He never met a stranger, or talked with someone he didn't share a laugh with. He had a wonderful sense of humor and sharp wit.

He wanted to be an organ donor so that if his life was over, others could still live. We miss him terribly, but are thankful that someone is able to see, thanks to him. It is our prayer that those who now see because of his gift can view life with the same joy he did.

Bradley Boyd

Brad turned 16 on Saturday, March 2, 2002. Two weeks later on Saturday, March 16, 2002, he was killed, as a passenger in a car accident. Brad had decided to be a donor when he got his driver's permit in January 2002.

He was our only son - the middle child - and has two sisters, one older and one younger. We all loved (and love) him very much.

Brad was truly liked and loved by many students and teachers at his school, West Carteret High School. He had many friends. He was the kind of person that stood out in a crowd because of his size and personality. At six foot four inches and 220 pounds, he usually wasn't hard to spot!

He had a promising future ahead of him in sports. His love was football! All of his coaches, beginning in middle school, always praised him for his hard work, dedication, and never quit attitude. Just an all-around great guy.

Even though his death was a tragic one, Brad was very thoughtful and would have wanted to help someone.

Peggy Brady

Mother's Eyes

The greatest gift that we could give to anyone are my mother's eyes. Her eyes watched my grandparents go from young to elderly, and then to God.

Her eyes watched her husband propose, then watched him say the words that, under God, would keep them wed for life.

Her eyes watched her children grow from infant to adult, and everything in between.

Her eyes saw graduations, halloween costumes, and construction paper Mothers Day cards.

I only hope the recipients of my mother's eyes get to see through the same veil of love through which she saw our family. Those eyes are truly "mother's eyes."

Carol Ann Bunn

Carol Ann Bunn was a vivacious young woman of strong faith, who loved life, and was a light and joy to all that knew her.

A 1997 double lung recipient herself, Carol Ann realized first hand what an impact and change organ donation could make in a person's life. Carol Ann worked tirelessly in speaking on behalf of organ donation.

Her physical health prevented her donating her internal organs, but she gave the gift of sight by donating her eyes. She gave her sight to one that perhaps had never seen the beauty of God's creation, a smiling face, or love in the eyes of others.

Her inspiration and life have motivated others to continue her efforts and fulfill her dreams.

J. Howard Bunn, Jr.

Jackson Howard Bunn, Jr., died July 29, 2002, at North Carolina Memorial Hospital, Chapel Hill, from complications related to diabetes.

Howard was a nationally recognized expert in issues related to workers' compensation. After practicing law for seven years in Charlotte, he was appointed in 1970 by Gov. Robert Scott to serve as Chairman of the North Carolina Industrial Commission. In September 1993, he returned to North Carolina when he was again appointed as Chairman of the NC Industrial Commission, this time by Gov. Jim Hunt, and where he served until his retirement in 1999.

Howard and Kay Seawell were married on July 20th, just days before his death. His dream of companionship for his latter years was cut short, but memories of him will last for years.

For those who knew Howard Bunn, they will remember a warm gentleman, who measured people by their very being. He respected people from all walks of life, and if he was your friend, you will miss his solid and loyal friendship.

As Danny Kaye said, "life is a big canvas....you should throw all the paint on it you can.

Gary Bunton

Gary was my high school sweetheart, and my husband for thirty four years. He was also my very best friend. He made life fun. He made everyone laugh, and have a good time. Gary was the life of every party.
He was very intelligent and witty. You could not talk about a subject that he did not know something about. He used to say that he knew a lot of useless information. He would also tell his children that he knew everything they needed to know.

Gary was the best dad, and was so proud of his children. He also played with them, and put them first. He tried to teach them right from wrong, and instill values. As they grew older, he also wanted to be a part of their lives, and was interested in whatever they were interested in.
He was a deacon and part time Sunday School teacher. He was a friend to all his coworkers.

It would be nice to be able to tell you about just one special day with Gary, but every day spent with him was special. He used to tell people that not everyone is lucky enough to find the love of their live at such a young age.
He truly made life fun!

Dr. Gil Burke was one of a kind. He worked hard and was driven by his love of orthopedic surgery. His patients loved him, and he brightened his coworkers day. He could make anyone laugh, and was always looking for a way to make you smile.

He loved our family, and took us to Disney World for each of our tenth birthdays. He began video taping key events in our lives, and never missed an opportunity to tape his family. These will serve to refresh our memories of his love for us in the coming years.

Gil was a christian and was quite involved in his church. He ministered to our family, his patients, coworkers, and anyone with whom he came into contact. His dedication to philanthropy was reflective of his christian beliefs and lives on, after his passing.

We miss him dearly, and as we move onto the next stages of our lives (getting married, having children, etc.) we will miss him even more. As a father, he never had to verbalize the values he wished to instill within his three daughters. He lived them.

Although his earthly journey is complete, part of him lives in our souls for eternity.

Eric Reynolds Burns

October 20, 2000 - November 7, 2002

Terry was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and my very best friend. One of our fondest memories is that he believed if God forgave him, then he, Terry, should forgive others.

He truly had an outgoing and loving personality. He loved to tell jokes, and laugh with others. Terry loved people, and was always wonderful for listening to his family, never being critical, and would tell us "I love you."

Elizabeth Caddell

Elizabeth began bringing joy into the lives of many on June 10, 1958. From childhood and beyond, her enthusiasm, excitement and fun-loving personality compelled her to reach out and embrace life. Her laughter was contagious...her friends were many.

Elizabeth was always there to offer a helping hand in caring for a sick loved one, neighbor, or friend. Her gift of caring for people, along with her love and compassion, was a comfort to many. We leaned on her...heeded her...loved her. Nieces and nephews were born. She was there, and loved them as her own. They loved "Biddie" with a special love because she was a "Special Mother" to them...a gift from God.

Elizabeth's acceptance of her "lot in life," allowed by God, was shown by her silence in suffering. Her years of battling diabetes...from a teenager to the 43 precious years she lived...weakened her body, but not her spirit. Her compassion for others was shown throughout her short life, by the things she did for those around her. We love you, Elizabeth! We'll see you soon!

Terry Eugene Cantrell

Lee loved his children and family. He was the focal point for all of us, and was there when we needed advice and support.

His daughter, Latoya, was Daddy's girl, and Dillion was Daddy's boy. He was so very proud of his children.

We all loved him so much, and the pain and loss is so deep and hard.

He will always be a big part of our lives, and will be loved forever.

Junior Carpenter

I remember...the first time Junior (Skip) held my hand on that first date. Those clear blue eyes looked deep into mine, capturing my heart. His quiet strength and warm smiles carried us through 42 wonderful years together.

I remember...family trips to the mountains of West Virginia...bike riding down country roads...sitting in the swing in the front yard watching the hummingbirds in the mimosa tree...eating popsicles on hot summer afternoons...Sunday mornings with our friends at the old country church, and having lunch afterwards at our favorite restaurant (the cook's day off)...winter evenings with the gas logs burning brightly while Junior read one of his favorite novels by Louis L'Amour, or perhaps crocheting or quilting.

Occasionally he would look over towards me and say, "Marphie, you're beautiful," and I'd say, "thank you, you're handsome."

And the last words at night..."I love you."

Virgie Carter

Mrs. Carter was born in Gatesville, N.C., and lived in that area almost all of her life. She and Mr. Carter raised five children on a small farm with very few modern conveniences.

She loved gardening and was a good seamstress. She was a devout Christian, and loved her church family. In her later years, she got great joy from the company of her family, especially the grandchildren and great grandchildren. She lived to see the birth of a great great granddaughter.

She was able to celebrate her 100th birthday October 27, 2001, with many friends and family.

Leslie Stone Chrisemer

Mother of Michael William Stone, and daughter of Richard and Janine Sumner Stone

David Christian

To Remember Me, by Robert N. Test

The day will come when my body will lie upon a white sheet neatly tucked under four corners of a mattress located in a hospital busily occupied with the living and the dying. At a certain moment a doctor will determine that my brain has ceased to function and that, for all intents and purposes, my life has stopped. When that happens, do not attempt to instill artificial life into my body by the use of a machine. And don't call this my deathbed. Let it be called the Bed of Life, and let my body be taken from it to help others lead fuller lives.

Give my sight to the man who has never seen a sunrise, a baby's face or love in the eyes of a woman. Give my heart to a person whose own heart has caused nothing but endless days of pain. Give my blood to a teenage who was pulled from the wreckage of his car, so that he might live to see his grandchildren play. Give my kidneys to one who depends on a machine to exist from week to week.

Take my bones, every muscle, every fiber and nerve in my body, and find a way to make a crippled child walk. Explore every corner of my brain. Take my cells, if necessary, and let them grow so that, someday, a speechless boy will shout at the crack of a bat, and a deaf girl will hear the sound of rain against her window.

Burn what is left of me and scatter the ashes to the winds to help the flowers grow. If you must bury something, let it be my faults, my weaknesses and all prejudice against my fellow man.

Give my sins to the devil. Give my soul to God. If, by chance, you wish to remember me, do it with a kind deed or word to someone who needs you. If you do all I have asked, I will live forever.