Ralph Newman

Memories .... good cheese, a good cigar and Rolling Rock. He loved his wife and three daughters, but was never more thrilled than when his grandson was born. "Oh good, I can buy boy toys!"

Ralph could learn and do anything he wanted, from rebuilding a Mercedes to computer programming to sailing around the world. He told me how he learned to sail. "I read a book and made some mistakes." And that is what he wanted to impart to his daughters - to learn. To them, he knew everything. He cared about people and the earth. I knew that if more people could see life through his eyes, the world would be a better place.

"To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Through life and death, many have breathed easier because of Ralph. He truly succeeded!

Khia Tamone Newsome

This is our little angel, Khia Tamone Newsome, and I'm submitting this photo to always remember, and to have something to cherish of my precious baby girl.

My family and I had a hard time dealing with the death of our loved one. I didn't know how we would make it through the holidays, but with the expressions of sympathy and gratitude, and the special mementos we have received from the North Carolina Eye Bank, it has helped us remember our angel through this time.

It also lets us know that our baby girl was something special, and will always be, no matter if she was here on earth for just a little while.
This is our way to show she will always have a special place in our hearts.

We love you, baby girl!

George Norris

George always wore a smile, was honest and friendly. He accepted his problems and did not dwell on them.

his mother

Woody O'Dell

Woody was born in Winston-Salem, NC on July 23, 1972. At the time he passed away, he was employed as an aircraft mechanic with Delta Air Lines. He enjoyed mechanic work on the job, as well as a hobby.

He was an avid outdoors man. He loved hunting, fishing, and 4 wheeling. He was also an avid Nascar fan, and attended as many races as possible.

He enjoyed life every day and his favorite spots were the mountains of Montana and the coast of North Carolina.

Woody had a wonderful sense of humor, which made for many great moments with him. We loved him very much and dearly miss him. He would have been very pleased to know that his eyes gave someone else the gift of sight.

Eugene (Gene) Oehrle

Gene served in the U.S. Navy for twenty four years. He loved his country.
He was a very kind and loving person, who was always giving.
Gene would have been very proud to know that his eyes went to such good use.

You were always there when we needed a friend and in our hearts, your memory will never end.

We are so blessed to be a part of your love and devotion that will ever live in our hearts.

We will miss you more than words can say, and very soon there will come a day we will again see you, face to face, and again will feel your loving embrace.

Chad E. Parker

Chad was a most loveable child. He was happy to learn that he was going to have a little sister. However, when he saw her for the first time he said with a disappointed look, "we were cheated, she doesn't have any teeth, and can't walk." He decided that we should keep her, anyway.

Chad was a very artistic and creative young man. He loved to draw and build things, like a chicken pen and roost for his pet chicken, George.

He was a welder by trade, and was quite good according to his teachers and employers.

We are very proud of him, and miss him greatly.

John E. Parkin

John and I were married for fourteen years. He was my best friend. We could talk with each other about anything, and he was always there for me. My husband was not a social person, but when people got to know him they found out that he was very funny, and had a great personality.

John had the most beautiful eyes - green when he was happy, light gray when he was tired, and slate gray when he was upset (which, honestly, was not very often).

His donation made it possible for two people to regain their sight. They are now able to see all the wonderful sights this world has to offer.

Even though John is no longer a part of this living world, I gain solace in knowing a part of him is still alive, and bringing happiness to others.

Once out of school, Mike Parrish became an accomplished drummer, performing with numerous bands. He also served his country with pride as an MP in the US Air Force, spending most of his tour of duty in Alaska.

Mike met Lutricia Jones by selling her a piano and, following a storybook romance, they married in 1973, and raised three children.

He owned very few personal possessions, and his concern was to always provide for his family. His family was his life, and his grandchildren held the keys to his heart.

Mike Parrish was a gentle, caring honorable man who had a tender heart - but he rarely let it show. He never met a stranger, and he dared to be God's friend.

At the end as he fell ill, he fought the good fight with bravery, patience, and grace. He always chose God's will above his own, and in doing so, he won the fight.

Kenneth Parton

Ken was energetic and full of life. He was a kind and compassionate person. He never met a stranger, and would do anything for anyone who needed his help.

Ken loved sports and excelled in soccer, playing on his high school team.

He was also a fantastic artist, who was going to be either a landscape architect, or graphic designer. This part of his life he kept hidden, and not many people knew how talented he was.

We loved him very much, and miss him terribly.

He has a seven year old grandson who was the apple of his eye.

Darrell took early retirement at the age of fifty six from the BP Oil Company where he had worked in the terminal office for thirty four years.

He died at the age of sixty one. Darrell enjoyed his church, backyard garden, wood working and fishing.

Adam Tyler Purser

As an active member of Central Baptist Church in Wendell, Adam loved participating in any youth functions, and helping others. He enjoyed mission trips that benefited other people. Over the summer, he participated in World Changers in Norfolk, and worked on roofing houses. His faith was a powerful part of his life.

As a youth, he became a Boy Scout. During his scouting career he served as an Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, and Chaplain's Aide. In 2001, Adam was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout. His Eagle Project was an outdoor chapel for his church which consisted of building eight benches and a cross.

Adam loved working on cars and trucks. He loved history, reading, hunting, working outdoors, and hanging out with his friends. He was loving, kind and had a sensitive heart.

He had a beautiful smile, gave great hugs, and loved to joke and talk with people. He was a great little brother, a wonderful son, and a treasured friend, who will always live in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Charles loved the Eagles, the NY Yankees and the NY Giants. He lived for football season, chicken wings and a cold beer. He enjoyed bowling and playing darts. Charles' real passion was cooking, and he was a gourmet cook. As far as he was concerned, no one else knew how to use a knife or cut up onions and garlic. It (cooking) was his passion. The man had more cook books than Emeril Lagassi and Julia Childs put together.

Charlie was a veteran of the U. S. Navy and served for six years. He grew up in Long Island, NY. It's said as soon as he was able to talk, he would sing "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" in the shower.

Charlie was a forgiving man and loved to help people, and loved to be praised for his cooking.

All of us that knew him were blessed that we were able to receive the gift from God to share in his laughter, his tears, his triumphs, and his tumbles - and most of all to receive his undying love.

We know he is proud that he has given the gift of sight, and pray his recipient can see all the miracles this life has to offer - just as Charlie was able to do.

Neil Reed

Neil and I were married on July 3, 1993, in Niagara Falls. He had two sons and two daughters, and eight grandchildren. Neil was the best grandfather any child could wish to have.

He lived in Hickory, North Carolina, where he was a construction superintendent. He worked in construction work for thirty plus years.

Neil liked deer hunting, target practice, archery, and was a wonderful cook. He loved to cook for big crowds - the more the merrier!

He attended Gateway Baptist Church. He loved his church and pastor. We were amazed to find out that you had been praying for Neil for so long. You may not have know who he would be, but God did. We thank you for praying for a Christian. God heard you, and changed Neil's heart.

We found out Neil had cancer the last week of February 2001. He was told it was incurable. He took radiation to help alleviate the pain, which helped some. We were devastated, but he remained faithful to the Lord, his family, and his church.

Neil said he wanted to be a donor, but because of his cancer, we didn't know if he would be allowed. We're thankful his corneas could be used to restore sight.

As I wrote in my letter to his cornea recipients, "as you read this, don't thank God for Neil's corneas, but thank God for Neil's wonderful and miraculous salvation."

Doris Gray Reese

Doris' death was sudden and unexpected, even though she had recently had two operations. She was having a difficult recovery period. Her family is still adjusting to her death.

Despite the grief felt, we believe very strongly in organ and tissue donation, due, in part, to our oldest brother surviving six years with a transplanted heart. Our brother-in-law also donated eyes and tissues after his sudden death.

The fact that other people now have benefited from Doris' mortal body has been very comforting to us. Doris was a warm and generous person, and she would rejoice with those that received a part of her, hopefully ensuring them a happier life.

She lives forever in our hearts, and is now with our family members that went on before her, in the home of our Heavenly Father.

Jerry Reinke

Jerry was a fine man, who had trouble with his vision all of his eighty five years.

It was his wish to have his eyes studied and used for research, so others might have better vision.

Mrs. Bonnie Reynolds

Bonnie was a loving girl who liked going to church, and attended as long as she was able.

She worked hard as an inspector at a mill.
Bonnie was a sweet daughter.

Hazel Reynolds

My mother was born and raised in Andrews, North Carolina, a small mountain town. Her father went blind in his late 50's, causing her to be very sensitive to all handicaps.

Mom and Dad were married for 52 years before she got sick. She retired from Sears, and then worked in a clothes closet and food bank.
She was always willing to serve and help others.

Her devotion to her Lord was outstanding. She was an excellent bible teacher, and my biggest thrill was when a nurse at the nursing home asked me if she was the same Mrs. Reynolds who would come to their church to teach the Youth Bible Study.

Mom touched a lot of hearts with her vast knowledge of the bible. We appreciate her being able to help others one final time. Her family is, and always will be, proud of her.

In her final days at Hospice she was known as the "tough little mountain lady."

Rosalee Roberts

What can you say a about someone who was always there for you, no matter what, who made sure you had something, even when she had to do without.

She was a very caring and loving person, whose passing has left a void in my life. She was a good member in her church, and she worked with the elderly.

My mother always tried to help others, and I thought it was fitting that one last act of love for others was the act of her being a donor.

Jacob Robinson

The decision to allow my son to become a donor was one of the hardest of my life. As a nurse, I had been at the bedside of many dying patients and always advocated organ donation. I, myself, am an organ donor, according to my driver's license.

I found out, though, that when it's your precious child, the choice is a little harder to make. What finally made up my mind for me was the memory of how warm, loving, and generous my son, Jacob, was.

He never met a stranger, and the joke in our family was that Jacob was a "Pied Piper" of children and animals. Wherever we went, it seemed as though small children and animals of all kinds just gravitated to him.
I had thought that Jacob would one day be a veterinarian, but he told me he planned to become a pediatrician.

I knew I had done the right thing when I came across a school paper Jacob had written entitled "How I Could be a Better Person." In the paper, he describes how he would become a better person by helping other people, even if it was just listening to them when they needed someone to talk to.
Jacob was the best person I knew and the best friend I had. His sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins will miss him.

But even in death Jacob was able, by being a donor, to help other people.
We thank you, Jacob, for being a good person, and we love you.

Robert Stanley Rothrock