Betty Lou Sampson

Betty Lou Sampson was a wonderful and special person, who never gave up on life. She was the mother of two, grandmother of five, and a great-grandma of a baby girl.

I often look at it as a grandchild given to me, and my mother taken away at the same time. Of course, that is the whole idea of our world - where a life is given, one is lost. Although I gained a precious granddaughter, I still am disturbed by the loss of my devoted mother.

I remember all the things we shared when I was a child, and especially as an adult. One memory I will cherish forever was my mother's support. When I was carrying my oldest daughter, she was the only person that I could depend on. She was willing to help me take on the challenge of bringing a new life into this world, and she had compassion for the new addition to our family.

Betty was a militant woman. She always wanted to handle problems by herself, instead of seeking the advice of others. She thought she could handle her illness without any assistance, but her illness became too immense to handle on her own.

My mother was an intriguing woman. No matter the day or occasion, she always found a way to lighten up my day. Sometimes she would make jokes, while other times she would play pranks. I could call her to laugh about the kids, or even about events at work, and I knew if someone would listen, it would be her.

We should never take our loved ones for granted, because we can lose them so quickly. I am grateful I had a chance to spend thirty eight years of my life with her, and that I was able to tell her goodbye.

I am so thankful that with her passing, my mother was able to improve another person's life by donating her eyes. Perhaps someone can see for the first time, or maybe have their sight back again.

I will never forget my mother.

Bruce Sanders

Besides his love for God and his family, Bruce's passion was his love for banjo and bluegrass music.

This picture is of him and his "newest" banjo added to the collection.

Corinne Satterfield

She never resented her incapacities, but gave thanks to God for her suffering. She fought the good fight in dignity and patience.

Corinne never let her illness sidetrack her. She peeled off all weights and stood the test, knowing God was in full control.

Even though she has made her departure to her heavenly home and the final curtain has closed on a life well spent, a part of her will always remain in our hearts.

Sonya Lee Scarbrough

Sonya Scarbrough had beautiful blue eyes. They were kind, caring and sharp. Her wit was like that, too. Born in Alamogordo, NM, Sonya was educated in various colleges in New Mexico. She enjoyed all sports, but especially tennis and swimming. She was a great traveler, because she was so curious. She was very interested in genealogy and loved the history of our family.

Sonya recently moved to Durham, but had lived in Charleston, West Virginia, where she worked for the American Cancer Society. She was dedicated to Relay for Life, and other cancer related fund raising activities.

Sonya loved to read, making it even more wonderful that she was able to give someone the gift of sight she so cherished for herself. She viewed the world as an optimist. She was not judgmental, and did not criticize others. Her marvelous curiosity extended to her devotion to daily news and what was happening in the world around her. She did not watch the news on September 11, 2002, however. Though she was struggling with her own illness, she felt so much empathy for the families of the 9/11 attacks, she kept a silent vigil for them on that day.

Sonya loved New Mexico, her home state, and hoped to get back there one day. She loved all her animals, from her childhood collection of tadpoles to her beloved pets O'Hara, Theo, Tyler, Raven, K.D., Mugsie and Chile Bean, and of that list, several of those were rescued by her.

Sonya Lee Scarbrough - her middle name after her mother's - was our daughter, sister, and friend. See well through her eyes.

Jennifer Jean Comas Schiller

Jennifer was born in Winston-Salem, NC, and graduated from Meredith College in Raleigh, were she was a member of Psy-Chi, an honors group for psychology majors, and Kappa Nu Sigma, the National Honor Society for overall academic performance.

She graduated Cum Laude in 1975 with degrees in Psychology and Sociology, and certifications in Social Work. She spent many years as a case worker for the elderly and disabled, first through the Wake County Dept. of Social Services, and then through Resources for Seniors. She began as a caseworker, and was then promoted to an administrative capacity, and then to Director for the in-home services department.

Later promotions included Director of Planning & Development and Human Resources Director, this last being the position she retained until she left the agency in 1992.

Jennifer and I were married for twenty seven years. Among her hobbies were reading, playing the piano, and painting. She also enjoyed horse back riding.

She studied music and was an accomplished musician on piano and violin. Her favorite color was Carolina Blue, and she was a UNC fan to the max.

Judith Ann Sechrist

Judith was married to her high school sweetheart for forty three years. They attended rival schools, but that didn't stop them from meeting, falling in love, and getting married when Chamous was in his first year of college. They have one child, a son, and three grandchildren.

She loved beauty pageants and was named Miss Piedmont Queen in 1958. Basketball was her favorite sport, and "she thought she could play, but she was too short."

Judith worked in the business office of Davidson County Community College until she resigned due to her illness.

He literally left his mark on this country as the church bell designer for Brigham Young University.

Far more than these, he was a man with a tender heart. He showed this as he insisted we adopt a cat that had been left to starve. He communicated love to all, human and animal, on a nonverbal and spiritual level.

In Cincinnati he was even given the nickname "Love Personified." As an organ donor, this was a final gift of love that he could give to his fellow human beings, and in this gift, his spirit of love lives even today.

Charles (Chuck) Sherman

Chuck Sherman was a kind and gentle man who was always quick to help others. His generosity was never offered for quid pro quo recognition. In fact, virtually every act of kindness was done privately, to avoid embarrassment for those he helped and attention for himself.

In a final act of kindness he has given the gift of sight to another. It warms our hearts, as members of his family, to know that another person will have the privilege to see the beauty and wonder of the world through the eyes of Chuck Sherman

Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.

Rusty Sigman

At the time of his death, Rusty was 53 years old. We had been married 32 years, and have raised two beautiful children.

He was employed for 29 years with the railroad, and found great joy in his job as a conductor.

Rusty loved his family, and was a devoted husband and father. He found great joy in his friends and his job, and was interested in U.S. history and photography, and would talk about these thing with anyone who would listen.

We traveled by train up and down the east coast, as well as around the United States. Rusty loved life and lived it to the maximum. His greatest prize on this earth was his children.

The world is a better place for Rusty having been here for 53 years. I have many wonderful memories and photographs that he made for me and our children, and I thank God for sending me the love of my life, and I will be eternally grateful for him.

Renetta Greer Smith

Renetta was thirty four years old when she died. She was so full of life. I always said you might love her or hate her, but you could never forget her!

She left four beautiful children - one boy and three girls. We miss her so much, but we are forever thankful that something good has happened because of her donation.

Someday we would love to meet the people who were blessed by her donation.

Shirley Smith

Shirley Smith was a vibrant and energetic woman. She lived life to the fullest. She was a gentle and giving individual who would go out of her way to help someone in need.

Shirley was a teacher at Rockingham County School for 27 years. She loved the students and faculty, and thought of them as family. She retired in 1996, but never lost contact. For 43 years (even after retiring) she attended the school prom. The above picture is from the 2001 prom, the last of which she would attend. Shirley loved to dance and never missed an opportunity to show how good she was at it. The CLASS and Charm Shirley brought each year is something both the students and faculty remember most.

Shirley was such an energetic person that she was hard to keep up with. Another of her favorite things to do was shop. The clich‚ "Shop Till You Drop" was synonymous of Shirley.

She was a very devoted mother. Survived by her two daughters, Rita Diaz and Tonda Manuel of Reidsville, and three grandchildren, T. J. Lee of Florida, Heather Shelton of South Carolina, and Brittany Manuel of Reidsville.

She is loved and missed each and every day.

Jasper H. Snow

He was an honest, hard working man. Through his eyes he built numerous places for people to eat, shop and worship, up and down the east coast.

In Winston-Salem, he built Salem Baptist Church and several shopping centers and office buildings.

He loved the mountains, bluegrass, country and gospel music.

He had a great love for children, always picking on them and playing with the kids, telling them jokes, playing jokes on them.

He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather.

Walter Bernard Speight

Walter Bernard was the fourth of nine siblings. Because of an early childhood illness, Bernard was short, and often referred to by his siblings as the "little kid." Of course, that name served him well for a number of reasons, as he was truly a kid at heart, and he loved children.

Bernard was a caring person who was always willing to help others, especially children. He will be remembered as a child at heart, and for his profound love of God's natural beauty.

He always enjoyed being outside, and spent countless evenings sitting on the porch stargazing. All of his nieces and nephews fondly remember the first lessons on stargazing, and how to find certain stars. Bernard always entertained the children when they visited by taking them to the park, showing them how to fly a kite, and supervising the various games they played.

Although Bernard never had any children, he had one favorite child, his dog Antigone. Antigone went everywhere with him that dogs were allowed, and he was often seen in his neighborhood walking and playing with his only child, Antigone.

Bernard will always be remembered for his wit, humor, and love of just kidding around.

Linda Spivey

Linda had recently turned fifty years old. She was a social butterfly who loved live. She was a supportive and loving wife and mother, and is survived by her husband and three children.

Betty Anne Spry

When I started to write about our mother, I thought how do you put a lifetime of memories on one page, and I realized the most important memory would be of her faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus said "for I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me. I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least, you did for me." Our mother lived by these words. Ralph Waldo Emerson had the following to say about success: to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded.

Our mother was a success. Many lives were touched by her love. My sister, Lisa, and I would like to thank everyone for the chance to share with others who Betty Anne Spry really was. Mama, you will live forever in our hearts.

I only hope the one to receive her pretty blue eyes can see the most wonderful things she did from her heart. She was one who thought of others, and took care of others before herself. She loved children. I don't think there was one who crossed her path that wasn't at least offered something to eat or drink. The best way to sum up my wonderful mother is to say she had a heart of gold. I hope others can see the wonderful things too!

I remember when Nanny brought Little Man home. She used to get up in the middle of the night and fix me things to eat. When I was a baby, she bought me an elf suit for Christmas. She loved me a lot.

David Squires

David was a Deputy with the Durham County Sheriffs Department. He enjoyed life and his ability to help others.

He tried to improve the lives of others by doing the little things that are easy to overlook.

David derived the most joy from being around children, and took the time to direct them on the right path in life. He was one that would take the time to play with small children.

He is sorely missed. I am grateful that a part of him will live on, and in that process, another's life will be enriched.

Sherwood Stancil

Sherwood was a simple person and had simple desires. He loved his mother, his family, and especially his twin brother, Durwood. At times it may have been difficult to know him, but after that, you loved and respected him.

He never met a stranger. He loved people and would talk to anyone, especially the neighborhood youth. He would smile that smile that everyone knew. Sherwood enjoyed helping others, because he realized that many people had helped him.

Sherwood loved family meals. His favorite foods were macaroni and cheese, fried pork chops and desserts. He especially loved being outside, raking leaves, mowing the lawn and other yard work.

If you could see his world, there would be a beautiful flower garden with the freshly cut grass, having all his friends and family there, enjoying themselves.

All his life Sherwood wanted to help others.......even now, he has!

J. C. Stephenson

J. C. Stephenson was a truly unique person. Someone who made life more interesting for the rest of us.

It's his outgoing nature and free spirit that we'll miss so much. He was not only a great, loving father, a compassionate, loyal friend and a wonderful caring husband, but also a multitalented musician, performer, entertainer, and songwriter, with a passion for life and an immense love of music.

We are filled with your memories that are forever in our hearts. We'll always love you. Until we see you again......

Darin Shawn Surratt

Darin was truly the most amazing person I have every met. He was honest and kind without compromising his strength and independence. So many relied on Darin for his willingness to help in whatever capacity needed. His outgoing personality and huge sense of humor touched so many in his 25 years. He was always the center of attention, making everyone laugh. he was a big Dave Matthew's Band and NASCAR (especially Tony Stewart) fan. He would not leave the house on Sunday afternoons during a race.

I consider myself the luckiest person in the world to have shared 5 years of my life with Darin. He is always in my thoughts. I thank God every day for allowing Darin to touch my life in the greatest way. His smile lit every room. His laughter filled every heart. To meet him was to like him, to know him was to love him.

Crystal Swart

Crystal was a community college student who loved school, music, animals, the ocean, and most of all, her friends and family.

Gary Swear

Our son loved the outdoors. He grew up fishing and hunting with his Dad. When he was eleven years old he realized that when you shot something, you ate it. He got tired very fast of eating squirrels he had shot, and stopped hunting.

When Gary was in his twenties, he grew fond of hunting again. One winter day he went with his Dad and a friend to check out a hunting area. Our son and his friend were on one side of a ravine and his Dad on the other.

He called to his Dad that they had walked near a turkey. It didn't take long before they saw it was wounded. They chased it and when they were close, they didn't know what to do next.

Gary picked up a dead tree branch that shattered when it hit the turkey, but it was enough to kill it. And yes, he took it home and ate it.