Edwin L. Harris
Edwin L. Harris was born August 20, 1985, in Trenton, New Jersey. He moved with his family to North Carolina in March 1999, where he pursued his studies.
He was a very pleasant guy. He was a very good basketball player and also liked playing video games and helping whomever he could. He wanted to become a star in the music industry.
He also loved to travel back to N.J. to be around friends and family, and tell them about the different places to go. He recently got his driver’s license and was very proud that he did. He enjoyed being around family and friends all the time.
Joshua David (Josh) Harris
Josh was a very loving person, always making people laugh. He was always coming through the door with the biggest smile you ever saw. He could light up the whole room.
He had a heart disease but tried to be like everyone else. A lot of the time he did, but his heart was getting weaker every day. A lot of his friends didn’t even know about the disease. Josh didn’t want people to feel sorry for him, or be treated any differently. He said he would not live to be old.
Josh was very smart with cars, dirt bikes and if you wanted to know anything about the Bible or God, he could tell you. He loved politics and anything going on in the world. He loved snowboarding, riding dirt bikes and working on his car. He always said when he got finished with his car, it would be ‘bad.’
He was a loving and wonderful father. He had beautiful premature twin boys, Damon Riley and Justin Xavier, born 8/22/02. Sad to say, Damon Riley was just 51 days old when he passed away. That was hard on everyone, especially Josh.
We had gone on vacation in March and expected Josh to call, but a family member called saying that Josh had left us forever. He was very happy go lucky all of the time, and we didn’t know it would be so soon.
Josh was a great and loving son, brother, father, and uncle. He will be missed greatly and loved forever and always. God must have needed him in heaven for his son, Damon.
Dad, Mom, Tisha, Bryan, Devin, Zackery and Justin.
Carl Hedrick
Carl was a good child who became a nice and polite teenager. He didn’t make all “A’s” in school, but he never failed a subject. He served in the Navy at Pearl Harbor until his honorable medical discharge.
He had two children, Jonathan and Jennifer. Carl was a hard worker and everyone that knew him liked him. He was a good son.
Carl suffered from Schizophrenia, and because of this could not manage his own life. I loved him very much.
M. C. Hedrick, father
Doris Carmen Henderson
Doris Carmen Henderson was a native of Smithfield, NC. She attended the University of NC at Greensboro and moved to Greenville in 1942. An active member of Immanuel Baptist Church, she served as a deacon, was president of the WMU, taught Sunday school and the Master Life Bible Study. She was also active in the Lakewood Pines Garden Club.
She worked as a bookkeeper in tobacco warehouses, and served as the first director of the Student Activities Fund at ECU. She also worked at the Pitt County ASCS Office and the Board of Elections.
Doris is survived by a son, Tom (Sandra) of Raleigh, daughter Camilla (Joe) Taft, and Martha (Carl) Henley of Chapel Hill, 8 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren.
Gerard B. HenrichonGerard was born 8/12/60 and was married in July of 1993. He was a great husband and wonderful father of three, 9 year-old daughter Sarah, 8 year-old son, Thomas, and 7 year-old daughter, Rebecca. The kids and I were Gerard’s favorite pastime – he loved to do everything with the kids and me.
He was a truck driver for the last 9 years, and loved to travel, doing his job. He worked hard to receive his pilot’s license and he loved to fly planes. In fact, that was our first date. Gerard loved being outdoors with his family. He liked going to the mountains and seeing God’s beauty.
The kids and I pray who ever received his corneas will enjoy seeing the beauty of God’s earth and the wonderful things He has made. Gerard just loved sitting on the top of a mountain and looking at God’s great creation. He loved the Lord, and going to church, to share what God had done for him in his life, and he loved to give to others.
Eugene (Gene) HesterGene was the youngest of eight children, but he made his own mark in the world. His family always knew that he was not only talented, but smart, and had a great sense of humor.
Whether it is cooking, gardening, or designing for Kitchen Concepts of Norwell, Massachusetts, his talent always would shine through.
In 1999 he was featured in Kitchen and Baths magazine. He won an award, and was able to show his work on HGTV.
We thank God for the gift of Gene in our lives. And now, we can share him with someone else.
Helen Hester, mother
Eric Elias Hill
Eric was born November 3, 1961 to his proud parents Rosetta Thomas Hill and Leroy Clarence Hill. He was a very warm, loving, and devoted son, brother, and father.
He worked as a landscaper, and for the Nabisco Company. Eric took great pride in his lawn, keeping it well manicured, planting and tending a variety of flowers and shrubs. He could not tolerate anyone walking on his lawn once he got it “shaped up.”
A couple of his favorite past times included riding his motorcycle and grilling meats and vegetables on his outdoor grill. When he was younger, Eric enjoyed playing football and basketball. He took time to play basketball with his son, O’Brien, and they occasionally rode their bikes in the park.
He also enjoyed traveling in the mountains of North Carolina, at the Carolina beaches, Cancun, Mexico, and talking to his beloved sister and brother-in-law, Sharon and Victor Wilder of Powder Springs, Georgia. Eric also talked frequently with his brother, Eric Stanback of Washington, D.C., to whom he was very close. He and his son, O’Brien, considered their dog, Samson, to be a member of the family.
Eric befriended and encouraged those who crossed his path. He cared for his devoted friend, Ella Courts, and loved his family profoundly. We take great comfort knowing that he is with God, and that his living was not in vain.
Yours in Christ,
The Hill Family
Jerry Hill
Jerry and I met on a blind date October 1, 1983, and were together every day until his untimely death on October 5, 2003. He was only 46 years old. He was such a loving, gentle man, and everyone that met him loved him.
He loved his family first, but he also loved his animals so much. We had dogs, cats, exotic birds, and show birds. We traveled to several states every year, showing our birds, and Jerry’s dream was to win Grand Champion of a show. We finally accomplished this feat in September 2003. To make it even happier, we had our daughter, son-in-law and grandson with us. They got to witness our final bird show and see “Grandpa Jerry” at one of his happiest moments.
Jerry’s death has left a huge hole in my heart, but I am also the luckiest person in the world to have been his wife for almost twenty years. I know how proud he is right now, knowing that someone benefited from this donation.
To the North Carolina Eye Bank, a big THANK YOU for the great work you do, and for helping the survivors feel as though a part of their loved one is still here.
Heather Hodges
Kobi Yamada’s book asks “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were?” How would Heather respond?
Well, she Carried the pain of a 90 year-old woman, and the wisdom too. Had the gentleness of a newborn baby, but was far too independent. Had the intelligence of a retired professor, and the drive of a teen going out for the cheerleading squad.
I, however, would say “not old enough.”
Heather lived a full life – one without regrets, and she made every day count.
Cystic Fibrosis would determine her destiny, but never define who she was. She just wanted to blend in, be normal, like everyone else.
She was far too special for that (blending in). Her strength and courage made her stand out, and others take notice.
In 1998 she received a double lung transplant. In 2 days she was breathing without a ventilator. In 2 weeks, she was home, and in 6 months, she began working as a donor center coordinator for The North Carolina Eye Bank, and later became director of the department.
She brought a level of understanding to the job thatwould be hard to match.
This was her destiny. No regrets, making every day count.
Friend
Wife
Recipient
Co-worker
Donor
She will remain in our hearts forever.
Her eyes see other eyes, other glories, other stories. A destiny fulfilled, a legacy created.
Thank you, North Carolina Eye Bank, for honoring Heather’s life and work.
Brent Hodges, husband
Tracy Capps Holder
Tracy Capps Holder was born January 3, 1976. After living in Virginia for a short time, she moved to North Carolina. She lived in the Johnston County area. She and her long time boyfriend, Chris Holder, married December 17, 1993. During their marriage, they had three children, Brittany, Jessica and Jennifer. She was a very devoted mother and wife. She found that she liked working with the elderly. Tracey went to school to become a CNA. She worked with Home Health and in 2 area nursing homes. She touched many lives throughout her career and life, and was a very caring and loving person. When Tracy was not working or helping others, she enjoyed NASCAR Racing. Her favorite drivers were Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. She also enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She and Chris were married almost 10 years when she passed away. She left behind her 3 daughters, Brittany, 10, Jessica, 8, and Jennifer, 5.
In the End
Do you know what it feels like to lose someone close, when you are standing at the funeral with a rose? They’re about to put them in the ground with the whole crowd standing around, everyone in tears with all the memories they had through the years. You never thought it would be your friend, but it was in the end.
Do you remember the memories you had, some of them good, some of them bad? Did they make you laugh, or make you cry – but now they’re gone, and you wonder why. Friends and family gather side by side to visit the person they know that died. Suddenly an angel comes into view to take the person whose time is due.
Now to Heaven they will go as they stared at the people below. The person is no longer in pain, although their death drives everyone insane. Now they enter the gates of paradise. Everyone and everything is so nice. So say your goodbyes to your friend who had to die in the end.
Kenneth Lee (Ken) Hudson
Ken was a good man that loved to be around people. He was a fantastic husband, loving, caring father of one daughter, and grandfather of two. He loved his family dearly, and would go to great lengths to do anything for them. He was also a very dear friend to many, so close with some that we considered them part of our family.
He did not travel or go shopping. His favorite pastimes were his family, the computer, sports and hamburgers. The first time we visited his mother after we were married, she gave him money and told him to take me out to eat. Well, he did! He took me to this little hole in the wall restaurant in Roanoke VA called the Texas Tavern where we had chili in a coffee cup and hamburgers the size of a silver dollar.
Ken’s favorite story was how we met – he was traveling through West VA and got lost. He stopped to ask a farmer for directions and was told the only way he would get him out of there was if he took one of his daughters for a wife. He told the farmer he would take one of his daughters out of the country, but he would not marry her. The farmer shook his head and said no deal, because he wanted to make sure she got a good husband to take care of her. I didn’t mind him telling this tale, because I did and he did.
When he wanted to learn something, Ken would find a way to just go for it. When computers became the rage he bought one, even though he couldn’t type. He purchased a typing program and taught himself. He mastered the intricate and complicated workings of the computer and finally declared himself a computer whiz. He eventually had people calling him with problems they were experiencing, or asking him to just come fix the problems for them.
Having loved and been married to Ken for 38 years, I always felt I knew him so well, but there were always times he could totally surprise me. He would be such a jokester. On one occasion when our daughter was a budding pre-teen and fast becoming a die hard pop music fan, Ken walked in the back door of the business where I was working carrying a portable record player playing Michael Jackson’s recording of Abracadabra very loudly. He didn’t stop to say anything to me or anyone else he just proceeded out the front door on the bank, leaving me standing there with a very red face. Many of our close friends were the recipients of his jokes, but they just forgave him and waited for the next time.
Joan Huffman
Joan, my dear and loving wife of almost 53 years, had eyes that mirrored a person full of life. It is hoped the eyes of the recipients of Joan’s corneas can shine with a glow that reflects the love and caring that was part of her.
Forney Huffman, husband
Our lives reflect the life our mom lived, as we mirror ourselves in her likeness. Mother viewed life and its many wonders – both simple and extraordinary – as a gift to be held on to, and cherished. Everything held within itself a deeper meaning, but a simple meaning – love.
Her Children
Thomas A. (Tommy) Humphrey
Thomas Allen (Tommy) Humphrey was born 8/14/45 in Lenoir County He was the owner of Glenburnie Coin and Pawn in New Bern, NC. He had been in the pawn business for many years and really loved his work. He was very good at “wheeling and dealing” and working with the public.
Tommy was a member of Bethel Free Will Baptist Church in Kinston, NC. He loved his church family and helped many members that were in need of financial support, and always made time to speak to the youth. Many church members were unaware of this generosity because Tommy never told or bragged about his kindness.
He was very proud of his three children, Chris (wife Stacey), Michael (wife Sarah) and his only daughter Tara (husband Jeremi). He always gave them his moral support and encouragement. He was especially proud of his granddaughter, Bailey. Tommy was fortunate to be able to see all three of his children graduate from college and also be a part of their weddings. Tara was especially grateful to have her Daddy walk her down the aisle just six moths prior to his passing away.
Tommy could fix just about anything that was broken, and had the patience of Job. Sometimes it would take him hours, but he was always determined to finish the job. He, with time, completed projects and they wound up being right!
He was an avid golfer. He would rather play golf than eat, drink, or work! One could always see him with his Dr. Pepper and animal crackers on the golf course.
Tommy was a great husband and always encouraged his wife, Alyce. He is the very reason she is doing the work she does daily. He gave her the confidence and praise that she needed to be the best at what she does, and feel proud of herself for it. He very rarely got mad, and never once in 38 years of marriage raised his voice. Tommy only showed love and adoration for his wife.
He was also a good son to his mother, Clara. If she needed him to do something, he would always do it without hesitation. He showed his own children the importance of taking care of the very person who once took care of you.
Tommy would be very proud to know that he was able to give someone else the gift of sight.
Alyce Humphrey
Jeffrey Scott Hunsucker
Jeffrey’s earthly life ended unexpectedly at the age of 32. He was very close to his family and was always there to give a helping hand to his family and friends. He was a very talented person who could do anything. He was a cook, mechanic, plumber, electrician, painter, carpenter, and computer expert. There was nothing he couldn’t fix or accomplish when he set his mind to it.
He was very proud of the three years he served with the 7th Transportation Battalion in the U.S. Army. He gladly served his country in the Persian Gulf War, and helped the refugees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Jeffrey had a wide range of interests. Cooking was his passion, and his family reaped every pound of the rewards! He was a dedicated Rusty Wallace fan and a NASCAR race was not to be missed. Playing cards, darts, and pool were his favorite weekend activities. His favorite vacation spot was Walt Disney World. He said there was no other place in the world he would rather be for the 4th of July festivities. He also loved to take spur of the moment weekend getaways to the beach, where he would sit with his wife and kids and fish on the pier all night long. Jeffrey’s number one priority was spending time with his family.
Giving someone the gift of sight had extra special meaning for Jeffrey, as his 11 year old daughter was left blind from meningitis. His life and death has forever changed the lives of his wife, children, father, mother, brother, sister, and grandparents.
