Joseph Curtis Hardee, Jr.
September 4, 1943 – October 7, 2004
My Dad, Curtis, is easily described as a good person and a man of his word. He was well beloved by everyone fortunate enough to know him. He possessed an immense joy for life through good and difficult times. His death is awfully hard to accept but due to his ever cheerful spirit his memories bring smiles with our many tears. He died in the fall of the year at home on his farm with family present. It was his favorite time of year and favorite place to be. He enjoyed tending to God’s land and loved his family more than anything in this world. Although Dad is not here in body, I see a part of him within the family he left behind. His special love for children and family in his mother, Hannah. His honesty, loyalty, and selflessness in his wife, Wanda. His love for traveling and singing along to every radio song in his daughter, Elizabeth.
His sincerity and confidence in his son, Curt, as well as his passion for hunting and fishing. His love for fun and dancing to all types of music in me, his baby, Rhonda Gray. He was a child at heart and his eyes twinkled at the sight of his grandboys, Matthew, Thomas, Harrison, and Carson. He was a caring father-in-law to Andrew, April and Kyle, and a loving brother to his sister, Judy.
We were blessed for him to be part of our lives. He had much more to give to this world and share with his family but God had another plan. As difficult as it is without him, we are proud of the blessings we share from him and the precious gifts he left behind.
Sara Harper
Our Mom was a loving Mother who cared a lot about others. She loved her children and grandchildren dearly. She always said as long as my “Little Family” is O.K., I’m O.K. Her three grandchildren Gabe, Taylor, and Sierra were the sparkle in her eye.
Mama’s favorite pastime was playing Bingo. She played as often as possible until her health no longer allowed her to play.
We will always be grateful for the love and generosity shown to us by our Mother. The final act of kindness displayed by our Mother was when she donated her eyes and gave the gift of sight to another.
Thanks for being a great Mom. We love you always.
Love,
Karen, Verna and Family
Robert C. Havens
Robert was born in Iceland to Christian parents in 1962. He had an older brother, younger sister, 2 nephews, a niece, and a large extended family whom he loved. We were married for 17 1/2 years when he died suddenly from a heart attack. He was a wonderful husband and my best friend.
Robert had a way to make you laugh in any situation. His philosophy was “why worry, everything will work out for the best”. He could talk to anyone. He worked as a HVAC service technician and loved meeting new people and working outdoors. He was looking forward to planting a big garden this year with his 6 year old niece whom he adored. Robert’s goal in life was to do his best in everything and to love his family and God unconditionally.
My wish to the recipients of his eyes is that they may see life and all the good in people as Robert did. Robert was a wonderful person and a real “gift” from God, to me and all who loved him.
Dean Patrick Head
Dean Patrick Head was born a healthy ten-pound baby boy on December 24, 1973. He was a loving son, brother, father, and a dedicated friend to many.
Dean was a man who loved the great outdoors. Fascinated with animals at a young age to an avid hunter as an adult. From digging for crawfish to hunting deer, bear, raccoon, and fishing. He enjoyed sports and played football as a youth. He was a collector of trading cards, NASCAR and other memorabilia. Dean was passionate in all his endeavors.
As an adult, his greatest role would be devoted father to two beautiful daughters age five and eleven. Values of life were taught to them from his own childhood. Dean showed them that work took dedication; a lesson learned at age five in a rural family tobacco field and continued to full-time with Bridgestone-Firestone and part-time with Carolina Overhead Doors.
An unselfish man who loved to help others before himself. So many lives were touched and changed in his thirty short years before he entered eternal peace on December 11, 2004.
Justin Fisher HenryAs a child Justin enjoyed the outdoors and had a special appreciation of this world. As each morning would dawn, upon awakening he would remark, “Sunny day, Dad”. As he grew and matured, he learned to play and excel in many sports, especially baseball, football and basketball. He was a terrific conscientious student at an early age. At the age of 13 he declared to his parents “I will earn a scholarship – it will be either academic or athletic”. Justin was a young man who set lofty goals and seemed to always strive and reach them. He graduated from Lewistown Area High School sixth in his class. Before graduating he earned athletic scholarship offers, settling on the University of Rhode Island for football. Then he graduated from the University of Rhode Island’s School of Pharmacy (the first football player to do so) with honors in 2000. For his accomplishments of lettering in football and as a walk-on letterman on the basketball team, Justin received the Athlete of the Year Award.
Soon after passing his state Pharmacy Boards, he went to work at CVS Pharmacy in Lewistown, Pennsylvania. He did volunteer work as an inspirational speaker; he coached football and basketball. He always had a friendly hello and sincere concern for all of his CVS patrons. As a co-worker he was a positive, cheering support person.
Justin became a very tall 6’ 7” broad shouldered, thin built young man. He loved our mountain land, our cabin, hunting, hiking, scouting for deer and all sports. He had such beautiful blue eyes and a nice dazzling smile for all. His big broad hands could palm a basketball, give a warm strong handshake to all he met, cut through the pool water, shoot a great jump shot on the basketball court, tickle his nephews Hunter and Chase, build them a sand castle, hold hands with a special person, and give a helping happy hand to his family, friends or colleagues. His eyes would be so lit up, all who saw him could tell by his eyes, his zest for life and his love for us all.
He left our world instantly on August 5, 2004 at Corolla, North Carolina as he was struck by lightning. He is gone but his spirit and love have affected uncountable lives up and down the East coast and even some as far away as Hawaii. Justin Henry was an extremely special son, brother, grandson, cousin, uncle, friend, teammate, student and co-worker, and now he is an awesome angel.
Charles Alfred HensleyCharles was a proud Navy veteran and served on the aircraft carrier, the USS Oriskany, as an aviation machinist. His service included extensive tours in the Pacific and South Pacific from 1961-1965. He was employed by Griffith Security of Hickory, and previously worked in restaurant management for many years in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton area. He was past director of the Morganton Jaycees in the 1980’s.
There is a story that might be uplifting to others who have lost a loved one. After returning from the hospital the morning my brother died, I went to the family home where my brothers and I grew up. While sitting in the same spot my mother sat until her death in 1996 I received a call from the North Carolina Eye Bank asking if we would consider donating Charles’ eyes.
He was not a registered organ donor and to this day I cannot figure out how they were able to contact us so quickly. Without hesitation I agreed to the procedure. Several days later I was notified his corneas were given to two people.
The irony of this story is our mother Lucille Hensley was “blind” the majority of her adult life. She was a strong willed, independent, loving person who had a wonderful outlook on life and never let her disabilities get her down.
I take great comfort in thinking this sequence of events was not just a coincidence.
Thomas Odell Hicks
Thomas Odell Hicks lived in Rolesville, NC. He retired from Lufkin Cooper Group in Apex, NC after 30 years as a precision machinist. After retirement he began Hicks Home Improvements, Repairs and Remodeling, and Plumbing Repairs. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing as often as he could. He enjoyed going to restaurants to eat and talk to his friends. He liked to travel when he had time from his work.
He was married to Marian Eddins Hicks. They had only one child, their son Thomas Dale Hicks, whom he adored. He was married for over 40 years. He was a member of Rolesville Baptist Church in Rolesville, NC. And his special pets April and Bo. Thomas loved, and was loved by, his family. He will be greatly missed.
Nathan Roy Hill-Gambill
Nathan Roy Hill-Gambill was born on June 7, 2000, in Denison, Texas. Nathan moved to North Carolina in the summer of 2001 - this is where he grew and learned. Nathan was always laughing and playing. He really enjoyed playing outside with his neighborhood friends. Nathan and his friends were outside every chance that they could. They would all run around the neighborhood pretending like they were in the military or riding their bikes. Nathan rode his bike so often that by the time he was three and a half, he knew how to ride his bike without training wheels.
He was extremely happy when he could help his dad out with the Ford Mustang and when he could help out his mom with the housework. Nathan loved to read, color, draw, watch movies with his mom and being with his friends. Nathan was a great child. His parents could not ask for any better.
Nathan touched so many lives while he was here, even though he was only here for a short period of time. Everyone that got to meet him will never forget him, the way he smiled, the way he laughed, the way he would find the greatest joy in everything that he did. Nathan will never be forgotten and will always be remembered as a beautiful, caring, and wonderful child.
Richard Himes
Richard was a loving man. Even though he was in a lot of pain this past year, he would have done anything for you.
He loved to take his boat out into the lake, to fish. He loved fishing. But the last couple of years he couldn’t get out, because of his health.
Before his strokes (he had 3), he loved to hunt, fish and work on cars. He liked car races. He raced them in his younger years.
He was a good husband, father, grandfather, lover and best friend.
Damon Alphonso Hinton
August 6, 1974 – September 1, 2004
Damon was a wonderful son. Having no sisters or brothers, Damon spent a lot of time with his parents. He started to travel very young and loved it. He flew alone at age 7 to Florida from North Carolina to visit his aunt and uncle. He had just returned from New Orleans when he died on September 1, 2004.
Damon worked for the family masonry company. He was a great brick mason and won several awards in high school. His two favorite things to do were cooking and fishing. He could cook just about anything and loved to cook for a crowd. One of his ambitions was to open his own restaurant.
Damon had many friends and relatives who loved him. He was a very lovable man. We miss him more than words can say.
Wendell David Holder
January 19, 1944 – November 20, 2004
Wendell was one of four children (1 brother, 2 sisters) and grew up in a country setting. He and his wife were married for 29 years and had 3 beautiful children (2 daughters, 1 son) and 3 beautiful grandchildren (2 boys, 1 girl).
Wendell was Baptist by faith and even though he did not attend church regularly, he did believe in the Lord.
He was a truck driver most of his life and enjoyed the many hours spent out on the road meeting different people. Wendell was a very hard worker who was always dependable and dedicated to his work.
Wendell’s hobbies included hunting and fishing and he always liked to garden in the summer. He was also an avid listener of bluegrass and country music and had a large selection of music by his favorite musical artist, Hank Williams.
Although Wendell had many health problems and was sick the last few years of his life, recovering from cancer in 2000 and open heart surgery in June, 2004, he was always fun loving and full of life. He was well liked by his many friends and very much loved by his family and will be greatly missed.
Martin Ray Houglan
“Strange that I should be right here,
Wasting time and full of fear tonight
And I walk alone guitar in hand,
Trying hard to understand what’s right”
Carolina’s Just a Dream
Marty Houglan
Martin Ray Houglan (Marty) led many lives in his short 44 years. At different times, he was a son, brother, and friend. He was also a student, a traveler, and a musician. Born in Kentucky, he grew up and knew North Carolina as home. Educated at North Carolina A&T University and North Carolina Central School of Law, he was more a student of life than an academic. While he traveled in Europe and Mexico, his favorite journeys were with his friends. Although trained as a lawyer, his life’s work was music.
Marty toiled to find his place in this world and struggled to understand his role in life. For him life’s complexities were shades of gray that seemed to slip through his fingers like fog on a dewy Carolina morning. The friendships he received from others during his times of struggle were testaments to the bonds he helped to foster in calmer times. At times he was able to hold a mirror up to his and our frailties so we could laugh together at ourselves. His music was his mirror. It was with this mirror that he tried to look into the soul that had gotten lost on the road to enlightenment.
Marty was best able to express his emotions and thoughts in music. He found beauty in the phrase of a song. The beat of his life can be found in the rhythm of his songs. The harmonies of his music provided him the friendships he needed. Playing his music was how he shared his love with the world. It is into his music that we look to see the reflection of the son, brother, and friend that we have lost, but continue to love.
“And I can’t even cry, no not yet
And I can’t even cry
Cause letting go is impossible
Not letting go is all that I have left”
Piece of Paper
Marty Houglan
Allison Kate Howard
Our daughter Allison Kate was born at a gestational age of 25 weeks. She weighed 1 pound, 6 ounces. Her life in this world lasted just a few hours but she changed our lives forever.
We don’t have many pictures of Alli. The ones we do have don’t come close to showing how beautiful she was but we hold her in our hearts with joy that one day we will see her beauty again.
We donated Allison’s eyes to the North Carolina Eye Bank. We were told that she was too small for them to be used as transplants but that valuable research could be gained through the donation. We are avid believers in organ donation. That coupled with the thought of our daughter being able to help others made the decision quite easy.
Allison has a younger twin sister named Brooke. She was not much bigger than Allison but she was stronger. She spent many hard months in the Intensive Care Nursery with a lot of ups and downs. Among other things, she had trouble with the development of her eyes. The doctors told us that she may need laser surgery. Although the problem could be corrected she would lose much of her peripheral vision as a result. Fortunately, with time her eyes progressed. The surgery was not necessary but through this time the importance of Allison’s donation could never have been seen more clearly.
Though Allison did not get to see much of this world, we hope that because of her others might. Thank you for the wonderful work that you do and for allowing our family to be a part of it.
Hugh and Mandi Howard
Wilson, NC
Dennis Bruce Howard
November 16, 1969 – September 9, 2004
Better known as Big “D”.
Dennis was loving, kind, gentle, and considerate of others. He was a very unique person, he did not try to be anyone but himself. What you saw is what you got. Everyone accepted Dennis for his honesty and big heart. He was always helping others in any way he could.
He loved children, it was nothing to see him in the floor playing with them or playing board games. But of course he let them win. He knew God and loved Him. The angels rejoiced when God brought His unique one home.
Some of Dennis’ hobbies were fishing, hunting, collecting Star Wars figures, and old comic books.
He loved his family, especially his three nieces, Ashley, Robin and Haley. Dennis enjoyed spending time with them. He also loved his Mom and sister very much. He took his Mom to lunch every Friday. That was the kind of person Dennis was.
He worked for Arant Lumber Co. for 10 years and loved it there. He would say that the employees there were his family also. He went to work for Weyerhaeuser after the Lumber Company closed.
Dennis died helping his fellow employees.
Dennis Hoyle
Dennis did not have an easy life. He spent time in a school for the blind when he was a young boy. His father died when Dennis was a very young boy and his mother showered a lot of attention on him due to his poor health and eye sight.
He was always a very giving and caring person. All of his nephews and nieces loved to see Uncle Dennis come because they could get money for candy or ice cream from him.
Dennis lived alone and was always happy to have company or to talk to you on the phone. He always ended each conversation by saying “ I love you.” We all miss Dennis very much and look forward to joining him in heaven where he will be able to breathe well which is something he hadn’t done in years and also will have perfect vision.
It would please Dennis very much to know his eyes would help someone else be able to see better.
Mary Hutcheson
Mary Hutcheson, 87, a resident of Chapel Hill, NC since 2003, died September 3, 2004. A native of Georgia, she was the daughter of Robert Oliver Hutcheson and Jessie Mary Thompson and a graduate of Atlanta Girls High School, Sue Bennett Junior College, Emory and LSU where she obtained a library degree. In 1946 she went to Germany as Special Services army librarian. When she left in 1955 she was supervisor of 45 libraries. In 1957 she became the librarian of Texaco Research Center in Beacon, NY, and retired there in 1986.
A member of the Fishkill Methodist Church she held many offices and improved the church library which was named for her in 1985. She was also a volunteer at Vassar Hospital in Poughkeepsie where she worked with patients and set up a Social Services library. She volunteered at Blodgett Library in Fishkill. A member of the Melzingah Chapter, DAR, she was regent, vice-regent, chaplain and supervised tours of the DAR Madame Brett House. In 1997 she was honored as Duchess County Senior Citizen of the Year.
She is survived by a sister, Virginia Sue Wilson and her husband, Richard H. Wilson of Chapel Hill; two nephews, Richard H. Wilson, Jr., Wellesley, MA; Dr. Robert B. Wilson, Wynnewood, PA; two nieces, Ginny McMillen, Winter Park, FL; Lynne Wilson, Decatur, GA; four great-nieces and four great-nephews.
