Mary Cairns
Mary was a kind, thoughtful person who was happiest in life when she was helping others. For several years she was Director of Volunteer Services at Halifax Memorial Hospital in Roanoke Rapids. Mary was also a volunteer worker with the Halifax County Visitors Association.
She loved people and was always happy when she could meet new people from other places. She traveled extensively with her husband, after leaving her hospital job, including trips to Japan and Taiwan. Her relationship with people was such that at her funeral, two people made special trips from Taiwan to attend.
Patsy “Pat” S. Campbell
April 15, 1951 – July 13, 2005.
Pat was a remarkable individual and will never be forgotten. Although she is no longer here with us she will remain in the hearts of countless friends and loved ones. Pat grew up in Warrensville, NC and was part of a large loving family. She was one of five girls and had three brothers. Pat was a loving wife and perfect mother. Pat graduated from high school in 1969 and college in 1998 with a 4.0 grade point average. She was not only a terrific person but amazingly intelligent.
Pat was described by one of her sisters as being a domestic engineer. There wasn’t anything she couldn’t fix or anything she couldn’t make. She was an excellent seamstress and could make any dress or article of clothing she wanted to. She made my Junior Prom dress and won first place at a craft fair hosted by her employer. I can remember her saying once that she wouldn’t let anything beat her! She was also a very compassionate person and would do anything to help a friend or a total stranger. She donated blood through the American Red Cross every time she could. Pat had a rare blood type and knew that her blood type was always in high demand. Pat even went to the hospital on a couple of occasions to give blood when someone in the community needed it. One occasion was in the middle of the night when the hospital called her after an auto accident. Pat loved giving and helping others; however, she was no longer able to donate blood after she was diagnosed with cancer .
Pat fought a courageous battle with breast cancer and always maintained a positive and upbeat attitude. Pat didn’t let cancer beat her, however, her body did. Her spirit still remains in the hearts of her family and friends. Pat was very passionate about letting her co-workers, friends and family know every detail of her disease and treatment. She wanted everyone to be more educated in the event they were faced with the same situation. She was a role model to everyone by the way she handled her chemotherapy and radiation treatments. She would have a chemotherapy treatment on Thursday or Friday and was always back to work on Monday. Her doctors were amazed because she never used the full 12 weeks of FMLA leave she was entitled to during her treatments and surgery/recovery. She passed away on July 13, 2005 and worked her last day at Oldham Saw Company in late June of 2005.
Pat helped others right up to the end. When my father received the phone call regarding her organ donor status he didn’t even have to consider making the donation of her corneas. That is what she would have wanted. The great thing is she is still helping the individuals who received her donation! What a blessing that is to me and the family!
Mom,
We love you and miss you!
Your daughter, husband and family.
Sharon Carey
Sharon’s family was her life. Married to the same man for 30 years, she raised two children, Melanie and Bill. How she loved her children.
She was so blessed to have her grandson come into her life – if only for a little while. That red headed grandbaby – he was her joy.
She was only 50 when diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She fought this beast of a disease like a tiger – even going back to work at one point.
She is sorely missed in our lives, but never far from our hearts.
William H. Causey
March 17, 1943 – June 19, 2005
William was a good husband, a wonderful father and a loving and sharing grandfather. He was an avid golfer and fisherman, who loved nothing better than to get his two grandsons in the boat for a day of fishing on the lake.
He worked for Klaussner Furniture Industries as General Manager of the Frame Division for 27 years. He loved and respected the people he worked with and remained friends with them until his death.
He fought a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer until his death on June 19, 2005.
He will be greatly missed by many for a long time to come.
Tommy Wayne Cavanaugh
Tommy Wayne Cavanaugh was born in Winston-Salem on August 2, 1951. He died at home from a heart attack on August 16, 2005. He had emphysema and COPD. I know God doesn’t make mistakes. God called him home on my mom’s 78th birthday, two weeks after his 54th birthday. We had just celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary on August 3, 2005. Tommy was a Christian and I know he’s in heaven and he’s not suffering to breathe anymore. The last words he told me were, “Honey, I love you so much, you are so good to me”. He took my hand and kissed it. He was a wonderful husband, my soul mate, I miss him so much. Tommy loved “our” kids - his 2, Angie and Shawn – my 3, Chris, Alicia and David. He would let them know real quick if they were not doing things right. He spoke his mind and very seldom changed it. He loved his grandchildren very much – Caitlyn was his eyeball, he was her “Pop”. The others, Caleb, Alexis, Austin and Maria were too young to really know “Grampa”. Whatever Tommy did, no matter what it was, he gave 110%. He seldom relaxed. He loved Nascar, sitting on the pier eating crab legs and drinking a beer with his best friend Herbert. He loved anything to do with the water. He and I were truck drivers and we went to all but one of the 48 continental United States. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He loved his dogs: Max, a black lab who died, and Sampson, a 15 year old grey poodle, who is spoiled. He and his Daddy would eat ice cream with whipped cream every night. He doesn’t understand why his “Daddy” hasn’t been home. Tommy had the prettiest green eyes and I’m happy that two people have sight because of his donation. He had long hair and a beard. He is truly missed and I’m still in love with my husband. He was my tower of strength, he helped calm the storms in my life.
Clete McAllister Childs
May 8, 1989 – November 18, 2005
Clete was an active junior at Caldwell Academy, where he played soccer and basketball. He was known as a great hugger especially with his mom and sisters while he was an avid hunter and fisherman with his dad, brother and sister. He had a great passion for Christ and His Kingdom and was very active with the Friendly Hills Youth Group. He was fiercely proud and loyal to the University of Alabama football team. Being an organ donor was typical of the way he was always giving of himself to others. Clete was a godly young man who finished strong for the Lord.
Dustin Cichon
A1C Dustin Cichon
December 11, 1982 – October 15, 2005
You will always be loved and missed.
John Clark
My father was the kindest, most caring man I have ever known. He was a very quiet person, but he always had just the right response, spoken or unspoken, whenever it was needed.
My father taught me:
- that what you do is always more important than what you say,
- that I could succeed at anything I put my mind and heart into,
- that love was so much more important than money,
- and to always look beyond the surface.
He helped give vision to me and together we share this gift with others. It’s all a matter of…
perspective
a play of color
on the water
reflecting the light
of our lives
a mirage
in the desert
of what we hope will be
the shimmering of stars
in the endless
reaches of space
to bring back perspective
- jodi clark
Alma Jean Lovett Collins
July 21, 1976 – February 17, 2005
Our Carolina blue girl. You will be forever missed. Nothing will ever be able to fill the void left in our hearts and lives the day our Lord Jesus Christ called you home into his loving arms. He saw your pain and suffering and decided your battle had been long enough. Alma was a very courageous and outgoing young lady. She loved the outdoors, sports, caroling, taking care of others and her Mom and Dad. Alma never met a stranger. All she ever wanted to do in life was to help others. One time there was a girl on her softball team undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer who had lost all of her hair. Alma and some softball team players had all of their hair cut off. Alma would have given the shirt off her back to a perfect stranger without thinking twice. Through Alma’s death and homegoing she gave her organs and corneas so that others might be given that second chance at life and sight. There might even be some converted State fans rooting for Carolina. Alma was a very precious loving person. She had an unending love and compassion for Mom and Dad, two of the most important people in her life. No matter what she said she would always take care of her Mom and Dad. The void will always remain, but there is peace knowing God decided no more struggles, no more pain the day she met Jesus in the sky with His arms open wide. Rest in peace my little baby sister. Forever will I love you.
Andrew Gene Collins
January 26, 1987 – July 16, 2005.
Andrew smiled with his beautiful eyes and was a friend to all. He showed neither favoritism, racism, nor bias towards virtually every person that he met. He was rarely alone and he liked it that way. Friends became his extended family and the outpouring of love and grief during his hospitalization and funeral became a true testimonial that they, too, felt the same about Andrew.
Andrew was an avid athlete and was on a ball field of one type or another from the age of five. He played and excelled in all sports, but baseball was his heart. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and the beach. From a very young age, he seemed mystified by the ocean and the waves and the taste of salt water in his mouth.
Playing the guitar seemed to be the one thing that Andrew usually enjoyed alone, sitting on his bed, singing quietly along. His voice was strong and powerful. So many country songs seem to bring a part of him back to us.
Andrew was involved in a car accident on July 12, 2005 and died on July 16, 2005, secondary to a massive brain injury. Ironically, only days before, we had discussed organ donation and he was adamant about his desire to give others an opportunity to live on and experience life, even if his own life ended prematurely. We, as his family, find great comfort in knowing that his wish to give was granted.
Andrew, we loved you yesterday, today and our love for you will live on through all eternity. TO HAVE HAD YOU TO SHARE IN OUR LIVES, IS TO HOLD YOU IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER.
In loving memory of our son, brother, grandson and nephew…”Play ball, Andrew!”
Dad, Deb, Amy, Kaitlyn
And all of your extended family and friends.
Esther Collins
For forty-eight years, Esther Collins was married to Emmanuel Collins, Sr. To this union were born Grace, Emmanuel and Christopher and seven grandchildren.
Esther taught elementary school children in both the United States and Liberia, West Africa. Her love of travel also took her to Nigeria, Ghana and Granada.
Esther Collins was a community worker. In Asbury Park, New Jersey, she was instrumental in organizing Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday celebration, and she also volunteered to knock on doors to encourage people to register and vote. In her last place of residence, she organized and chaired the neighborhood community organization.
Next to her children and grandchildren, Mrs. Collins loved fruits in general and strawberries in particular.
She was a devout Christian, taught Sunday School, led Bible Study, sang in the choir and led youth groups.
Mrs. Collins’ parting gift was an expression of her commitment to the good of her neighbor.
Richard A. Collins, Jr.
Richard A. Collins, Jr. was a loving husband of 27 years, awesome father of a daughter and son, and friend to all who knew him. He served in Christ’s Church as elder, youth leader, Sunday School teacher and loved to play guitar in the praise band. He was funny, young at heart and great at making people laugh and good at listening. He was an understanding and caring man who had a passion for family and youth.
As a building inspector, he was skilled in all areas of construction, teaching many friends carpentry skills that they use to this day in their jobs or businesses.
Richard had a rare aggressive sarcoma that spread to the spine and eventually to the brain stem. At the age of 45, he lost his battle with cancer, living only 2 months after his diagnosis. It is our prayer that the person who received his beautiful blue eyes will not only see God through them but also see the good in everyone just as he did.
Until we see you again,
Maria, Rachel and Aaron
William “Bill” Matthew Cooper, Sr.
William “Bill” Matthew Cooper, Sr., born July 11, 1950 in Wilmington, NC, was a devoted husband of 36 years, caring father of two and very loving grand daddy. His grandchildren were his most important treasures. On his last day, he taught his nine year old grandson, Jacob, how to play checkers. Bill was a kind soul who loved nature. He especially loved taking care of his koi fish and wild birds. Bill successfully operated his own electrical business, worked with the movie industry, and expanded his love of music to DJ special occasions. If you wanted to know anything about a song or an artist, you could just ask my Dad.
On May 29, 2005, Daddy left behind many fond memories of a loving talented man. His grandchildren look to the heavens for his “Daddy Bill” star and know he is always watching over them.
Jim Cotton
Jim Cotton was a wonderful man. He was a devout Christian who lived life according to God’s plan. He loved beyond measure Ruby his wife. The 23 years they were married, they shared a beautiful life. Jim Cotton was also a compassionate dad and granddad. He shared with his children all of the hope and the wisdom that he had. No matter who Jim was talking to, he always made them feel worthwhile, he didn’t have to say a thing, it showed in his loving smile. Surely God was proud of him while he was on this earth, because Jim never missed a chance to tell someone lost about a second birth. Not only was Jim Cotton all of this and more, Jim taught that a window was opened every time God closed a door. To all of us who miss him, relative or friend, we would like for everyone to know he gave his all until his life came to end.
Thank you, Jim, we love you.
Your family and friends.
Kasey Cruz
Memories of Kasey Cruz
Kasey was a very special child to her family and me. Kasey is gone to heaven with the Lord and my grandparents. She is in no more pain. To me, Kasey is not gone, she is in my heart. Even though she couldn’t talk or walk, I could tell if she was sad or happy.
Her sister Carla could walk in and Carla would speak to her before Carla would walk over to her bed. Kasey would smile and move her legs. She loved her sister. Her PaPa would speak to her and she would try her best to come off her bed. She loved to hear a man’s deep voice. Kasey could hear a set of car keys and she would say “by-by” all day. She would think someone was taking her somewhere. If she saw she wasn’t going anywhere, she would have a fit. Everyone called her K-Bug. K-Bug loved to be around a lot of kids. If Kasey would get upset and I couldn’t calm her down, I would turn some music on or her TV and she would be fine. She loved to watch Barney, The Price is Right, and Cops. Even though Kasey couldn’t talk, I could tell what was wrong with her. Kasey was a good child. She would never cry unless she was in pain, wet, or hungry. She would always be in bed by 7:00 and sleep all night.
K-Bug is missed by everyone that loves her.
K-Bug, mama, nanny and sister love you.
Thanks,
Donna Murphy
Memories of My Granddaughter, Kasey Cruz
Kasey was a very loving child. I miss her so much. She had such pretty black hair and eyes and her eyelashes were so long they would curl up. All of the times she was in and out of Cape Fear Valley Hospital with her lungs, Donna and I went to see her every day – Kasey was not neglected. She was well kept at home. I kept her 3 weeks while her mother had open heart surgery and I didn’t have a bit of trouble with her. I would get her ready for bed at night and give her medicine to her, and by 7:00 she was asleep. Sometimes, I would talk to her in a deep voice, and she would get so tickled at me, I would have to wait for a few minutes for her to get her breath.
I think St. Paul’s Funeral Home is planning on having a memorial service for her. I miss Kasey, but I don’t want her here suffering and I have seen a lot of that. She was in and out of the hospital with pneumonia.
Thanks again for writing to us.
Pearl Pate
