Ira Dean Gerringer
December 24, 1936 – October 7, 2006
My Dad, Dean, was a beautiful, loving person who left this earth sooner than we were prepared for. We had just lost Mom three years prior, and we were not ready to lose another. But God’s plan was to give him one more beautiful, sunny day to hang out with his buddies, and then take him home as quickly as he had come. He passed away October 7, 2006 of a massive heart attack. Daddy was a native of Alamance County and a retired electrician from GKN Automotive. He was a very strong, brave, man and proud to have served our country as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army. He was enlisted in the 101st Paratrooper Division in Fort Campbell, Kentucky with over 20 successful jumps until an automobile accident ended his career.
His favorite pastimes were collecting guns, NASCAR, and hanging out with family and friends. He was big-hearted and had compassion for people in need, especially children. Daddy was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He will forever be remembered in my heart.
My family’s hope is that through his eyes, someone will be able to enjoy seeing the sunshine, the rain, the majestic mountains, the endless beaches and all the colors of each season that God has blessed us with.
Eric Gilbert
Eric Gilbert was known as Rick to those whose lives he touched and was a very special human being. He had such a huge capacity for love, and I feel so fortunate to have had a big chunk of it. We met in 1989 but didn’t start dating until 1991. We both fell in at the deep end and knew our lives would be intertwined forever. It was joyous uncovering the many qualities he kept hidden - what a challenge, but it was so worth it. Any guy who loved his mother the way he did had to be special. He would love for her to join us at the movies or a show, even on a white water rafting trip. Rick also made time for his father, often going on fishing trips with him. His family became my family. He was one of five children, the youngest of the three boys, and two sisters. He loved them all. It’s a family tradition at Christmas to make the gifts rather than buy them. Rick used to put so much effort and thought into his gifts for everyone, spending many hours in his workshop making the perfect gift. His favorite gifts were those pertaining to nature, birdhouses, butterfly boxes, bat houses and such. Nothing was ever thrown together; it had to be just right. He was like this in his life. He sought to please people constantly. I only had to say I’d like to go somewhere or do something, and he made it happen. I experienced the true meaning of the word love, and for that I am truly grateful.
Rick enjoyed a wide variety of sports including football, basketball, ice hockey, tennis, skiing, and kayaking. He was passionate about it all. He used to go on duck hunting trips with his brother Corky, and then arrange the duck dinners with all the special sauces to show off his talents, again wanting to please everyone.
When we exchanged our wedding vows in 1999, we included the words “till death us do part.” I shall have to break that vow, my darling. I could never ever be parted from you. You will be with me forever into eternity. I know for Rick being a donor was totally the right decision, the perfect gift, just like he was to me, a God given perfect gift.
Kathy
Graelyn Godfrey
My husband Graelyn Godfrey was a charming person with such a wonderful smile that would melt me away. Graelyn had just become a grandfather of a baby girl. His son Graelyn, Jr. gave him this gift along with his beautiful lady Tanya. I am so thankful that he had some time to spend with her before the Lord called him home.
Graelyn loved helping people with their problems. He enjoyed time with his family and friends. You could always find Graelyn in his favorite chair, watching his favorite shows. He loved Star Trek movies and listening to his music. Our time together was short, but I cherish what time we had. We were planning on redoing our wedding vows next year. We had been married for 13 years. He enjoyed grilling on the grill, and having friends and family over to eat.
I miss my husband, my friend, and my lover. He was my other half, my life, and may you rest in peace my love.
Your wife, Sherrie
William Gonzalez, Jr.
William Gonzalez, Jr. was the son of Elizabeth Velez and William Gonzalez, Sr. He leaves four sisters and one brother. William was known as “Macho”. He impacted a lot of people from six year olds up to sixty year olds. He was a very good kid. All of his classmates miss him very much. He was funny and loved to clown around. Macho also loved sports. He was my only son and I miss him dearly. I only wish that I could be able to have one chance to look in those eyes just one more time. I know Macho is in heaven and some day I will be there with him.
Elizabeth Velez
Barbara Good
Twins describe themselves as best friends with a special bond. Twins appreciate each other’s likeness and differences. We shared experiences with our family and loved ones at Christmas and Thanksgiving and all the holidays. She was my best friend, my sister, my twin.
We loved to go dancing and visiting our friends. We watched Virginia Tech games together (we were big fans!) and went shopping and had lots of fun with our grandchildren during summer vacation each year. She loved her children and her family (all her brothers and sisters). She sang in her church choir and helped the older people in her community. She never met a stranger because in ten minutes she knew all about you and she had just made a friend. We both loved dogs and she had many pets she cared for and loved. A part of my sister will always be near for she lives within my heart.
I love you Sissy. You’re my angel in heaven.
Loving memories never die,
As years roll on and days pass by.
In our hearts a memory is kept,
Of one we loved and will never forget.
We loved you and miss you…May you rest in peace
Lenore, Chuck, Robert
Kip and Crystal, Tejaun, Mckayla
Joann, Jerry, John, Richard
Lucy Darlene Futrell Goodman
June 17, 1960 – June 10, 2006
She was a loving and caring person. When she saw a need she gave and didn’t think twice about it. She has three daughters, four grandsons, and one granddaughter. Our mom is a big part of our lives and always will be. We will always remember her.
Dedicated to our friend and mother.
Jennifer, Tonya, and Robin
Darlene was a very special woman. Darlene had a brother Herman, one sister Tammy, and four half brothers, Robert, Durwood, Johnny, and Tommy. Darlene was born to Billy and Virginia Futrell. She was married and to this union were born four children, Jennifer, Tonya, Robin and one child who preceded her in death. Darlene worked with Prestage Farms until she had a car accident on October 12, 1992, which left her paralyzed on the left side from a stroke. The doctors stated that Darlene would not make it through the ride to Chapel Hill due to her injuries, but she was a fighter. She stayed at Chapel Hill for one month, then she was transferred to Fayetteville to a Rehabilitation Center in November, 1992. Darlene was improving so well that she was writing words by January, 1993. Darlene went to several nursing homes after this time, until she went to live with her oldest daughter.
In September, 2004, Darlene decided that she wanted to try and live by herself and be independent. I took Darlene to update her ID and the lady at DMV asked her if she wanted to be an organ donor. She told the lady that she wanted to help someone if she passed away. Darlene moved into the apartment and she stayed there until she passed in June, 2006. I was the one responsible for taking Darlene everywhere that she needed to go - I even took her with me on vacation. The picture that I sent was from when I took her to Myrtle Beach last summer. She said that she had not been to the lake or the beach since she had her accident, so I took her down there for two days. She was so happy.
Darlene was full of joy and happiness. No matter who it was, she would try and help them – she would give to anyone in need. Darlene loved her family, her kids, grandkids and the special nurse assistant she had who went way beyond the call of duty for Darlene.
When Darlene had to have surgery on her foot, her nurse assistant would go to the hospital to see her after she had worked with another patient all day. She was with me at the hospital during Darlene’s last hours on this earth. I thank God for the kind of relationship that my sister had with her nurse. There are a lot of hearts that are broken due to her death, but she brought so much joy to all those who had come in contact with her. I love you sister, and I always will.
Darlene died of a massive heart attack on June 10, 2006, one week before her 46th birthday.
Your sister, Tammy Bryant
Erica Graham
January 10, 1977 – January 24, 2006
On January 10, 1977 God blessed us with a second baby girl named Erica Nicole Graham. Erica brought much love and laughter to our family. On January 24, 2006, at the early age of 29, Erica lost her life in an auto accident.
Erica loved sports. She played basketball, volleyball, and softball during her school years. She helped to lead her team in winning the State Championship in 1994.
Erica struggled with health issues during her high school years, and was diagnosed with chronic renal failure at the early age of 19. Knowing that she would need a kidney led her to make the decision to be a donor herself. She never used her sickness as a crutch but continued to face life with joy and a smile.
Erica loved life and she loved people. Her magnetic smile and her love touched all she met.
After school, she went into the insurance field working as an agent for Nationwide. Her hard work, love, and compassion for people soon led her to be promoted to supervisor of the agency.
Erica was blessed to share her love with her one and only niece and celebrate her first birthday.
I thank God for the years He gave her to us.
We love you and miss you.
Thank you for leaving us good memories.
Your Mom
Joseph M. Grantham, III
No matter what words you choose to describe Joe Grantham, they always wind themselves back to two particular ones: family man. First and foremost, he loved his wife and four children. Always. Deeply. In the truest and most simple form of the word “love.” They were the basis for every decision he made.
Joe, also known as Joby to those in his native Smithfield, NC, was a graduate of Oak Ridge Military Institute and East Tennessee State University. From there he managed The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, MI before moving to Pinehurst, NC to act as General Manager of Pinehurst’s Hotel and Country Club. Though he moved on from the hotel, he never left Pinehurst. He loved the small town. He loved running into people he knew and being able to ask about their families and kids, and then telling them about his.
Joe, 58, was also a certified court mediator and licensed real estate broker.
As an incredibly active member in the community, he gave much of his time to Pinehurst’s local Boy Scout Troop 7. The Occoneechee Council of the Boy Scouts of America presented him the Silver Beaver Award for his dedicated service in 2002. He continued to be involved with the Boy Scouts long after his sons got their Eagles. There is now a memorial fund in Joe’s name that benefits Troop 7.
One of Joe’s friends said, “He taught me how to be a dad”.
Neighbors told the family, “he was always waving and smiling…always seemed so full of life.” His family says one of the things they remember most about him are his eyes. They were a light shade of blue, but very, very bright. Anyone who looked at Joe’s face saw how they sparkled. Whether he was making his wife morning coffee, going to a son’s sporting event, or negotiating a deal, his eyes were always alive. The entire family is thrilled at the thought of his beautiful blue eyes helping give someone else the gift of sight.
Ervin K. Gregory, Sr.
Ervin K. Gregory, Sr. was born May 1, 1961 in Mocksville, NC. He was the youngest of seven children. He graduated from Davie High School in 1979. He married Patricia Parks in 1981. They had two children together, Ervin K. Gregory, Jr. (25) and Erika Gregory (23). Mr. Gregory was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in June, 2005. He bravely fought the battle for seven months. Mr. Gregory died January 25, 2006.
Ervin Gregory, Sr. had an immense sense of humor. He was friendly to everyone and had countless numbers of friends. People enjoyed his company because he would brighten up their day. My father was not only humorous, he was very intelligent. Throughout school, my dad maintained a 4.0 GPA. After high school, he decided to have a family. We love and miss our father dearly. He was an ideal family man. He gave from the depth of his heart. I remember when my dad and I used to play basketball in my grandma’s yard. We would always bet on who would win. He would always describe himself as the old man who would win the game. My dad was so proud of me when I graduated from Winston-Salem State University in December 2003. I received a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology.
There are several important changes and events that have happened since my dad passed. His daughter, Erika, graduated from UNC-Greensboro in May 2006 with a B.S. in Speech Pathology and Audiology. Before Mr. Gregory passed, he inquired about grandchildren. His daughter, Erika, didn’t find out she was pregnant until three weeks after he died. She gave birth to a girl, Samira K. Gregory, on October 9, 2006. Ervin, Jr. has a baby due in May, 2007. Mr. Gregory is missed dearly and we still love him deeply.
Sincerely,
Ervin Gregory, Jr.
Erika Gregory
Jimmy Griffin
In memory of Jimmy Griffin
When this world, I and my family lost Jimmy, we lost a wonderful, giving, caring person. This picture I am enclosing shows Jimmy as he was six days a week. Come Sunday he always dressed in suit and tie. He looked like a different person. We moved into a new home in December 2005. One Sunday as we were leaving for church, he jokingly said “the neighbors will think your boyfriend spent the night”. He looked so different when dressed up. He was just a country man, born and raised as such.
Jimmy had three children, two girls and one boy, and two granddaughters, whom he loved very much. The three children were in total agreement with me to give the gift of sight in his memory. He would be happy to know that someone can see today due to us giving the gift of sight. Whoever received the gift, I hope they will see the world as Jimmy did. He was always helping people, whether it be work or money, whatever the need. He never said no.
Our pastor said at his funeral that in the twenty plus years he had known Jimmy, he had never heard anyone say a bad thing about him, only good things. My grandfather always said that the greatest gift a man or woman could leave their children when they died was a good name, which Jimmy did. There were over 400 people – friends and loved ones - at his visitation when he died.
God bless you all at the NC Eye Bank
In Christian love,
Nancy Griffin
William (Bill) George Guthrie, III
June 25, 1948 – October 28, 2006
A big fuzzy bear who cared.
At Bill’s memorial service, the often-repeated memory was of how Bill cared for others. He was ready at a moment’s notice to create a pastoral atmosphere, engage in political debate, or tell a good story. Bill recognized the good in people and strove to enhance that quality.
Bill knew that God created the master plan and lived the plan as best he could, though often he stumbled.
Bill was a student. He earned his degrees, (Associate of Arts, Oakland Community College, Highland Lakes, MI, 1972; Bachelor of Arts, Major: Economics, Minors: Business and Mathematics, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, 1973; Master of Arts, Major: Economics, Minor: Statistics, Western Michigan University, 1976; Doctor of Philosophy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1981), became a teacher (Professor of Economics, Appalachian State University, 1980-1998, granted status of Professor Emeritus in October of 2002, Visiting Professor of Business and Economics at Lees-McRae College 2000 – 2004), and continued to study throughout his lifetime. Bill was an educator who promoted book learning as well as an historian. He wanted us to incorporate the past into the present, and learn from what had gone before. His students were not only in his classroom but also outside it and greatly varied in age. He, himself, was often the student learning from those around him be they younger, same age, or older.
Bill will be remembered for his hearty laugh, firm handshake, and beaming smile.
