Whitney Hair
Our Whitney was a person so full of life, and always had a smile on her beautiful face. She was only a few months from graduating from high school. She was loved by so many people, young and old. She loved children and worked at a daycare after school. She also taught dance at a local dance studio. She was always the peacemaker, when it came to her friends. She loved the beach and the lake and most of all life itself.
David Goldin Hardison
David Goldin Hardison, 67, was a son, an uncle, my brother. He was born in Washington, DC and grew up in Kinston, NC where he attended Grainger High School. After high school, David joined the Air Force and was assigned to a combat defense unit as an air policeman. In later years, he moved to Virginia Beach, and worked as a licensed electrician. He was also a musician. He played rhythm guitar with a band at Virginia Beach. He was a skilled guitarist. Moving back to North Carolina, he went to Wilson to community college, and graduated with an Associates degree in Juvenile Corrections and Law Enforcement. He worked in that field for years.
David was my only brother. We were two years apart, very close. He tragically suffered from diabetes that affected various parts of his body. He lost his right leg, which was amputated. Through it all, he continued to have his good sense of humor. His main concerns were his sister and his strong love for his cat, Tonce. I am caring for his cat. His memories and love will never die; they will be with me always. My brother will be greatly missed.
Loving sister, Sigrid
Earl F. (Toad, Jr.) Harrell, Jr.
November 19, 1948 – May 3, 2006
Earl was 57 years old and a resident of Gatesville, NC. He was a loving husband and stepfather. He adored his three little granddaughters and his pet cat.
Earl worked as a loader operator for Bundy Logging, Inc. He spent most of his working life in the logging business. He started as a young boy going to work with his father in his logging business. He had his own trucking business – Earl Harrell Trucking – at one time, which included hauling logs. Earl also served his country in the United States Army in the Vietnam War.
Earl had a heart of gold. If you needed anything, he was the kind of man who would do his best to give it to you. He would have given anyone the last quarter out of his pocket. His decision to be a donor was another way of giving to someone who was in need. We have been very saddened by his sudden loss and it is very hard to go on with our daily lives without him. I’m so grateful that I was with him when he took his last breath, even though it was so sudden and unexpected. He had always said he wanted to die at home and the Lord gave him that wish. We loved him dearly and miss him with each passing day. We were notified that his eyes helped two people to see, which was very comforting. I know he is very proud that a part of him is helping those people. It helps to know that a part of him still lives on in someone else and that they are able to benefit from our loss.
Earl loved doing body work on vehicles and painting them in his spare time. I cannot begin to mention the projects that I’ve seen him do. The last project that he was working on was restoring his 1973 Plymouth into a hotrod. He enjoyed being on the computer, searching for old cars.
Earl was a Mr. Fix-It. He could come up with a way to fix or rig almost anything to make it work, no matter what it was. His friends referred to him as “MacGyver”. He loved watching his westerns and wrestling on TV. He was also a NASCAR fan. His favorites were Tony Stewart and Dale, Jr. Drag racing was also one of his favorite things.
Earl,
Until we meet again – we treasure your memories and keep our love for you in our hearts.
Forever,
Your wife – Alice
Sons – Jason, Jeremy and wife, Jessie Williams
Granddaughters – Savanna Chevelle, Cristina Nova, and Lydia Camaro
Our new grandson (who arrived 5 ½ months after you left) – Ephraim Silverado
Your cat - Midnight
Jack Thomas Harrigan, Jr.
December 11, 1946 – September 20, 2006
Tom Harrigan said that his best accomplishment was his son, Neal. These modest words came from a man who was an unsung hero. Tom loved his son, his country, the Marine Corps, bluegrass music, teaching, his baby sister, Teresa, Clyde, his soul mate; daffodils, books, Duke basketball, and me, thank God.
Tom had beautiful blue eyes that could enfold you like an embrace or numb you with despair that you could not take back your last comment or action. Those eyes saw much as a Marine Sergeant in Viet Nam, and as a warden in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. This was a brave man, commended for heroism in the Atlanta Penitentiary of Cuban detainees of 1987, but he was proud of rebuilding the prison after the inferno. Tom was a protector in the truest sense.
Bluegrass music could bring scalding hot tears to Tom’s eyes, as he was so fond of saying with a laugh. It is the memory of that laugh that brings tears to my eyes now. That laugh was music to me because it burst out of him with a joy for life and you.
Thank God those eyes are now bringing joy, laughter, and perhaps scalding hot tears to someone else. Take care of them. You have a piece of our hearts.
Beth Belcher
Eugene (Gene) Harris
My father was more than just a father. He was a husband, a grandfather, a great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, as well as the love of my mother’s life. It was truly a blessing to have him in our lives each and every day. His love for life influenced everyone around him and his smile and laughter brightened even the darkest day. Whenever I hear “Midnight Train to Georgia,” I can’t help but smile and see him singing with the broom in his hand. When I hear “When A Man Loves A Woman,” I can’t help but have a tear come to my eye, as that was my mom and his song. I can see him holding her in his arms and them dancing only four years ago at a friend’s wedding; I thought they would dance forever.
Whether it was watching football in his favorite chair or policing Thomasville Medical Center, he was always happy and ready to help anyone in need. As my Mom would prepare Sunday lunch, he would have to sample everything, and he would wonder why he was not hungry when it came time to eat. I will never see a Hershey bar without thinking of the ones that would disappear off of his table; I wonder where they went?
Thirty-three years of marriage to my mom and 29 years of my life with him was not enough. He was tired and had to go. I know that he is still looking after us, and that we will see him again. Until then, we will keep playing his oldie goldies and dancing and singing for him.
Angie Harris
Royce Hawthorne
Dear NC Eye Bank - thank you for remembering the donors. We’re proud that my husband’s contribution has helped someone to have the gift of sight.
My husband Royce Hawthorne was a quiet man. He was honest and would give to anyone who was in need. He loved his God, family and country so much. Royce was disabled for many years and suffered much pain but he never complained. When he knew that his life on earth was coming to a close, he wanted his family to understand that it was okay with him because his faith in God was so strong and he would be moving to a higher plain. He was selfless in demands during his final days, always concerned about his loved ones. At the final hour we were there surrounding our dear loved one making sure with God’s help that his passage from this life to the other side was peaceful. We are so thankful that his beautiful blue eyes brought sight to others who couldn’t see.
Sincerely,
Peggy Hawthorne and family
Jonathan Warren Henderson
May 10, 1991 – January 25, 2006
Jonathan Warren Henderson, the son of Michael and Angela Henderson, was 14 years old when he suffered cardiac arrest while attending his eighth grade Social Studies class at Durham School of the Arts in Durham, NC. Jonathan suffered from restrictive cardiomyopathy, and was on the heart transplant list at John Hopkins Hospital. Jonathan was aware of the seriousness of his heart condition; but he was determined to live every day to the fullest. He enjoyed art, computers, and his dog, Brownie. He was known to change the settings on any computer he came in contact with. He also studied the violin privately and later at school.
Jonathan aspired to be a chef. His favorite channel was the Food Network. Any time food was prepared, he wanted to help. He wanted to attend Johnson & Wales University when he graduated from high school. He was a member of the Greater Ransom Way of the Cross Temple in Henderson, NC. He also sang in the youth choir and served as a videographer for the morning services later broadcast on television.
Jonathan hardly complained about his illness, and always flashed his beautiful smile. If you asked how he was doing he would say, “I’m okay.”
He is greatly missed by family, friends, teachers, and the co-workers of his parents. Many wonderful memorials have been established since his passing to benefit other children including the donation of books to Duke Children’s Hospital, a memorial garden at Durham School of the Arts, and the establishment of a memorial endowment in his name to benefit children’s services and collections at the Durham County Library.
We are grateful that Jonathan was able to give others the gift of sight.
Paul Preston Hinkle, Jr.
August 7, 1946 – May 30, 2006
As I contemplated what I wanted to remember about my husband, I thought about his wonderful smile and twinkling eyes. It seems God wanted Paul to join Him in heaven more than to let us have him on earth.
He leaves his wife, two daughters, two step-daughters, two step-sons, three sisters, a grieving father, and many more that will miss his presence. He worked hard being a tax lawyer and a loving person. He put people’s needs before his own, both professionally and personally.
I am grateful two people’s eyesight benefited from the donation of his eyes. I can feel comforted knowing his twinkling eyes live on in others.
This is a wonderful program. The chance to help others is priceless. The memorial to our loved ones is another way for us to remember and help with our grieving.
Martin Luther once said:
This life is not concerned with health but with healing.
This life is not about our being but our becoming.
This life is not about rest but about exercise.
We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it.
The process is not yet finished but is going on.
This is not the end but it’s the road.
I am on the healing journey.
Genny Hinkle
Peter Hinkle
Peter is the most kind and loving person I have ever met in my life, and I am so honored that I can say I am his Mom! Petie also has a brother, William, at Boston University who is his best friend in the world, and also a little sister, Allie, who also loves her brother so much! Henry, Peter’s Dad, had a very wonderful relationship with Peter as he grew up. They loved going to NCSU games together from the time Peter was one. There are so many of Peter’s friends who miss him so much, and I wish this was just not true.
God bless my baby boy
Love you, Mommy
