Linda Faye Watkins
September 15, 1952 – April 8, 2006
Faye was a loving daughter, sister, aunt, and friend whose life was cut short at the age of 53 by cancer. Although she never married she considered her nieces and nephews her own children.
She loved life and was grateful for each day. Always with camera in hand, she captured her love of God’s creation and her joy and excitement of a birthday, holiday, and an ordinary day to share with others.
She made caring for and loving others a top priority. Her passion for giving is evident in her request to be a donor to the North Carolina Eye Bank. Part of her still lives in the two persons who received a cornea and now have new sight.
Faye was someone very special who enriched the lives of all who knew her and whose absence is deeply felt. We celebrate her life and cherish her memory. We thank her for her everlasting concern and love for her family and friends.
We now know the importance of being a donor. Since her death a member of our family has been blessed with new sight as the result of someone else being a donor, for which we are so grateful.
The Watkins family
William Ronald Watson
Born on May 2, 1949 in Catawba County, NC, Ronnie was the middle child of Claude and Christine Watson. He was a veteran of the US Army and served in the Vietnam War. A remarkable human being, there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for his family and friends. Some of his favorite pastimes were hunting, fishing, playing cards, and sports. He loved animals, John Wayne movies, and joking around with others. For more than twenty years, Ronnie was a truck driver for the HT Hackney Company, and was affectionately nicknamed Pawpaw. He was a devoted and loving husband to Mary, father to David and Tara, and grandfather to Kylee as well as a wonderful brother, uncle, and friend. Being full of laughter and good nature, Ronnie never met a stranger. His playfulness was contagious and his hugs were a cure-all for any pain or sadness. He was the best man I have ever known or will ever know. Everything, from his smiles to his sneezes, will be forever missed by all those whose lives he touched. To keep a part of him here on Earth, we donated Ronnie’s eyes to the NC Eye Bank. I envy the person who will get to see the world through those beautiful, blue eyes.
Mark Alan (Brook) Westbrook
Mark loved sports - UNC Tarheels, Carolina Panthers, Nascar, baseball. He loved his family, his puppies (all five of them), friends, and his community. He was a giving and loving man. He gave to his community through Toys for Tots, Food Bank Drive, benefit golf tournaments, barbecues, and now sight. He loved to travel, especially to Lake Tahoe.
He fought his battle with kidney cancer right up to the end with a positive attitude and a smile.
I have lost my best friend and my soul mate.
Thank you for letting him keep on giving through his eyes.
The enclosed poem tells it all. It has helped me make it. I hope it might help others.
Sharon Westbrook
God saw he was getting tired
And a cure was not to be.
So He put His arms around him
And whispered, “Come with Me”.
With tearful eyes we watched him suffer
And saw him fade away.
Although we loved him dearly,
We could not make him stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard working hands to rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best.
- Author Unknown
Charles E. Whipple
1953 – 2006
Charlie was born a middle child in a family of three boys. Maybe this is what made him such an achiever. Charlie was never satisfied by what was average; he never accepted status quo. There was something in him that refused to settle. If there was a goal to achieve, a mountain to climb, not only would he refuse to back down from the challenge, he would fight for every inch. He would reach the summit, see the sun, and start towards the next insurmountable task.
Charlie was a proud man, but quiet and pleased in his accomplishments, of which there were many, both personally and professionally. It is without question that he had reached in his life a pinnacle of happiness which some of us will never get to. He was a respected CEO of his company, always driving towards the highest levels of performance and integrity, the same way he led his own life. He had a wonderful wife and three children, which he always said he loved more than they will ever know. He was always generous to share the fruits of his successes with family and friends.
He was a man of quick wit, strong will, good taste, and confidence. Just as the men in his favorite biographies left their mark, so did Charlie. He not only leaves behind an imprint to be carried into the future, but he also lives within those who knew him through the memories we share.
Ernest Hemingway said it best. “Every man’s life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived that distinguish one man from another.”
George David Whitehurst, III
9 inches, 10 ounces
20 weeks
Delivered silently into God’s waiting arms January 12, 2006.
Such tiny fingers and tiny feet,
the good Lord made you for him to keep.
Life here on earth you would never know,
the angels came and with them you did go.
Our hearts are so empty, Lord, help us understand,
why you decided to take DW’s little hand.
Your place in our heart will always be,
because you are the first child for your dad and me.
David and Sommer Whitehurst
Ernest Willard
Ernie was a loving husband and father. He was my whole world. He loved my kids like they were his own. We have four beautiful grandchildren. We used to sit in bed at night and eat a half gallon of ice cream. The night before he died we shared a box of Valentine’s candy.
He used to take his granddaughter Ekaterina carp fishing. He did not like being alone. He always wanted us with him. He had a dog named Dixie who would go to work with him every day. She died about a month before he died.
Ernie loved helping people. He would always meet me at work at closing time. He did not want me walking to my car by myself.
Ernie loved to grow the giant pumpkins for the fair. He won one year. His pumpkin weighted 500 pounds. He would also grow 100 pound watermelons. He loved working in the garden. He had the green thumb in the family.
Ernie bought two go-carts. After pumpkin season he would fix the garden into a go-cart track. Ernie and Ekaterina would race. I wanted a Volkswagen one time. Ernie bought one and was working to fix it up for me before he died. We used to ride in the Volkswagen on the go-cart track behind our house. Ernie could fix anything that needed fixing.
There are no words to describe the way I feel for Ernie. Ernie left behind a family and friends. There were over 200 people who came to the funeral home. When God made Ernie, he broke the mold. There will never be another Ernie.
Thank you,
Karen Willard
Cornelius (Corey) Williams
Cornelius (Corey) Williams began his earthly journey on March 24, 1990, and he was called home on December 6, 2006. Corey was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in November of 2004, and courageously fought until God saw fit for him to take flight.
Corey attended James B. Dudley High School where he was a sophomore. He leaves to cherish his memory countless classmates, friends, and teachers whom he inspired during his short life. Corey was well known and very popular in school because of his cheerful disposition and jovial attitude. He touched everyone he met, and inspired them to make the most of every day, as he did. Corey was very athletic. He loved to play football, and dreamed of becoming a professional basketball player. He played football at Peeler Recreational Center and at Hairston Middle School, and basketball with the Greensboro Warriors AAU and at Hairston Middle School.
Corey was a faithful member of Friendship Temple Apostolic Church where he sang in the youth choir and listened attentively to Sunday sermons.
Corey is preceded in death by his father, Cornelius Williams, Sr.; his maternal grandfather, James Smith and his paternal grandfather, George Williams.
Left to cherish his loving memories are his mother, Cynthia Smith; his loving aunt and guardian, Penny Smith; three brothers, Quintel, Ricky, and Eric Smith of the home; two sisters, Kaneisha Williams of the home, and Danielle Mock, Greensboro, NC; his maternal grandmother, Nellie Smith of Greensboro; his paternal grandmother, Thelma Williams of Greensboro, NC; two uncles, James McNeal (Evelyn) and Bobby Smith of Greensboro, NC; his aunts, Sherry Penix (Michael) of Steadman, NC; Kim Smith, Pam Williams of Greensboro, NC; his great uncles; Roger Williams (Yvonne), Leroy Williams (Hazel), Nate Williams, Oneal Williams and Al Williams (Brenda), all of Greensboro, NC; his great aunts, Dean Foster, Alfreda Asbury and Marie Williams, all of Greensboro, NC; a special aunt, Debra Martin; one niece, Kori Taylor; one nephew, Brandon Taylor; and a very special friend, Damita Pickard; best friends, A.J. Finney and Tevin Whiteside; and other relatives and friends.
While in what we now know were his final hours of life, Corey while in much pain, took the time to show his concern for a church member who had been having trouble with his eyes. After he took his last breath of life, God saw fit for Corey to live on through another person because of the donation of his eyes. He will be missed by all of his family and friends, but the memories of him will not be erased.
Jeanne Marie Willoughby
August 23, 1961 – April 10, 2005
Jeanne was a very strong-willed and determined individual. She never accepted no for an answer, especially from herself. She spent six years in the Air Force after graduating from high school. She obtained a Master of Computer Science degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
She died young, but lived every day to the fullest. She did more in her 44 years than most achieve in a lifetime. She left behind an exact replica of herself when she gave birth to her son at the age of 40.
She gave the ultimate gift of her life when she passed because she was also an organ and tissue donor.
She will always be missed by her family and friends.
Chortney A. Wilmoth
No amount of words could ever express how much Chortney meant to anyone who knew her. Chortney is remembered for many things: her heart-warming smile, her never-ending laughter, her enthusiastic love for life, and most of all for those beautiful bright blue eyes that could melt you right down to your very soul.
Chortney lived life to its fullest in her short 15 years. She was an accomplished athlete, a true friend, and she had a unique spirit that was beyond compare. She will be missed.
Weep not for me
Now that I have passed.
Remember the laughter, the affection, the joy
Not just the recent tears.
Cherish the memories, our hopes and dreams.
Hold fast to the love we shared.
Be happy with the time we spent together
And begin anew.
For I am not really gone,
I am closer than before
As the morning sun rises
And throughout the busy day…I am with you.
Until the setting sun disappears on the horizon
And we watch the day turn into night…I am here.
You may feel a faint breeze around your head while you sleep
As I gently kiss your forehead, Good Night
The stars that shine so brightly in my heavenly sky
Help me watch over you and keep you from harm.
I am the wind in the trees
And the song of a bird.
I am moonbeams in a midnight sky
And a glorious rainbow after the storm.
I am morning dew
And fresh fallen snow.
I am a butterfly flying overhead
And a puppy happily at play.
I am a smile on a stranger’s face
A gentle touch
A warm embrace.
Listen to the wind for my message of love.
Watch the sun rise and set in the sky with me.
Feel my essence encircle you with warm memories.
Open your heart to know I am not gone.
Reach deep into your soul…you will find me.
I am here.
Have no fear.
I am with you…Always…
Darien M. Wilson
1983 – 2006
Darien M. Wilson was born on April 29, 1983 in Middlesex, CT. When he was a little boy, he loved playing outside in the dirt with his matchboxes and Ninja turtles. He would play for hours outside. When he was small, he had a free spirit that even his father and I could not hold back. He enjoyed life to the fullest always and never had any fear. I can remember when he was about three years old he came running in the house and said, mom I have a present for you. I turned and looked and he had a handful of flowers (roots and all) that we had just planted. He would go fishing with dad, flying kites, and playing with the family of ducks we had at the lake. As Darien got older, his spirit showed more and more. When Darien started school, he loved anything to do with sports. Throughout his school years he played football, baseball, basketball, and roller bladed. I don’t know what scared mom the most - football, or the roller blading. He had no fear no matter what he was doing. He gave 110% doing it his way, no matter what. Sometimes it would drive everyone crazy but that was ok. Darien was being Darien. I can remember a time when the skateboard attendants told him if he did not stop scaling the twelve foot fence at the park, they would not let him come any more; he had to stay inside the park when he was there. Did it stop him? No, when he thought no one was watching, he did it again. When Darien started playing basketball, he wanted to be on the same team with his best friend Rob Frendlick. Darien and Rob were friends through and through, a friendship that most of us never see in a lifetime. They could be mad at each other one moment and say they would never speak again, and then run off to the bedroom crying. Before we knew it, they were back to playing in the yard; or getting ready for the next basketball game.
Darien and Rob would turn out to be like brothers - nothing or no one could come between the friendship they shared. In Darien’s teens, when the cars and girls came, his spirit and fearless attitude showed more and more. He started to get into snowboarding and swimming. He loved to go to the beach with his friends and soak in the sun. One day he and a bunch of his friends were at the Portland Quarry, and someone dared him to jump. Well, people have died jumping off that cliff, and well, Darien did it. He told dad and I that halfway down he was wishing he had not done it, but he was fine. He never did it again. He was bruised for a while, and would only show dad where they were, but mom knew.
Darien had a heart that never stopped giving and loving. He tried to hide it, but anyone who knew him knew no matter how tough he acted, his heart was bigger. Shortly after the Columbine shooting, and all those young sons and daughters were called to heaven, Darien went to the high school principal and suggested that the school send cards to the family. The principal was so amazed by his thought that they did, and at a school ceremony Darien received a certificate of honor for it.
Darien was lucky to find his friendship with Rob lasted for his lifetime. During Darien’s final year of high school, he met Nick Parker. If there were two friends that would always be there no matter what, Darien had it in Rob and Nick. When the three of them got a little older; they started living their lives, going off to college and work. But they always found time for each other. Their friendship survived car accident, girls, and anything else that came their way. I am so thankful for Rob and Nick. They were like brothers. They got in trouble like brothers, and they helped each other like brothers. Darien was taken from all of us way too soon. We all have this emptiness inside that will never go away until the day that we see him again at heaven’s gate.
Samuel Eugene Wilson
Samuel Eugene Wilson was born March 8, 1931 in Bear Creek, AL. He was the fourth child of Mona Pauline Wilson and William Emmett Wilson. After his father died when he was only four years old, he went to work at the age of ten to help support his family. He married Tresa Carolina Hall in January 1953. They had two children, Mona Wilson (Hebert) and Cindy Wilson (Huser). He owned a taxicab company in Athol, MA. Then he worked for many years in manufacturing before he had to retire on disability because of early macular degeneration. He enjoyed walking around town visiting and helping others. He had four grandchildren, Melissa Huser (Oesch), Kyle Huser, Karen Hebert, and Megan Hebert. He also had one great grandson, Emery Joseph Oesch.
Shane Wilson
On June 11, 1989, my son Shane Wilson was born, and my life was never the same. Being Shane’s mom brought more joy and happiness to my life than most people can imagine. From the day he was born, I knew he was very special. He was such a happy baby. When Shane was four years old, he was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. He quit walking when he was eight years old, and became confined to a manual wheelchair. A year or so later, he graduated to a power chair. Over the years as the disease progressed, Shane fought an everyday battle, but his faith never wavered. His courage and strength were a constant reminder and inspiration to us all. Shane loved sports and would have competed if he could have. Instead, he was a true champion in his own right. Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Others stay a while and leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same. Such was God’s purpose for Shane’s life. He had a passion for Christ and for people. He wanted everyone to know the joy in experiencing the love of Christ and having eternal life. Shane had big beautiful brown eyes and a smile that melted your heart. I know that he would be so happy in knowing that two different people got their eyesight because of his gift that he gave to the Eye Bank. Thank you for allowing me to share a few things today about my son, Shane. I miss him very much, but I look forward to the day when I will see him again standing tall in heaven!
We Love You Shane,
Mom and Dad
Tommie and Fred Bowen
Scott Allen (Woody) Woodin
Scott was born in the middle of five children, two older, two younger. He was full of life and always living each day to the fullest. I don’t believe Scott ever had a bad day. He always wore a smile from the time his eyes opened in the morning, till he called it a day late at night.
Scott was loved by all for his fun loving, easy going ways. He was known for his creative talents. We would see a pile of dirt; Scott would create a beautiful garden. We would see a pile of scrap lumber; Scott would build a patio for family and friends to have a cookout. We would see garbage and Scott would see possibility.
He is missed by many and loved by everyone who knew him. We pray his gift will in some small way help another see life the same way Scott always did.
David A. Woods
October 5, 1958 – June 3, 2006
David was the most beautiful person I ever met. He was a devoted husband and father who loved God and others. When you think about David you remember his smile, his great sense of humor, his love for his family, and his kindness. He enjoyed playing sports, watching movies, and sharing ideas with others. Those who met my husband knew about his generosity and his passion to help others and make a difference in people’s lives. David left a lasting impression upon those who he met.
David was the love of my life; he was my best friend, and the best father ever known. God blessed us abundantly with our love and with our two children, David and Daniel. Mi bello; the children and I miss you so much, but you are in our hearts. We know that you are with the Father and that we have an angel in heaven. We love you, we always will. Thank you so much for all these years of happiness. I know I have you for life; David and Daniel look so much like you! Te quiero mucho mi amor.
When North Carolina Eye Bank told me that two people recovered their sight because of my husband’s cornea donation, I felt once again so proud of him. I am so happy to know that someone, somewhere did benefit from my husband’s kindness.
Shanna Wray
Shanna always wore a smile. She was a simple child who believed in fairy tales when she was younger. When she got older, she still talked about them. She just always wanted a happy ending. She giggled a lot, loved animals, and sunshiny days. She loved the weekends so she could sleep late, but she never did. She always went with me early on Saturday mornings to eat and shop. She always wore pink; it was her favorite color. Shanna loved her family and boyfriend very much. Shanna loved roller-skating, hanging out with her friends, church, school, and talking on her cell phone.
Shanna was so excited about the coming birth of her baby boy Luke. The week before we lost her we had shopped every day for the baby. He was due on January 26, 2007. Luke made his appearance on November 18, 2006, and we lost our baby girl Shanna on November 19. Shanna always had a shine in her eyes, and at church she danced for Jesus; so I, my family, Luke, and all of Shanna’s friends know that she is up in heaven with her pink-tipped wings looking over us and smiling.
