Vernon M. Cable
If Vern was writing about himself, the first thing he would tell you would be how much he loved his family. The kids and I were first and foremost in his life and we knew it. He couldn’t have left us a better legacy. I am so thankful that our family was the heart of his existence.
Vern had the ability to look at something, figure out how it functioned, take it apart, fix it, and then put it back together again. He could do anything, and took great pride in doing it right. He applied that ability to his work in the chemistry lab. He was a hard worker who didn’t just do his assigned job – he made sure he knew why he was doing what he did, how his job fit in with the overall function of the generating station and what was going to happen after he finished his task. Everyone around him benefited from his work ethic, organizational skills, and the easy-to-follow procedures he drafted once he figured out a process. I’m so thankful Vern was such a positive influence on others.
In addition to his family, Vern loved his dogs, his home and playing golf. Moving to Pinehurst put us in a wonderful place where he fully enjoyed all the things that meant so much to him. He often said that by living in Pinehurst, he already knew what heaven would be like. I am so thankful Vern had this pleasure in his life.
A few days before Vern passed away, someone asked us how long we had been married. I replied, “43 years”. Vern said, “No, we’ve been married 43 wonderful years.” That one statement is the memory of Vern that I will keep closest to my heart forever. I am so thankful for the life we shared.
Our family experienced overwhelming joy when the Eye Bank advised us that two people would now be able to see because Vern’s eyes gave them sight. Whoever they are, I am so thankful they were able to receive his gift.
Ramon “Ray” Eugene Cameron
1962 – 2007
The same day that heaven recalled Ray, one of his best friends underwent cataract surgery to salvage his sight. That same day Ray saved the vision of somebody else’s best friend with the gift of his eyes because he was a donor.
Roy loved popsicles, chips, pierogis, ketchup, chips, spicy food, ginger ale, his Bonneville, dogs, classic rock, laughter, good times and, most of all, his friends, family and God. He was the guy you went to with your troubles because he would try his best to get you out of it – even if it meant sacrifice on his end.
His fulfilling 45 years burst with countless heartwarming, heartbreaking, hilarious and downright strange tales. He dwelled in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, California, Florida and North Carolina. He now resides in heaven, working full-time as a guardian angel for his children and loved ones.
Always optimist and shining with humor – even at the most irritating times – Dad’s kindness and hope live on in everyone who knew him, while his final gift of sight ensured that another person will always see the world as he knew it – beautiful.
Written by Cortney Cameron, Daughter, Age 17
Joseph “Joe” Carter
My dad was born on September 29, 1934 and died on October 3, 2007. He was a native of Robeson County who was raised on a farm with 14 brothers and sisters. Later on he left and moved to the city where he married and had two daughters.
He retired from a job in Baltimore, MD as a pipeline worker and moved back to North Carolina and got a job as a construction worker in which he traveled around a lot doing that until he retired and started working with the city of Lumberton. My dad worked with the city of Lumberton up until he had a massive heart attack. After my dad recovered from his heart attack he got a job working with Bleeckers up until he departed his life. My dad was a hard working and loving, devoted son, brother, father, grandfather, husband and friend.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Carter and his siblings, Leonard Carter, Daisy Cummings, and Doris Rose Carter and is survived by his daughters, Pat Smith, Lilly Carter and Candy Carter; three brothers, Billy Ray Carter, Truman Carter and Charles Layton Carter; four sisters, Veola Locklear, Pauline Locklear, Linda Oxendine and Bonnie Locklear; a very special God-sent lady friend, Ms. Betty Locklear; five grandchildren, Donna Hammonds, Priscilla Locklear, Charlsity Smith, Burnice Smith and Candy Carter; ten great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. He was a widower for five years.
My dad was a man of many words and much wisdom. He loved to pick, joke and carry on at times, but he had his quiet moments, too. He loved going to church and was thought highly of. In the end he made his life right and was ready to meet Jesus. I hope that in the end I’ll meet them both again.
In loving memory of our dad and grandfather,
Pat Smith, Lilly Carter, Candy Carter
Grandchildren and Great grandchildren
William Travis Carter
William Travis Carter was born February 24, 1951 and was educated at Boyden High School, Georgia College, and earned an Associate Degree from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. He served in the US Army and was employed at the Salisbury Post in Salisbury and Food Lion in Raleigh. He was also a member of First Methodist Church in Salisbury.
Bill was the son of Mary Oma Miller Carter of Durham and the late Samuel Henry Carter. He was also preceded in death by his brother, John David Carter and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Carter and Mr. and Mrs. David C. Miller. He is survived by his brother, Charles Samuel Carter and wife Sue, of Raleigh; sister, Betsy Carter Schauf and husband, Cameron of Rochester, NY; nephews, Matthew Martin Schauf and wife, Kelly, Samuel Carter Schauf, Peter Cameron Schauf and Samuel James Carter; niece, Mary Kathryn Carter; and great-niece Kaylen Elizabeth Schauf.
For Bill – from Betsy with love
Bill was the best brother in the world, and he was the worst brother in the world. He could all too quickly tease me to hot tears of frustration, and he could make my imagination soar into his grand adventures – from walking across the big pipe behind Aunt Polly’s house, right down the hill here in the creek, to rolling down the big sawdust mountain when Granddaddy built the pond at what is now Dan Nicholas Park. We became spies like the “Man from U.N.C.L.E” in the crawl space under our house. That was where Bill taught me how to pass my finger though a candle flame. I’m not sure mom knows, even today, that we had candles and matches right under her kitchen floor!
It must have been hard to be Bill’s mother. Once he decided he wanted to make a powder horn like pioneers and soldiers used to carry. So, thanks to White Packing Company, Bill found some cow horns that had to be boiled down to remove all the inside stuff. Your can image the aroma of boiling horns!
Next he decided that frog gigging was the skill he needed to develop. And like every good hunter, he was determined to eat what he caught. I can still remember how persuasive he was in trying to convince me how delicious they would be, but, having seen and smelled too much of that process, I was not about to taste his frog legs!
Oh yes, it was always an adventure to be with Bill, and I think all of you know that side of him. There was a soft, loving side, and as his only sister, I was sometimes the lucky recipient of his tenderness and always of his respect.
Betty Cavanaugh
Abou Ben Adhem by Leigh Hunt
Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold -
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the Presence in the room he said
“What writest thou?” – The vision raised his head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered “The names of those who love the Lord.”
“And is mine one?” said Abou. “Nay, not so,”
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerly still, and said “I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow men.”
The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And lo! Ben Adhem’s name led all the rest.
I know that you understand what a shock it was for me when my mother died. It seems unbelievable that in one moment in time her courageous earthly life came to an end. As my family and I moved through the days following her passing, we tried our best to do things the way my mother would have wished. We carefully chose pink clothing and pink roses, we planned the funeral words and songs, we handpicked the gleaming maple casket, but after it was all said and done, we realized we had forgotten to include the poem above. I share it with you now.
I grew up hearing my mother recite this poem so many times that I myself can recite it. But I never truly considered the meaning of the words and the message of the poem that my mother embraced in her life. My mother truly loved the Lord, but she also loved her fellow man. Evidenced through her thoughtfulness and her compassion, my mother gave of herself because she knew all too well what it was like to suffer, to get up every day and have to fight for independence, and to smile through the pain. She bravely did what she could do – visiting the sick, befriending the ones who needed friends, calling or sending notes to those who celebrated or suffered. And she lived a good life; she was happy and she was blessed. She loved her husband, her children, her grandchildren, her family and friends. She loved her fellow man.
I remember a conversation I had with my mother before she died. We spoke of the tough decisions she was forced to make and the realities she was forced to live with. She also talked about the courage that she saw in other Christians, and lamented that she didn’t have this courage and wasn’t able to do more for God.
Courage is often defined as venturing into unknown, dangerous places for a worthy cause, even at personal risk. Certainly courage is evidenced in a Christian who feels led to witness and offer aid in a foreign country that isn’t a safe country. This Christian has to go out in unknown areas and try to follow God’s will through the wilderness. I would readily agree that this takes courage.
Courage is seen in a person who defies sin and chooses the harder, less popular path in this world. The person who can stand firm in his/her faith and stand for what is good versus what is evil is indeed a person of courage. A person who can witness to others about the love of God is a strong, courageous person.
As I further explored my thoughts, I discovered an interesting phenomenon that I hadn’t even considered. The word “encourage” has the word “courage” in it. How true it is that for us to encourage someone in the face of peril or grief or suffering, we do have to have courage. We must possess the inner courage to enable the ones who feel weak and are in despair to keep going. We must give our courage to others, thus leaving us vulnerable. We must possess the courage to face the pain again or the grief anew and to give of ourselves for the sake of another.
My mother remained positive while living with an affliction for 40 years. She offered the world a smile even though each step was met with arresting pain. She faced yet another surgery with a belief that she would get better. She learned to live alone after never spending a night alone in her life and cared for her house, yard, car and herself. She loved with courage.
So with courage, she encouraged others. Through her sickness she discovered the courage to speak to the sick. Through her grief and loneliness, she felt the need to reach out to the lonely.
What better way to live our life than to use our special God-given gift to truly do what God intended for us to do with that gift. Encouragement is the enemy, the conqueror, of discouragement. And it is a gift from God, where all strength and courage comes from. Look in that drawer or tucked in your Bible and there you may find a saved card with those special words of encouragement from my mother.
I believe that in the book of life beside the name Betty Van Barnes Cavanaugh the angel writes that she loved her fellow man and that she encouraged others through her own inner courage and faith. I suspect that God’s answer to my mother’s use of her gift as encourager is “Well done, my good and faithful servant. In you I am well-pleased.” I know I am.
Written February, 2007 by daughter Jan Cavanaugh Graham
Alice Lea Chambers
Alice was born on June 16, 1948 and departed her life on April 24, 2007. She attended Iredell County Schools and graduated from Yadkin High School in 1965. She had several hobbies including sewing, cooking, reading, watching TV and enjoying good food. She is survived by her mother Mary Avon Redmond; one son Craig Chambers; three brothers Richard Chambers, Dennis Redmond, Rauncky Redmond and the late Bruce Micheal Redmond; two sisters Regina Williams, Deidre Redmond; special nieces Santana and Ebony Williams; special nephews Rakeon Chambers, Maliek Dunlap and Patrick Williams.
Alice’s family misses her very much and is really glad for the gift she gave someone else. Our hearts are filled with love for the family that got the gift.
The Redmond Family
Franklin Johnson Chaney
December 29, 1939 – October 2, 2007
Franklin “Frank” Chaney was born on December 29, 1933 to Harry Rural Chaney and Josie Marie Hurst in the town of Spray, NC. He was their firstborn son and he had three younger siblings, two brothers and one sister. He attended Spray Grade School and later he attended Morehead High School where he played football and was a captain of the basketball team. After graduating from high school he joined the United States Air Force in 1953.
While stationed in Wyoming and on weekend furlough he met his bride-to-be Charlene Jean Heimbigner in Denver, Colorado. Frank was reassigned to a base in Illinois and he and Charlene continued the long-distance relationship through the mail until January 22, 1956 when they were married. Soon after they were married they were reassigned to California. While in California Frank was sent to serve in the Korean Conflict. He spent most of this tour of duty on Kwajalein Island in the Pacific. After returning to the United States, Frank and Charlene hop scotched from California to Tennessee to Indiana and ended up in Fort Worth, Texas in 1959.
When they were stationed in Texas they had three children – Leonard Franklin Chaney, Bobby Joe Chaney and Shirley Ann Chaney. Frank served in the military for eight and one-half years because his enlistment was extended because of the Cuban Missile Crisis. When his enlistment was finally up in the Air Force they took their family and moved to Winchester, Virginia in 1962. Frank went to work for Western Union Telegraph Company. It was in Virginia that their last daughter Mary Frances Chaney was born in 1966. Frank loved the outdoors and would take his family tubing on the Shenandoah River or trout fishing in many of the streams there. In 1966 Western Union transferred him back to Greensboro, North Carolina where he bought a house and 13 acres in Franklinville where Charlene still lives today. They raised their four children in Franklinville. He taught his sons how to hunt and fish and instilled in all of his children a respect for nature that they all enjoy today. The children have since scattered - Leonard lives in Red Bank, New Jersey with his wife Susan, their seven-year-old son Atom, and his two grown children Cheryl and Bradley. Bobby lives next to Charlene with his wife Lynn and their three sons - Joey (who is now in the Air Force), Matt and Christian. Shirley lives in Surry, Virginia with her three children John, Heidi and Abigail. And Mary and her husband Hiro Asami live in Tacoma, Washington with her three children - Brittany, Jonathon and Gabriella. Frank and Charlene loved to travel to visit all of the grandchildren. Frank was especially fond of teaching his grandsons to be rambunctious young men and instilling them a love of nature, animals and how to hunt and fish also.
After the children were grown Frank and Charlene had their adopted pets. First there was Giggles the Golden Lab and Jake the cat. Then there was Hotdog who was Frank’s constant traveling companion on all of his business trips with Western Union; the two of them were inseparable. And now there is Brownie who is still Charlene’s companion today. Frank had interred his pets in the garden when they passed away and that was his one wish he had - upon his passing he wanted to be interred with them. Frank was cremated and his final wish was granted. His final resting place for his earthly remains is in the garden with Hotdog and his other pets. We celebrate that his Spirit has gone to Heaven to be with Christ and the Angels.
Beatrice S. Charlesworth
Beatrice Sara “Polly” Charlesworth, 75, was a long-time resident of Greensburg who retired in Stony Point, NC. She passed away on Saturday, December 1, 2007. Beatrice is survived by her husband of 57 years, Lewis Charles Charlesworth. Also surviving are her children, Edward, Joe, Mark and Donna Charlesworth; sisters, Mary, Irene, Ruth and Helen; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Beatrice attended Kingdom Hall of Stony Point. She was a wonderful, loving person who will be deeply missed by her family, friends and dog, Tater.
Deanna Cherry
Deanna Cherry is my mother. I am her son, the youngest of her three children. She also has nine grandchildren.
My mom was a loving person; she always saw the good in a person long before she saw any bad. That caused her a lot of pain throughout her life, but amazingly right up until she was called home, she never lost that belief in other people. That was the most amazing thing about her. She was an extremely talented person. She could paint beautiful pictures; she did wonderful needlework and was a great seamstress. Whatever she put her mind to she could do, and do very well, but what she loved most was serving other people. She really cared about people. Her career was as a nurse, then, when she retired, she volunteered her time at the family crisis center and at the local food bank and in her church. She really loved Jesus, she loved her family and she loved her fellow man. She saw beauty in almost everything, so it is fitting that even in death her eyes go on seeing the beauty of our Lord’s creation. God bless the person who now sees through her eyes.
An example of her faith in mankind was when there was a young woman who was down and out. Mom didn’t have any rooms to be given to her; the rooms were already let out to others, but Mom had a very large closet. She arranged the closet with a bed and small nightstand. The woman stayed there until she was caught stealing from my mom’s sewing money.
Margaret "Marge" M. Chmiel
Though a native of New York (Buffalo), Margaret (Marge) M. Chmiel was a proud North Carolinian. Small in stature (4’11”), she was a giant in the field of humanity and education – impacting the lives of all she met. A pioneer in the field of alternative methods, Marge was consulted frequently by many who admired her effective teaching skills. As a teacher, she fortified each child’s strengths and addressed each one’s weaknesses. Indeed Marge Chmiel was an outstanding educator who was deeply loved, dearly admired, and highly respected by her students and colleagues.
Marge was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, NC. She graduated from State University of New York (SUNY) in Buffalo with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and received her Master’s Degree from Colorado State University in Denver. Her teaching experience spanned the spectrum from the elementary through the college level including both public and private school education from New York to North Carolina, specifically the State University of New York (SUNY) Binghamton, Kennedy Middle School, Salem Academy, Jefferson Academy and Jefferson Day School.
A remarkable woman, Marge continues to give upon her death allowing another to see with the gift of her eyes.
Tyler Franklin Church
Tyler Franklin Church, 14, was born on September 9, 1993 to Greg and Sandra Church. He was born prematurely and had to spend ten days at Brenner's Children’s Hospital. He was a blessing to us and our family because the day he got to come home, his father's grandmother passed away. He made her passing a little easier for his grandfather. He loved the Lord and cared about others and their feelings. He truly made a difference in this world. He told me (his mother) one time that when he died, he wanted to give his eyes so others could see. This is because he saw a little boy who was blind. He loved being a big brother to his sister Megan, age 6. He was loved by so many people. When he died, his entire school came to say goodbye. He was a 9th grader at West Wilkes High School in Wilkes County, NC. He loved high school, and most of all life. He loved playing paintball, riding 4-wheelers, his motorcycle, going to car shows with his dad, and also just being with family and friends. He was killed on October 7, 2007 when he was hit by a car. Tyler was riding his motorcycle when a car crossed over the center lane and hit him. Tyler was killed instantly. It has been hard on us, but we know we will see him again in Heaven.
Donna Bartron Clark
Donna Bartron Clark spent her last several years of life involved in community enrichment projects, both through her church and various other organizations. She had a passion for helping others in need, always putting other’s needs before her own, and spent a tremendous amount of time organizing fund-raisers for terminally ill children and others in need. She worked with The Kids Wish Foundation, Make-A-Wish, and her last project was working to help raise funds for the Ministry of His Glory in their quest to provide medical supplies for the children of Managua, Nicaragua.
She was born and raised in Newport News, VA, later marrying and spending many years traveling with her husband and family to various locations world-wide while her husband was serving his country in the military. During that period she also gave of herself in roles of volunteer work for the various Army Community Services.
She was also an organ donor and leaves her friends and family with the comforting knowledge that a part of her still lives on in helping others to have the precious gift of sight.
Lorraine Clark
"Grandma"
It feels like so many days have already passed by, and I do whatever I can not to sit down and cry. I like to think of the days of us two, and how each part of me has been made by you. You always stood by me and made things worthwhile, and there wasn't one day that went by that you didn't make me smile. It hurts inside now and I miss you so much, the softness of your hands with such a warm touch. There is one thing that I mostly miss - those days when I would give you that everyday kiss, but that hasn't stopped me from moving along each day because I know I can still talk to you and feel you when I pray. I always told myself I would never do you wrong because you always told me to keep my head up, smile, and be strong. You will live forever in my heart,
Your Granddaughter,
Brittany Elizabeth Bean
Kenneth “Ken” Clifton
1940 – 2007
Ken was a loving husband, father to six children and grandfather to ten grandchildren. He was an avid reader and enjoyed CNN and Fox News throughout the day.
Ken was active in sports, especially golf and played basketball both at Morehead High School and Carolina College.
Ken was Plant Manager for Levi-Strauss Company for many years. After that time he became a truck driver. Later he enjoyed being owner of Ken’s Mini Market.
All through his life Ken was always a person to the rescue of both family and friends. We will always remember Ken as full of life, laughter and love, charm, wit and courage.
Max Cole
A man who never met a stranger
A man who loved camping with his friends
A man who was always the first to lend a helping hand
A man who loved his God and family
A man who is missed by all who knew him
I’m Free
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free.
I’m following the path God laid for me.
I took his hand when I heard Him call.
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way.
I found that place at the close of day.
If my passing has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss.
Ah yes, these things I, too, will miss.
Be not burdened with time of sorrow.
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savored much,
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief.
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me.
God wanted me now. He set me free.
Chloe Kathryn Coleman
Chloe Kathryn Coleman, 14, of Chapel Hill, N.C., died on Tuesday, June 5th at UNC’s Children’s Hospital. Born on January 11, 1993 in Guatemala City, Guatemala, she was adopted at six months. Chloe attended Binkley Preschool and Montessori Day School before entering into the Chapel Hill Public School system, attending Estes Hills Elementary and Phillips Middle School.
Chloe had a vivacious personality with many friends and her house was often a center for group activities. She had numerous passions in life and pursued them with great intensity. Chloe began her ten-year love of gymnastics at age three at Carolina Sport Art, and participated in many sports, both in school and for local club teams, starting with the Rainbow Soccer League at six. At Phillips she was a member of the varsity basketball and volleyball teams and was co-captain of her varsity lacrosse team. Her spring 2007 lacrosse team won the OPAC Tournament Championship and Chloe was named the team’s offensive MVP for the season. Chloe was also a gifted singer for the Phillips Chorus, and performed in two school plays.
Chloe had many interests, including hip-hop dancing, creating unique and trendy clothes and listening to a variety of contemporary music. She maintained a bond with her native Guatemala in many ways. Last summer she went to Chichicastenango, Guatemala to volunteer in an orphanage, and she annually hosted a large celebration of Guatemalan adoptees and their families. Chloe’s life was filled with travel and numerous summer camp experiences. She spent every summer since childhood at Pine Grove Resort on Cobb Mountain in California.
Chloe’s last act of giving was the donation of her major organs to the Carolina Donor Services. It is the hope of her family that through this gift others will have the chance for a future.
Chloe is survived by her parents Jon and Linda Coleman of Chapel Hill, her sister Elizabeth, her brother Peter, aunts, uncles, cousins and her many, many friends.
Terry Lou Collins
August 15, 1956 – February 18, 2007
Terry was a very special person to all who knew and loved her. Terry had several loves in her life: her desire to help those less fortunate, suffering or in pain; her love of singing; her love of family and friends, and her love of her Lord.
I guess because Terry was ill so much herself, she had a special way of knowing when someone was hurting or in need of comfort. She was known to send cards, make telephone calls and visits to the sick and hurting in her midst. Terry had a way of looking into your eyes and seeing your soul. She seemed to sense hurt. This was a very special gift and ministry she had. I found in her belongings practice writings of cards she had sent. She would write down just what she wanted to say until she perfected the words she wished to express before actually copying to the card! Before she retired from her job, Terry would help other employees understand benefits and documents. Since Terry did not have children of her own, she supported a child through a Christian children’s ministry in Africa. She was always an advocate for those she considered less fortunate. Her donation to the Eye Bank was an example of her giving to others.
Terry’s favorite hobby and perhaps her greatest love was singing. She had a strong voice. She began singing as a child in the children’s choir at church and continued by singing with her sister at church as a teenager and in the choir at church as long as she was able to do so. For Terry, the highest form of worshipping God was through singing! She loved hymns and would spend hours trying to reach high notes of her favorites. Terry enjoyed movies, especially old ones, and reading, and could remember the smallest details. She was an avid collector of books and movies.
Most of all, Terry loved her family and friends. She carried pictures of her family, especially her nephews and niece, with her always, even with her to the many hospital stays she endured through the years. Terry was very devoted to her friends and found ways to show her devotion and love often in her darkest times. She could also be mischievous and one could tell by the twinkle in her eyes that she was up to something.
Terry always wanted to look attractive. Many people did not understand how sick she was because she would not be seen in public unless she could look good! She loved jewelry, lacy things, angels, horses, and Victorian or old things. I often teased her that she was born in the wrong century!
It is still hard to believe that Terry was taken from us so abruptly with a severe stroke she suffered on Valentine’s Day, 2007. Even though she technically lived for several days, in our hearts we know Terry left us on Valentine’s Day. That’s the way Terry would have wanted it – to die on a romantic holiday.
In loving memory by your family,
Momma, Ann, Marie and Buddy
Joan Geoghegan Conrad
When we think of Joan one word comes to mind - fun! She enjoyed family, friends, teaching and life. She was fun to be with. She enjoyed going back to Kentucky for family visits, or to the Derby. She enjoyed going to the beach. She enjoyed getting together with friends and entertaining.
She was a mother, a teacher, and a friend and supporter to all she met. She was known for her sharp wit and great sense of humor. In fact, the best way to find Joan at a gathering was to listen for her distinctive, infectious laugh. She was a true one of a kind; a warm and loving human being who lived her life with passion and vigor.
Joan was a teacher and administrator at elementary, middle, and high schools for 38 years. She shaped the lives of young people in Kentucky, Massachusetts, California, Virginia and North Carolina.
She was a true gift to John, her husband of 26 years, and their daughter, Emily.
Billy Cook
Billy Cook will always be a loving husband, great daddy and funny Paw-Paw. He always told us he loved us in so many ways, from being dedicated to his wife for 47 years or showing his children right from wrong, or telling his corny jokes which you had to laugh at. He believed a lot of hard work never hurt anyone and always pushed to do more. Billy was liked, loved and respected by many and will truly be missed.
Sara Nicole Cooper
Seeing through Nicole’s eyes should be a wonderful experience. She was so fond of beauty in the simplest things – sunsets, clouds in a blue sky, celestial beings, angels, colored lights on a tree or the flickering of fire in the fireplace. I, her mother, always wondered what it was like to feel the things she saw. She would say with a great excitement “Mama, look at the sky. Beautiful white fluffy clouds and the bluest sky; looks as if I could reach out and just touch ’em.” The simplest things were the greatest things to her; things we often overlook ourselves.
Christmas was her favorite time. She had a child-like wonder even at the age of 30. She loved to unwrap gifts or rather just tear open the packages. She was always satisfied and happy with whatever she found inside and was never hard to please. One thing that would bother me about Nicole was she would say in her last years of life “I’m just like you, Mama. I can see it more and more.” But I would think to myself, “No you are not, Nicole. You are too innocent and unspoiled of a person.” Now I know I could have never seen or felt the beauty of a sunset if it had not been for her eyes.
Nicole would be so very happy to know she gave the gift of sight to someone.
In Memory of my loving daughter, Sara Nicole Cooper
James Ray Walker, Father
Della A. Huffman, Mother
J. Fred Corley
April 24, 1933 – June 23, 2007
It may sound trite, but nothing can prepare you for watching your widowed father, a man who steadfastly has led a family that included his wife and 12 children for more than 50 years, decline in health as rapidly as Dad, or Pop, as his 18 grandchildren called him, did before dying in June 2007. He had been diagnosed with colon cancer only seven weeks earlier. Yes, he was 74, but no one expected this. Even after the diagnosis, this was stunning. To this day, I keep expecting to wake up and find out this never happened. His father had lived well into his 80s, and others in the family had lived longer even than that.
To say he was a reader is a severe understatement. This man read volumes upon volumes upon multitudes of more volumes, with a particular love for military history. He had spent more than 30 years of his life in the military, whether it was the U.S. Army, the South Carolina National Guard or the North Carolina National Guard. Even late in life (though we didn't know it was "late in life" at the time), while being treated for macular degeneration, reading was a passion. Because of the macular degeneration, it was surprising to all of us that he was able to be a donor, but we all were thrilled beyond belief that he could.
Dad was not overtly emotional, no matter what the scale of that emotion may have been. If you brought home a great report card, there was praise, but not too much. Bad grades certainly weren't appreciated, but the consequences never did match the expectations, especially if the bad grade was in math, which we came to learn was not one of Dad's strengths. I (the third of seven sons) never will forget my wedding day, with Dad as my best man. He, the preacher and I were sequestered in a closet-like room just off the altar for 45 minutes before the service, perhaps the most uncomfortable 45 minutes of my life. I was about to marry the love of my life, but even so, anyone who ever has been married knows there is a certain nervousness involved. I kept looking up at him, but his eyes were straightforward, focused on the task at hand. In retrospect, I get that much more now than I did then.
God help you if you ever made him angry. I don't mean to understate his ability to yell, but to gauge the true barometer of his anger, one need only to look him in the eye. His eyes were the tell-tale sign of his emotions. How is that most evident? Look at any picture of him holding one of his grandchildren. The pride and love are so evident. It didn’t matter whether he was watching one of his grandchildren play baseball, football, basketball, softball or soccer or whether he was attending a dance recital or just holding them as newborn babies, you could see the love he had for them and for his family in his eyes. These grandchildren added sparkle to his eyes and were always able to put a smile on his face. He loved spending time with them.
Fred Corley lived in Charlotte from 1958-1978, and in Jamestown from 1978 till 2007. In addition to his own eight children, he was an adoptive father of four and foster father to dozens more. He retired from both Duke Power Company and the North Carolina National Guard, and then drove a school bus for Guilford County Schools. He was always active in his church, St. Peter's Catholic in Charlotte and Immaculate Heart of Mary in High Point. In addition to his twelve children, Fred is survived by two sisters, Jimmie Anne Dacus and Wilda French.
To say we miss him is an understatement. None of us were prepared for his sudden illness and death and none of us realized how much we loved him and how important he was to all of us. He would have been thrilled to know that his eyes are now helping two other people to see.
William “Bill” Corley
It is difficult to do a tribute because we want to share so much for such a great person and discuss every detail we can remember. Our father had so many adventures in his life, more than most may experience. Dad began his life poor, his mom and dad were mill workers/farmers and he had seven brothers and sisters. Dad was the eldest son and that was his nickname all of his life – Son. As you can imagine, hundreds of stories came up when growing up amongst his large family being raised in a small town in South Carolina, picking cotton, working in the mills, bad legs, tough strict rules and tough living conditions. The times were hard when he was young, but he loved life. Then military life came for our dad, and, even with flat feet, he managed to get in the service alongside his brother. They were lucky enough to serve together for the beginning four years in the Air Force; dad went on to serve a total of 20 years in the service. The two brothers were sent to England where he met our mother (who passed in 1991). The story goes she didn’t like the young American military man at first, but he won her heart and this small military man met a British girl. They married and their military adventures and travels began – New Orleans, Mississippi, Italy, England, South Carolina, Germany, Hawaii, Illinois, Oklahoma and Vietnam. It was time for retirement and our parents settled in Raleigh, NC with a great opportunity to be the Director of Police Information Network. Dad was hired to be a pioneer of sorts; he was in charge of networking all counties and police departments to allow them to communicate and relay criminal information. At that time local officers could not tell if someone had a criminal background. If a person was stopped for a ticket, the officer had no way of knowing if he had a wanted person. This was the beginning of a great beginning in the networking world. Our parents had three children and four grandchildren. Our dad had a green thumb like no other and loved soccer. If dad wasn’t coaching a soccer team, he was working in the garden and yard. Our mother passed away suddenly in 1991 before my father retired. It became a sad time with many adjustments without our mom. After several years our father met his next love and her name was Doris. They married and through her family we developed an extended family. They loved each other very much and had fun, laughed, gardened and traveled all over. Dad also volunteered and they enjoyed their family. Unfortunately, many tragedies struck during their short time together. Doris’ son passed away and a few years later Doris passed away. Our father was diagnosed with a condition that could not be cured. Through all of the years of adventures probably the most prominent trait was my father’s smile and happy gleam in his eyes. He always could flash a smile and make you happy in an instant. He was always positive and non-judgmental and he welcomed everyone in his home and showed respect and dignity. He was a dad to everyone he met, and even during his terminal illness he was always positive. We are so proud of our father and his commitment to life and are glad he could offer more hope through the eye bank. On behalf of his family, we hope this tribute will encourage you to live life to the fullest. Life is a journey, not a destination.
The Corley Family
Benny Corum
Benny was an extremely kind, loving and generous man. He was the guy who would stop to help a stranded motorist. He was there for the people who needed groceries and Santa for the children in need at Christmas. Last Christmas (2006) Benny gave everyone in the family something special. He wanted it to be the “Christmas to Remember” as he called it. He cried as we opened gifts last year and saw everyone’s smiles. Benny was a man with a huge heart full of love and a hearty laugh. Everyone who knew him thought kindly of him because he was a giving man. He was a great father, loving and thoughtful husband, a wonderful son who loved his mother dearly and a wonderful brother. He never met a stranger and was a good neighbor always willing to help any way he could. I know he would be pleased to know he could give gifts of himself and he did help people through his donations by being a donor. He felt he was truly blessed in his life. He was loved by his family.
In his memory,
Shelby Corum (wife)
Gregory Cowan
Greg loved riding his classic Harley Davidson motorcycle. His smile will be very much missed when he talked about riding and tinkering on it. Greg was also passionate about his work as a tile contractor. He treated his work as a piece of art. The contractor that he worked for said a craftsman like Greg would be very hard to replace.
Greg also enjoyed Southern rock such as The Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Marshall Tucker Band.
Jackson Ray Cox
In loving memory of our son, Jackson Ray Cox.
He lived a short, but great and loving 25 days. All he knew in life was tremendous love, and we believe that's the best life a person could have. We miss him very much, but he is forever in our hearts and lives. We cherish every moment that we had with him. He was a strong, happy and perfect child. We couldn't have asked for anything better than those 25 days with him.
We love you, Jackson!
Mom and Dad
Lester Harold Cox
March 13, 1945 – February 4, 2007
Harold and I started dating in 1996 and were married in 1998. Even though we were together only eleven years, I feel like he was always a part of my life and I know that he will always be with me. He loved life and he loved to laugh. If anyone needed help, Harold was the first one to lend a hand.
He was very proud to have served in the Army, Army Reserve and Army National Guard. When troops were sent to Iraq, he wished he could enlist and once again serve his country. His favorite trips were visits to Civil War battlefields and the Alamo. I know he was imagining the battles that took place.
Harold loved God and His beautiful world. We stood in awe at the beauty of the Grand Canyon. He wanted to see the Meteor Crater in Arizona but we got there just as the gates were being locked. Once, we got up in the middle of the night to watch a meteor shower from the overlook on the mountain between Elkin and Sparta. Trips across the Blue Ridge Parkway were always a favorite.
I am so happy – and proud – that he has given someone the gift of sight. I hope they enjoy this beautiful world that God has given us as much as Harold enjoyed it.
Catherine Tilley Cox
One of Harold’s closest friends wrote this:
Let me tell you about my friend, Harold Cox. A fellow Vietnam veteran was one factor in a special kinship between us. Years later, we served together in the 108th Training Division U.S. Army Reserve. Harold suffered multiple injuries while with the 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam. A combination of these and post traumatic stress led the V.A. to place Harold on total disability - a major setback for a hard working fellow who loved being active. This never broke Harold’s spirit. He held fast to his strong faith in God, and continued to love life and lived each day to its fullest.
Harold was able to restore a red ’67 Chevelle SS that made a lot of guys drool. A big joy in his life was being able to do something to help a neighbor. Several times, when I was away or at work, Harold would come over to mow and trim my yard. Even after being diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas, the resulting surgeries, treatments, etc., his desire was to help someone.
I sure miss my buddy, but how appropriate that even in death Harold was able to give of himself to help someone else.
Russell Edwards
Ronda, NC
Ashley Cozart
Ashley Cozart passed away on April 20, 2007 after an accident involving a drunk driver. Her life ended too early. She would have been 20 on August 30, 2007.
The most important and special thing that I remember and always will is her smile. Ashley smiled all the time – when she was sick, hurt, or sad, she would give you a smile. When she was 3, she had a tumor removed from her left leg. In the recovery room she woke up, sat up in bed and smiled, and asked for orange juice. It scared the nurse to death. The doctor said she was the most smiling child he had ever seen. Even in pain she gave us a smile. I feel that God took her home for her lovely smile.
Jackie Cozart
Jason Patrick Creech
September 13, 1980 – February 22, 2007
Jason was a one-of-a-kind son and was tragically taken from us at a very young age. He was our only child. He would call his dad or his mom every day just to make sure we were doing OK and if we needed anything. He would always end the conversation with “I love you, too.” The last words he spoke to me were “I love you, too, Mom.”
He loved his family especially getting together going to and/or watching NASCAR racing on TV. He also worked on a race car with a team at the local track.
He loved to go fishing with his family at their vacation home in Atlantic Beach and his girlfriend at the Outer Banks. He loved playing billiards with a team at the local club.
He was so proud in 2005 when he, at the age of 24, purchased his own home and was looking forward to building a family there in the future.
Jason was one his dad and I could always count on if we needed anything. He lived life to the fullest and was loved by everyone he met.
We will always love you and we miss you more than words can say.
Love,
Mom and Dad
Kenneth Cromer
Ken was a loving husband and father. He is survived by his wife Judy; son Kenny and daughter-in-law Sheree; daughters Nicole and Megan; stepson Edward and grandsons Matt and Justin. Matt and Justin were his greatest joy. They loved their grandpa and he loved them. Some of his most special times were spent with his little guys on the horses or on the tractor. His fellow truck drivers knew him as “Papa Bear.” Long hours were spent over the road these past few years and Papa Bear spent much time chatting with the other drivers. He loved them like family. When he came off the road his focus was his home; taking care of more than 20 acres of property, 3 horses, 2 dogs, 3 cats and making sure that his truck was kept in pristine condition. He was loved by many and will be missed by all.
John Randolph Cromwell
July 28, 1952 – July 30, 2007
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to tell you about John Randolph Cromwell. He was an extraordinary man with the biggest heart of anyone I have ever met.
He was born in Hutchinson, Kansas and spent most of his life in the Pacific Northwest. He graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in engineering. He was employed with Boeing in Seattle, Washington for most of his life. After I moved to Seattle, we began dating because we shared a love of motorcycles. Later we started a business together as event promoters. John loved working with entertainers like ZZ Top, Willie Nelson, and was a close and personal friend of Evel Knievel.
John loved going on road trips and looked forward to getting on a bike and just riding. He said that “it set his spirit free.”
We later moved to North Carolina and John just loved his adopted state. His other passion was to sit and watch thunderstorms as they approached. John was Native American and had a thorough appreciation of the earth and its majesty. He also loved animals, especially his beloved cat Harley.
John developed Type I diabetes at the age of 35. He was always aware of his condition, but tragically two days after his 55th birthday he was taken to the hospital and the doctor found a malignant tumor in his intestines which was inoperable. He never had any symptoms. He passed away the very next day with a smile on his face.
I know that he is with the Lord and he is happy even though I miss his physical presence here. John always said that the eyes are the mirror to the soul. I know that whoever benefits from his gift will see the world with the same love and compassion that John possessed while here on this planet.
Always in our hearts forever till we meet again and reunite in heaven. We love you!
Dottie, Jessie Jacky, as well as all the lives you touched while on your journey here
David Cross
David was a beneficiary of donor lungs and very much appreciated the extra years it gave him.
He loved life – all aspects of it. He loved his work as an electrician. He loved gardening in his yard and making it beautiful. He was an avid skier and donated many hours a week as a volunteer fireman in our town of Northport, NY. He was very active in the Rescue Squad. He was a wonderful, caring son and was engaged to a lovely girl Veronica. We knew he would want to help someone else with his own donation.
James E. Cross, Jr.
James E. Cross, Jr., also known as JC, would have been delighted to know that his eyes have benefited another individual. Jim retired as a Special Agent of the FBI in December of 1995. He served the Bureau as a field agent, on the SWAT team and performed extensive undercover work. Obviously his eyes saw many things and detected much more.
Jim was born and raised in North Carolina; even though he left the south in his twenties, he never lost the southern accent which became more evident the further south he traveled. He loved being a Special Agent and upon retirement, after moving to Pinehurst, NC, he loved playing golf. Fishing and hunting were adventures which were developed at an early age. Jim never lost the desire to wade the rivers and creeks in Colorado or sit in his bass tracker boat on Sherrin Harris Lake looking for the elusive fish or to climb into the tree stand on a cold fall morning looking for the perfect buck. During his fishing and hunting trips, he absorbed the natural forces surrounding him and even if he did not hook any fish or bag a deer, he enjoyed this environment always returning home with stories.
Unfortunately Jim did not have any children, but his wife’s sons became part of his world. He taught the youngest one to enjoy the out of doors and the intricacies of fishing, hunting and cleaning what was caught. The two (step) granddaughters who were 2 and 5 years old at the time of Jim’s passing were delights and wonders to him.
Jim had great insight into human nature and relationships. He greatly enjoyed playing pranks on his FBI cohorts; his sense of humor always apparent. No matter what happened with him personally, he would state that he would fight yet another challenge and conquer the setback or misfortune.
Makenzie Anne Curtis
Our beloved twelve-year-old returned to our Father in Heaven who gives us all life on February 22, 2007. Kenzie was a joy and she believed that “To fall is not to fail; you fail when you don’t try.”
Makenzie loved life, she loved to dance, sing and be helpful. She enjoyed her friends and family. Her best friend was her sister Kira, and she loved her little brother Jaren and her mom and dad. She was a joy and would have been so happy to give her eyes to someone. She would have hoped that they use them in seeing beauty and love.
Makenzie loved this earth life, being a champion in a rodeo event; she was also a champion in life. When she was eight years old she was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She loved green, frogs, holidays and ice-skating. She is the Curtis family Ice Princess. She loved the activities in her church because she loved sharing, giving, loving and loves the Savior. She wanted to go on a mission for her church to Japan and was studying the Japanese language. She was always the first to help with chores around the house and any place else they needed to be done.
When Kenzie died she was running track. She “ran the mile” and finished the race both on the track and in life.
We know we will see you again and will miss you every day until our Father in Heaven reunites us as an eternal family.
All of our love,
Mom, Dad, Kira and Jaren
