Harold S. Garriss
As a loving Christian, Harold always took time to be there for others. Even in his final hours his thoughts and concerns were of how he could help the less fortunate. For years Harold gave his time to the community especially during the holidays. As a Vietnam veteran, he volunteered his services at Wayne Memorial Hospital until failing health prevented him. Harold was a caring husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. He surely will be missed by all who knew him.
Elizabeth Gathright
Elizabeth was a very nice and kind person. She was also a wonderful wife. She helped many as an Occupational Therapist. She would be glad to know she helped others by her gift.
Rayetta Denise “Poochie” Gibson
What I remember most about my sister Rayetta was the support that she used to give me when we were growing up and even into adulthood. In 2003 I remember taking my state board exam to be a cosmetologist and she was there cheering me on. When I got my results from that test, she knew that I had passed even before I could open my mail. She was so proud of me. No matter what I did in life, Rayetta was very supportive. So I say to my dear sister, even though it has been six months since you passed, I love you and I miss you dearly.
Love, Shawndele and Nichole
Rayetta is just like one of my own children. I spoiled her rotten to the core. When I think about her not being here, it really hurts, but then I think how she really lived. She had fun. She enjoyed doing hair and she was a good hair stylist. We love you and miss you.
Aunt Lane, Uncle D, Tee, Jr., and Puddin’ Pop
Howard Lee Gilbert
Howard was born on May 7, 1932, and like most men of his generation, he learned to work hard at an early age in the family’s house and machinery moving business. After serving his country in the Air Force and marrying his wife Betty, he returned to the family business which he operated until he retired. He was very talented and designed and built many of the tools needed to do his dangerous and difficult work safely and without unnecessary effort.
He and Betty enjoyed traveling around the world and visited several continents. He would always step off the plane in Charlotte wearing a newly acquired hat from one of the countries that he had visited.
Nothing pleased him more than being surrounded by family and friends while enjoying good food, fun and fellowship. He especially enjoyed the company of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and his joking and laughter made it clear that he was still a kid at heart.
He also enjoyed helping others, and after retirement spent many hours working on special projects for his church, Miller’s Lutheran in Hickory. He had a special place in his heart for a piece of property on Lake Hickory that was donated to the church by another member. He led the effort to remodel and enlarge the house on the property, and spent many long days on a bulldozer and tractor “moving mountains” to create areas for parking, recreational activities and outdoor worship services. The property is frequently used for various functions by church members and groups.
A very strong-willed man, when health problems began to slow him down, he fought with all his strength to remain active and he never let anyone know how difficult the struggle to keep going was. When he was called home unexpectedly on January 19, 2007, he left us with a lifetime of special memories. Those memories live on in our hearts, and his desire to help others lives on in his gift of sight.
Imogene “Jean” Jacobs Given
April 5, 1952 – July 16, 2007
My mother was a very loving, caring and beautiful person. She was born in Salisbury, NC to Edward (Ed) Jacobs and Evelyn Lambe Jacobs. She has two brothers, Louis the older and John the younger. She also has a half-brother Donnie and a half-sister Carolyn that she never knew. Mom had two children, a girl Laura and a boy Darrell. My brother Darrell was killed on a motorcycle on August 4, 1987 at 16 years old. Two months before that she lost her father on June 2, 1987.
Mom and her family moved to Soddy-Daisey, TN when she was around 8 years old, where she lived for about 8 years. Mom and her family moved back to Salisbury in 1969. She had several jobs that she loved, working and taking care of people. Mom’s favorite job was working for the VA Hospital. She started working there in July 1987. She loved it. She worked at the VA Hospital until she had to leave on disability in 2003. Mom started getting sick in 1999 with COPD. That is the same year she quit smoking.
Mom had many friends that she missed at the hospital. One of Mom’s big loves was people. Mom made friends everywhere she went. At home Mom was always on the phone. She would call and talk to everyone she could think of. Sometimes she would tell me, “I’ve talked so much today my throat is sore.”
Mom’s biggest love was her nephew Jonathan and her grandchildren. They all call her MaMaw. Mom was very proud of her grandchildren and loved them very much – Jeremy 19 and his fiancé Bonnie, Desiree 11, Jaleska 21 months. She got to see her first great-granddaughter Katelyn born on May 4, 2007. Mom had nicknames for all of them. Jeremy was called Babe, Desiree was called Sweet Pea, Jaleska was called Tinky or Baby and Katelyn was called Little Miss Red Head. Mom said when Jeremy was a baby, Katelyn and him could have been twins. That’s very true. Jaleska is crazy about her Mamaw and her Mamaw was crazy about her, too.
Mom liked taking her Sweet Pea, Desiree, to the Dairy Queen to get a pina colada blizzard. Mom loved to shop and meet new people at the Goodwill and Salvation Army every chance she got. Mom loved to watch the news, Cops, America’s Most Wanted and Dog the Bounty Hunter. Mom loved Elvis and lead singer Danny Shirley of Confederate Railroad; she has a signed photo and T-shirt. Mom had to tell everyone that Danny Shirley was from Soddy-Daisey, TN. Mom loved to dance. Mom’s hobbies and interests were her green Volkswagen Beetle. She loved the color green and she loved her car. Mom collected miniature green Volkswagen Beetles.
Mom loved to read. Mom also collected books. Mom loved flowers and green house plants. She had a lot of inside house plans. Mom collected angels. I’ve painted her several beautiful angels. Mom strongly believed in angels, Jesus and God. Mom always told me that she was saved at Miles Straight Baptist Church that was right beside of their house in Soddy-Daisey, TN. When you walk into Mom’s house, her faith in Jesus and angels are everywhere you look. Mom’s tables and walls are full of family photos – photos of angels, Jesus, crosses and Elvis. Mom also loved rainbows. Mom had a couple of rainbows she collected. Mom started collecting rainbows when my brother Darrell was killed. Darrell had written a book about his life and rainbows just before he was killed. Mom loved her dog Sara and her Siamese cat Tigger that she had for 21 year.
Mom loved the beach. That was Mom’s most favorite place in the world. Our family has many good and fun memories of her at the beach. Mom always had fun. On July 8, 2007 we took mom on vacation with us to Kure Beach, NC. She was so happy; she loved it. Mom hadn’t been to the beach in 7 years because of her breathing problems and being sick of being sick. I could tell for the last 3 years she started slowing down and was getting tired of living. My father was also killed on a motorcycle on April 3, 2004, two days before Mom’s birthday. He was only 54 years old. Even though they weren’t together any more, I know my mother took his death very hard. Mother lost her son and her ex-husband, her first real true love, on motorcycles. We came home on Thursday, July 12, 2007. Mom was happy; she had a sparkle in her beautiful blue eyes. Mom kept thanking me for taking her with us to the beach. On Sunday night, July 15th, Mom walked over to my house to watch Dog The Bounty Hunter. She was not feeling well, but she talked to Desiree and played with Jaleska. She left about midnight and walked back to her house next door to me. Monday July 16th I talked to her on the phone 2 times that day. The first time she was babysitting Katelyn. The last time was at 7:11 pm. Mom said she was going to clean her bedroom up; that was the last time I got to talk to her. I got a phone call from Bonnie at 8:37 pm. She said to come over now. Mamaw was on her bedroom floor beside her bed. Bonnie called 911, but it was too late. Mom was already in heaven with my brother and father. She died under a picture of Jesus and Elvis that was hanging on the wall above her. Mom was only 55 years old.
John Sifford Gouger
My brother, John Sifford Gouger, was a born and bred Tar Heel. Johnny lived his whole life in Chapel Hill and couldn’t understand why anyone would need to leave his beloved state. He was a UNC graduate in Geology. He did his Masters work in Paleontology. He had been interested in dinosaurs since the age of three. John was drafted into the army during the Vietnam War and spent two years in Korea. He returned to Chapel Hill, where he worked at a series of well-known restaurants, meeting many creative characters. He soon became one himself. He collected friends from all walks of life. His kindness and well-known humor became his trademark. He found that he had a calling as a tutor for home schooled children, as well as the UNC men’s basketball team.
Johnny also found that he had musical talent. He taught himself to play the keyboard and he enjoyed singing in the church choir. Johnny’s real talent was his sharp mind and wit. He loved talking, eating and chicken jokes, which he made up daily and posted in a local gas station. Among his many gifts was the loving care he gave to his mother during her final years of life. He was a courageous patient, who never complained about his many medical problems during his last days. He was the sweetest and smartest brother a girl could ever have.
James Douglas “Doug” Gray
December 18, 1937 – January 4, 2007
James Douglas Gray was known as Doug to those whose lives he touched and he was a very special person. He was born in Hamlet, NC and was very active in sports in high school.
We met at East Carolina College in 1956. His wonderful smile and quick wit soon won me over. He received his BS Degree in Social Studies and English in 1961 and then proceeded to earn his Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from UNC in 1964. From 1961 until 1966 he was principal of several elementary schools. In 1966 we moved to Roxboro, NC where he became principal of Morgan Street Elementary School and later served as principal at Northern Junior High School. He later served from 1990-1999 as Assistant Principal of the North Carolina School of Science and Math from which he retired. Doug’s teachers and staff loved him. He was a very supportive administrator and always had time to listen to their problems.
Doug was a wonderful father of two sons, Sean and Robert. He was very supportive of and enjoyed attending their many sports events. He continued to offer them guidance and love up until his death. He was very proud of his children and also had a special place in his heart for his grandchildren, Michael and Ella. His face would brighten up at the mention of either of them.
Carlton Dell Green
September 24, 1968 – December 1, 2007
On December 1, 2007 we lost a precious gift, Carlton “Dell” Green.
Dell was a beloved son, brother and father to his two sons, Alex and Ashley. He had a love for everything in nature. He was an artist in so many ways. His landscapes were filled with trees and waters. He taught his boys to respect nature; he taught his boys how to hunt and fish. His ability to grow tomatoes, peppers and his assortment of veggies and flowers were awesome. He took great pride in caring for the lawn and landscapes. His love for his family and friends was like no other. His smile was infectious and everyone who met him fell in love with him and certainly never could forget him. He loved to cook and when he cooked, he always cooked as if he were feeding an army. He could make anyone smile. He was a very loving person. Dell could see the good in everyone. He had a love for NASCAR and Harley Davidsons. He loved to ride every chance he got.
Dell would help anyone in need. At the time of Dell’s death his mother didn’t know he was a donor. She wasn’t surprised to find this out because knowing Dell as his family and friends knew him, he had a heart of gold and would help anyone. Our wish is that someone with his eyes can see the beauty in people and the beauty in the world as he did. On December 1st we lost our loved one, but Dell is still able to continue giving every day by making a choice to be a donor. Though he isn’t here with us now, he will always be here in our hearts. We love you, Dell, and we miss you every day!
Ernest Charles Green
I am very proud of my father, Ernest Charles Green. He was devoted to his family, serving his country and protecting his community. He believed through hard work and strong devotion that anything was possible.
Ernest instilled in all of his children compassion for others and deep love for animals. I remember my dad bringing people into our home giving them a hot meal and a place to rest their troubles. His love for animals led to us kids having all kinds of pets. We had pets ranging from hamsters, different breeds of dogs, to even a pet skunk named Paul. Growing up with daddy, there was never a dull moment! These experiences I would never change. Thanks to him it has made me who I am today.
My daddy was so full of life and lived every day to its fullest. He would be so happy to know that even though he has passed, he was still able to have a positive impact on his fellow man. It is through his compassion of love and giving that we knew, that helps us to carry on his ideals till this day. We love you, daddy, and you are truly missed by all who knew you!
Amelia Catherine Greene
A beautiful baby girl, Amelia Catherine Greene, was born in Raleigh, NC to Silva and Robert Greene.
Amelia grew into a loving child attending St. Paul Catholic School in New Bern and completing two years of college.
Her first job was at Hardee’s where she worked her way into a manager’s position. Later, because of her love for children, she worked at Howell’s Child Care Center in New Bern.
She loved to travel and lived three years in Washington state later returning to Virginia where she lived with her Aunt Myrtle Holland. She enjoyed working with people and enjoyed working as a waitress.
One of Amelia’s favorite pastimes was reading and drawing. She was very talented in drawing.
Amelia had a great love for her family – her parents and her only brother Donald and his family (especially his children), a very special love for her Aunt Myrtle, God and her country.
She will be greatly missed by all of us who loved her so very much.
Sincerely,
Silva Greene (Mother)
George William Greer
As you can see from the smile in Bill’s eyes and on his face he was ready to enter eternal life which he did on April 9, 2007. One of his greatest wishes was that someone would be sighted by his gift. There were two.
Bill wrote his memorial service two years before his death. He knew this would be another blessing he could give to his wonderful friends and loved ones. He was always giving of himself in the smallest of ways.
I would encourage everyone to read the passages that he requested for himself: Isaiah 40:28-3 and Isaiah 58:6-11 along with the New Testament lesson 1 Peter 4:7-11.
“I love and owe worlds to all you guys. Thank you and may God bless.” - Red Skelton as Clem Kaddiddlehopper
He waits for me.
Rose Greer
Victor Edward Griffin, Jr.
Eddie, Jr. is with our Heavenly Father now, free of all his pain. He loved life, family, mom, dad and sister. He enjoyed sports – Duke was his team and the Braves. We had such good times together, but no longer to be. God has him in his keeping. We have him in our hearts.
We will always miss you our son and brother.
Love,
Mom, Dad and Vickie
Robert “Bob” Grubenmann
Col. Ret. Robert “Bob” Grubenmann, 63, of 8120 Scotch Meadows Drive, Laurinburg, NC, died suddenly Tuesday, May 29, 2007. He is survived by his wife Mary Grubbs Grubenmann; a son, John Grubenmann of Wilmington; a daughter, Cindy Thatcher and husband, Benjamin of Knoxville, TN; a sister and her husband, Richard, of Pine Knoll Shores; and two grandchildren.
Bob was born October 17, 1943 in Meridan, CT, the son of the late Walter and Jeannette Grubenmann. Bob graduated from Wake Forest University in 1966, received an M.B.A. from Georgia State College in 1968, spent 30 years of distinguished service with the U.S. Army Reserves (received the Legion of Merit award) and was employed by the civil service (Army Material Command) in northern Virginia for 30 years. He retired and moved to Laurinburg in 1999.
Bob was an industrious, well-oriented gentleman, taking pride in work that was well done. He was a loving husband, father, teacher and mentor. Remembering the kindness shown to his parents by the Laurinburg community, he was determined to show the same to others. He was an avid golfer and loved yard work.
Raymond “Ray” Aldo Guidi
Ray Guidi died on December 7, 2007 at the age of 62.
Ray is survived by his wonderful and beautiful wife of 40 years Margaret Guidi, and his three sons and their families – Raymond Joseph Guidi and wife, Wendy, and their daughters, Lillian and Lauren; Vincent Anthony Guidi and wife, Jamie, and their son, Anthony and daughter, Delaney; David Guidi and wife, Yolanda, and their daughter, Samantha and son, Jonah.
Dad was a true family man. There was nothing he wanted more than to spend time with each of us. He loved his three boys and taught them how to be wonderful husbands and fathers. Since he never had a daughter, he had to wait for his sons to marry. He always said he got three of the best daughters and how proud he was of his sons. Dad treated each of us as if we were his children. Wendy, Jamie, and I are truly grateful to have been given the chance to become part of such a wonderful family and loved by such a beautiful person.
Dad has six grandchildren and each one has a special place in his heart. Samantha was the first and was crowned “Queen Princess” fourteen years ago. She was fortunate to have several years of Papa to herself so she could wrap him around her finger. She spent a lot of time with him. Four years later he received two wonderful grandsons – Anthony and Jonah (3 weeks apart) - it was like having twins and “Double the Trouble” as he liked to call it. Finally, three more princesses graced his life – Lillian, Lauren and Delaney.
Dad loved camping and vacationing with his family. The grandkids would go camping with him for a week every summer. He would spoil them rotten and bring them back to us to straighten out. In 2005 we all went to Disney and each one of us has wonderful memories.
Dad would always help others and opened his home to several friends and family members in need of guidance and help. How do you put into words what a person means to so many? He was and still is the glue that holds all of us together. He is our Guardian Angel.
There is not a day which goes by that Dad is not in our thoughts. He is missed terribly, but will always be our light that keeps our hearts forever warm and loving.
John Byron Gulledge
Johnny Gulledge was a gentle, loving man who made friends wherever he went. Despite not being a father, he became the real and adopted uncle to multiple generations of children.
Originally raised on a cotton farm in Ruby, SC, he moved to High Point, NC as a young man; worked at North State Telephone Company; and married my great aunt O’Lena Staley. They lived next door to my grandmother and helped raise my father and many other neighborhood children, taking them fishing and hunting.
My first memory of Johnny was as a first grader living in Michigan. Working at a telephone company, he was able to call my family and other family members. This way he kept everyone up to date on what everyone was doing. My class was studying jobs and I chose telephone operator because my Uncle Johnny was a telephone man.
After we returned to North Carolina we spent a lot of time with Johnny and O’Lena. We would load up the “Old Yeller” truck and head up to frequent family gatherings at their mountain cabin. For my brother and me, staying a few nights without electricity and plumbing and getting the full attention of our aunt and uncle was a special treat. We’d often take playmates who also adopted Johnny and O’Lena as Uncle and Aunt.
In his retirement Johnny remained active. He enjoyed exercising at High Point Regional Fitness Center, volunteering at the High Point Friends Church, and keeping up with family members and proudly sharing photographs of his great-great nephews and nieces. He loved to work in his garden and was an avid hunter and fisherman. In his later years, although he required oxygen, he was always upbeat. His favorite activity was visiting friends, relatives and neighbors, and each season you would see him with his oxygen tank appropriately decorated for the season.
