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VERA ROSE STEPHENSON
Mrs. Vera Rose Berdine Stephenson, 84, of Pittsboro Christian Village, died Sunday (01-11-2009).
Entombment was held on Wednesday in the mausoleum of Forest Lawn Cemetery in Hendersonville. A memorial service to celebrate Vera’s life will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday (01-16-2009) at Pittsboro Christian Village with Mr. Charles Grob presiding. Friends may visit with the family on Friday afternoon from 2–2:30 p.m. at Pittsboro Christian Village.
Mrs. Stephenson was a native of Deep Valley, PA, and the daughter of Patrick Berdine and Goldie DeBolt Berdine. She was a retired cosmetologist and a member of Asheville Gospel Chapel.
Survivors include her husband LaRoy J. Stephenson; daughter Wendy Greer of Lynchburg, VA; brothers, Kenneth and Harold Berdine, both of PA; sisters, Pauline Glover of PA, Irene Laddis of CT, and Betty Thomas of MA. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Loyal Berdine.
REV. JOHN WHITON SIMONS
Rev. John Whiton Simons (COL USA RET), 77, died at his home in Pittsboro, N.C. on Tuesday, December 30, 2008, after several years of declining health.
John was born in Melrose, MA, the fifth of eight children, and moved to Virginia in 1938, when his father went on active duty with the U. S. Army. He attended school in Alexandria VA and Washington DC. He married Nancy Pyle on December 31, 1954. John graduated from Drury College, Springfield, Missouri, in 1955 and Bexley Hall, Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, in 1959. Ordained as an Episcopal priest in 1959, he served St. Philip the Apostle Episcopal Church in Cleveland OH, Grace Episcopal Church in Willoughby OH, Trinity Episcopal Church, Columbus OH and Pershore Abbey, Pershore, Worcester, England.
John enlisted for two years in the U. S. Army in 1952, was stationed in Germany, and moved to the Reserves for 5 years. Upon ordination, he joined the 107th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Ohio Army National Guard in Cleveland OH in 1960. He was Senior Regimental Chaplain during the Cleveland Hough area riots in 1968, Ohio truck strikes in 1970 and the student riots at Kent State. In 1986, John was appointed Ohio National Guard State Senior State Chaplain and moved to Columbus OH until his retirement in 1991, working mainly in support of National Guard units deploying for Operation Desert Shield.
After retiring from both the active ministry and National Guard in 1991, he and Nancy moved to England for a year, where he served as interregnum at Pershore Abbey, near Worcester. Returning to Pittsboro in 1992, he was told by the bishop that he wasn’t old enough to retire, so he served St. John’s Episcopal Church in Henderson NC for nine years and St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Pittsboro NC until his death. He was a member of the Chatham County Historical Association, Kiwanis, the Royal British Legion, the Retired Officers Association and the Military Chaplains Association, among others. He enjoyed politics, especially church politics, any kind of history, and helping persons in need, particularly the hungry through the local food bank, CORA.
John is survived by his wife, Nancy; his children and their spouses, Richard (Louise) Simons, Karen (Warren) Gartner, Robert (Kristen Cliffel) Simons, Andy (Cindy) Simons; grandchildren, John Gartner, Margaret Simons, Amy Simons, James Gartner, Tyler Simons, Jack Cliffel Simons, Nell Cliffel Simons, Hunter Simons, and Conner Simons; sisters, Adah Stalnaker of CT and Dorothy Gibson of Alexandria VA; and brothers, the Rev. Webster Simons of Edenton NC and the Rev. Harrison Simons and sister-in-law, Gene, of Oxford NC; and an extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.
A service will be held at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 204 W. Salisbury Street, Pittsboro NC 27312, at 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 16, 2008. Memorial contributions may be made to the Building Fund of St. Bartholomew’s. A memorial service will be held at Grace Episcopal Church, 36200 Ridge Road, Willoughby OH 44094 on April 4, 2009 at 11:00 a.m.
Arrangements are under the care of Griffin funeral service of Pittsboro.
BONITA L. SEYMOUR
Bonita L. Seymour, 50, of Pittsboro died in her home Wednesday night, January 7, 2009, surrounded by family and friends after a brave battle with cancer.
Survivors include a daughter, Shannon Parker and husband of Holly Springs; a son, Reed Stone, of the home; a sister, Jenelle Morgan and husband, of Okatie, SC; one grandson, Cameron, of Pittsboro; and numerous aunts and uncles. She is preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Nellie Seymour.
A celebration of life will be held on her birthday, January 31, 2009, at 3:00 pm in her home. The family welcomes all friends to join them in the celebration of her life and accomplishments.
Ms. Seymour had a love and passion for plants and flowers and up until the recent past months owned her own successful landscaping supply business.
Memorials in her name may be made to the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Campus Box #7295, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7295.
JAMES “JUNIOR” G. DUNN, JR.
James "Junior" G. Dunn, Jr., 63, of 2557 Alston Bridge Road, Siler City, died Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at his residence.
Mr. Dunn was born August 3, 1945 at Palm Springs, CA., the son of James G. and Evelyn (McLaughlin) Dunn, Sr.
Mr. Dunn was born in California, but spent most of his life in Chatham County. He spent 13 years as plant engineer of Mid-State Farms, and was the former owner-operator of Siler City Ice and Coal. Junior was a member of Rives Chapel Baptist Church where he served on the church grounds committee and was a member of the Dennis Burke Sunday School Class. He was preceded in death by his parents, James G. and Evelyn McLaughlin Dunn, Sr.
He is survived by his wife Nancy (Price) Dunn; one daughter, Jamie Dunn and husband Mike of Bear Creek, NC; grandchildren, Pacen and Justin Dunn; one sister, Emma Bell and husband Allen of Siler City, NC; and one brother, Donald Dunn of VA.
The family received friends Wednesday, January 14, 2009 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home, 230 North Second Avenue, Siler City, NC. The funeral will be Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Rives Chapel Baptist Church, 4338 Rives Chapel Church Road, Siler City with Rev. Larry Soblotne, Rev. Luther Lemons and Rev. Ray Ledford officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Rives Chapel Baptist Church Building Fund, 4338 Rives Chapel Church Road, Siler City, NC 27344.
BETSEY LONDON CORDON BAESEL
Betsey London Cordon Baesel (9/29/1925) passed away on 1/3/09 in La Jolla, CA.
The daughter of Betsey London Cordon and James H. Cordon, she was born in Raleigh, N.C., and spent some of her early years with her aunt Camilia and uncle Fred Jerome, and cousins Jack, Henry, and Fred, in Pittsboro, N.C. She graduated from St. Mary's College and married Stuart Baesel in 1949 at The Church of the Good Shepherd in Raleigh. She and Stuart lived in Charlotte, N.C., New York City, and Columbia, S. C. before settling in La Jolla in 1972. In her early years, Betsey London was active in the Junior League and the Colonial Dames. She and Stuart traveled in France and Italy extensively, and lived in the south of France off and on for 10 years. Betsey London's love of life, her excitement for new people and places, her sense of adventure, and her generous spirit inspired her family and friends, and elevated all those around her. Betsey's life shone with "joi de vie", and her memory will shine in the hearts of those she touched.
She is survived by her husband Stuart, three children, Stuart, Betsey, and Cordon, and two grandsons, Stuart and Cordon.
Services will be held at Saint Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in Pittsboro, N.C. on a future date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
RICHARD ALLEN ALSTON
Mr. Richard Allen Alston, 80, of Pittsboro died Sunday (12-21-2008) at Laurels of Chatham.
Funeral services were held Wednesday (12-24-2008) at Mitchell Chapel AME Zion Church with Rev. Kenneth M. Brooks officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Mr. Alston was retired from the University of North Carolina and a member of Mitchell Chapel Church where he was a member of the male chorus.
Survivors include daughters, Linda Baldwin, Carolyn New-kirk, both of Pittsboro, Shirley Hart of Bear Creek; son, Richard Winfred Alston of Moncure; sisters, Mable Horton of Pittsboro, Daisy Mitchell of Durham; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Mitchell chapel AME Zion Church, 1085 Mitchell Chapel Church Road, Pittsboro, NC 27312.
IONA GLOVER JOHNSON
Iona Glover Johnson, 101, of Siler City died Thursday (12-25-2008) at SunBridge Care.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m., Sunday (12-28-2008) at Wesley Chapel Christian Fellowship Church with Rev. J. L. Moore officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Mrs. Johnson was a native of Chatham County and a retired homemaker.
Survivors include daughters, Arzelia Nettles, Cornelia Rodgers, Sandra Price, Brenda Johnson, all of Siler City, Olivia Snipes of Lansdowne, PA; brother, Leon Leak of Siler City; 21 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
MARY ALICE MOSES
Mary Alice Moses, 77, of Pittsboro died Wednesday (12-31-2008) at Central Carolina Hospital in Sanford.
A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. Saturday (01-03-2009) at Smith and Buckner Funeral Home Chapel, Siler City with Rev. Jim Whittaker officiating. Inurnment was in the Moses Family Cemetery.
Ms. Moses, the daughter of Obed W. and Maude (Moses) Moses, was a native of Chatham County, a homemaker, artist, and graduate of Appalachian State University. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Imogene Byrum.
Survivors include brothers, Thomas W. Moses and Jerry Moses, both of Pittsboro.
Memorials may be made to Meroney United Methodist Church, 10568 NC Hwy 902, Bear Creek, NC 27207.
OLLIE FOX BUCKNER
Ollie Fox Buckner, 99, of Siler City died Thursday (01-01-2009) at Universal Health Care of Ramseur.
Funeral services were held Sunday (01-04-2009) at Rocky River Baptist Church with Rev. Greg W. Burris officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Mrs. Buckner, the daughter of William Moore and Emma Edwards Fox was a native of Chatham County, a member of Rocky River Baptist Church and a retired homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Aubrey Buckner.
Survivors include daughters, Collen B. Sykes of Siler City, Wanda B. Hicks of Franklinton, Katy B. Sturkie of Winston-Salem; sons, Doyle Buckner of Dameron, MD, Donald Buckner of Greensboro, Gilbert Buckner of Ramseur, Ed Buckner of Concord, Ormand Buckner of Naracoorte, South Australia, Jerry Buckner of Greensboro; 22 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Rocky River Baptist Church Building Fund, 4436 Siler City-Snow Camp Road, Siler City, NC 27344.
EDDIE HENRY SMITH
Eddie Henry Smith, 66, of Sanford died Sunday (01-04-2009) at his home.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday (01-07-2009) at Carbonton United Methodist Church, 5442 Carbonton Road, Sanford with Rev. Ira Smith officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Mr. Smith was a native of Camden SC, the son of Walter Frank and Lillie Mae (Hinson) Smith. He was a member of Carbonton United Methodist Church and retired from Sharon Harris Nuclear Plant and Union Camp Paper Plant. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Lisa Smith.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley Mashburn Smith; daughter, Tracy Smith of Batesburg, SC; brother, Lawrence Smith of Cassette, SC; step-daughters, Sherion Campbell of Richmond, VA, Connie Thompson of Greensboro; step-sons, Donnie Childress of Falls Church, VA, Jay Childress of Carthage; three grandchildren, six step-grandchildren, and four step-great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Community Home Care and Hospice, 110 Fields Drive, Suite B, Sanford, NC 27330.
DELBERT MILLER HULGIN
Mr. Delbert Miller Hulgin, 84, died Saturday (01-03-2009).
Funeral and burial has been scheduled at Greenlawn Cemetery in Akron, Ohio.
REV. JOHN W. SIMONS
Rev. John W. Simons, 77, of Pittsboro died Tuesday (12-30-2008).
A memorial service is planned for 2 p.m. Friday (01-16-2009) at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church.
PAUL EUGENE CROMER
Paul Eugene Cromer, 85, of 1739 Gulf Road, Gulf died Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at his residence.
Mr. Cromer was born November 12, 1923 the son of Roy C. and Elsie Mae (Darnell) Cromer.
Mr. Cromer was a native of Stokes County, a longtime deacon and Sunday School teacher at Goldton Baptist Church. He was currently a member of Bethany Baptist Church where he was a member of the Men's Bible Class, served as a deacon and on various committees. He was a graduate of Bonlee High School, worked as a private electrical contractor and later as a building inspector for Chatham County and retired as an Electrical/HVAC Technician for the state of North Carolina. Paul had an interest in genealogy, photography and car racing. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Myrtle Wilson Cromer; his parents, Roy C. and Elsie Mae Darnell Cromer and a sister, Martha Huffman.
He is survived by his wife: Jane Cheek Willett-Cromer; one daughter: Lana Maria Cromer of Raleigh, NC; three step-sons, Howard H. Willett, Jr. of Goldston, NC, Robert K. Willett of Wilmington, NC and John Cheek Willett of Sanford, NC; four step-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Bill and wife, Mollie Sims Poindexter of Pittsboro, NC; sister-in-law, Barbara Nell Cheek of Goldston, NC; niece, Evelyn Wolfe of Winston-Salem.
The family received friends Thursday, January 1, 2009 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home, 230 North Second Avenue, Siler City, NC. The funeral was held Friday, January 2, 2008 at 2 p.m. at Bethany Baptist Church, 503 Alton King Road, Gulf with Rev. Mitch Roginsky officiating. Burial followed in Goldston Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Willett Ministries, % Baptist Children's Home, P O Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27360; or to West Chatham Relay for Life, % Betty Terry, 519 South Second Avenue, Siler City, NC 27344.
