Obituaries

Marie Greenly “Ree” Smyser, 57
Marie Greenly “Ree” Smyser, 57, of Louisburg, died Sunday, May 19, 2013 at Franklin Regional Hospital. She was born in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of the late Sudie Alice Young. She was preceded in death by a son, Joshua “Josh” Winston and by a brother, Chuck Greenly
Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon, May 22, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home.
Smyser is survived by her husband; Arthur “Gerry” Smyser; a daughter, Jennifer Cureton of Charlotte; grandson, Kirby Lee Tharrington and by a sister, Teresa Greenly of Newberry, Mich.

Alton F. “Buddy” Mitchell, 77
Alton F. “Buddy” Mitchell, 77, of Youngsville, died Sunday, May 19, 2013 at his residence. He was born in Franklin County, the son of the late Lessie Jackson Mitchell and Homer Addison Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell was a farmer, a long distance truck driver and the owner and operator of Mitchell’s Logging Company.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, May 24, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery in Franklinton.
Mitchell is survived by his children, Phyllis Mitchell-Maher and husband, Robert, of Celina, Texas, Wade A. Mitchell of Youngsville, and Bryan Mitchell and wife, Nora, of Wake Forest; a sister, Dollie Brogden of Youngsville; grandchildren, April Maher, Scott Maher, Lucas Mitchell, Abbey Mitchell, Caley Mitchell, Nena Miller, Anna Santos and Andrew Mitchell; great-grandchildren, Felicity Layton and Gavin Miller.

Thomas Neil “Tom” Blonk, 60
Thomas Neil “Tom” Blonk, 60, of Raleigh, died peacefully, Friday, May 17, 2013. Tom was born to the late Jean and Cornelius Blonk in Ridgewood, NJ. He was raised in Wyckoff, NJ by his mother and step father, the late John Woudenberg, after Cornelius’s passing in 1960. In 1993, after spending 18 years in Ringwood, NJ, Tom and his family moved to Wake Forest, NC.
Tom was the owner of Blonk Custom Carpentry for over 30 years as a custom interior trim contractor. For 13 years, he was an active member of Wake-Forest Rolesville High School Band Booster’s program, supporting all five of his children. Tom’s contagious and unique sense of humor always kept family, friends and neighbors laughing. He enjoyed spending time on his Ski Nautique and with his four legged best friends.
Funeral services were held Wednesday morning, May 22, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home.
Tom is survived by his wife, Andrea Babcook Blonk; his children, Christopher John Blonk and wife Mandy, of Raleigh (grandson, Caleb Christopher Blonk), Michelle Blonk Graglia and husband, Nathanael, of Houston, Texas, Brian Thomas Blonk of Wake Forest, Andrew Neil Blonk of Wake Forest, and Matthew Aaron Blonk, serving in the US Air Force, Dyess AFB, Abilene, Texas; his sister, Barbara Blonk Venema and husband, Gregory, of Ormond Beach, Fla.; his brother, John Woudenberg and wife, Jodie, of Whitinsville, Mass.; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, P. O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, Va. 23058-5216 (www.heart.org)

Beatrice Wilkes Welborn, 88
Beatrice Wilkes Welborn, 88, of Wake Forest, passed away, Wednesday afternoon, May 15, 2013 at Hillside Nursing Center. She was born in Franklin County, the daughter of the late Cary Wilkes and Lillian Jackson Wilkes.
Memorial services were held Sunday afternoon, May 19, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home with the Rev. Ron Brisson officiating
She is survived by her children, Jerry Ellington and wife, Elsie, of Louisburg, Calvin Perry of Cary and Creston Perry of Wake Forest; grandchildren, Phillip Ellington and wife, Crystal, of Robbinsville and Jeff Ellington and wife, Jennifer, of Robbinsville; great-grandchildren, Hannah, Lindsey, Autumn, Matty and Desmond; sister, Erlene Yeager of Knightdale; several nieces, nephews and extended family.
Memorial contributions can be made to a charity of ones choice.

Ellis R. Gregory, 74
Ellis R. Gregory, 74, of Wake Forest, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away Wednesday evening, May 15, 2013 at his home.
Gregory was born in Mesa, Arizona, the son of the late Burl Gregory and Beulah Ross Gregory. He attended Arizona State University on a tennis scholarship and later enlisted with the United States Air Force. He was retired from IBM with 30 years of service and after retirement owned and operated EView Technology, his own software company for over 20 years. His down time consisted of staying busy with all sorts of things, especially working outside in the garden.
Gregory served as a Boy Scout leader and was a former member of North Raleigh United Methodist Church for over 20 years where he served as a Lay Leader and in many other capacities. As a current member of Hope Lutheran Church he continued his dedication and involvement with his church family. He was also very active in the NC Republican Party.
A celebration of Gregory’s life was held Monday afternoon, May 20, at Hope Lutheran Church.
Gregory is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sharon Rogers Gregory; sons, Todd Gregory and wife, Donna, of Morrisville, Scott Gregory of Los Angeles, Calif. and Trent Gregory and wife, Jennifer, of Wake Forest; grandchildren, Tyler and Brandon Gregory, Scott Gregory, Jr. and Danielle Gregory and Laurel and Trevor Gregory; siblings, Doris Lane of Gilbert, Ariz., Melba Burden and husband, William, of Casa Grande, Ariz. and Diana Roberts of Mesa, Ariz.; several nieces, nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Dora Howell, Wanda Hicks, Mae Ella Dean and B.L. Gregory.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Hope Lutheran Church, 3525 Rogers Road, Wake Forest, N.C. 27587 or to the NC Republican Party, 1506 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh NC 27605 (www.ncgop.org).

William James Manners, Jr., 81
William James Manners, Jr. 81, of Youngsville, died Wednesday May 15, 2013 at Duke Raleigh Hospital. He was born in Broward County, Fla., the son of the late Jennie Larson Manners and William James Manners, Sr. and was married to Lou Ann Tharrington Manners who preceded him in death. Mr. Manners was a veteran of the U.S. Navy.
A memorial service honoring his life was held Saturday afternoon May 18, at Oak Level Christian Church with the Rev. Gary Williams and the Rev. David Haley officiating.
Mr. Manners is survived by his daughter, Jeni M. Conyers of Youngsville; his son, Jeffery Alan Manners of Youngsville; sister, Dorothy Conklin of Virginia Beach, VA; grandchildren, Jeromy Conyers, Ashley Conyers, and Jessica Manners Hancock and husband, Michael; great-grandchildren,Max and Benjamin Hancock.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Oak Level Christian Church Missions Fund, P.O. Box 216, Youngsville, NC 27596.

James R. “J.R.” Davenport, 71
James Roger “J.R.” Davenport, 71, of Raleigh, died Tuesday May 14, 2013 at the Wake County Hospice Center. Davenport was born in Guilford County, the son of the late Irene Oliver Davenport and John C. Davenport. He was married to Nina Ruth Owens Davenport who preceded him in death and was retired from N.C. State University in the maintenance department after 18 years of service.
Funeral services were held Friday morning May 17, at Stony Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. David Moore officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Mr. Davenport is survived by his brother, John Davenport and wife, Sandra, of Greensboro; sisters, Peggy Dennis and husband, Jerry, of Georgia, and Libby Neville of Wake Forest; numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
The family wishes to thank the doctors and the staff of Wake Medical Center and to Hospice of Wake County and to his many friends including Linda and Lewis Franklin and Jimmy Perrott.
Pallbearers were Jimmy Perrott, Lewis Franklin, Larry Strickland, Tony Harrison and Curtis Harrison.

Stephanie Marie Hull, 38
Stephanie Marie Hull, 38, of Morrisville, passed away in her sleep on Mother’s Day, Sunday May 12, 2013. Stephanie was born October 5, in Bluefield, W. Va. She graduated from Bluefield High School in 1992 and attended college at the University of Tennessee. Stephanie was a loving mother, daughter and sister. She will be greatly missed by everyone that knew her.
Funeral services were held, Saturday morning, May 18, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home with the Rev. Dr. Bill Slater.
Stephanie is survived by the love of her life, her 3-year-old daughter, Kipley Marie Hull. She is also survived by her parents, Larry and Lydia Kish Hull of Wake Forest and her sister, Courtney Hull of Washington D.C.

Otha Spencer Young, 84
Otha Spencer Young, 84, of Franklinton passed away Thursday, May 16, 2013.
Young is survived by her sisters, Maxine Robinson and Bevenia Brown of New Rochelle, NY and Shirley Pettiford of Hartford, Conn.; her brothers, Braxton Young of Franklinton and Harold Young of Hyattsville.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 21, at New Liberty Baptist Church in Youngsville. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Ernest Alston, 66
Ernest Alston, 66, of Centerville passed away Sunday, May 19, 2013.
Alston is survived by his sisters, Vernice Edmondson of Kenly and Dorothy Edmondson of Cambria Heights, NY; brothers, Henry L. Alston of Littleton and Danny B. Alston of Middlesex.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 23, 1 p.m. at Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg. Burial will follow at the Tilman Lynch Cemetery.

Charlie “Danks” Solomon, 72
Charlie “Danks” Solomon, 72, of Henderson passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2013.
Solomon is survived by his sisters, Elizabeth Williams of Henderson, Stella Carroll and Bosa Williams of Norlina and Carrine Mitchell of Washington; brothers, George Solomon and Hames Solomon of Henderson.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 28, 2013, noon, at Mitchell Baptist Church in Henderson. Burial will follow at the church Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Monday, May 27, 3-7 p.m. at Richardson Funeral Home in Louisburg.