Obituaries

Gerda Biletsky, 74
Gerda Biletsky, 74, of Wake Forest, passed away Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, after a battle with cancer. She was born and raised in Berlin, Germany, where she met her life love, Walt. They married and spent their first 50 years in Levittown, Pa. Traveling to more than 21 countries together, they moved to Wake Forest in 2004 to be near family. Gerda was a caring soul who always seemed to know how to comfort a friend. She had a gift for sewing, painting and crafts, but her most admired talent was in the gardens, which often inspired others to stop and admire them.
Gerda’s smile and ever-present sense of humor lit up a room. She will be missed by many whom she touched. As our family matriarch, we miss her leadership and love. We know she will continue to be our inspiration, voice of reason and our guiding angel.
In addition to her husband, Gerda leaves behind two daughters, Patricia Lindenmuth and her husband, Jay “Biff” and Christine Noble and her husband, Jim; and four grandchildren, Scott, Michelle and her husband, Jeremy, Bryan and Alex.
Funeral services were Sept. 6 in the chapel of Bright Funeral Home. Burial was in Wake Memorial Gardens in Cary.

Lula Elizabeth Pearce Cash, 93
Lula Elizabeth Pearce Cash, 93, of Louisburg, died Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010, at Hillside Nursing Center. She was born in Franklin County, the daughter of the late Annie Wheeler Pearce and S. Talmadge Pearce. Mrs. Cash was a longtime member of Flat Rock Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school and helped with vacation Bible school for many years. She was a charter member of William B. Barrow Chapter No. 39 Order of the Eastern Star.
Mrs. Cash will be remembered for her kindness, her giving, gentle spirit, her generous heart, her Christian life and her love for family, church and community. “Miss Lib” and her husband Fred owned and operated Cash’s Grocery Store for more than 30 years.
Mrs. Cash is survived by her daughters, Patricia C. Helmink of Raleigh and Darlyne E. Cash of Louisburg; a sister, Sophia P. Ferguson of Raleigh; two granddaughters, Allison L. Ayscue of Clayton and Ashley E. Ayscue of Apex; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Fred C. Cash and her brother, Woodrow F. Pearce.
Funeral services were Sept. 5 at Flat Rock Baptist Church, with the Rev. Gary McNair and the Rev. J. Lemar Wheeler officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were Richard Cash Jr., Morris Hill, Forest Pearce, Mike Wheeler, Buddy Mitchell III, Reggie Bell and Cleathan Bell. Honorary pallbearers were Richard B. Gill III, Doug Medlin, Richard Cash III, Charles Goswick and Jimmy Cash.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Flat Rock Baptist Church Building Fund, 1529 Flat Rock Church Road, Louisburg, NC 27549.

Helen Kennedy Cook, 96
Helen Kennedy Cook, 96, a longtime resident of Troutman, died Monday, Sept. 7, 2010, at Hillside Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Wake Forest.
She was born March 18, 1914 in Iredell County, Julia Helen Kennedy, the daughter of George Washington Kennedy Sr. and Daisy Albea Kennedy. She was a longtime member of Troutman Baptist Church where she was church organist, taught Sunday school, Baptist Training Union and was a leader of the WMU.
Mrs. Cook was a seamstress for Troutman Shirt Company for many decades. She was a member of the Troutman High School class of 1932 and married William Boyd Cook on May 27, 1946.
Mrs. Cook is survived by her son, Jeffrey Lee Cook and his wife, Belinda Joy, of Wake Forest; sister-in-law, Edna Kennedy of Harmony; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband and her brothers, George Washington Kennedy Jr. and Robert Lee Kennedy.
Funeral services celebrating her life are today (Thursday) at 6 p.m., at Troutman Baptist Church, 305 Perry Road, Troutman. Dr. Paul Childers will officiate. Visitation will follow the evening service in the church fellowship hall. Burial is Friday, Sept. 10, at Iredell Memorial Gardens in Statesville.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Troutman Baptist Church, PO Box 275, Troutman, NC 28166-0275.

Donald A. Cunningham Sr., 70
Donald A. Cunningham Sr., 70, Southern Shores, died Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010, at his home. Don was born Dec. 6, 1939, the son of the late Josephine Mesner Cunningham and Paul Cunningham of Akron, Ohio.
After high school Don joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1956 and served with honor. He was a life long Marine and in later years enjoyed visiting the Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, Va. Don was a graduate of Palmer Chiropractic College in Davenport, Iowa and practiced for many years in Whiteville, Raleigh and Henderson, prior to moving to the Outer Banks 22 years ago. He was an avid angler on the Outer Banks and Kerr Lake. He won many fishing citations and fishing tournaments. Fishing was his passion. Don also was a regular member of several poker clubs in Southern Shores and enjoyed a good game of cards. He enjoyed many sports with NASCAR being his favorite. Don was cofounder, along with his wife, of Coastal Staffing Service and Virginia Staffing Service and served as vice president at the time of his death.
Don is survived by his wife of 52 years, Marie Snipes Cunningham; a son Alan Cunningham and his wife, Sami Jo, of Point Harbor; two daughters, Julia Cunningham Alley of Southern Shores and Elizabeth Cunningham Epps of Kitty Hawk; two grandsons, Joshua Keith Adcox and Jamey Alan Adcox of Kitty Hawk; a great granddaughter, Hayley Renee Adcox of King; a brother, Harold Cunningham of Marble Head, Ohio; three sisters, Jean Fawley, June Hall and Joann Bray, all of the Akron, Ohio area; a sister-in-law, Elizabeth Snipes Keyes of Richmond, Va.; two brothers-in-law, Robert Roy Snipes Jr. and David Clyde Snipes, of Ashland, Va.; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Gerald Cunningham.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hayley Adcox Educational Fund at any Gateway Bank branch or to Feline Hope, PO Box 893, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949. Plans for a memorial service will be announced at a later date.

James Ennis “Jay” Davis Jr., 82
James Ennis “Jay” Davis Jr., 82, of Youngsville, died peacefully at his home Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010. He was born at home on June 6, 1928 in Youngsville.
Jay was a graduate of Oxford High School and attended Oak Ridge Military Academy. He also attended N.C. State University majoring in agriculture education. After college, he served in the U.S. Army in Korea. He had a lifelong love of farming and was a real estate developer until his death. As he developed Silverleaf, each new family became special to him and he made it a priority to make sure they would continue to be proud of their neighborhood. He was a lifelong member of Good Hope Baptist Church. He loved his church and church family where he served as deacon and trustee and numerous committees.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mildred Powell Davis; three nieces and two nephews; adopted families, Jerry, Melba and Seth Gray, Nathan, LeAnne, Kaya and Kadence Klein and Paul, Mia, Drew and Jacob Pinson. He was predeceased by his father, mother, two sisters and his brother.
Funeral services were Aug. 30 at Good Hope Baptist Church, with the Rev. Jerry Gray, the Rev. Paul Pinson and the Rev. David Buffaloe officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers were Wayne Sherron, John Freeman, F.C. Winston, Earl Dillard, Steve Hayes and Gary Pleasants. Honorary pallbearers were Gar Ayscue, Bobby Hall, Terry McFarland, John McDaniel, Mark Dark, Mark Preddy, Richard Clements, Wayne Lowery, Doug Murray, Bill Lowery, Cliff Freeman, Tom Hayes and David Powell.
Memorial contributions may be made to Good Hope Baptist Church, 4038 Graham Sherron Road, Youngsville, NC 27596 or to Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.

Harvey Allen Hall, 50
Harvey Allen Hall, 50, formerly of Louisburg, died Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010. He was born in Vance County and was the owner and operator of Unique Bike Works of Youngsville.
Mr. Hall is survived by his daughter, Jessica Hall of Spring Hope; his mother, Ida K. Raybon of Raleigh; sisters, Risa Babeck and her husband, Robert, of Wendell and Donna White and her husband, David, of Spartenburg, S.C.; special friend, Susan Dadich of Raleigh; and his former wife, Ronnie Denton of Spring Hope. He was predeceased by his father, Harvey Angus Hall and his stepfather, Richard Raybon.
The memorial service is today (Thursday) at 3 p.m., in the chapel of Bright Funeral Home, 405 S. Main St., Wake Forest.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Freda Robbins Leggett, 67
Freda Robbins Leggett, 67, of Youngsville, died Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, at her home. She was born in Franklin County, the daughter of the late Margaret Perry Robbins and Fred Robbins.
Freda is survived by her daughters, Lisa Johnson of Louisburg and Bobbi Jones of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; a son, Terry Horton of Wake Forest; grandchildren, Nikki Horton, Logan Jones and Jonathan Morris; and a sister-in-law, Donna Robbins of Moncure. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sisters, Marjorie Conner and Kathy Norwood and her brother, William “Bill” Robbins.
Funeral services were Sept. 7, 2010 in the chapel of Bright Funeral Home. Burial followed in the Harris Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers were Jimmy Johnson, Stuart Robbins, Bobby Robbins, Sylvester Robbins, Phillip Woodlief and Jonathan Morris.

Nellie Ruth Mullis Tucker Rigler, 82
Nellie Ruth Mullis Tucker Rigler, 82, of Gastonia, died Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010, at the Carolina House of Wake Forest. She was born Feb. 19, 1928 in Gaston County, the daughter of the late Clyde Mullis and Blanche Sallie Norris Mullis.
She is survived by her daughter, Tammy Tucker Holt and her husband, Bob, of Wake Forest; a brother, Hugh Mullis of Fort Mill, S.C.; grandchildren, Stephanie Bednar and her husband, Kelly, of Arlington, Texas, Larry Parker and his wife, Paula, of Raleigh and Kenneth “Kenny” Tucker Jr. of Alexis; five great-grandchildren and a special niece, Lisa Carrigan and her husband, Steve, of Belmont. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husbands, Joseph Clarence Tucker and John Rigler; a son, Kenneth Tucker Sr.; a grandson, Brandon Tucker and a sister, Betty Maners.
The memorial service was Sept. 8 at First Baptist of Cramerton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the William M. Dunlap Center for Caring, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607-6372 or to First Baptist of Cramerton.

Eleanor Vosburg, 83
Eleanor Vosburg, 83, of Wake Forest, passed away Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010, at the Raleigh Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. She was born Jan. 19, 1927 in Pennsylvania, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John McCloy.
Mrs. Vosburg graduated from Greer Prep School in Tyronne, Pa., in 1945 and went on to complete a bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising. On April 28, 1951, she married Eugene Hay Vosburg. Eleanor and Eugene owned a local newspaper (The Burgettstown Enterprise) and printing company until it was sold in 1982. Eleanor continued as editor until her retirement in 1986. She enjoyed knitting, reading, gardening and cooking.
She is survived by her son, Bill Vosburg and his wife, Raelyn, of Wake Forest; a daughter, Suzanne Duffy and her husband, Chris, of Carmel, Ind.; a son Mike Vosburg of Burgettstown, Pa.; grandchildren, Rachel Zegarra and William J. Vosburg of Wake Forest, Bryan, Megan and Colleen Duffy of Carmel, Ind. and Michael and Megan Vosburg of Burgettstown, Pa. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Eugene Hay Vosburg and her son, Eugene Hay Vosburg III.
The memorial service is Saturday, Sept. 11, at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Bright Funeral Home, 405 S. Main St., Wake Forest.

Beulah Keith Woodlief, 94
Beulah Keith Woodlief, 94, of Rolesville, passed away at her home Friday, Sept. 3, 2010, surrounded by her family.  She was born June 22, 1916 in Granville County, the daughter of the late William Albert Keith Sr. and Lena Beck Keith.  She was married to the late Alton George Woodlief who predeacesed her on March 23, 1980.  Beulah was a wonderful mother, grandmother and farmer’s wife.
Mrs. Woodlief is survived by her children, Carlyle Douglas Woodlief and his wife, Alma, Dwight Thomas Woodlief and his wife, Carolyn, Donnie Lee Woodlief and his wife, Patsy, Betty Joyce Woodlief and Gayle Woodlief Stallings and her husband, Hal, all of Rolesville; a daughter-in-law, Mary Ellen Poole Woodlief of Wendell; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and a special caregiver, Peggy Croft. In addition to her parents and her husband, she was predeceased by a son, Billy Ronald Woodlief, her siblings, William Albert Keith Jr., Vernon Beck Keith, Truby H. Keith, Julian Gray Keith, Gaynelle K. Catlette and Bonnie K. Liles. 
The funeral was Sept. 5 at Rolesville Baptist Church, with Dr. Randy Bridges and the Rev. Marshall Neathery officiating. Burial was in the Rolesville Baptist Church Cemetery. 
Memorial contributions may be made to the Rolesville Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 185, Rolesville, NC 27571.

Luther Calvin “Bucky” Hamilton Jr., 60
Luther Calvin “Bucky” Hamilton Jr., 60, of Wake Forest, the son of the late Buck and Lorene Hamilton passed away at Duke Hospital on Sept. 2, 2010, after battling a long illness. He served his country in the U.S. Army, 101st Airborne Division, Sept. 18, 1968-Aug. 1, 1974, with two tours in Vietnam. A native of Gibsonville, he moved to Danville, Va. in 1954 and resided there until 1977. At the time of his death he resided in Wake Forest, with his fiancée of four years, Rachel Brown.
He is survived by a daughter, Elizabeth Christina Hamilton Boyd of Conover; four sisters, Linda Hamilton White of Dallas Texas, Ruth Hamilton of Wake Forest, Kathy Hamilton Burch of Gibsonville and Tammy Hamilton of McLeansville; six nieces, three nephews and 20 great-nieces and nephews.