Obituaries

James "Jim" Robert Mills

James "Jim" Robert Mills

May 3, 2024

James Robert “Jim” Mills 1966 - 2024 

James Robert Mills (Jim), 57, of Durham, North Carolina, was tragically and unexpectedly lost on Friday the 3rd of May. 

Jim came into the world in Raleigh, North Carolina in 1966 to John Wesley and Shirley Curran Mills. The youngest of three boys, he started teaching himself how to play banjo at the age of 12. Jim was educated at Mill Brook High...

Hiroko Takenaga

Hiroko Takenaga

May 2, 2024

     Hiroko Takenaga, 82, passed away on Thursday, May 2, 2024 in Durham, NC with her sons by her side.

     She was born on June 26,1941 in Glendale, CA to Katsuto Nakagawa and Kimiko Ozawa.  She had two younger sisters: Setsuko and Kumi.  She grew up in East Los Angeles, but spent four years in Utah during the...

James R. Dykes, MD

James R. Dykes, MD

May 1, 2024

Durham, NC – James R. Dykes, MD, died unexpectedly yet peacefully in his home May 1, 2024. 

He was born on October 23, 1950 in Borger, Texas, to the late James and Virginia Dykes.

Jim earned diplomas from Duke University undergraduate and medical schools. After practicing family medicine in Roanoke Rapids, NC, and on Ocracoke Island, NC, he opened his private practice...

Edwin Search Yarbrough, III

Edwin Search Yarbrough, III

Apr 28, 2024

Edwin Search Yarbrough, III of Durham, North Carolina died peacefully at home on Sunday, April 28, in the loving embrace of his family.  He was 76. After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, he fought a courageous battle while living life with astonishing energy. He was a lover for life and an inspiration to all.

Born to the late Edwin Search Yarbrough, Jr...

Helen Compton Pendergrass

Helen Compton Pendergrass

Apr 28, 2024

     Helen Lois Compton Pendergrass, 97, of Durham, North Carolina, died on April 28, 2024, at her home. She was born on February 1, 1927, in Durham, North Carolina, to Henry Henderson Compton and Mabel Gertrude Phillips.

     Helen was one of nine children and faced a tough childhood during the Great Depression and World War II. She was...

Spencer Carl Sharpe

Spencer Carl Sharpe

Apr 28, 2024

(Rougemont, North Carolina) – Spencer Carl Sharpe, age 54, entered into the arms of his heavenly Father on Sunday morning, April 28th.   Gone too soon from his earthly body but rejoicing forevermore in his eternal home!

 Spencer was blessed with a large and loving family and is survived by his wife of 20 years, Wendy Sharpe and four absolutely precious...

Frances Bekelja Hamacher

Frances Bekelja Hamacher

Apr 28, 2024

Frances Ann (Bekelja) Hamacher, formerly of Bressler, Pennsylvania passed away peacefully on April 28, 2024, at the age of 86. Fran was married to the late Brigadier General Lawrence Hamacher Jr (Ham) and the daughter of the late Frances and Larry Bekelja.  Fran was born in Bressler, Pennsylvania, and was the oldest of 4 siblings. Predeceased by her brothers Larry and Michael (Mickey)...

Sophie S. Shiffman

Sophie S. Shiffman

Apr 28, 2024

Sophie S. Shiffman passed away at Croasdaile Village Retirement Community on her 97th birthday, April 28, 2024. She died peacefully in her sleep. Sophie was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on April 28, 1927 to the late Samuel Shielman and Lillian (Katz) Shielman. She married her beloved husband, Morris Shiffman in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1950 and was the mother of two...

Chelladorai Soundararaj Andrews

Chelladorai Soundararaj Andrews

Apr 27, 2024

(Cary, NC) Chelladorai Soundararaj Andrews went to be with the Lord on April 27, 2024. He was born October 26, 1946 to the late Kamala Ammal (Mother) and Soundara Rasan (Father).Andrews was born in 1946 in the town of Perundurai, Erode District, Tamil Nadu, India. Both of his parents were teachers. He was the third oldest son and also had...

Goldie  Elizabeth Garrett

Goldie Elizabeth Garrett

Apr 27, 2024

Goldie Elliott Garrett, age 64, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on Saturday, April 27, 2024. Born on May 15, 1959, in Granville County, North Carolina, Goldie was the daughter of the late Joseph Elliott and Rosalie Currin Barnes.

Goldie's memory will be cherished by her devoted husband of 16 years, Julian W. Garrett. She leaves behind...

Mary Ann Edwards

Mary Ann Edwards

Apr 26, 2024

Mary Ann Matthews Edwards, age 82, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by loved ones on Friday, April 26, 2024. Born on August 25, 1941, in Granville County, Mary was the cherished daughter of the late Herbert Matthews and Lessie Mae Williamson Matthews.

Mary was known for her warm heart and gentle spirit, touching the lives of all who knew...

Merilyn  Elizabeth  Wright

Merilyn Elizabeth Wright

Apr 22, 2024

Merilyn Elizabeth Barnhill Wright, age 86, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 22, 2024, with her family at her side. Born on September 12, 1937, in Lake City, Arkansas, Merilyn was the daughter of the late Ernest Wade Barnhill and Lola Magdalene Issacs Barnhill McCloud, and the stepdaughter of James. M. McCloud, Sr.

Merilyn was an extraordinary woman, marked by her...

Ada Jo Harper

Ada Jo Harper

Apr 21, 2024

Ada, or Jody as the family knew her, was born in Wauchula, Florida as the  youngest of the six children of Rev. George Lea Harper and Mildred Jeannette Surrency Harper. Jody lived in Florida for her early years and moved around with the pastoral family. She lived in Bartow, Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando, Mount Dora and finished  High School in Starke....

Rebecca  Louise Tesh

Rebecca Louise Tesh

Apr 20, 2024

Rebecca Louise Brooks Tesh, a cherished member of her community, passed away peacefully on April 20, 2024, at the age of 82. Born on May 20, 1941, in Granville County to her late parents, James Richard Brooks and Sarah Cottrell Peed Brooks, Becky's life journey was marked by dedication, service, and unwavering faith.

Growing up amidst the serene countryside, Becky attended...

Marta Irene Schultz

Marta Irene Schultz

Apr 18, 2024

Marta Irene Schultz, age 57, died on April 18, 2024. She was born on January 5, 1967 to the late Linda McDaniel Schultz and Gerald Harvey Schultz.

Marta was born in Naperville, Illinois. She liked competing, both in games against siblings and in sports, and participated in the Special Olympics while she lived in Illinois.

Marta enjoyed singing and dancing and was...

Granville  Ragland  Jones

Granville Ragland Jones

Apr 15, 2024

Granville Ragland Jones, age 62, died peacefully in his sleep on April 15, 2024, in Wilmington, North Carolina. He was born on August 10, 1961, in Oxford, North Carolina, to Frances Ragland and Charles F. Jones, Jr. He attended J.F. Webb High School and graduated in 1979. He went to the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and graduated...

Carlan Turner Graves

Carlan Turner Graves

Apr 14, 2024

Carlan was born on October 13, 1946, in Durham, NC, the daughter of Carl Alexander Turner and Annie Elizabeth Caviness Turner. Her unique name combined the first letters of her parents’ names. A graduate of Durham High School, Carlan attended nursing school at Duke University but left school to marry. She and William (Bill) Williams Graves III wed in 1966....

Jennie  Louise  Overby

Jennie Louise Overby

Apr 12, 2024

Jennie Louise Overby, aged 96, peacefully passed away on Friday, April 12, 2024. She was born on January 28, 1928, in Granville County, NC, to the late Roy Overby and Nola Ellington Overby. Jennie Louise was the cherished firstborn in her large family.

Jennie Louise found immense joy in the company of family and the simple pleasures of life, especially relishing...

Clarence Randolph Smith

Clarence Randolph Smith

Apr 12, 2024

C. Randy Smith, a beloved member of the community, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2024. His departure leaves a void in the hearts of all who knew him.

Randy was born on October 29, 1949, to Clarence Rudolph Smith and Anita Jane Kerr Smith in Durham, NC. Randy was known for his kind heart, his unwavering integrity, and his commitment...

Kristina  Ann Miller

Kristina Ann Miller

Apr 11, 2024

Kristi Miller, 35, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 11, 2024.

Kristi was born on December 30, 1988 in Columbus, Georgia to Claire (Fisher) Miller and the late Jeffrey Robert Miller. She was the older of two children. Following her graduation from Jordan High School in Durham, North Carolina May 2007, Kristi attended Miami University in Oxford, OH...

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