OBITUARIES

Lila Blake Upchurch passed away peacefully on the 21st day of May 2013. She was born in Wake County, the daughter of the late John Metrice Blake and Lelia Thomas Blake. Lila is survived by her precious loving and caring daughter, Debbie Faulkner of Garner. Lila was predeceased by her husband, John Howard Upchurch. They had 57 wonderful years...

Raleigh - Robert Edward Lee Whitley, Jr., 70, died Sunday. Born in Greene County, he was the son of the late Robert Edward Whitley and Tiny Perry Whitley. Robert was a member of Highland Baptist Church and Fuquay Masonic Lodge # 0258. From 1964-2000, he was employed with BellSouth and after leaving BellSouth, was a General Residential Contractor. Funeral...

Carl Cotton, Jr., 80, passed away Wednesday morning. A native of Harnett County and a retired farmer, he is the son of the late Carlie Cotton, Sr. and Cleo Dennis Cotton. The family will receive friends Friday from 1:00 - 2:00 pm at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Angier, with graveside services at 2:30 pm at Montlawn Memorial Park. Surviving are...

GARNER - Mildred E. Kane, 92, passed away on Monday. Born in Lawrence, MA, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Laura Longbottom. Mildred was an active member in her church and volunteered for the American Red Cross. She enjoyed playing the piano, baking, and sewing. After moving to Garner, she became very involved with the GarnerSeniorCenter...

Arrangements incomplete Leola S. Barbour, 99, long time resident of Lees Assisted Living, passed away Saturday, November 23. She was the daughter of the late James E. (Bud) Stephenson and Lula Florence Austin. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Nathan B. Barbour. Graveside services will be at 1:00 PM Wednesday, November 27...

James Murdock Garner, 77 , of 4398 Piney Grove Road, passed away on Friday. A lifelong resident of Harnett County, he was the son of the late Alexander Garner and Callie Hall Garner. Surviving are his daughters, Sandy G. Atkins of Angier, Wendy G. Matthews of Bunnlevel; son, Terry M. Garner of Sanford; sisters, Mae Hudson, Mary Barbour, Martha...

Nicholas Merentino, 86, died Friday.Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Helen Merentino; daughters, Ann McCrimmon and husband Tim of Apex,Darlene Merentino of Cary; and grandsons,Patrick McCrimmon and Jack McCrimmon.A Funeral Mass will be held 9:45 AM, Thursday, February 14, at St. Mary Mother of the Church Catholic Church, Garner. Burial will follow in the Sandhills Veterans Cemetery,Spring Lake,...

Garner- Dorothy Smith Howell, 82, died Saturday at her residence. Born in Wayne County, she was the daughter of the late Luby A. and Bessie W. Smith. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rufus Edward Howell, Sr. who died in 2000 and a brother, Marvin Smith of Pikeville. Dot was a charter member of Aversboro Road Baptist...

Frank Dean, 69, passed away Sunday. Frank served in the US Army Reserves and retired after 22 years of service as a Master Sergeant. Funeral service will be 2:00pm Wednesday at Bryan-Lee Funeral Chapel, Garner. Burial will follow at Montlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1-2:00 prior to the service. Frank was...

FUQUAY-VARINA - Mr. Herman Curtis Gunter, age 80 passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family. He was born October 4, 1931 in Wake County to Carlton and Hersie Smith Gunter. Curtis was an active member of Fuquay-Varina Baptist Church as long as his health permitted. He was a graduate of Fuquay - Springs High School and...

Arnette Sandland Lester passed away November 10, 2013, with friends and family at her side. She suffered for the last 10 years from Frontotemporal Dementia and died from complications of the disease. Arnette Christine Sandland was born September 12, 1952 in Spokane, Washington, the daughter of Arnold Clifford Sandland and Dorothy Louise Sandland (Pittenger). She spent her childhood years...

ANGIER - Clarence Billy C. Adams, Jr, 79, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday. Born and raised in Harnett County, he was the son of the late Clarence C. Adams, Sr. and Lilla Young Adams. He was a graduate of AngierHigh School, a past deacon and past superintendent of Sunday School at ChalybeateSpringsBaptistChurch and...

WILLOW SPRING - Harold Pender Newton, 84, passed away on Thursday. Harold was the son of the late Willie and Thelma Newton. A hard working, kind heart he will be remembered for his honesty, integrity, and humor. Survivors include his daughter, Pamela Crumpler and husband, Dan of Willow Spring; son, Dale Newton and wife, Phyllis Lewis of Willow Spring;...

Edna Ruth Sauls Murray, 79, died Sunday at Rex Healthcare. A native of WakeCounty, she was the daughter of the late Simon and Bernice Stephenson Sauls.Funeral service will be 11:00 am Wednesday at Fuquay-Varina Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow at WakeChapelCemetery.Survivors include her husband of 59 years, William Bill Murray; daughter, Nancy Siebens and husband, Dave of Chapel Hill;...

ANGIER - Retha Byrd Arrington, 93, passed away peacefully on Friday morning. She was the daughter of the late Willie Green and Minnie Williams Byrd. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM Sunday in the Chapel of Bryan-Lee Funeral, Angier. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Dunn. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the...

FUQUAY-VARINA - Greg Anthony Douglas, 43, passed away on Thursday. A native of Fayette County, KY and resident of North Carolina, he is the son of Mrs. Shirley Sauer Douglas and the late Charles Robert Douglas.The family will receive friends Friday night from 6:00- 8:00 at Bryan-Lee funeral home, Angier.Funeral Services will be held Saturday Sept. 24th at Salem...

Raleigh - William James (Bill) Anderson, 79, died peacefully at home Saturday evening with his family by his side. Bill was a loving caregiver, teacher, coach, grandfather, and provider. Music one of his deepest loves, Bill met his wife of 52 years, Nancy, while conducting their church choir. Since then, he has shared his beautiful voice with us through...

RALEIGH - Neva Adams Bryant, 95, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother, died Sunday at Rex Healthcare. A native of Johnston County, she was the daughter of the late George Washington Adams and Cherry Guin Adams. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Thursday at Bryan-Lee Funeral Chapel, Garner. Burial will follow at Lees Chapel Advent Christian Church Cemetery. Surviving...

Willow Springss - Jerry Wayne Johnson, 63, died Thursday at his Johnston County farm.A memorial service will be held Wednesday at 3:00 pm in the chapel of Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Garner. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1-3:00 prior to the service.He is survived by his wife, Debbie Johnson; son, Jason Johnson (wife, Dawn); and...

Raleigh - Donald Wayne Dolen, 75, died peacefully at home on Sunday surrounded by loved ones. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. A veteran of the US Navy, he served from 1955-1959 on the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. He retired from William B. Riley Company. Funeral services will be 11:00 am Wednesday at Temple of Pentecost....