John Gavin Farmer
John Gavin Farmer, 74, passed away on January 2, 2013 in the comfort of his home with his family by his side.
Born on June 12, 1938 in Kenansville, N.C., to Moses Farmer and Laura Moore Gavin Farmer, he grew up in Garner, N.C. After attending and playing football for two years at Chowan College in Murfreesboro, N.C., he transferred to N.C. State where he earned a degree in animal husbandry. Ultimately, he served as manager for the FCX agriculture supply stores at numerous locations throughout eastern North Carolina for more than 20 years. After retiring from FCX, he served as a substitute teacher in Lee and Harnett Counties for more than a decade. He spoke so fondly of the impact he had on the youth with whom he interacted. A poet and practical philosopher who saw the beauty in simple, everyday life, he published a collection of his works entitled, “For the Funnybone and the Heart.” Folks throughout eastern North Carolina heard many of his lighthearted tales and touching vignettes at events ranging from church socials to corporate gatherings. He also shared many of his works with customers and passers-by at the State Farmers Market as he sold his precious sweet corn during the summer months. Always admiring nature and speaking of the importance of man‘s connection with it, he loved pine trees, the sound of beagles on a rabbit’s trail, and the sight of a red fox in a frosty pasture. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Moses Grady Farmer.
Mr. Farmer is survived by his wife of 56 years, Della King Farmer, their seven children, Robert Farmer of Lillington, Randall Farmer and Rodney Farmer both of Broadway, Rhonda Farmer Malone and her husband Don Malone of Winston-Salem, Laura Farmer of the home, Moses Thomas Farmer and his wife Melanie Farmer of Lillington, and Laurance David Farmer and his wife Traci Farmer of New Bern; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two brothers, George Farmer of Greensboro and Laurance Farmer of Garner.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you commit a random act of kindness and “Do Good because Good is Good.”
A funeral service was conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 5 at Holly Springs Baptist Church, Broadway with Rev. Jerry Parsons and Rev. Barry Barbour officiating. Burial with Masonic Rites was in the church cemetery. The family received friends on January 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Holly Springs Baptist Church Multipurpose Building.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to O’Quinn-Peebles Funeral Home.
Greg M. Bartles
Greg M. Bartles, 42, of Lillington passed away Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at his home. Greg was a native of Ohio and moved to North Carolina in 2001. He was an eight-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in the First Gulf War.
A memorial service was conducted at 1 p.m. Sunday, December 30 at O’Quinn-Peebles Chapel with Rev. Ken Dalton officiating. Mr. Bartles is survived by his wife, Tammy L. Bartles; sons, Troy Bartles and Kyle Bartles, both of the home; two step daughters, Kayla Brooks of the home and Courtney Brooks of Arizona; mother, Shirley Bartles of Indiana; father, John Bartles of West Virginia; paternal and maternal grandmothers; granddaughter, Gracie Holloway of Arizona; sisters, Leeza Bartles of West Virginia, Amy Jo Bartles and Angie Skeener, both of Indiana; and brother, John Bartles of Indiana.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to O’Quinn-Peebles Funeral Home.
Merl E. Shultz, Jr.
October 09, 2013
Charlotte - Merl E. Shultz Jr., died Wednesday, October 9, 2013. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Gertrude Johnson
Gertrude (affectionately known as Aunt Giggie) Johnson died peacefully on December 18, 2012 at the age of 87. Mrs. Johnson was a native of Harnett County, one of eight children born to the late James Prentice and Mollie Pate Parker. Gertrude was predeceased by her loving husband of 36 years, Robert Sexton Johnson, her brothers Preston, Fred and Robert Parker and sisters Margaret Satterfield, Helen Parrish, Evelyn Walls and Inez Weaver.
She and Robert made their home in Lillington and were faithful members of Lillington United Methodist Church. Gertrude loved fellowship with the church ladies/circle and her china painting friends. She was also an active member of the Methodist Youth Fellowship and the adult choir. Gertrude enjoyed flowers, oil painting, china painting, doll making, quilt making and needlepoint. She proved to be an astute business woman–well able to carry on with the farms after Robert’s death.
She attended Hardbargers Business College and Campbell University and retired from work after 25 years at the Harnett County Health Department. Robert and Gertrude did not have any children of their own, but instead loved and helped all their family members, neighbors and friends in countless ways over the years. Gertrude was a much loved matriarch of her family, and the love she gave was unconditional.
Aunt Giggie loved God and all His creation, especially the garden where she kept blooms year round—enough to bring inside to enjoy and enough to share with others. She was a gift giver, especially of flowers, and never visited anyone empty-handed. She blessed many with hand-written notes of encouragement and love and was herself so appreciative and thankful for even the smallest of kindnesses done for her.
In her later years when she could no longer live alone, Gertrude thoroughly enjoyed and was welcome in the homes of her nephews and their wives, Don and Carolyn Walls in Wilmington; Glenn and Linda Weaver in Cary; Jim and Melanie Weaver in Chester, Va.; and in the home of her niece and her husband, Martha and Ralph Martin in Pawley’s Island, S.C.
The family received friends December 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. at O’Quinn-Peebles Funeral Home in Lillington. A celebration of Gertrude’s life was held at 11 a.m. on December 22 at Lillington United Methodist Church with Rev. Jimmie Tatum and Rev. John McIntyre. Interment was at Harnett Memorial Park directly following the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, 106 Towerview Court, Cary, NC 27513
Mr. Derrick Thomas Smith
September 6, 1955 - April 20, 2009
Clayton, North Carolina
Derrick T. Smith. 53, April 20, 2009. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. at Midway Baptist Church. Entombment will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park Mausoleum.
Derrick was a member of the Neuse Golf Course where he loved playing golf. He also loved playing pool. He has been an employee of Progress Energy for the past 34 years. He is survived by his wife, Sherrie Smith, daughter, Heather N. Smith of Raleigh, step-daughters, Christy Sullivan of Zebulon, Cindy Marsh of Cameron, NC,
Brothers, Dan Smith, Jimmy Smith, sisters, Joy Holland, Cathy Haaus, mother, Shirley Sharber & husband, Bill of Garner, father, Bob Smith & wife, Carol of Port Orange, Florida, mother-in-law, Rev. Ertle Lawson & wife, NaDean, grandchildren, Roman Hollar, Ashton Hollar, Cody Marsh, Jacob Thompson, Joseph Sullivan.
Flowers are welcomed or memorial contributions may be made to CaringBridge.com
A luncheon will be provided for relatives and friends at 11:00 a.m. at Midway Baptist Church.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday from 1:00 to 3:0 0p.m. at Midway Baptist Church.
Mrs. Betty Wiggins Guy
May 4, 1931 - April 22, 2009
Middlesex, North Carolina
Betty Wiggins Guy, 77, April 22, 2009. Funeral service will be held on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at McLaurin Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Maplewood Cemetery.
Betty was preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Sandy Wiggins, husband, Owen Wiggins, brothers, Frank, Herman, Bobby Simpson.
She is survived by her daughters, Patricia Wiggins Hamrick of Leavenworth, Kansas, Susan Wiggins Connor & husband, Rick of Fuquay Varina, Lois Wiggins Hatcher & husband, Jerry of Middlesex, sons, Larry Wiggins of Clayton, Richard C. Wiggins of Princeton, sisters, Yvonne Reynolds, Elaine Carpenter, Frances Peeler, brothers, Jack Simpson, Steve Simpson, thirteen grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, best friend, Frances Hatcher, sister-in-law, Doris Wiggins Swing of Clayton.
Flowers are welcomed. The family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, April 25 at McLaurin Funeral Home from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. with service to follow at 2:00.
Arrangements by McLaurin at Pinecrest, Funerals & Cremations, Clayton.
Mr. Brandon Samuel Spence
October 26, 1994 - April 20, 2009
Brandon Samuel Spence was called to be with the Lord on Monday, April 20, 2009. He attended McGees Middle School where he was in the 8th grade. Although his life was short in years, his abundance of love and tenderness felt by everyone who knew him is immeasurable.
Brandon was an avid fisherman and hunter. These activities were a part of his life on a daily basis. When he was not hunting or fishing, his other passion was playing baseball. He played travel baseball for years as well as with his local recreational team. He was a second year player for the McGees Middle Baseball team. During his baseball career, he had the pleasure of playing in Disneyworld and Cooperstown, NY. Brandon was also an excellent student and was a member of The Beta Club.
Brandon had a wonderful spirit and a tremendous loving heart. He never met a stranger which created an enormous circle of friends. His friends meant the world to him. He treated each one like they were an additional brother in the family.
Brandon leaves behind his parents, Jeff and Amy Spence of Benson, his brothers Jeffrey and Tyler of the home along with his grandparents, Doug and Bonnie McCormac of Clayton, great-grandmother Flossie Adams of Clayton and great-grandfather N.C. Cole of Clayton. He was preceded in death by Sam and Lucille Spence. Brandon also leaves behind many aunts and uncles and extended family and friends who love him very much.
There will be a visitation on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at McLaurin Funeral Home in Clayton from 6-8 pm. Services will be held at Shiloh Baptist Church, 3414 North Shiloh Road, Garner, NC on Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 2:00 pm. Graveside services will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Gardens on Highway 70 in Clayton. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to Shiloh Baptist Church.
Arrangements made by McLaurin Funeral Home.
Mr. Vernon Vick Poole
February 25, 1942 - April 18, 2009
Garner, North Carolina
Vernon Vick Poole, 67, passed away at home on April 18, 2009. Funeral service will be held Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at McLaurin Funeral Home Chapel. Pastor L. E. Godwin and Pastor Lewis Godwin officiating. Interment will follow at Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery.
He is survived by his wife, Judy Poole, daughter, Vicki Sherwood and husband Ron of Cary, son, Brandon Poole of Charlotte, sister, Josephine Benson and husband Carl of Archdale, brothers, Wayne Poole and wife Edith of Raleigh, Dalton Poole and wife JoAnne and Hubert Poole of Oklahoma, granddaughters, Renee Sherwood and Natalie Sherwood both of Cary.
Flowers are accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Way of Life Baptist Church 2100 Harmony Ct. Clayton, NC 27520
Arrangements by McLaurin at Pinecrest, Funerals, & Cremations, Clayton.
