Obituaries

Dr. Donald Lawrence Wright

Dr. Donald Lawrence Wright

May 15, 2024

Dr. Donald Lawrence Wright, 91, died peacefully on May 15, 2024, in Durham.

The youngest of three boys, Don was born Sept. 7, 1932, to Raymond Reese Wright Sr. and Bertha Margaret Fritz. Raised in Prospect Park, Pa., Don received his undergraduate degree from West Chester University, his master’s from Penn State University and his doctorate in education from Temple University. 

Known...

Mary Alice D. Eubanks

Mary Alice D. Eubanks

May 13, 2024

Chapel Hill, NC – Mary Alice D. Eubanks passed away peacefully surrounded by her doting family on Monday, May 13th at the age of 101. She was born in Durham at Watts Hospital on December 28, 1922, to the late John Milton Duhling and the late Mary Ward Duhling. 

 Mary Alice attended Durham High School and graduated in 1940. She was...

Carlyle Seymour Hodges

Carlyle Seymour Hodges

May 9, 2024

Ms. Carlyle Seymour Hodges, long-time resident of Carolina Meadows in Chapel Hill, NC, died, May 9, 2024. A native of Columbia, SC, where she spent her early years, she moved with her parents, James Carl, and Sadie Hook Seymour, to Wilmington, NC in 1941. 

A talented pianist, she accepted a 4-year National Honor Scholarship to Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida....

Robbie Christopher Jones

Robbie Christopher Jones

May 6, 2024

With deep sorrow and infinite love, we announce the passing of our beloved Robbie Christopher Jones, who left us on May 6, 2024, at 10:08 PM in Durham, NC. Robbie was born on August 30, 1989, to Laura L. Childs. He was 34 years old.Robbie graduated from Hammond High School in 2007. He honorably served his country as a United...

Jimmy Harold Goacher

Jimmy Harold Goacher

May 6, 2024

Jimmy Harold Goacher died May 6, 2024, at the age of 83 due to complications of heart and vascular disease.  He was born November 17, 1940, in Booneville, Arkansas to Edyth Etta and Harold Goacher. Jimmy and his brother Randy spent their youth working the farmland of Arkansas County, raised together by their parents and their Aunt and Uncle Junior...

Kevin William McMahon

Kevin William McMahon

May 6, 2024

Colonel Kevin William McMahon, Retired US Army 

 

The family of Colonel Kevin William McMahon, US Army, Retired, of Durham, NC is saddened to announce his passing on May 9, 2024.  

Kevin is survived by his loving wife, Maria Drescher McMahon and brother-in-law Michael Drescher (Rina) of Columbia, SC, sister-in-law Sue McMahon of Bedford, NY, nieces and nephews TJ Drescher, Susie McMahon, Maureen McMahon (John), Sally Blanchette (Bruce), John McMahon (Angelica), Brien McMahon (Maria), Mary Stapleton (Lorin), Erin Daly...

Paul F. Lachiewicz, MD

Paul F. Lachiewicz, MD

May 5, 2024

Paul F. Lachiewicz, MD, aged 72 passed away after a long and productive life on 5 May 2024. He was born in New York City to the late Frank and Helen Lachiewicz. He attended St Thomas the Apostle Elementary and Archbishop Molloy High in Queens, NY. He earned a BS at Manhattan College and his MD at Cornell Medical College. There...

Michael Todd Cromer

Michael Todd Cromer

May 4, 2024

(Durham) Michael Todd Cromer, 57, died at Duke University Hospital on May 4, 2024. He was born on June 16th 1966 to the late Peggy N. Smith and Clade A. Cromer. A loving husband, father, and friend, Todd was born in Winston-Salem and grew up in Kernersville. Todd made some wonderful ‘K-Ville’ friends who have been a great support over...

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...