Eugene Wesley Guthrie
Eugene “Gene” Wesley Guthrie, 94, of Franklinton was received by his Lord as he slept Friday morning, January 15, 2010, at his residence. He was born September 18, 1915, in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Amos and Della Bodecker Guthrie.
Baptized for Christ at the age of 16, Gene began a lifelong service of witness and works for his God. A true man of faith, Gene heeded every call from his Lord which included being re-baptized this past September at his new church home, Franklinton Baptist Church, because God had told him to renew his covenant with him. This made him the oldest member baptized at the church.
Dad will be greatly missed by his son, Walter of Clarence, NY.; daughters, Rita Jewitt of Clarence, N.Y., Jill Righter and husband, Karl of Franklinton, and step-daughter Betty Sue Casady and husband, Gary, of Bloomfield, Iowa; nine grandchildren, two step-grand-children, 12 great-grand-children and two great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his former wives, Florence (1935-1968) and Erma (1968-2009).
Gene was preceded in death by his brothers, John and Henry; sisters, Cecil and Ella; and by his daughter, Wilma. He also leaves behind his brothers and sisters in Christ at the First Baptist Church in Bloomfield, Iowa and the Franklinton Baptist Church.
A memorial service honoring his life will be held at 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon, January 24, 2010, at Franklinton Baptist Church with the Rev. David Averette officiating.
The family requests donations be made in his memory to the Franklinton Baptist Church Building Fund, 108 West Mason Street, Franklinton, NC 27525.
Friends may visit with the family immediately following the service in the church fellowship building.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center.

Rachel Howard Harris

Rachel Howard Harris, 83, of Wake Forest, died Sunday, January 17, 2010, at her home. She was born in Greene County, the daughter of the late James & Chloe Baker, and was retired from Schrader.
Funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock Friday afternoon January 22, 2010, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Wake Forest Cemetery.
Mrs. Harris is survived by her husband, Carl S. Harris; daughter, Linda Edwards and husband, Jerry, of Wake Forest; sons, Edward A. Howard Jr. of Smithfield, Wayne C. Howard and Ramona of Graham, Wash.; Dallas A. Howard and wife, Teresa, of Lawrenceville, Ga.; step-daughter, Becky Francis and husband, Roger, of Franklinton; daughter-in law, Dorothy Howard of Henderson; special daughter-in-law, Dot McGhee of Wake Forest; 10 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Edward A. Howard Sr., and by her son, Danny G. Howard.
Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607-6372.
Friends may visit with the family from 7 to 8:30 Thursday evening at Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 S. Main St., Wake Forest.

Valerie Ann Hyers

Valerie Ann Hyers, 54, of 35 Williamston Ridge Drive, Youngsville, died Thursday, January 14, 2010, from injuries sustained in a automobile accident.
he was born in Neptune, New Jersey, and was a nurse tech with Central Regional Hospital in Butner. Valerie was a loving daughter, mother, and grandmother and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Funeral services were held at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon, January 18, 2010, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home with her son, Michael Hartschenko officiating.
Mrs. Hyers is survived by her children, Michael Hartschenko and wife, Holli, of Virginia and Kelly Mancuso of Tennessee; parents, Doris and Chuck Hyers of Youngsville; brothers, Lon Allen Hyers of Wilson, Cory Hyers of New Jersey and Wes Hyers of Youngsville; grandchildren, Cassandra, Nathaniel, Alexander, Brianna and Robert; and numerous aunts, uncles and extended family.
    A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center.

Christine Sharkey Pedersen
Christine Sharkey Pedersen, 34, of Wake Forest, returned home to Heaven Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at WakeMed.
he was born in Mission Viejo, Calif., the daughter of Helen Sharkey Pedersen and the late Joseph Michael Pedersen. She was a customer specialist with Lowe's Foods in Wake Forest.
 A memorial service was held at 3 o'clock Saturday afternoon, January 16, 2010, in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home.
 Miss Pedersen is survived and forever loved by her adoring daughters, Kilee & Kalani; her mother, Helen Pedersen of Wake Forest; sisters, Laura Pedersen of Lyndhurst, N.J., Amy Duray and her children, Erin & Evan of Haymarket, Va., and Katherine Robson of Brooklyn, N.Y. She is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and dear friends that loved her.
 Our comedienne with a heart of gold; she's laughing with the angels in heaven and shining brightly on her beloved girls forever. 
 In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to a fund set up for Kilee and Kalani at Wachovia Bank, Account # 1010270369971.
 A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center.

James Rayford Ross Jr.
James Rayford Ross Jr., 40, of Youngsville, died Tuesday January 12, 2010, at Duke Hospital in Durham. He was born in Franklin County, the son of Jeannette Lewis Ross and the late James Rayford Ross Sr.
Funeral services were held at 2 o’clock Friday afternoon, January 15, 2010, at Rock Springs Baptist Church in Louisburg. Burial was in Pine Forest Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Ross is survived by his children, Joshua, Rebecca and Matthew Ross; his mother, Jeannette Hicks and husband, Homer; sisters, Judy Dunn and husband, K.C., Roxie Lanza and husband, Mike, Tina Bailey and husband, Chris; grandmother, Ernestine Lewis; step-sister, Joyce Holmes and husband, Wally; step-brother, Joseph Hicks; five nieces and four nephews.
Pallbearers were Keith Brame, Danny Autrey Jr., Tony Lewis, Chris Meier, Kenny Hayes and Earl Pendleton Jr.
                A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center.