Tom Pugliese
March 24, 1942 ~ April 29, 2023 (age 81)
Tribute
Tom Pugliese died peacefully at his home Saturday April 29th, 2023. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at two o’clock on Friday, May 5th, 2023 in Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Fr. Tom Norris, O. S. F. S. will serve as celebrant. The family will receive friends in the church one hour prior to the Mass. Tom was born March 24th,1942 in Brooklyn, NY and lived much of his life in Egg Harbor, NJ. After serving in the Air Force he married his school sweetheart, Cecelia Southard; they were married for 26 years until her death in September 1990. He moved the family to New Bern in 1978 to launch his career with Hatteras Yachts where he worked his way up to Vice President of Operations. He moved to High Point in 1987 where he later retired. After retirement he met Denise Duncan, who he married in 2015. They shared a wonderful life in Oak Ridge. Tom was a faithful member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. In 2020 he was diagnosed with cancer, which he battled for over 3 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Pugliese and Lena LaManna Pugliese, his first wife who passed away September 1990, Cecelia Southard Pugliese and his brother, Leonard Pugliese. Tom is survived by his wife, Denise Duncan Pugliese, 2 daughters, Linda Johnson of New Bern, and Lorrie Gilleland, Greensboro. Three stepchildren, Brian Beck, Megan Clauhs and Will Clauhs. He is also survived by 3 grandchildren, Jared Johnson, Cecelia Johnson and Kayla Harville and one great granddaughter, Harper Harville. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Cancer Society and St.Jude Children’s Hospital.
Online condolences may be offered on Tom’s tribute page at www.cumbyfuneral.com
Rebecca “Becky” Kessler Varner, 94, of High Point, passed away Friday, June 30, 2023, at Westchester Harbour.
Her parents were Arthur Alpheus Kessler, Sr. of Goldsboro, N.C. and Gladys Nix Kessler of Demorest, Georgia. They were married for fifty-six years and had five children. Becky was the youngest of those children: Arthur Alpheus Kessler, Jr., Sarah Frances (Snipes), Julius "Dooley" Hartwell Kessler, Marguerite Louise Morris Walker, and is the continuing source of information about that generation. Her father, Arthur Kessler Sr, (the oldest child of Julius John and Polly Reaves Kessler), owned the "Kessler Printing Company" in High Point, NC from 1936-1963. Becky attended Ray Street School, High Point Junior High, and High Point Senior High School graduating in 1947 with a GPA of 4.0. She attended night classes at High Point University and received her North Carolina Real Estate License in 2000. Becky married Kirkwood Varner, a WWII and D-Day veteran, in 1947. They had a daughter, Joni Kay Varner, in 1959 who is married to Ellsworth Chou and is a retired Professor of Cinema/TV.
Becky worked at S.H. Kress stores during high school and was manager of the Boys Clothing Department at Charles Store until beginning a long career at Sears Roebuck in High Point from 1948-1968. At Sears, she started as a housewares sales clerk, progressing onto assistant audit manager, then in charge of payroll and personnel and secretary to the store manager. Becky became a vanguard of a generation of work from home moms doing clerical work from her house while a young mother for companies operating under the name of The Furniture Suppliers Company. Becky became co-owner with Kirk as vice president and treasurer of the new health and beauty aid chain White Shield Discount Centers in 1968. Becky worked in admissions at The Galilean Extended Care Facility in High Point from 1979 to 1981. She then began a long career in accounts receivable at Hatteras Yachts in High Point in 1981 until 1998. Becky’s volunteer work for the Deep River Church of Christ in High Point has extended from 1952 to the present. After forty-nine years of marriage, Becky became a widow and in her retirement has traveled extensively with her family. She is survived by her daughter, Joni K. Varner and husband Ellsworth Chou; nieces, Judi Farlow and husband Joel, and Linda Genewikow and husband Danny; and best friend, Linda Harrell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Kirkwood Varner; brothers, Arthur Alpheus Kessler, Jr., and Julius “Dooley” Kessler; sisters, Sarah Frances Snipes, and Margaret Walker. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM Saturday, July 8, 2023, at Deep River Church of Christ with Minister David Galloway officiating. Burial will follow in Floral Garden Park. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until 1:45 PM prior to the service at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Deep River Church of Christ, 2067 Deep River Rd., High Point, NC 27025. Her favorite phrase was “nothing in the world will take the place of persistence.” Condolences may be expressed online at www.wrightfs.com.Type your paragraph here.
Carolyn Sue Lassiter, May 4, 1947 ~ November 13, 2022 (age 75)
Carolyn Sue Lassiter, 75, of High Point, passed away Sunday, November 13, 2022, at High Point Regional Medical Center. Memorial Service will be Saturday, November 26, 2022, at 2:00pm at Aycock Fellowship Ministries with Reverend Ira Godwin and Reverend Donnie Pickerel officiating. Carolyn is preceded in death by her parents, Fredrick Alton and Carrie Muriel Jones Lassiter; her children, Chad Wayne Dennis and Christina Louella Dennis; her brother, Larry Jones; and her first husband Wayne Dennis. Carolyn was a former employee of NAPA Auto Parts and Hatteras Yachts. She was a fan of rock music and enjoying trips to the beach and cruises, and she was an avid bingo player. She was also a lifetime resident of High Point and above all else, Carolyn loved her grandchildren dearly, cherishing the time she got to spend with them. Surviving are her brother, Fredrick Alton Lassiter, II; and her grandsons, Gavin Wayne Dennis, Alexander Joyner, and Dustin Somershoe. The family will receive friends from 1:00pm-2:00pm prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Breast Cancer Foundation 10440 Little Patuxent Parkway Suite 300 Columbia, MD 21044 or at https://www.abcf.org/get-involved/donate/
Johnny Edwin Sellers
We are sad to announce that on September 25, 2023 we had to say goodbye to Johnny Edwin Sellers of Thomasville, North Carolina, born in Rockingham, North Carolina. Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial page of Johnny Edwin Sellers to show support. He was predeceased by : his parents, Maybelle Brooks and Thomas Sellers; and his brothers, Clarence Sellers and Richard Sellers. He is survived by : his children, Mitzie Blue and Danny Blizzard; his grandchildren, Blair K. Barbour and Devin E. Barbour; his great grandchildren, Ayden and Tylee; and his siblings, Peggy Graf (Joe), Billy Sellers and Bobby Sellers (Jessie).
Visitation was held on Thursday, September 28th 2023 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Jc Green and Sons Chapel (122 W Main St, Thomasville, NC 27360). A funeral service was held on Friday, September 29th 2023 at 2:00 PM at the same location.Type your paragraph here.
Dennis “Earl” Thompson, 78, of Boggs Road in Thomasville passed away, Friday, September 30, 2022 at Hinkle Hospice House in Lexington.
Earl was born May 18, 1944 to the late Willard Theodore “W.T.” and Fannie Hughes Thompson in Davidson County. He was very accomplished in woodcraft. Earl worked in woodworking all of his life, including co-owning his own company, and working for Hatteras Yacht. He had a talent like no other in his handiwork. Also, he worked as the assistant clerk of court in Thomasville. Earl also enjoyed, metal detecting, fishing, and growing his garden to share produce with others. He will be greatly missed. In addition to his parents, Earl was preceded in death by his sister, Linda T. Thornburg.
Surviving are his two children, Monica Thompson Jollie and Stan Thompson both of Thomasville; four siblings, Willard Thompson and wife Lorene, Jane Dockery and husband David, Wanda Leonard, and Roger Thompson; four beloved grandchildren, Preston Everhart and wife Michelle, Carson Everhart Dorsheimer and husband Tom, Keaton Everhart and wife Cailin, and Maison Jollie; two great-grandchildren, Preslie and Charlie.
A gathering of friends will be held on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at the J.C. Green and Sons funeral home in Thomasville from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.
Online condolences may be given to the family at www.jcgreenandsons.com.Type your paragraph here.
Tommy Mantle Thompson, 85 of New Bern peacefully went to be with our Lord Monday, January 17, 2022.
He was predeceased by his parents, Carl and Ora Mae (Babe) Thompson, brother, Lloyd Thompson, son, Dean Thompson and stepson, Brian Bowden. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife of 25 years Geraldine (Gerri) Simpson Thompson, his brother, Virgil Thompson of Cove City; daughter Rene Gryb (Bob) of New Bern; stepdaughter, Carrie Bowden Freed (David) of New York City; sisters-in-law, Linda Lee Powell (Walter) and Joy Hardison, all of Grantsboro; grandsons, Tommy Thompson (Amanda) of Cove City, Adler and Ennis Freed of New York City; granddaughter, Brooke Gryb of New Bern; two great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Tommy was a member of Broad Street Christian Church, New Bern where he served as a Deacon and long-time member of the Building Committee. Tommy proudly served in the US Army and was stationed in Germany. He worked at Hatteras Yachts as a Line Supervisor for 30 years, being the first person hired when there was only a power pole for the New Bern facility, where he cultivated a wonderful group of lifelong friends. He was a master builder, having single-handedly built several duplexes and houses. He was always very proud of his building accomplishments. He treasured the memories of his many Harley Davidson trips with his biker buddies. He loved the outdoors and spent many hours boating and fishing the rivers, creeks and the Pamlico Sound. But his greatest loves were his family, friends and God. Being a meek and humble man, he never had an unkind or judgmental word for anyone. He loved everyone with the kind of love very rarely found and everyone who encountered him witnessed his rare blend of kindness, humbleness, strength and humor, but most of all, his strong faith and love of his Lord. Gerri wishes to express her deepest gratitude to the many healthcare professionals who guided and compassionately looked after them during this long journey, especially Dr. Rick Gorman, Dr. Robert Whitmore and Craven County Hospice. Visitation will be Thursday, January 20, 2022 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm at Cotten Funeral Home with the service to follow in the chapel with Rev. Philip Jones officiating. Mask are requested. Burial will follow at Greenleaf Memorial Park.
Ann B. Davis
Ann B. Davis, age 74, of Cape Carteret, North Carolina passed away on Tuesday, December 12, 2023. Ann was born in North Carolina.
Ann is preceded in death by her parents James and Mary Boyette, siblings Russell, Ray, Bob, Charlie and Betsy, son Shane, great-grandson Jahlil, nephews James Boyette and Chris Davis, sister-in-laws Lois Boyette, Barbara Davis and Delia Davis, brother-in-laws Arlen Davis, Warren Davis, Howard Davis, Garland Davis and Roy Jones, son-in-laws Frankie Hedden and James Rothwell.
She is survived by her husband Harry Davis, daughters Melissa Hedden, Dawn Dunn, Nikki Johnson and Amanda Ramseur (Dustin), grandchildren Jon Wayne, Sarah, Bubba, Kim, Brandon, Mercedes, Dallas, Eli, Milo, Tilly, great-grandchildren Rylen, Anya, Daxton, Nolan, JJ, Franki (Francesca), Mylah, Ka'Mari, JaKhari, Remington, Gracie, Mariellen, Belle, Noah, Daisy, Lilianna, sister-in-law Daphene Jones, two special nieces (daughters by heart) Raena Matthews and Laura Lewis, along with many other nieces and nephews.
Not only was she a loving wife, mother, and grandmother but you had a working career with 25 plus years at Hatteras Yachts in New Bern. She held various positions there from group leader to plant nurse to an Industrial Engineer. Hatteras is where she met her husband, Harry Davis and they were married on October 5, 1981. She was a member of North East Primitive Baptist Church in Jacksonville, NC for many years and served there as its clerk for several years.