All Tributes

On July 29, heaven gained an angel. Frances Pope Patterson was a loving wife, mother, and teacher.  Daughter of Charles Ray and Betty Lou Pope, she was a Johnston County girl through and through. She loved her church and serving as deacon and Sunday School teacher to her "ladies".  She exemplified being a servant.  She loved visiting church members and sharing baked goods.  Sending greeting cards to the sick and shut-in gave her great joy. Frances taught...

Jane Painter Dean, 78, passed away Tuesday, July 27, 2021. She was born January 8, 1943 in Johnston County to the late James Elam Painter and Evelyn Boyette Painter. She graduated from Corinth Holders High School in 1961 and Rex Hospital School of Nursing in 1964. Jane worked as a Registered Nurse at Johnston Memorial Hospital for 42 years. She married the late Willard Richardson “WR” Dean, Jr. and together they had two sons: Dwayne Elam Dean (Kim) of Pikeville and the late...

Ormand Kelly “O.K.” Strickland, 95, passed away at his home Tuesday, July 27, 2021. O.K. was born in Wake County on October 13, 1925 to the late James Everett Strickland and Hersie Kelly Strickland. He served his country in the US Army during WWII receiving the WW II Victory Medal, EAME Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, Purple Heart, and Bronze Star Medal. On December 23, 1946 he married the love of his life, Peggy Hinnant Strickland, who preceded him in death on March...

Jashbhai C. Patel, 83, passed away Monday, July 26, 2021 Generous. Empathetic. Reliable. These are just a few of the words one can use to describe J.C. Patel. An innate caretaker to numerous extended family members, friends, his wife Jayshree, his son Darshan and daughter Reena and his precious grandchildren Devin, Kayla and Kaiden, J.C. kept an open heart to all. And, that is all he wanted from others in return.  His children and wife ask that in lieu of flowers donations be made to...

Kenneth Michael Whitaker, 73, passed away July 25, 2021. Mike was born July 17, 1948 in Gastonia to the late Edgar Clayton Whitaker and Margaret Rogers Whitaker. He served the community and the people in the community as a fireman and a youth baseball and basketball coach. Mike loved the racetrack and went down a racetrack more times than a North Carolina mosquito bites. Mike’s second family was his fellow car owners. As a family, our fondest memory of him is how much he loved to talk...

Mary Beth Anthony, 67, of Wendell, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 25, 2021. Mary Beth was born in Knightdale on October 13, 1953 to the late Eugene H. “Gene” and Doris Robertson Anthony. Mary Beth was born and raised in one of the oldest houses on First Avenue in Knightdale. As a child, Mary Beth and her family traveled extensively each summer. Mary Beth graduated from Vaiden Whitley High School in 1972. She became a CNA and worked for Britthaven Nursing home in Raleigh...

Donnie Wayne Mitchell, 70, passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, July 24, 2021. He was born on September 27, 1950 in Wake County to the late Charles Benjamin Mitchell, Sr. and Virginia Bunn Mitchell. He is also preceded in death by his older brother, Charles Benjamin Mitchell, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Lisa B. Mitchell; sons: Jordan Mitchell (Megan), Nolan Mitchell; brother, Frank Waddell Mitchell (Jane); sisters: Helen M. Denton (JR), Phyllis M. Alford (Jim); sister-in-law,...

Pedro Gundel Krompecher born April 20, 1945, passed away on July 20th, 2021 with family and friends by his side. Pedro was born to Erszbet Krompecher and Laszlo Krompecher in a refugee camp during the final days of World War II while fleeing the Soviet invasion of Hungary. While still a baby, Pedro’s family moved to Caracas, Venezuela where he lived through high school. He followed his two older brothers to Ohio State University where he was able to eventually graduate (to the relief...

William Daniel “Danny” Peele, Jr., 69, died July 18th after a long illness. Danny was born in Williamston in 1952 and raised in Bear Grass. He graduated from NC State in 1974 and retired from AT&T. Danny recently celebrated 30 years of sobriety. He was greatly interested in science, loved playing the piano and was an avid Wolfpack fan.        He is survived by his husband, Jesse James Jones of Raleigh and formally of Plymouth; his mother, Rose...

William Paul Franks, Jr., 60, passed away Saturday, July 17, 2021 at his home. He was born January 18, 1961 in Wake County to William Paul Franks, Sr. and the late Henrietta Poole Watts. Paul dedicated many of his years coaching baseball and football for the Garner Community. He was an avid sportsman and dedicated member of the Panther Branch Hunting Club. Paul loved his family, especially his grandchildren, and loved traveling with his friends.  A service to celebrate his life will be...