Column: Let us remember…

Dr. William James Wiggs, 94. If you were down and out, Billy Wiggs wanted to lift you up. If you or a family member was in a health crisis, he wanted you to know that not only did he care, but how much he cared, with a card or a telephone call or lunch, where you could talk while the retired Fayetteville dentist quietly would listen. Jan. 5. 

Ray Harold Carter, 83. A proud E.E. Smith High School Golden Bull, class of 1958. Jan. 6.

Sadie Simpson Williams, 76. Known as “the first lady” with a sweet spirit and a beautiful smile, and with a love for her husband Bishop Perry Williams. Jan. 13. 

Dr. David Lyle Barkman, 76. No reach was too far for the Fayetteville veterinarian, whether helping build a Habitat for Humanity home, volunteering his time at the Fuller Center, serving eggs and bacon to the homeless and hungry at Fayetteville Area Operation Inasmuch or nursing an injured animal in his care. Jan. 16. 

Bryant Glenn Holmes, 93. A man of unbridled faith in his Lord and Savior. His fingerprints and footprints are all over Westminster Presbyterian Church along Village Drive. Jan. 23. 

Tryon Delano Lancaster, 89. An educator and lay preacher who always was there for others – a young Cumberland County teacher trying to find his or her way in the classroom, a family grieving a loved one lost or to share in the happiness of a couple heading down the wedding aisle with their dreams of tomorrows to come. No hour was too early if you needed him. No hour too late. Jan. 23. 

Edward Ancherico, 97. He took an interest in people and was known for his generosity. Jan. 24.

Thurston “Sonny” Callahan, 92. With welcoming ways and a love of family. Feb. 4.

Derwood Hillman Godwin Jr., 76. With a love for sunsets at Lake Waccamaw to riding the roadways on his Harley-Davidson to sharing life with family and friends at Sugar Mountain, he never met a stranger, but just a new friend along his life’s way. Feb. 5. 

Adele Young, 73. A modest man who personified the volunteer spirit for his community. Feb. 18.

Helen Lucas Holmes, 92. Beloved by her grandchildren. They called her Gigi. Feb. 21

Benner “Ben” Jones III. He lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures. March 6.

Garda Marie “Dusty” Tatum, 75. A retired South View High School principal who leaves a legacy of educational excellence, compassion and unwavering support for her students and teachers. March 7.

Janet Kohlhage Gardner, 74. An educator and former president of the Friends of the Hope Mills Library, and with an ever-pleasant smile. March 9. 

Ella Mae McRae, 80. Retired J.W. Coon Elementary principal who for 45 years served Cumberland County Schools and leaves a lasting legacy. March 13.

Gary David Wilson, 79. He and twin brother, Jerry, grew up along Rock Avenue, raised by their grandmother, Rossie Barnwell, who taught them to follow in the footsteps of “a carpenter” all their lives. “He never knew his dad, but he was the best dad I ever knew,” a daughter remembers. “He was my hero. I’m forever grateful for the lessons my dad taught me.” March 28.

Milton Jerome Yarboro, 95. He represented District 2 on the Cumberland County Schools Board of Education from 1988 to 2003, and represented students, teachers and principals well. April 3.

Ethel Capps Royal, 96. She loved with all of her heart and worshipped at Northwood Temple Church. April 4.

Helen Hooks Farrior, 88. A retired schoolteacher to remember. April 8.

Jeanette Ward, 84. Time outdoors enjoying nature, watching the birds and a glass of wine would bring her joy. And golfing with her husband she adored. April 8.

Patsy McKinnon Thames, 86. “When someone we love becomes a memory,” Mary Barrett remembers, “the memory becomes a treasure.” April 11. 

David Jackson, 79. A retired teacher, assistant principal, founding principal of Douglas Byrd High School and associate superintendent of Cumberland County Schools. April 10.

C. Fletcher Womble, 94. The “gentleman” Fayetteville City Schools superintendent who played a pivotal role in the 1985 merger of the city school system with Cumberland County Schools. A prince of a man. April 18. 

John Harry Daskal, 89. He taught his young athletes of Pine Forest, Reid Ross and Terry Sanford high schools not just under the Friday night lights of the football stadium, but in every step of their lives. They called him “Coach.” April 25. 

Sallie Anne Denton Lancaster, 85. A mother to remember. She loved celebrating family birthdays and holidays. April 27.

Frank George Simpson, 77. From 1986 as superintendent of the Fayetteville Inspections Department, he set the bar high for others to follow. May 1. 

Dr. Harold Godwin, 99. “Dr. Godwin understood the need for more family physicians in our region and the continuing medical education required to stay abreast of new treatments and technologies,” Dr. Sushma Kapoor remembers the retired cardiologist who was the vision for the South Regional – Area Health Education Center. May 10. 

Dr. Assad Meymandi, 89. He saw life for what it was, but also for what it could and what it should be for the betterment of humankind. May 10.

David Glenn Bass, 68. “If ever there was a complete man, it was David Bass,” Bobby Parker remembers the Sampson County native and the soulmate he loved for 42 years. “From schoolteacher to award-winning stage actor to singer to interior decorator to hairstylist to chef, David Bass could do it all.” And he did it with joy. May 26.

Elizabeth “Betsy” MacRae Halsey, 88. “She was my alter-ego, and she lives inside me still,” the Hollywood and television actress once said of her iconic role opposite the late Jim Nabors, star of Gomer Pyle, USMC. “I loved playing Lou-Ann Poovie.” From Fayetteville to New York City to Hollywood, she ascended to acting fame. But Fayetteville always was home and Elizabeth MacRae was a part of us. May 27. 

Greg Lee Barnes, 73. From Green Ramp on Fort Liberty to the storms on the coast, the Robeson County native became the consummate reporter for WTVD News Channel 11, and for this community. May 29. 

Mildred McIntyre Braxton, 90. “Mildred McIntyre Braxton showed us how one person can make a difference,” says Mary Holmes, president and chief executive officer for the Cumberland Community Foundation, where Mrs. Braxton worked with the foundation scholarship program from 1999-2011. “Her work to grow our scholarship program will change many lives every year, forever.” June 2. 

Prince Zion Arym Gibbs, 7. A child of innocence taken too soon. June 9. 

Richard T. Craven, 71. “If we believe in reincarnation, Rich was the kind of man we would desire to be in life,” Rudolph Singleton remembers the Fayetteville attorney. “Rich Craven never saw the glass half empty, but the glass half full. Rich Craven didn’t rue the dark clouds, strong winds, and rains of the tropical storm. Rich Craven awaited with joy the colorful hue of the rainbow to come. June 10. 

Richard E. “Dick” Washburn, 93. From the Korean War to Cumberland County deputy sheriff from l959 through 1994. June 12. 

Ann Mathis, 78. Hers was a promise to keep in carrying on a husband’s legacy as this community’s “The Bicycle Man” each Christmas season for underprivileged children. Hers was a promise kept. June 21. 

Thomas “Tommy” Vernon Monsour, 72. He never met a stranger. June 22.

Jimmie Ann McFayden Barefoot, 76. “I knew from ‘Day One,’” Bill Barefoot would say of the young woman with the radiant smile who would become the love of his life. “I loved her from the first time I laid eyes on her.” A love story, you may be assured. June 24. 

Baxter “Ray” Adcock, 81. A former Spring Lake mayor, he was the undertaker who was there for us when we grieved with a motto to “treat families the way you would treat members of your own family.” June 28. 

Robert Brown Taylor, 90. A retired dentist with an engaging way, and who loved calling Fayetteville home. June 30. 

Shirley Vnensak Malzone, 74. Of elegance, grace and impeccable taste. “I couldn’t have done anything without Shirley,” a husband remembers the woman who was the wind beneath his wings. July 5.

Talmage Sherrill Baggett Jr. , 74. The gentleman southern lawyer in the seersucker suit who would become a Cumberland County commissioner and distinguished Cumberland County District Court judge. “Tal would render justice to everyone that came before him, with wisdom and good, old fashioned common sense,” Chief Cumberland County Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons remembers. “He would temper that justice with mercy, as he knew that everyone who appeared before him was eventually going back out into the community to continue their lives. He wanted to make a difference in their lives. He wanted them to have better lives.” His fingerprints are all over this county from Godwin to Eastover to Fayetteville. They called him “Your honor.” July 13.

Gary Harold Riddle, 72. A passion for family and Carolina Beach music. July 19.

Julia Maxwell Snellgroves, 80. From Seventy-First and Douglas Byrd high schools, she was a gifted mathematics teacher who taught students well. July 22. 

Raymond McDougal, 92. Six Professional Golf Association National Minority National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II championships and 16 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association golf plaques are a testament to the old coach’s 44 years at Fayetteville State University, including 10 seasons as football coach along Murchison Road. July 30. 

Nancy Napier Smith Hill, 73. “I prayed for two daughters, and God answered.” She taught her daughters compassion and grace. Aug. 7.

Mary Ann Bissette, 83. “Her Bible was read every day and many, many notes were on every single page,” a daughter remembers. Aug. 11.

Frances Heyer Bostic, 92. How she loved a beautiful morning working in her yard and tending to her plants, flowers and shrubs. Aug. 19. 

David George Fowler, 74. No better friend did Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity come to know. Sept. 4.

Jerry Lee Adams, 88. God, family and country were the hallmarks of his life. Sept. 7. 

William Douglas Fulghum, 86. A loving husband, father and Christian soldier. Sept. 12.

Mark Norris Lynch, 74. “He was such a wonderful person who selflessly gave in many ways to the people of Cumberland County,” Debra Chestnutt remembers. Sept. 16.

Gary Lee Weller, 75. They called him “Coach.” And the football kids who came to know him in the 1980s and 1990s on the Pine Forest High School football field will tell you he was so much more in their lives than just a football coach. Sept. 17.

Chad Clifford Griffin, 53. Kind, generous and always willing to help a friend. Sept. 27.

Michael Roy Green, 73. A generous and selfless man who put others before himself. Sept. 29. 

Joel L. Fleishman, 90. A wine aficionado, a poet, a scholar of philanthropy and founding director of the public policy program at Duke University, and a man who never forgot his beloved Beth Israel Congregation Community synagogue. Sept. 30. 

George Wesley Little, 82. “George Little was one of the most consequential citizens in the history of Moore County,” Village of Pinehurst Mayor Patrick Pizzella remembers the Pinehurst native. Oct. 11.

Anne Dickson Fogleman, 78. A Raeford native, Mrs. Fogleman served two terms on the Fayetteville City Council in the early 2000s and was a former member of the Fayetteville State University board of trustees. Oct. 11. 

Gary Edward Mangum, 65. He could research a story. He knew the art of the interview. He knew the written word. Whatever the assignment, Gary Mangum put his heart and soul into it, and at City View along Breezewood, he was a part of us. Oct. 12. 

Lee Perritt Hedgecoe, 71. He treasured every day. He treasured every friendship. Oct. 13.

Lillian Irene Dayton Pechmann, 105. A part of “the greatest generation.” Oct. 16.

Angela Anita Dawson, 48. “Her contributions to the educational community will be remembered,” Cumberland County Schools Superintendent Marvin Connelly Jr. remembers the retired principal at Sunnyside Elementary School, “and her leadership will be missed by those who knew and worked with her.” Oct. 17.

Edward Earl Maynor, 80. A man of integrity who was proud of his Coharie Tribe heritage, proud to serve as a Hope Mills Town Commissioner and proud to call Hope Mills home. Nov. 2.

Shannon Royce “Bull” Beaman, 52. You found him along the football field sidelines of Douglas Byrd, Seventy-First and Gray’s Creek high schools “taking care of the kids,” and the athletes, coaches and fans loved him. Nov. 3.

Mary Ruth Mashburn Epler, 92. A humble servant to her Lord and Savior. Nov. 4. 

Shawn Michel Collins, 49. He wore the Fayetteville Police Department badge for 27 years, rising to the rank of captain. Nov. 6.

Evelyn Fay Ingle Spicer, 98. A sweet lady of grace. She made the red, brick house at the bottom of the Highland Village neighborhood overlooking the city park. A warm and loving home for 63 years. Nov. 18. 

Kenneth E. “Sonny” Basinger, 86. A teacher and coach who helped young athletes along their way. Nov. 30. 

Bruce Dana McClelland, 75. An American soldier, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother. A good man if ever there was. Dec. 2. 

Rev. John Kenneth Bergland, 94. A deep sense of compassion, wisdom and a steadfast belief in the power of faith, and members of Haymount United Methodist Church will tell you so. Dec. 9.

Teresa “Dyann” Blanton Croteau, 74. A kind heart for others. Dec. 12. 

Helen Ruth Torrans Hill, 90. A mother who steadfastly taught her children the value of education. Dec. 13.

David Ray Nimocks Jr., 96. A southern gentleman with a love for his family, and every Terminix employee will tell you they were treated like family and there was no better employer to work for in Fayetteville. Dec. 29.

Jerry Lane Clemmons, 74. The kind of friend and neighbor you wanted living next door. Dec. 30. 

They were fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, sons and daughters, grandparents, friends and neighbors — and a part of our lives. Let us remember, they walked among us, and may we never forget.

Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961

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