DURHAM -- Lt. Col (Ret.) Robert E. Cowan, 78, joined his departed comrades in arms on March 14, 2010.
He passed peacefully at the VA Medical Center in Durham, with his wife by his side.
Born in Fort Totten, N.Y. he was the second son of his late parents Lt. Col (Ret.) William Norman Cowan and Elva Meeks Cowan. He spent the early part of his life in Fort Hamilton, N.Y. - the headquarters of the famous Big Red One, the First Infantry Division. Col. Cowan began his military career in 1950 when he was sworn into the Army Reserves by his father who organized the Army reserves in the Western part of NC shortly after World War II. During the Korean War Col. Cowan asked for active duty and was sent to Camp Gordon, Georgia as an MP. In 1954 he applied for OCS and graduated as a 2nd Lt. in the Infantry. Three years later he was integrated into the Regular Army.
Col. Cowan served in numerous places in the states and overseas. Assignments overseas included the Third Armored Division in Germany, the 82nd Airborne Division in the Dominican Republic and advisor to the Liberian Army's Kennedy's Battalion. He also served two tours in Vietnam.
Col. Cowan received the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantry Badge, three awards of the Army Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, five awards of the Air Medal, two Bronze Stars and the Meritorious Service Medal during his service.
Col. Cowan graduated from Austin High School in El Paso, Texas, in 1949 and from Lenoir Rhyne College in 1953. After retiring from the U.S. Army in 1976, he taught high school Vocational Education for 21 years and earned a Masters of Education from North Carolina State in 1979. He retired from teaching in January, 1998.
He was a life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and was an active member of the Triangle Chapter 637 and Western NC Chapter 844 where he presented leadership awards to high school JROTC, and ROTC at Duke, UNC and NC State. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and also the Disabled American Veterans. He volunteered for the Habitat for Humanity and his students built a home for them while he was teaching at Chapel Hill High School.
Surviving are his wife, Nancy Walker Cowan; two daughters and a son, Nancy McBride Cowan and her husband, Gene Kresge, of Denver, N.C., Cynthia Diane Cowan of Carrboro, Michael Duncan Cowan of Greensboro; and five grandchildren, Meghan Cowan, Shannon Cowan, Jessica Cowan, Nancy (Alex) Kresge and Eugene (Trey) Kresge III; as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, 2nd Lt William Norman Cowan Jr., who was killed in a Fort Bragg training accident in 1952.
The family would like to thank the staff of CLC1 of the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Durham for the excellent care he received during his five years with them.
Family visitation will be held at Carrboro United Methodist Church at noon on Friday, March 19 with funeral services following at 1 p.m. One week later a memorial service has been planned in Hickory. Family visitation will be held at the Bass-Smith Funeral Home at noon, Saturday, March 27, followed by a service at 1 p.m. A military ceremony will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Habitat for Humanity are requested.
Condolences to the family may be offered at www.cremnc.com.
Irene Tuck Helmer
DURHAM -- Irene Tuck Helmer, age 88, died on Thursday February 25th, 2010 in Titusville, Fla.
Born and raised in Durham, she had resided for many years in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
She was predeceased by her husband, Charles Helmer; mother, Daisy Smith; father, Will Tuck; siblings, Sarah (Toots) Browning and Lee Hunt.
Survivors include a daughter, Joyce Fry of Titusville, Fla.; two granddaughters; two great-grandchildren; several nieces; and one nephew.
Irene had many friends in Port St. Lucie, Florida. She was a beautiful lady and well respected by many.
A memorial service will be held Saturday March 20th at St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 295 NW Prima Vista Blvd. Port St Lucie, Fla.
Joseph Melvin Robinson Jr.
DURHAM -- Joseph Melvin Robinson Jr., 82, of Durham, died Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at Durham Regional Hospital.
Born in Philadelphia, Pa., he was the son of the late Joseph Melvin Robinson and Elizabeth Greene Robinson. In addition to serving in the US Navy during WWII, he also served in the Air Force during the Korean War. From 1974 to 1987, Mr. Robinson taught Auto Mechanics at Southern High School. In addition to hunting and fishing, he loved irises and buttercups. He also enjoyed traveling and Civil War history, especially trips to Gettysburg and Pennsylvania battlefields. He and his late wife, Hilda, were charter members of Triangle Presbyterian Church in Durham.
Surviving are his son, Ken Robinson and his wife, Debbie, of Concord; his daughter, Vickie Hare of Raleigh; one sister, Jane R. Weaver and husband, James, of Roxboro; three grandchildren, Matthew Craig Robinson, Tyler Scott Robinson and Kathryn Elisabeth Robinson; and his beloved cats, Wild Thing and Ebony. He was predeceased by his wife, Hilda Weisner Robinson; and his sister, Evelyn McCollough.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 20, 2010, from the Chapel of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service with the Rev. Ray Cobb, of Triangle Presbyterian Church, officiating.
Friends may visit from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Hall-Wynne Funeral Home, 1113 W. Main Street, Durham.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made the American Diabetes Association, 1701 North Beauregard Street Alexandria, VA 22311, http://www.diabetes.org/
Online condolences www.hallwynne.com, select obituaries.
Alice Herndon Stephenson
DURHAM -- Mrs. Alice Herndon Stephenson, 81, died Thursday morning at Carver Living Center.
Mrs. Stephenson was born in Durham Co., the daughter of the late Aurelia Margaret Thomas Herndon and the late Theodore Cotton Herndon. Prior to her retirement, she was employed at Durham Drapery. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sherwood Raythell Stephenson.
Mrs. Stephenson is survived by two sons, Tim Stephenson and wife, Debra, of Clarksville, Va. and Mike Stephenson and wife, Kay, of Bahama; two brothers, Paul Herndon and wife, Sally, of Durham and Tom Herndon of Durham; a housemate of many years, Kay Ladd; six grandchildren, Chris Stephenson, Emily Moorefield, Jared Stephenson, Kaylon Honeycutt, Brantley Stephenson and Katie Stephenson; and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 3 p.m. at Fellowship Baptist Church with Dr. Rick Finley officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Clements Funeral Home in Durham. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Fellowship Baptist Church, 515 Southerland St., Durham, NC 27703 or Duke Hospice, 4321 Medical Park Drive, Ste 101, Durham, NC 27704-2175.
Thank you to Carver Living Center for the many years of loving care.
Pauline 'Polly' Laws Stevens
DURHAM -- Pauline 'Polly' Laws Stevens died Monday, March 15, 2010, in Durham at the age of 88.
Born on July 20, 1921 in Orange County to Hattie and Clinney Laws, Mrs. Stevens was raised in Orange County and Sanford.
Polly had been a resident of Durham for the past 60 years. She worked for Owens-Illinois, Liggett and Myers, and Mr. Bryson, a local Durham Attorney. Mrs. Stevens was a member of Mount Sylvan United Methodist Church.
She is survived by three sons, Rick Stevens of Raleigh, Ron Stevens of Arlington, Texas, and Jerry Stevens of Hillsborough; a brother, Malcolm Laws of Lemon Springs; two sisters, Lillie Layton and Hattie Lou (Pat) O'Quinn of Sanford; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews.
Mrs. Stevens was a loving mother, grandmother and friend to all who met her. Affectionately known as "Mrs. Polly" and "Sister," she brought a smile to everyone.
There will be a memorial service Sunday, March 21, 2010 at Mt. Sylvan United Methodist Church beginning at 1:30 p.m. The family will receive visitors following this service in the fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mt. Sylvan United Methodist Church, 5731 Roxboro Rd., Durham, NC 27712 or to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 6931 Arlington Road 2nd Floor, Bethesda, MD 20814.
The family is being assisted in Durham by Clements Funeral Service, Inc.
ORANGE
Samuel M. Holton
CHAPEL HILL -- Dr. Samuel M. Holton, 87, of Chapel Hill, died on March 17, 2010.
Dr. Holton was born in Durham on May 29, 1922, the son of Holland and Lela Young Holton. He graduated from Durham High in 1938. He graduated from Duke University, New York University and Yale University where he received his Ph.D. in Education in 1948.
During World War II, he served in the US Army Air Corp in India and China as a meteorologist, leaving the service as a Captain. His academic career as a professor at UNC-Chapel Hill in the School of Education began in 1948, retiring in 1987. He was principal from 1953-1955 at Bartlett-Yancy High School in Yancyville while on professional leave from UNC. He wrote the textbook 'Understanding the American Public High School' and numerous education publications. He served on the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school board from 1968-1975. He was on the board of trustees of NC Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount, and Goodwill Industries of Eastern NC. Sam was an Eagle Scout and a Boy Scout leader. He was awarded the Boy Scouts' highest honor, the Silver Beaver Award by the Occoneechee Council in 1966 for over 30 years of service to the Boy Scouts at Duke Memorial United Methodist Church in Durham. He was honored to be a member of the Kiwanis Club for over 50 years. Sam and his wife, Margaret, have established the Samuel M. Holton Distinguished Professorship in the UNC School of Education.
Sam is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Margaret Umberger Holton; his four children, Robert W. Holton and wife, Beverly, of Boone, Margaret (Meg) D. Holton and husband, Jerrel Kesling, of Chapel Hill, Grace H. Holton of Durham, Elizabeth (Betsy) H. Carmichael and husband, John, of Davidson; and six grandchildren, Lori A. and Kelly A. Holton of Boone, Alexander H. Kesling of Chapel Hill, and John Samuel 'Jack', Robert W. and Andrew H. Carmichael of Davidson; and two close cousins, Edith Murphy of Durham and Mary Grace Anderson of Kennesaw, Georgia. He was predeceased by his parents; and two brothers, Winfred Quinton Holton and Holland Young Holton.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 2 p.m. at the University United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill. The family will receive friends and family on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hall-Wynne Funeral Home, Durham. A private family burial service will be held.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the School of Education Foundation, Inc., for the "Samuel M. Holton Distinguished Professorship in the School of Education," Attn: Wendy Borman, University of NC at Chapel Hill, 101 Peabody Hall, Campus Box 3500, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3500, or to your local Boy Scout Council.
Arrangements for the Holton family are under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. www.hallwynne.com.
PERSON
Lacy Brooks Long
HURDLE MILLS -- Lacy Brooks Long, age 70, of 12091 Hurdle Mills Rd., Hurdle Mills, died Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at Durham Regional Hospital.
Born in Person County, he was the son of the late Dewitt Lacy and Marie Brooks Long.
He was a retired farmer, and later was employed as a rural mail carrier with the U.S. Postal Service for 20 years.
He was a retired member of the Hurdle Mills Volunteer Fire Department and had served in the U.S. National Guard.
Mr. Long was a member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Barbara Eidson Long, of the home; two daughters, Suzanne L. Vaughn, and husband, Michael, of Cary, and Marcie L. Landrum and husband, Barry, of Indian Trail; two grandchildren, Rachel Brooks Vaughn, and Megan Marie Landrum; one sister, Ann Long Hawkins and husband, Dan, of Hurdle Mills; two nieces, Luanne Hawkins Ellis and husband, Roy, and Dena Hawkins Kennedy and husband, Mike; a great nephew, Dusty Ellis; a great niece, Sarah Kennedy.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 20, 2010 at the Mt.
Zion United Methodist Church. The Pastor Edgar De Jesus and the Rev. Norma Walters will be officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 19, 2010 at the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church New Fellowship Hall at 135 Clay Long Rd. Hurdle Mills.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church Building Fund c/o Betty Jean Horton, 497 Long's Store Rd. Roxboro, NC 27574.
Condolences may be sent online at www.brooksandwhite.com
Emmett P. Wilkerson Jr.
ROXBORO -- Emmett P. Wilkerson Jr., 56, of Mill Hill Road died Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at Duke Medical Center.
He was born in Person County on August 17, 1953. Emmett was preceded in death by his father, E. Payne Wilkerson. He was a member of the Roxboro Baptist Church.
Emmett was president and operator of both Roxboro Builders Supply and E.M.
Wilkerson and Son (the family construction company started by his father and grandfather in 1951). He was also a member of the National Association of Home Builders; the Elks BPO Lodge No. 2005, the Roxboro Country Club where he had served as president; and a lifetime member and past president of the Roxboro Jaycees.
Emmett loved traveling with his wife, Judy; weekend trips to the beach; socializing with his brothers at the Elks Lodge; and cheering passionately for his beloved UNC Tar Heels.
Survivors include his wife, Judy C. Wilkerson of the home; his mother, Anne Brandon Wilkerson of Roxboro; one son, Jason Wilkerson and wife, Erica, of Roxboro; one daughter, Jennifer W. Fish and husband, Phillip, of Roxboro; two step children, Austin Bowen and Ashley Bowen of the home; one brother, Tracy Wilkerson and wife, Barbara, of Pilot Mountain; one sister, Libby W. Wilson and husband, Richard, of Greensboro; five grandchildren, Tyler, Jacob, and Aiden Fish and Haley and Jordan Wilkerson; and extended family.
The memorial service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, March 20, 2010 at the Roxboro Baptist Church with the Rev. DuPree Sanders officiating. Burial will be in the Burchwood Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Phillip Allen, Carl Stonebraker, Noell Tillett, Randall Long, Mac Wagstaff, David Whitt, Tony Stevens, and Terry Allen. Honorary pallbearers will be his Elks brothers.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 19, 2010 at the Brooks & White Funeral Home and other times at the home of his mother,
546 John D. Winstead Road, Roxboro.
Memorials may be made to The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, P.O.
Box 3624, Durham, NC 27710 or The Roxboro Baptist Church, Forward By Faith Building Fund, P.O. Box 348, Roxboro NC 27573.
Condolences may be made to brooksandwhite.com.
WAKE
Carson T. Brame
APEX -- Carson T. Brame, age 56, died at home on March 16, 2010.
He was born to Marshall and Helen Brame on July 17, 1953 in Durham County.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 21, 2010, at Mt.
Pisgah Baptist Church, 1334 Mt. Pisgah Church Rd., Apex.
He is survived by his children, Tommy and Lisa Marie; brothers, Marshall Brame Jr. and his wife, Emma, of Roxboro and Robert Brame and his wife, Marshae, of Zebulon; and four grandchildren. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.
On line condolences may be made to www.apexfuneral.com
ELSEWHERE
Iley Baker 'Trip' Browning III
BALTIMORE, MD. -- Dr. Browning died March 11, 2010 with his loving family by his side at Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland.
He was 54 years of age.
He was born in Evansville, Indiana and subsequently lived in Durham, as well as Houston and Corpus Christi, Texas.
Trip was the devoted husband of Doctor Pamela Kay Smith whom he met during medical school and married on July 17, 1981. He was a good father and role model to his two sons, James A. and Christian H. Browning. Trip was a wonderful cook, a passionate wine connoisseur and loved to travel.
Trip was an extraordinary student and an exemplary physician. He was a graduate of Choate Rosemary Hall, a Morehead Scholar and received his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Subsequently, he performed his internship, residency and fellowship at the Baylor College of Medicine through the Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Texas.
He was a board certified physician in the American Board of Pediatrics and Pediatric Pulmonology.
After fellowship he joined the Duke University School of Medicine as an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the division of Pulmonary Diseases from 1988-1998.
There he was the director of the Pulmonary Function Laboratory and Pulmonary Fellowship program, Co-Director of the Duke Cystic Fibrosis Center, and Medical Director of the Pediatric Lung Transplant Program.
He moved to Corpus Christi, Texas in 1998 where he began a Pediatric Pulmonary Division at Driscoll Children's Hospital. There he worked tirelessly to improve the medical care for many children in South Texas and was a founder and the medical director for Camp Easy Breathers, a summer camp for children with asthma.
During his practice there he was thanked by parents and children for saving and improving the quality of their lives.
Trip was affiliated with 10 other Texas hospitals and clinics and was an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Texas A&M University Medical School. Recently he became an Associate Professor and Division Chief of Pediatric Pulmonology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore.
He was also an author and co-author of many articles and papers in pediatrics and pulmonology.
Trip is survived by his wife; and sons; as well as his sisters, Graeme Browning of Bethesda, Maryland, Lowry Browning (and Tim O'Neill) of White Salmon, Washington, and Winlock Brown (and Steven) of Golden, Colorado. Trip was the son of the late Iley B. Browning Jr., and Elizabeth Lowry Browning.
A funeral service will be performed at Saint James Episcopal Church in Belhaven on Saturday, March the 20th at 2 p.m. Burial will follow at Smithton Cemetery in Smithton.
The following will serve as pallbearers: Dr. Christopher O'Connor, Mr. Ryan O'Connor, Mr. James Browning, Mr. Charles Dewey, Mr. Tim O'Neill and Dr. Staley Moore.
Visitation for family and friends will be held at Paul Funeral Home in Belhaven, from 6 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March the 19th. Charitable donations may be sent to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at 6931 Arlington Road, 2nd floor, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. Online condolences may be sent to www.paulfuneralhome.com.
