McLaurin Funeral Home

Garner, NC-Ellen Rose Bennett Hughes died surrounded by her family at home in Garner, NC on the afternoon of April 21st, 2024. A Memorial service will be held Friday, April 26th at 2:00 p.m. with visitation with the family one hour prior to the Memorial. Services will be held at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 5217 Barber Mill Road, Clayton, NC 27520. A graveside service for the family will be held at a later date. Ellen was born on July 27, 1944, in Henderson, NC to John Landon Bennett and Beuna Matthews Bennett. She graduated as Valedictorian of her class from Dabney High School and began her career at Citizens bank in Henderson. In 1965 she met what turned out to be her sweetheart for 58...

W. Bruce Williams, age 84, of Myrtle Beach, SC died peacefully on February 14, 2024 surrounded by family at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, NC. Bruce was born in Lynchburg, VA on March 18, 1939. He was a native of Raleigh, NC, the son of the late H. Page Williams and Isabel Jones Williams. He graduated from Needham B. Broughton high school in 1957 and upon graduation enlisted in the NC Army National Guard, subsequently serving 9 years before being discharged with the rank of SFC. In the fall of 1957, he enrolled at NC State University. After graduating with a degree in Industrial Engineering he started his first job with a local Raleigh consulting firm designing and routing...

David "Dave" Allen Zellmer, 74, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 3, 2023 at the VA Hospital in Durham, NC. A memorial service will be held at St. Ann Catholic Church in Clayton, NC, on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 9:30am. Dave was born on December 17, 1948 in Wisconsin Rapids, WI to Almond and Rose (Schaffenburger) Zellmer. He grew up loving the outdoors, playing baseball, basketball, football, and hunting and fishing with family and friends. After graduating from Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids, he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Forestry, Fishing, Wildlife, Soils and Water, from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. He married Marcia J. Jackan on August 7, 1971,...

Ms. Carol Ann "Duffy" Murphy Harper (Dunlap) daughter of the late Robert Dunlap and Christine (Broome) Dunlap Harrington was born on March 25, 1944 in Newark, NJ and quietly departed this life on June 22, 2023 in Clayton, NC. She was raised in Syracuse, NY, moved to Atlanta, GA and retired to North Carolina. She attended the First Baptist Church in Atlanta and enjoyed teaching English as a second language to many students. She was a member of the Red Hatter's Chapter in Georgia. Carol was preceded in death by her son, Mantee M. Murphy Jr. and her siblings, Robert Dunlap, Paulette Dunlap and Wendy Dunlap. Her life will be forever celebrated in the lives of her children: Kimberly...

Diana Gilden Smithson, age 74, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, North Carolina. No services are planned at this time. She was born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina on September 15, 1948 to the late Marvin Gilden, Sr. and the late Nora Gray Gilden. Diana enjoyed cooking, reading her Bible and gardening. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Allen Davis Smithson; two daughters, Renee Watkins and Kimberly Smithson; one son, John Watkins Jr; 7 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; one brother, Marvin Gilden Jr and one sister, Marlene Bailey. Online condolences may be made to the family at:...

Allan Douglas Taylor, age 85, of 2743 County Rd 8, Friendship, NY and 310 Watkins Rd, Clayton, NC passed away on Wednesday, May 10th, 2023, at Johnston UNC Health Hospital after a brief illness. Allan was born April 12, 1938, in Blossburg, PA, to Glenn and Lillian (Enderle) Taylor Allan lived in Franklinville, NY before moving to Friendship, NY where he attended Richburg Central High School, graduating in 1957. He went into the Air Force after graduation spending most of his time stationed in England before leaving the Air Force and returning home to Friendship, where he has lived since, spending the past nine years in North Carolina with his wife, Carol, during the winter months. He is a...

Sallie Inez Underwood passed away on Sunday, December 25, 2022. Inez was born in Nash County on October 24, 1948 to the late Harvey and Nettie Joyner Bissette and was a retired employee with Gelder and Associates as an accountant with 25 years of service. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Daylon Underwood; a son, Matthew Underwood and his fianc?e, Heather; brothers, Mitchell Bissette and his wife, Lorraine and Brooks Bissette and his wife, Bonnie all of Bailey. A funeral service celebrating Inez's life will be held on Friday, December 30, 2022 at 11:00am in the chapel of McLaurin Funeral Home with the family receiving friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 10:00am....

J. B. Frith, age 77, of Clayton North Carolina, departed this life on Sunday, October 2, 2022, surrounded by his family. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on April 21, 1945, to Sadie (Seals) Frith and John D. Frith. J.B was a veteran of the U.S. Marines and a hospital administrator who worked at the University of Alabama while obtaining his Master's in Healthcare Administration. He furthered his career by becoming the Chief Executive Officer for the University of Mississippi, Portsmouth General, and Metro Health Center. During his last stent in healthcare, he became the Vice President for Quorum Health, overseeing twelve community hospitals in Florida. After retiring, he could not stay...

It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Pete Siemion, 56, of Garner, North Carolina passed away on September 28th, 2022, after a hard battle with lung cancer. Pete was predeceased by his father, Daniel and his brother, Matthew. He is survived by his mother, Wilhelmine, his brothers, Dan and Ed, his sister, Lynn, and his son, Jacob. Pete was a special person, and beloved by many. He was exceedingly generous with his time, and he enjoyed giving it to his youth baseball teams without asking anything in return. He never missed an opportunity to joke with others, but never with ill will. He was an intelligent and experienced financial professional, something he took great pride in. Most...

Thomas Kent Green, age 65, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. Thomas was born May 1, 1957 in Williamsport, PA to the late George and Rebecca Artley Green. He is survived by his wife, Joan Green; sons, Rodney Wertz and his wife, Danielle, Eric Green and his wife, Traci; grandsons, Dilan and Justin; brother, Don Green and his wife, Jeanette; nieces, Vanessa Lorson and family, Heather Wood and family and several other in-laws, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and many friends. A private memorial services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association P.O. Box 15829 Arlington, VA ...

"If you're not the first person on the job site, then you might as well be the last." This was the motto for Bernard Irwin Wise (Bernie or Butch as his friends would call him). His life was dedicated to hard work, and he continued this outlook even into his retirement. Bernie's life ended peacefully after a lengthy illness on Saturday May 7th, 2022. He leaves behind his loving wife (KATHY) of nearly 60 years, his 3 sons (DENNIS/Corie, DOUG/Lara & DAN), 6 grandchildren (Tyler, Tanner, Teagan, Camden, Reagan & Harrison) along with many friends in Syracuse, NY and The greater Pittsburgh, PA area. He will be missed by many, especially his devoted family. As per Bernie's wishes, there...

Leslie Ward Pilson Allen, daughter of the late Henderson and Virginia Ward passed away on Monday, October 18, 2021 at the age of 73. A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 25, 2021 at 2:00pm in the chapel of McLaurin Funeral Home with the family receiving friends one hour prior to the service from 1:00 until 2:00pm. She is survived by her husband, Charlie Allen; daughter, Elizabeth Pilson of Clayton; sons, Chris Pilson and Scott Pilson both of Cameron, Justin Allen of Oak Ridge; brother, Terry Ward of Sanford; sister, Elsie Wetzel of Leland; granddaughters, Kim Pilson of Fayetteville and Paige Coffee of Newport; six great grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she is also...

Donna Ray Ruth, 72, of Carlisle, died Wednesday, October 14, 2021.

Rosa Lee Holland Corbett, age 105, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 28, 2021. A service to celebrate her life will be held 2:00 PM Thursday, July 1, 2021 at Hocutt Baptist Church in Clayton, of which she was a long time member, with Reverend Dr. Steve Roy officiating. Interment will follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Clayton. The family will receive friends from 1:00 Pm until 2:00 PM Thursday, July 1, 2021 at the church prior to the service. She was born May 19, 1916 in Johnston County to the late John Henry Holland and the late Rebecca Evans Holland. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Randolph Corbett; two sisters, Alma and Ruth, and two...

Smart, gracious, thoughtful and kind. These words describe Kathleen "Kathi" McBlief who passed away suddenly on March 28, 2021. Kathi was a loving and supportive presence to her family and friends. She was always there in time of need or just to have a good time. She loved to write, was a talented seamstress and a fabulous cook. Kathi was born in Norristown, PA but raised in Charlotte, NC. Kathi graduated from UNCG, with honors, with a BA in English. She worked for over 25 years as a web designer in the College of Engineering at NC State University. She had been retired 3 months at the time of her death. Although she will be deeply missed, it is comforting to know that she has been...

Christopher J. "Chris" Kulp, a cherished and beloved son, brother, family member and friend passed away on Sunday, February 28, 2021 at the age of 24. Chris will always be remembered for his enormous heart and desire to help others. Born in Bethlehem, PA on September 24, 1996, Chris is a 2015 graduate of Nazareth Area High School, Nazareth, PA where he played football and basketball. He graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and a minor in Microbiology in 2019. He then accepted an invitation to and was currently working on his PhD at Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, where he was doing research in...

Thomas Edward Glithero, passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2020 with his family by his side after a short illness. Tom was born in Danville, IL to Paulene and John Glithero on September 6, 1955 and attended MacMurray College, graduating in 1977 and the University of Illinois, graduating in 1978. He retired with AT&T in Indianapolis, IN, after 32 years as a district Manager where he served in over 20 different management roles. Tom and his wife Sue were retired and moved to Smithfield, NC in September 2012. He was an active biker, walker and reader. He volunteered actively as a Guardian Ad Litem for District 11 of Guardian Ad Litem program. He also served on two Johnston County Boards...

Robert Dock Boyette (Dock) went to his heavenly home on August 14, 2020. Dock was born July 23, 1939 in Wilson, NC to Larry and Sallie Boyette. He went to Rock Ridge High School and married his high school sweetheart, Janice Pearson Boyette. They were married for 64 years. At 17, he joined the US Navy where he served on the USS Saint Paul and USS Los Angeles for 3 years. After leaving the military, he started a successful 40 year career in farming. After retiring, he worked as a driver for JCAT (Johnston County Area Transit) until the time of his passing. He loved driving the bus and talking to people and helping them. He loved the Lord and was a long time member of Holly Springs Free...

Bennett Lee Miller, son of the late Milburn Lee and Mary Marjorie Miller passed away on Thursday, August 13, 2020 at the age of 75. Born in Nevada, MO on August 3, 1945. Mr. Miller was a US Army veteran rising to the rank of Captain before his discharge. He worked as a safety officer with EG&G, a national defense contractor for the Dept. of the Navy. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and spending time with family and was also a member of the Ruritan Club in Mt Pleasant, MD and the American Legion Post 191 in Mt. Airy, MD. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Deborah Marie Miller; son, Derrick Lee Miller and wife, Kelly; daughters, Theresa Marie Gerace and husband, Johnny, Denise...

Thelma Ward Tedder, was born on Dec. 18, 1929 in Winston-Salem, NC, and died July 14, 2020 at Transitions Life Care Hospice in Raleigh, NC at age 90 after a long battle with primary progressive aphasia. She was preceded in death by her husband Frank G. Tedder; her parents, William Watt and Lula Cook Ward; sisters, Myrtle Hill, Octavia Yow, brother, Fred Ward, and daughter, Victoria Hannon. She is survived by her children, Carol Searcy and husband John of Danville, VA, Jeffrey Tedder of Henderson, and Mark Tedder of Kittrell, and grandchildren, Scott Searcy and wife Lynn of Wallkill, NY, Kyle Searcy of Tuxedo Park, NY, Elle Allen and husband Ron of Garner, and Sarah Crisp and husband Rodney...