All Obituaries

Kay Eudy, age 65, passed away Friday, September 29, 2023 at Central Carolina Hospital with her family and hospital friends by her side. She was born in Lee County to the late Julius Lee “Bud” Eudy and Janie Ann Fulford Eudy.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister Sherri Lee Black.  Kay was a much-loved hospital employee in the Emergency Department at Central Carolina Hospital for 27 years.  She was known by so many people in our...

Mr. Robert James Will, 84, of Sanford, died peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on September 28, 2023, after a long battle with leukemia.   Robert was born on February 28, 1939, to Robert James Will Sr. and Ruth Gooden Will in Dover, Delaware.  He attended Caesar Rodney High School where he was captain of the varsity football team and subsequently studied at the University of Delaware where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.   After graduating from...

Peter John Sakaniwa, age 68, of Sanford, NC, passed away Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at his home. He was born in Geary County, Kansas on August 8, 1955 to the late Hidiaki Frank “Pete” Sakaniwa and Mathilde Rommel Sakaniwa.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his maternal-grandparents Anton and Mathilde Rommel and brother-in-law Harold “Pete” Foster.  Peter was a retired foreman for Sears Contract, Inc. and enjoyed hunting, fishing,...

Alta Edna Butner Warwick, age 94, of Sanford, NC, passed away Sunday, September 24, 2023, at Westfield Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. She was born in Forsyth County, NC on January 28, 1929, to the late John Carl Butner and Helen Irene Watkins Butner.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband James Thurman Warwick; twin brother Alton Butner and other brothers James and Harry Butner.  Alta graduated from the old Richmond High School in May 1948 as...

Peggy Ann Riddle Teal, age 88, of Sanford, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 24, 2023, at FirstHealth Hospice House in West End, North Carolina.  She was born in Lee County to the late Judd Riddle and Nina Riddle.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, James Riddle and sister, Letha Elizabeth Riddle Goldberg, both of Sanford, and a very good friend, Ronnie Spivey. Peggy graduated from the North Carolina School for the Deaf in...

Ruth Genevieve Gunter Thomas, age 83, of Sanford, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 24, 2023, at Keller’s Oakhaven Rest Home in Sanford where she had been a resident for many years. She was born in Lee County to the late Otis Gunter and Fannie Gilmore Gunter.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Siler Gunter, O.T. Gunter, Viola Donithan, Clara Mae Gautier, Virginia Smith Holt, and Mildred Shropshire.  Ruth loved sharing a...

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 31:30 Rosalea Ellison Lilly, 83, of Sanford, NC, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at Transitions Hospice in Raleigh, NC.  She was born in Camp Creek, WV in 1940 to Gilmore and Florence Ellison, and 15 siblings. She grew up in West Virginia then eventually settled in Sanford, NC. Up until the time of her death, she made her home...

Betsy Ann Leo Sirois, age 80, of Sanford, NC, passed away Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at her home. She was born in Biddeford, Maine on November 3, 1942 to the late Leonard Kenneth Leo and Ann Marie Dionne Leo.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband CSM David Edward Sirois and sister Theo Burgess. Betsy was a loving homemaker and devoted wife and Catholic. One of her passions was supporting other breast cancer survivors. She enjoyed watching Catholic Mass...

William “Billy” Merritt Walker, age 87, of Sanford, NC passed away Monday, September 18, 2023 at Keller’s Oak Haven Rest Home with his family by his side. He was born in Lee County, NC on January 27, 1936 to the late Robert Siler Walker and Lucy Brooks Walker.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Lola Mae O’Quinn Walker and brother Robert “Bobby” Walker.  Billy was a kind and gentle man who loved farming, tending to...

Mary Louise Wooten McCleney, 88, of Sanford, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Mrs. McCleney was born in Moore County on Sept. 18, 1934 to the late Archie D. Wooten and Mazie Viola Simpson.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Homer McCleney; siblings, Arnold “Gray” Wooten, Ruth W. McMahon, Mildred W. Seagroves, Archie “Sonny” Wooten, and Robert Leon Wooten; a son Thomas E Darr and Janet.  Mary was a lifetime member of Mt. Pleasant Christian...