Grady Deese Jr.

ELIZABETH CITY — Grady Deese Jr., 62, formerly of Union County, died Saturday (Sept. 19, 2009) at Nash General Hospital in Rocky Mount.

Funeral will be 11 a.m. Friday at Elizabeth City State University’s Fine Arts Center and another funeral will be Saturday, time to be determined, in Monroe.

He was a son of Sarah Harrell Deese of Marshville and the late Grady Deese Sr.

Survivors, in addition to his mother, include his wife, Teresa C. Deese of the home; one daughter, Adrienne Deese of Charlotte; two sons, Victor Deese and Grady Brian Deese, both of Charlotte; four sisters, Mary B. Morgan of Youngstown, Ohio, Emma Smith of Winston-Salem, Bernice Lindsey of Monroe, Sara E. Deese of Marshville; one brother, David Deese of Dumfries, Va.; and three grandchildren.

Viewing will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday at the ECSU Fine Arts Center.

Stallings Funeral Homes and Grier Funeral Service are in charge of arrangements.

Roger Dean Ford

OAK ISLAND — Mr. Ford, 61, formerly of Monroe, passed away on Monday, September 21, 2009. at Duke University Medical Center. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday evening from 7-9 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home, Weddington Chapel, 3700 Forest Lawn Drive. Funeral services in celebration of his life will be held 1:00 p.m., Friday at Hartis Grove Baptist Church. Interment will follow the service at Lakeland Memorial Park.

Mr. Ford was born on August 27, 1948, in Union County, son of the late Harrell and Lois Helms Ford. He was founder of BackYard Wild. He loved living at Oak Island spending time at the beach, fishing and feeding birds. He also loved cooking and working in the garden. Roger was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend to all and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Roger especially loved the time spent with his grandchildren. He also served his country in the United States Army.

Survivors include his beloved wife and best friend, Julie Ford of Oak Island, N.C.; daughter, Cari Mull and husband Michael of Monroe; son, Jason Ford and wife Amy of Matthews; sons, Dylan Brown and wife Mary of Monroe, Jacob Brown of Charlotte and Weston Brown and wife Jenn of Waxhaw; grandchildren, Katie, Allie, Hannah, Ethan, Daniel, Noah and Madisyn; brother, Donald Ford and wife Annette of Indian Trail, N.C.; sister, Sherry Frank and husband Bob of Indian Trail and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Memorials should be made to International Scleroderma Network, 7455 France Ave SO # 266, Edina MN, 55435 or online at www.sclero.org.

Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Funeral Home, Weddington Chapel. Online condolences may be left at www.heritagefuneral.net.

PAID OBITUARY

Cynthia Griffin

MONROE - Cynthia Ann Griffin, 42, died Sept. 12, 2009, at Anson Community Hospital in Wadesboro.

Funeral will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Union Chapel Baptist Church in Unionville, with burial in Hillcrest Cemetery.

Born July 15, 1967, in Union County, she was a daughter of Sheila Griffin of Monroe. She was employed by Tyson Foods.

Survivors, in addition to her mother, include one son, Shaquille Griffin of the home; and three sisters, Lessie Griffin of Oakboro, and Bessie Griffin and Jennifer Griffin, both of Monroe.

Public viewing will be from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at Harris Funeral Home of Monroe.