Mary Edith Councilman Puckett, 82 of 1302 Old Cox Road, Asheboro died Friday, January 14, 2005 at Randolph Hospital in Asheboro.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 16, 2005 at Tyson's Creek Baptist Church in Bear Creek with Rev. Randy Hand and Rev. Bob Wachs officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Mrs. Puckett was a native of Chatham County, a member of Tyson's Creek Baptist Church, a graduate of Carson-Newman, and received her masters degree at UNC-Greensboro. She was a veteran of the United States Navy and a retired school teacher from Robbins, Sumner and Rockwell schools. She was preceded in death by her husband, J.W. Puckett.

Survivors include her brother, Archie Councilman of Bear Creek; nieces, Linda Bullard Benson of Raleigh, Brenda Bullard Cameron of Emerald Isle, Martha Hackney Clark of Asheboro; nephews, George Grady Councilman, Jr. of Asheboro, Harold Councilman of Bear Creek, James Hackney of Siler City; nieces, Betty Kearns of Asheboro, Susie Kearns Register of Wilmington and Jane Councilman Ward of Greenville.

Mary Ellen Freeze Waugh, 93, known to friends as "Peg," died Thursday night, January 13, 2005, at The Laurels in Pittsboro. A native of Statesville, she moved to Pittsboro a decade ago to be with her daughter and family.

Mrs. Waugh was born on November 5, 1911, in Iredell County to Carrie Bradford Freeze and John Guy Freeze, both parents having predeceased her. Siblings Blanche Freeze Robinson and Lynn Bradford Freeze also predeceased her.

She was married to William Elmore Waugh in Statesville on August 8, 1931, and they spent most of their adult lives in homes there on Front and Kelly Streets until his death October 20, 1983. Both were graduates of Celeste Henkel School.

Primarily a homemaker, Mrs. Waugh was employed briefly at Phoenix and Beauknit Mills. She was a lifelong member of First A.R.P. Church in Statesville shere she was active in the choir, women’s circles, and an officer in the Mabel Poston Bible Class. In Pittsboro she continued participation in Pittsboro Presbyterian Church until her health declined.

She is survived by one daughter, Doris Waugh Betts and her husband, Lowry M. Betts of Pittsboro; grandchildren, LewEllyn Betts and her husband Thomas Mroz of Chapel Hill; David Betts and his wife Catherine Johnson Betts of Pittsboro, Erskine M. Betts and his wife Mary Willcox Betts of Apex; great-grandchildren, Anna Josephine Betts of Pittsboro, Matthew Palmer Betts and William Alston Betts, both of Apex; niece and nephew, Lynda Robinson Johnson and Jeffrey Freeze, both of Statesville, in addition to extended family members.

Funeral arrangements were by Walker Funeral Home, Chapel Hill. The Rev. Robert Sherer, Minister of Congregational Care at 1st A.R.P. Church conducted the graveside service at 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 18, 2005 in Oakwood Cemetery, Statesville and interrment followed in the family plot.

LUCY MAE MOORE McMASTERS

Lucy Mae Moore McMasters, 84 of 816 West Fifth Street, Siler City died Saturday, January 15, 2005 at Chatham Hospital in Siler City after several years of declining health.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m.,Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at the First Baptist Church, Siler City with Rev. Jim Wall officiating. Burial followed in Oakwood Cemetery, Siler City with military rites.

Mrs. McMasters, formally of Newnan, Ga. was preceded in death by her husband George in 1960. She was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army Medical Core. During her service, she reached the rank of First Lieutenant. For  over 40 years, she worked in the medical profession as a registered nurse. She retired from the Chatham County Health Department after twenty-four years of service.

Survivors include sons, Dan McMasters and wife, Linda of Siler City, Joe McMasters and wife, Barbara, also of Siler City; sister, Sara Fillingim of Pensacola, Fla.; grandchildren, Carla McMasters Murray of Siler City, Grant McMasters of Charlotte, Gina Thomas Thompson of Siler City, Allison McMasters of Siler City; great-grandson, Cole Daniel Murray and several nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the staff of Liselotte Care Home of Pittsboro and SunBridge Care and Rehabilitation of Siler City for their kindness and care given to Lucy.

Memorials may be directed to the Jay Spence Scholarship Fund, c/o First Baptist Church, 314 North Second Avenue, Siler City, NC 27344.

MARY HELEN DARK

  Mary Helen Dark, 80, of Pittsboro died Tuesday, (01-11-05) at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill.

   Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Saturday, (01-15-05) at Mt. Sinai A.M.E. Church in Pittsboro with Rev. R. Phillip Lynch officiating. Burial followed in Pittsboro Cemetery.

   Mrs. Dark was a graduate of Horton High School, a member of Mt. Sinai A.M.E. Church where she was stewardess and member of the missionary group.

  Survivors include daughters, Constance Craven, Pittsboro, Sylvia Dark, District Heights, Md., Joyce McCrimon and Janice Dark, both of Bronx, N.Y.,  Janet Alston of Pittsboro; sons, Glenn Dark, Moncure, Kenneth Dark and Garrett Dark of the home; sisters,  Alean Brooks of Pittsboro, Caleda Goins of Lemon Springs; brothers, Fulton Headen of  Pittsboro, Rudolph Stone of Chapel Hill, George Stone of Forestville, Md.; thirteen grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren.

MR. HOWARD LYNWOOD MARSH

  Mr. Howard Lynwood Marsh, 57, of Bear Creek died Saturday, (01-15-05) at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill.

  Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, (01-19-05)  at Centennial AME Zion Church, Bear Creek with Rev. Charles Howard, officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

  Survivors include sons, Malcolm Lynwood Marsh of Peachland, Ryan O’Neil Marsh of Charlotte; brothers, William C. Marsh of Liberty, Charlie M. Marsh, Roger V. Marsh, both of the home, Ricky E. Marsh of Durham; sister, Mary A. Alston of the home;  and four grandchildren.

Steve Sycz, 77 of Monroe Falls, Ohio died Tuesday, January 18, 2005.

Survivors include his wife, Rose Sycz of the home; son, Steven Sycz of Monroe Falls, Ohio; daughter, Debra Laubert and husband Greg of Bear Creek; granddaughter, Holly Elizabeth Laubert of Bear Creek.

Visitation will be held Thursday, January 20, 2005 and funeral services Friday, January 21, 2005, both at Bissler Funeral Home, 628 West Main Street, Kent, Ohio 44240 330-673-5857.

James Holt (Jimmy) Ellington, 60, of 329 West Franklinville Street, Staley died Friday, January 14, 2005 at Chatham Hospital in Siler City.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 16, 2005 at Moons Chapel Baptist Church, Siler City with Rev. Scott Faw and Rev. Ronald Thompson officiating. Burial followed in Staley Cemetery, Staley with military rites.

Mr. Ellington was a native of Chatham County, a member of Moons Chapel Baptist Church, an Army veteran and was owner and operator of Ellington's Meat Shoppe in Staley.

Survivors include his wife, Lu Ann Ellington of the home; sons, Timothy Ellington and wife, Sarah of Staley, Terry Ellington and wife, Wendy of Lexington; brothers, Terrill Ellington and wife, Linda Merle, Wayne Ellington and wife, Peggy, both of Siler City, Steve Ellington and wife, Wanda of High Falls, Ricky Ellington and wife, Jerri of Siler City; sister, Verneita Clark and husband, Lloyd of Asheboro; grandsons, Alexander Ellington, Ethan Ellington; and several nieces and nephews.