Jessie Ruth Mason Womble, 87, of 2271 Farrington Road, Apex died Thursday, October 7, 2004 at Laurels of Chatham in Pittsboro.

She was born in Chatham County March 15, 1917 to William Henry Mason and Myrtie Wimberly. Mrs. Womble was a faithful member of Bell’s Baptist Church and a loving grandmother. Although she cherished her role as a homemaker, she worked at Woolen Mills and BVD Mill in Carrboro for many years. Her husband, Alvin Wilson Womble preceded her in death, April 29, 1968.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 9, 2004 in the Apex Funeral Home Chapel, conducted by Rev. Ray Gooch, Rev. Rick Washington, and Rev. John Singlatary. Burial followed in Bell's Baptist Church Cemetery.

She is survived by her son, Gene Franklin Womble and wife, Annette of Pittsboro; grandson, Glenn Womble of Apex; sisters-in-law, Katherine Stone of Pittsboro, Ellen Mason of Apex, Josephine Womble of Staunton, Va; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Bell's Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 1274 Farrington Road, Apex, NC 27523.

Mr. W. Norman Sharpe died April 24, 2004 at age 101 in Roanoke, VA as a result of old age.

He was born October 23, 1902 in Burlington, the sons of Walter E. Sharpe, a trustee of Elon College, and Sallie Fearrington Sharpe, whose homeplace has become Fearrington Village. Mr. Sharpe was a member of the first graduating class of Duke University in 1926 after the name was changed from Trinity College. In 1928, he married Margaret Horne Womble of Chatham County, who predeceased him in 1976. They had two sons; David Womble Sharpe who died in 1996, and William N. Sharpe, Jr. now of Baltimore, MD; sister, Eloise England of Cary; brother, Edwin Sharpe of Burlington; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Mr. Sharpe became a successful poultry farmer in Chatham County in the 1940s and 50s; he also worked as a social worker for the Chatham County Welfare Department from 1947 until his retirement in 1972. In 1976, Mr. Sharpe moved to Roanoke, VA where he still enjoyed traveling and numerous activities available to senior citizens. He was honored on his 100th brithday in October, 2002 with a party attended by family and friends.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Mr. W. Norman Sharpe will be conducted by Mr. Thomas Danek at 3:00 p.m. Friday, October 22, 2004 at Griffin Funeral Service and Cremation in Pittsboro. Mr Sharpe's cremated remains will be privately interred next to his wife in Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery.

His son David Sharpe founded and served as first president of the Delta Rho Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity at NC State in 1950. A scholarship has been established in David's honor, and the family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to: Delta Rho Foundation, % Sean Lloyd, 305 Westridge Drive, Raleigh, NC 27609.

Holly Brooks, 60, of Siler City died Friday, October 8, 2004 at the Chatham Hospital.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 11, 2004 at the Siler City Presbyterian Church with Rev. Sue Flippin officiating. Burial followed at Mt. Vernon Springs Presbyterian Cemetery.

Mrs. Brooks was a native of Chatham County, and involved in the Chatham County Community for over 30 years. She was the Distinguished Citizen of the year in 2003 by the area Chamber of Commerce. Her community service included the Chatham County United Chamber of Commerce, she volunteered many years to put on the Siler City Christmas Parade, board member for five years, Past president, Chatham County Council on Aging, past President of Board of Directors, Chatham County Group Homes; former member of Board of Directors, Chatham Trades, Inc., Board of Directors, two years as treasurer, Siler City Kiwanis Club, past President and Secretary, Siler City Presbyterian Church, member of the choir, member of session of Siler City Presbyterian Church, and also served as the clerk of session. She was a 1965 graduate of UNCG, a Registered Medical Technologist, worked for two years at Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro, and a bookkeeper for Family Pharmacy.

Survivors include her husband, Jack Brooks of Siler City; son, Steve Brooks, and wife, Donna of Winston-Salem; granddaughters, Emily Brooks and Lauren Brooks.

Memorials may be made to Siler City Presbyterian Church, 720 West Third Street, Siler City, NC 27344.

Andrew Wesley Lawton, born October 11, 1967, died Friday, October 1, 2004.

He was a 1985 graduate of Chapel Hill High School, a resident of Chatham County and has owned and operated Able Lawn Care for 15 years. Weekends were spent enjoying time with his dogs, racing jet skis, flying model planes and competition shooting.

Mr. Lawton is survived by his wife, Dianne E. Lawton; his brother, Brian Lawton; mother, Diane G. Lawton, all in this area; father, Wes Lawton and his wife Gail of San Miguel Allendo, Mexico. Additionally, he has aunts, uncles, and cousins in Maryland, Tennessee, and Georgia.

Memorials may be made to SPCA or the Chatham County Sheriff's Department.

Herbert H. (Pop Herbert) Buckner, Jr., 79, of Siler City died Wednesday, October 6, 2004 at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill.

Funeral services were held Saturday, October 9, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. at Rocky River Baptist Church with Rev. Greg W. Burris and Rev. Gene Booker officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Mr. Buckner was born June 22, 1925 to Leola and Herbert H. Buckner, Sr., of Siler City. He graduated from Silk Hope High School and married Ethel Moon of Snow Camp on June 26, 1943. For 37 years, he and his wife owned and operated Buckner Iron and Metal Company of Siler City and retired in 1991. Mr. Buckner was an active member and deacon at Rocky River Baptist Church and the the Adult Choir, which he thoroughly enjoyed. He was a charter member of the Zooland Region Antique Automobile Club of America, and enjoyed gardening. Herbert was a member of Siler City Masonic Lodge #403 AF & AM. He was devoted to his church, family and community.

Survivors include his wife, Ethel Moon Buckner of the home; sons, Ritchie Buckner and wife, Beverly of Carolina Beach, Jan Buckner and wife Paula of Rochester, MN; daughter-in-law, Diane Buckner of Siler City; grandchildren, Heidi Matthews and husband Neil of Siler City, Ritchie (Ritch) Buckner, Jr. and wife, Tammy of Haw River, Shane Buckner and wife, Cheryl of Denver, Kristin Buckner and Grace Buckner of Rochester, MN; great-grandchildren, Chase and Chandler Matthews of Siler City, Ritchie (Trace) Buckner, III of Haw River; and sister, Rochelle B. Moon and husband, Howard of Snow Camp.

Memorials may be made to Rocky River Baptist Church Building Fund, 4436 Siler City-Snow Camp Road, Siler City, NC 27344 or to a charity of ones choice.

Ernest F. (Dick) Willett, 75, of Siler City died Wednesday, October 6, 2004 at his home.

Funeral services were held Saturday, October 9, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. at Loves Creek Baptist Church with Rev. Roy Helms officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Mr. Willett was a native of Chatham County, and retired as owner-operator of Willett's American Auto Repair. He was an Air Force veteran of the Korean Conflict and attended Loves Creek Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Steven H. and Sue Trogdon Willett and a sister, Hilda W. Willette.

Survivors include his wife, Polly Stone Willett of the home; daughter, Katherine Willett Hackney of Raleigh; sister, Hazel W. Clay of Siler City; granddaughter, Mary Katherine Hackney of Chapel Hill; grandson, William Spencer Hackney II of Wilmington; and great-grandson, Nathan Spencer Hackney.