AUSTIN

Mr. Demery Mack Austin, 79, of Buies Creek died Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013 at UNC Hospitals. Arrangements by O’Quinn-Peebles Funeral Home, Lillington.

Demery Mack Austin, 79, of Buies Creek died Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013 at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill following a period of declining health. He was born in Smith Co., Miss., son of the late Daniel McKeice Austin and Lilla Rhodes Austin. He was also preceded in death by brothers Elbert Ray Austin and Hulon Cade Austin.

Demery served 27 years in the U.S. Army, retiring in 1980 as a Chief Warrant Officer 4. He then spent a total of 10 years working as a Properties Manager in Saudi Arabia on a contract between the U.S. Government and the Saudi Arabian National Guard.

Demery was an active member of Buies Creek First Baptist Church. He was a past Chairman of the Board of Deacons as well as the Properties Committee and Cemetery Committee among others. He was a past President of the Harnett County Shrine Club and the Buies Creek Lions Club, as well as a member of the Military Officers Association and the Warrant Officers Association.

A celebration of Demery’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 27 at Buies Creek First Baptist Church with Dr. Michael Simmons officiating. Burial will follow in Lakeside Memorial Gardens with full military honors. The family will receive friends at O’Quinn-Peebles Funeral Home Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m.

Demery is survived by his wife, Frances Gregory Austin; his son and daughter-in-law, Ronnie and Jodi Austin of Ormond Beach, Fla.; his daughter, Diane Austin of Fayetteville; his stepdaughters, Sherrie VanderVeen of Clarkston, Mich., and Kim Howard of Buies Creek; his grandchildren Aaron Austin, Kansas Austin, Katie VanderVeen, Davis VanderVeen and Kelsey Howard; and Granddog, Beaches. He also is survived by Katie and Davis’ father, Dr. Scott VanderVeen.

In lieu of flowers memorials to Buies Creek First Baptist Church, Debt Retirement Fund, PO Box 160, Buies Creek, NC 27506.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to O’Quinn-Peebles Funeral Home. Online condolences at www.oquinnpeebles.com.

BURKS

Oley “Rocky” Ottis Burks, 78, died Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. A Memorial service was held on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 6:30 p.m. at Kipling United Methodist Church. The family received friends immediately after the service.

Mr. Burks was preceded in death by his parents, Silas and Goldie Burks; and sister, Juanita Green.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Gloria Ann Gregory Burks; daughter and son-in-law, Sherry and Ricky Morrow of Carrollton, Ga.; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Bridget Burks of Fuquay-Varina; granddaughter, Magan Burks; brothers, Larry Burks, Jerry Burks and Garry Burks; sisters, Linda Bowles, Geneva Deering and Rosetta Gilbert; and nephew, Gary Haynes.

Flowers are welcome or memorial donations may be made to Kipling United Methodist Church, 55 Kipling Church Road, Kipling, NC 27543.

Arrangements by Thomas Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at www.thomasfuneral.com.

HAMILTON

Glenn Marshburn Hamilton, 82, of Bunnlevel went to be with the Lord on Friday, Feb. 22, 2013. He is the son of the late James Arthur and Minnie Marshburn Hamilton. He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert L. Hamilton and a sister, Juanita Marks. Glenn worked at the N.C. Department of Corrections for 31 years. He was the grounds keeper for Flatbranch Presbyterian Church for many years and a volunteer fireman. He enjoyed gardening and watching Westerns. He is survived by his wife of 43 years Peggy Smith Hamilton; a daughter, Cheryl Hamilton; a son, James Allen Hamilton and wife Lisa; all of Bunnlevel; a sister, Gertrude Williams of Princeton; and several nieces and nephews. A celebration of life was held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at Flatbranch Presbyterian Church with Rev. Bert Pitchford officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery. The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 25 at O’Quinn-Peebles Funeral Home in Lillington. In Lieu of flowers memorial may be made to Flatbranch Presbyterian Church, 130 Darroch Road, Bunnlevel, NC 28323.

Funeral Services entrusted to O’Quinn-Peebles Funeral Home. Online condolences at www.oquinnpeebles.com.

HILBERT

Douglas William Hilbert, 64, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013. A memorial service was held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21 at Cumberland Union Church, 2259 Cokesbury Road in Fuquay-Varina. The family received friends immediately after the service.

Doug was a proud Vietnam Veteran. He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Jeana and Dan Gorman of Mooresville, N.C., and Laura and Jason Faucette of Fuquay-Varina, N.C.; grandchildren, Patrick and Collin Gorman and Ava Grace and Jase Faucette.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.

Arrangements by Thomas Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at www.thomasfuneral.com.

RAY

Mary Privott Ray, 91, of Lillington passed away Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013 at WakeMed Raleigh.

She was born on May 24, 1921 in Edenton, N.C., to the late Charles Daniel and Mary Harrell Privott. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles C. Ray; and two sons, Charles C. Ray, Jr. and Mike Ray.

A Funeral service was conducted at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 24 at Leaflet Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Terry Williams officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery. The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23 at O’Quinn Peebles Funeral Home.

Mrs. Ray is survived by a daughter, Mary Grace Mason (Terrence) of Concord; a son and daughter-in-law, Duncan B. and Mary Ray of Raleigh; daughter-in-law, Elke Ray of Columbus, Ga.; two sisters, Anna Privott and Grace Privott Blanchard of Edenton; nine grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.