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Virginia Christian Casey of Raeford died Monday, September 14, 2015 at her daughter's home at the age of 86.
She was born in Amherst, Virginia on June 30, 1929 to the late Robert A. Christian and Pearl Scharr Christian. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles O. Casey, her granddaughter, Paula Maddox, two brothers and two sisters. She was a member of the Memorial Christian Church in Lynchburg, Virginia.
She is survived by her daughter, Diane C. Wilson of Raeford; her son, Charles M. Casey of Lynchburg; her sister, Thelma Ann Gilbert of Richmond, Virginia; 4 grandchildren, Kevin Maddox, Jerry Wilson and his wife, Lori, Chris Casey, Robyn Branch and her husband, and Jason; 5 step-grandchildren, Lisa, Stephanie, Tony, Mark, and Perry; and 6 great-grandchildren, Morgan, Diana, Zoe, Victor, Josh, and Tim.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Ct. Glen Allen, VA 23060-9979, and/or to a charity of your choice.
David Mark Gillis, recently retired Southern States fertilizer plant manager in Lumberton, died in Wake Forest Baptist Hospital with an infection from a rare mosquito-borne virus, eastern equine encephalitis. He was 61.
A graduate of N.C. State with an A.A. in agriculture, he was a lifelong member of Antioch Presbyterian Church where he served as clerk of Session, sang in the choir, and participated in all activities related to care of its people, property and outreach. His community activism included Habitat for Humanity, Relay for Life, Raeford Turkey Festival and any cause addressing the needs of others. He lived without attachment to things and with loving compassion for people, animals and nature, especially his flowers. His generosity had no limit for family, friends, strangers, and stray animals. He invested in people, giving of himself in the tradition of St. Francis of Assisi – walking the path Jesus walked.
He is survived by his fiancé and loving partner of 27 years, Sheila Salinas; her children, David Salinas, and Donna and Steve Everett; beloved granddaughters Jordan and Christina Everett; and his much loved pets, Rusty and Harley. He is also survived by sisters Vicky Sawyer (Jerry), and Rita Gillis (Jeff Pierce); nieces Emily Kegerreis, (David), Rebecca Queral (Andrew), and Leah Pierce; and grand-nieces Hana and Clara Kegerreis.
Visitation with the family will be Thursday, September 17 from 7-9 p.m. at Crumpler Funeral Home, Raeford. A celebration of life will be Friday, September 18 at 1 p.m. at Antioch Presbyterian Church, 6583 Red Springs Road, Red Springs, NC 28377.
In lieu of flowers contribute to his legacy of service with support to: Antioch Presbyterian Church, Red Springs; Raeford/Hoke Habitat for Humanity, Raeford; or SECU Family House in Winston Salem.