Obituaries

Valerie Rose Jimenez entered the world but her beautiful soul was already safe in the arms of Jesus. We will hold you in our hearts, until we can hold you in Heaven.Valerie means strength and courage. Though her life was far too short, she showed us a love deeper and stronger than we ever imagined…

Dwight Hiram McAlister of Chapel Hill, NC went home to his Savior on May 16, 2026, one day shy of his 81st birthday. Throughout his life, Dwight never knew a stranger and always had a kind word.  He helped more people than we can count, in ways both big and small.  Dwight was born in…

Forever in our hearts. Forever in his grace.When John was a child he saw a rocket launch. Despite people claiming he did not have the "aptitude" to become an engineer, he aimed for the stars and landed his dream job at NASA working as a rocket scientist engineer on the cutting edge of space shuttle…

Bayard McIntosh Atwood IV passed away unexpectedly on May 14, 2026, at UNC Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Born on July 29, 1976, in Tehran, Iran, Bayard’s journey was guided by a spirit of curiosity, kindness, and an ever-present playfulness that charmed everyone that knew him.Bayard’s life was one of both exploration and…

Jeanne Thompson Holmes, a dedicated medical technologist and remarkable endurance athlete, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2026 , in Durham, North Carolina. Born Dorris Jeanne Thompson on January 1, 1954, in Greensboro, North Carolina, Jeanne lived a life marked by quiet determination, humility, and an unwavering commitment to helping others.   Jeanne’s career choice was…

Kenneth Crawford Traynham, known to those who loved him as Ken, or Kenny in his youth, passed away on May 7, 2026, at Duke Family Pavillion after a period of declining health.Ken was born on October 12, 1945 in Charlotte, North Carolina. From an early age, he showed a sharp mind and a quiet determination…

It is with profound sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of Lori Sparrow, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, on May 6, 2026. Her loss leaves a void in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.Lori was born in Covington, Kentucky in 1958 to Jeanne and Donald Schulte. In 1964, her…

John Bernard Swanekamp, 97, of Chapel Hill, NC, and formerly of Sunset Beach, NC, and Allentown, NJ, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, April 29, 2026.Bernie was born in Baltimore, MD on July 8, 1928 to Frederick Swanekamp and Edith Mainhart Swanekamp. He grew up in Cranford, NJ, and met his wife, Patricia Johnson, at Cranford…

Paul Michael Kauffmann passed away peacefully at his home of 42 years in Durham, North Carolina, on April 28, 2026, after a long illness. Born on November 8, 1948, in Huntington, WV, Paul spent most of his childhood in Aurora, CO and Dallas, TX. Paul graduated from UNC-Charlotte with a B.A. in Philosophy and later…

Catherine “Cathy” McLeod Reynolds passed away peacefully in her home after a long and tenacious fight with a variety of health issues. Born and raised in Somerset, Kentucky to the late Dr. Robert and Cornelia “Dutch” McLeod, she attended Centre College and graduated from the University of Kentucky (with a second degree in math to…