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hannibal-obsessed · 3 years

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30 REASONS WHY THE LAMBS ARE STILL SCREAMING!!!

- Celebrating 30 years of The Silence of the Lambs Movie -

The Silence of the Lambs is a pop culture phenomenon, who’s influence is still being felt today. It is considered one of the best horror/terror/thriller movies of all time!

Released in 1991 on February 14th, The Silence of the Lambs evoked a blood curdling Valentine’s Day scream!

Happy Valentine’s Day

1991-2021

Author – Harris worked the cop beat for a Texas newspaper and had an interest in the macabre, often freelancing for Men’s Magazines (Argosy, True), writing about some of the most gruesome stories.

1. Thomas Harris – As the author of The Silence of the Lambs and creator of Hannibal Lecter, none of this would be possible without Harris. He’s an impeccable researcher, studying the cases of the most notorious serial killers at the time. Harris was seen at parts of Ted Bundy’s Chi Omega trial taking notes.

Actors

2. Jodie Foster – Foster’s portrayal of rookie FBI in training agent Clarice Starling, is a spot on performance. Foster shows Starling’s vulnerability and how her abandonment issues and need to advance in the FBI, bring her under Lecter’s spell.

3. Anthony Hopkins – Hopkins portrayal of Hannibal Lecter left an indelible mark that still haunts us 30 years later. Thomas Harris wrote Lecter...Hopkins brought him to life. The duality of Lecter, which Hopkins plays to perfection, leads you into a false sense of security...that perhaps he’s not that bad...until he lets loose on the police officers during his escape from custody.

4. Scott Glenn – Glenn plays the head of the Behavioural Science Unit at Quantico, Jack Crawford aka the Guru by his agents. Crawford uses his father like status to entice Starling to interview Lecter thus hopefully gaining access, which Lecter had denied other agents.

5. Ted Levine – Levine‘s portrayal of Buffalo Bill has a creep factor that is impossible to put out of your mind, especially when the song Goodbye Horses by Q Lazzarus plays...and he dances...

6. Anthony Heald – Heald’s portrayal of Dr. Frederick Chilton oozes contempt and arrogance, which doesn’t make you feel a bit sorry him when he becomes Lecter’s meal.

7. Brooke Smith – The all American girl who’s kidnapped by Buffalo Bill and held in a pit for the harvesting of her skin. Catherine Martin is a clever one though and hatches a plan to escape using Precious the dog as a hostage.

8. Frankie Faison – The only actor to appear in 4 of the 5 Hannibal Lecter movies. Barney Matthews survives Lecter with his politeness as Lecter abhors rudeness. Lecter believes whenever feasible, one should eat the rude.

Art/Symbols/Theme

9. Basements – The basement is an underlying theme in The Silence of the Lambs: The BSU of the FBI work out of the basement at Quantico; Hannibal Lecter is kept in the basement of the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane and Buffalo Bill’s sanctuary is the basement of the former Mrs. Lippman's house.

10. Death Head Hawk Moth/Transformation – The theme throughout The Silence of the Lambs is transformation. The Moth represents Buffalo Bill’s transformation from a pupae/chrysalis/cocoon into a beautiful butterfly.

11. Salvador Dali/Philippe Halsman – In Voluptas Mors/Voluptuous Death (1951), the most scandalous photo of it’s time was the brainchild of Dali and Halsman. Dali arranged seven naked women into a macabre skull. This skull is used as the marking for the Death Head Hawk Moth on the poster for The Silence of the Lambs, which has become synonymous with the movie.

12. Cannibalism – Lecter doesn’t keep trophies in the usual sense, he eats his victims ensuring they will be part of him forever and leaving no evidence behind.

13. Sketches – Hannibal Lecter is a gifted artist and uses his talent to escape the confining basement walls of The Baltimore State Hospital with sketches of the Palazzo Vecchio and the Duomo as seen from the Belvedere in Florence.

14. Music – Hannibal Lecter has an appreciation for the finer things in life like classical music in particular Goldberg’s Variations Aria. Catherine Martin rocks out to Tom Petty’s American Girl and Buffalo Bill dances to Goodbye Horses by Q Lazzarus.

Behavioural Science Unit – It was a new age of criminal behaviour which needed a new type of agent...a profiler.

15. FBI – The Federal Bureau Of Investigation was formed to combat the criminal Mob element by J. Edgar Hoover. It was only upon Hoover’s death that the FBI started exploring other avenues to catch a new type of killer, the serial killer. After Hoover’s death the FBI would start to hire female agents, which would spur Harris to write a story about an up and coming female agent in training.

16. John E. Douglas – Douglas is the real Jack Crawford, an agent who helped in the development of Behavioural Sciences to catch the newly ordained serial killer. Douglas was a consultant for The Silence of the Lambs movie and is an author of many serial killer/profiling books.

17. Robert Ressler – Crawford is also based on Ressler who was in charge of developing the BSU and was instrumental in the creation of profiling serial killers by interviewing them behind bars. Ressler is responsible for writing some of the best profiling books.

Production

18. Jonathan Demme – It’s Demme’s vision as Director of The Silence of the Lambs which is the magic that has cemented The Silence of the Lambs in the minds of all who watch and re-watch and re-watch...

19. Orion Pictures – The little studio that took a big chance. Unfortunately The Silence of the Lambs wouldn’t save Orion from bankruptcy and they’d be bought out by MGM, who would acquire their movie catalogue.

20. Ted Tally – The man who would turn Harris’ novel into a great screenplay, hitting all the major marks. Tally would pass on the Hannibal screenplay; being lured back for the Red Dragon screenplay.

21. Dino De Laurentiis – If not for De Laurentiis passing on the movie rights to Harris’ novel, The Silence of the Lambs, after the bad box office return of Manhunter, and for allowing Demme to use Hannibal Lecter, we wouldn’t even be discussing this 30 years later.

Quotes – The Silence of the Lambs gave us a few extremely recognizable quotes!

22. Chianti and Fava Beans – “I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.”

- Hannibal Lecter

23. Lotion – “It rubs the lotion on it’s skin or else it gets the hose again.”

- Buffalo Bill

24. Friendship – “I’m having an old friend for dinner.”

- Hannibal Lecter

Serial Killers – Harris based Lecter and Buffalo Bill on some very real killers...

25. Ed Gein – Buffalo Bill is part Gein for without the crimes of Ed Gein, Buffalo Bill wouldn’t exist. It was Gein’s skinning of corpses and his two murder victims that would inspire Buffalo Bill...

26. Gary Heideck – If Buffalo Bill is part Gein, he’s also part Heideck, who’d kidnap women and then tortured them in a pit in his basement.

27. Ted Bundy – Buffalo is also part Ted Bundy, who would lure his victims with injuries like an arm in a cast; he would seem vulnerable seeking help with books or a canoe and in Buffalo Bill’s case a chair.

28. Ed Kemper – What do Hannibal Lecter and Ed Kemper have in common? A high IQ., a fondness of co-eds and a love of cars.

29. Alfredo Balli Trevino – Harris met Trevino in a Mexican prison, mistaking him for a doctor who worked in the prison; Trevino was actually an inmate working in the prison.

Trevino was convicted of murdering then dismembering his lover. It was this encounter that would set the tone for Lecter.

30. Alonzo Robinson – Lecter has been compared to many serial killers over the decades, many of who’s crimes are too late to be included in The Silence of the Lambs novel (1988). It was most likely the story of Alonzo Robinson/James Coyner/William Coyner that planted the seeds of a cannibal killer in the young mind of Thomas Harris.

Influence – Every Serial Killer book written after The Silence of the Lambs was released in theatres, has a reference to it...even BTK referenced Buffalo Bill in his essay to FBI Profiler, John E. Douglas, among an impressive list of serial killers...Ted Bundy, Son of Sam, Ed Kemper, Steven Pennell and Gary Heideck.

Conclusion: Thomas Harris’ first Lecter novel, Red Dragon, turns 40 in October, so Hannibal Lecter has been part of our literary world for 40 years. Although Manhunter was released in 1986 as the first film featuring Lektor (spelling in the movie), it was Demme’s The Silence of the Lambs that will be remembered as bringing Lecter to the masses. Even though Hopkins would play Lecter two more times in Hannibal (2001) and in the remake of Manhunter, Red Dragon (2002), it’s Hopkins Oscar winning portrayal in The Silence of the Lambs that we will always remember and keep the lambs screaming...

Shannon L. Christie

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sweetboybucky · 5 years

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Soft asks :) 3, 12, 25 and 28.

3. Do you feel more connected to the moon or the sun?

I actually sort of dread having to choose between the two, because I think the moon and sun are both beautiful in their own unique ways, but I would probably have to say the sun. There is just something so special about waking to gorgeous, golden sunlight spilling into my room every morning.

12. Name a song that makes you feel ethereal.

Oh, this one is tough. There are a few:

Daniel by Elton John

WILD by Troye Sivan

Bubblegum by Clairo

get well soon by Ariana Grande

Mystery of Love by Sufjan Stevens

25. What’s a song that gives off good vibes anytime you listen to it?

Follow the Sun by Caroline Pennell is always my good vibes song. we fell in love in october by girl in red is a good one, too.

28. Name a book you don’t mind reading over and over.

Stolen by Lucy Christopher is one I find myself flipping through a lot, and of course, Call Me By Your Name is my forever favorite and one I drift back to all the time. I will never get over that book.

Thanks for sending these in, angel 💚

Simple and Soft Asks

#Rae answers #rowena1ravenclaw #simple & soft asks

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pangeanews · 6 years

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“Autumn at Sorrento”: la parodia del viaggio in Italia per Robert Browning. Ovvero: riflessioni sull’opera di un poeta da rileggere (senza di lui, non potremmo capire T. S. Eliot, Ezra Pound e Kavafis)

Un autore che non è più letto è un autore che non parla più. La sua voce è condannata al silenzio. Dimenticato, passato di moda (ma cosa c’è di più effimero e fuorviante delle mode letterarie?). Quando poi l’autore in questione si chiama Robert Browning, il poeta vittoriano che per oltre trent’anni fu, nonostante il suo genio, il «grande estraneo» della letteratura inglese, in quanto le sue opere venivano sistematicamente ignorate dal pubblico e stroncate dalla critica, può venire il legittimo sospetto che il destino si accanisca con certi artisti con una particolare determinazione. Eppure Browning è poeta grandissimo, senza il quale sarebbe impossibile comprendere autori del Novecento di primo piano, da T. S. Eliot e Ezra Pound, fino a Konstatinos Kavafis. Come mai, dunque, nessuno più lo legge? La prima risposta che mi verrebbe da dare è che è poeta troppo difficile per i nostri tempi (come altri poeti venuti dopo di lui poco o nulla letti, penso a Luis Cernuda, Hart Crane, Wallace Stevens). Tempi di semplificazioni, che rifuggono la complessità. E tuttavia Browning va letto e riletto (mi riferisco soprattutto ai suoi superbi «monologhi drammatici», e a tutta la produzione antecedente al poema che lo rese finalmente famoso, «L’anello e il libro», nel 1868), perché è dalla sua poesia che ha origine la modernità, così come la intendiamo oggi, così come la interroghiamo oggi, a dispetto della volontà di metterlo in soffitta. Così, dal momento che ruolo del critico è anche quello di ridare voce agli autori dimenticati, tenterò di farlo con una poesia di Browning, non la sua più importante, ma una di quelle a cui sono più affezionato, una poesia di estrema (ma solo apparente) semplicità, composta al ritorno dal suo secondo viaggio in Italia, nel 1845 (il terzo, e ultimo, lo compirà un anno dopo, nella sua fuga d’amore a Firenze con la moglie Elizabeth Barrett, appena posata).

La poesia è The Englishman in Italy (inizialmente con il sottotitolo Autumn at Sorrento, che mi fa venire sempre in mente, per assonanza, il malinconico e cullante standard di Vernon Duke, Autumn in New York, cantato da Billie Holiday): è ispirata al soggiorno di Browning a Piano di Sorrento, sui Colli di San Pietro, dove probabilmente il poeta fu ospite presso il Castello Colonna. Seppure priva di quella spiccata componente narrativa e drammatica tipica delle poesie che Browning andava elaborando per la raccolta Dramatic Romances and Lyrics, pubblicata nello stesso anno, questa poesia prende chiaramente le distanze dall’astrazione e vaghezza shelleyana scaturita dai viaggi italiani, rovesciando il sublime romantico in un elogio della concretezza e dell’infinitamente piccolo, della semplicità e dell’osservazione minuta, che l’avvicina, paradossalmente, al «prose-poet» del mai amato Wordsworth, per il quale la poesia doveva scegliere «eventi e situazioni dalla vita comune» (ma, come vedremo, l’avvicinamento è solo un pretesto, perché in Browning nulla è mai ciò che sembra). Non c’è più traccia qui di identificazione del Soggetto con la Natura, la quale è riscoperta piuttosto con uno sguardo microscopico, con un’attenzione al dettaglio, all’elencazione precisa, alla catalogazione quasi pignola, alla «descrizione pura» che cancella ogni residua partecipazione sentimentale. La componente emotiva è invece tutta sviluppata sul versante delle sensazioni visive, uditive e tattili, come una gioiosa rapsodia sensoriale, un caleidoscopio di immagini, suoni e colori. In questo eden ritrovato che è l’emblema di quella «rara, traboccante bellezza d’Italia» di cui Browning parlerà nella tarda raccolta poetica Asolando, l’io lirico descrive a un’immaginaria bimbetta di nome Fortù, sullo sfondo autunnale di una giornata di pioggia e scirocco, le vivide immagini di un paesaggio e dei suoi natural objects, caratterizzate da un notevole dinamismo descrittivo, tra cui il cibo svolge una funzione di primo piano.

Così, mentre «fuori, sui tetti a terrazza /dove seccavano i fichi, /le ragazze mettevano i graticci al riparo», a causa del maltempo, non c’è lo spettacolo del pescatore che torna da Amalfi, con il suo cesto «tutto palpitante / di polpi grigio-rosei e frutti di mare», mentre attorno a lui si stringono «come diavoletti mocciosi nudi strillando, / bruni come i suoi gamberetti».

Intanto è cominciata la vendemmia:

Nel tino in mezzo al portico /ribolle sanguigno il mosto, / e vi danza a gambe nude tuo fratello, / finché ansando fa una smorfia, / stremato dalla fatica incessante / di pigiare l’uva; / e quando pare abbia finito /nuovo bottino riversano /le ragazze che vanno e vengono senza posa / con la gerla sulle spalle / socchiudendo gli occhi alla pioggia sferzante.

Attraverso queste descrizioni vivide, Browning accumula pennellate di tonalità, con accostamenti cromatici, come in un quadro: il rosso del pomodoro «polposo», il porpora delle «fette di zucca fritta», insieme al blu dell’uva, al bianco della caciotta che «si sfalda come una cipolla» e ancora al rosso della polpa del fico d’India. Ma qual è lo scopo del poeta? Questa scoperta componente pittorica, questo colorismo, che cosa nascondono? Per capirlo dobbiamo arrivare alla seconda sezione della poesia, che è anche la centrale e più ampia, dove viene descritta la scalata, a dorso di mulo, sul «Monte Calvano», ovvero il Monte Vico Alvano, un’altura di 613 metri nei pressi di Arola, una frazione di Vico Equense (un’escursione che mi è capitato di fare a piedi, in pellegrinaggio, per omaggiare Browning e questa sua deliziosa poesia).

L’inizio ha un tono dimesso, ironico, in perfetta sintonia con la serena e gaudente bonarietà dell’introduzione:

Ieri pomeriggio sono salito alla montagna: / tuo fratello, che mi faceva da guida, / presto mi lasciò / per rimpinzarsi di mirtilli / che offrivano sul ciglio della strada / le bacche nero lucide e succose / o per cogliere il tesoro dei sorbi, le biondo rosee mirabili / sorbe lanuginose. / Ma il mio mulo continuava cauto sul sentiero, sicuro e sobrio, / fermandosi solo a ragliare / quando scorgeva giù nella valle / i compagni per via, / carichi di barili d’acqua e di fascine.

I riferimenti espliciti alla lirica di Shelley Marenghi sono qui utilizzati più per prendere le distanze dai suoi toni poetici solenni che per rendere omaggio al suo modello. Ed è proprio questa distanza ironica la chiave di lettura dell’intero componimento. L’immagine della guida che abbandona il poeta per «rimpinzarsi di mirtilli» – laddove il cibo e l’atto del mangiare svolgono ancora una volta un ruolo centrale – è infatti scopertamente comica, e anche quando il registro si fa più elevato, nell’accenno al tesoro dei «mirabili» sorbi, subito dopo il tono si abbassa con la descrizione del mulo che prosegue ragliando. Poi assistiamo ancora a un mutamento di tono: nel continuare la descrizione dell’escursione, e in particolare il movimento ascensionale del percorso, la natura viene antropomorfizzata, ma non per farsi specchio dello stato d’animo del poeta, secondo il tradizionale canone romantico, al contrario per enfatizzarne l’alterità, la distanza dall’uomo, la separazione, perfino l’ostilità. L’atteggiamento del poeta di fronte a questo nuovo aspetto della natura non cambia: il suo occhio resta impassibile, e continua ad essere attento alle manifestazioni più minute della realtà, con un approccio quasi da botanico, annotando le piante selvatiche come la «fumaria», i «mirtilli», i «nespoli», i «sorbi», i «fichi», e i sempreverdi come il «rosmarino» e i «lentischi». Solo quando viene raggiunta la vetta del monte Browning sembra cedere al topos romantico dell’ascesa alla montagna che conduce a una visione rivelatrice: «L’abisso divino /era sopra di me, e attorno, a me le montagne, /e sotto il mare, /e dentro di me il mio cuore a testimoniare / ciò che fu e che sarà».

I versi qui rievocano l’immagine del quadro di Caspar David Friedrich, Il viandante sul mare di nebbia, divenuto poi emblema del Romanticismo, e naturalmente della Ehrebung di matrice kantiana. Non c’è più traccia di «common life»: il tono sembra adeguarsi ora al travelogue poetico, a quel genere, cioè, del diario di viaggio in versi tipico del periodo romantico, dal tono uniformemente solenne, ispirato proprio dal Grand Tour in Italia, come il celebre Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage di Lord Byron, o Italy di Samuel Rogers. Anche la citazione biblica cui Browning ricorre, quando accenna al «terrible crystal» del cielo, riprendendo l’immagine da Ezechiele, è tipico del genere. E l’invito rivolto a Fortù di rinnovare l’avventura di Ulisse con le sirene, di fronte alla visione degli isolotti dei Galli, è un chiaro riferimento all’Italia immortalata come terra del mito e dell’antichità, come vuole la tradizione. Ma siamo sicuri che Browning non stia ancora parodizzando il suo modello? L’ironia, in effetti, è qui nascosta, ma continua ad agire ed è corrosiva. L’intero brano della poesia, infatti, assomiglia molto di più a un congedo definitivo, a un ultimo e tardivo omaggio a un periodo storico-culturale ormai chiuso del tutto, non a caso inserito proprio all’interno di un componimento che si confronta con un modello della tradizione romantica solo per prenderne le distanze, in un audace rovesciamento parodico. E difatti, chiusa la parentesi solenne della Ehrebung, Browning ritorna bruscamente al tono minore della prima parte, quasi a ricordarci la reale dimensione della sua poesia, fatta di notazioni minute, di personaggi umili, di distanziazione ironica: la comparsa in scena del «fabbro calderaio», che «ha piantato il suo fornello a mantice / e si è subito accovacciato / a martellare là sotto il muro» dilegua il climax romantico per contrasto, come se una miniatura avesse preso il posto di un affresco, con un procedimento non troppo dissimile da quello che utilizzerà di lì a poco Gustav Mahler nelle sue Sinfonie, opponendo triviali marcette militari e canzoni popolari a temi più «alti». Ora la scena è occupata interamente dai preparativi per la processione della Vergine del Rosario, con gli «addobbi apparecchiati» in chiesa – le colonne e gli stipiti decorati con «bandierine rosse e azzurre», la volta che «è uno sventolio di nastri», gli altari che brillano di ceri – e il palco pronto ad accogliere i musicisti che suoneranno indifferentemente Auber e Bellini. Browning indugia al pittoresco, ma la descrizione, animata e ricca di dettagli, va letta ancora una volta in chiara funzione ironica e oppositiva rispetto alla maestosità della «visione» sulla cima del monte. Così la «Madonna dai capelli di stoppa», condotta «in pompa magna / attraverso Piano», e i fuochi d’artificio esplosi a chiusura della «processione sgargiante» lasceranno il posto, a notte, alle «vampe di falò» che guizzeranno «dalla cresta del Calvano» e ad altri scoppi. E il racconto dell’io lirico si conclude, non a caso, con un altro invito alla fanciulla Fortù: stavolta, però, il poeta non le chiede di unirsi a lui per partire sulle tracce del mito di Ulisse, ma molto più modestamente – e l’abbassamento drastico di tono ha ancora una volta una funzione parodicamente antitetica – a vederlo «battere con una zappa sull’intonaco / finché non cade uno scorpione / dalle grandi pinze irose», come se l’unica odissea possibile fosse quella da vivere all’interno del proprio «orto», dove le fatali sirene da affrontare sono trasformate in un piccolo scorpione.

Quell’Italia che Byron definiva nel suo Childe «garden of the world», con tutto il suo carico di mitologie e fascinazioni è qui ridotta dunque a «garden» familiare, domestico, recintato da un muretto. Un microcosmo di piccole cose e di eventi minuscoli. «Bazzecole», come le definisce la stessa Fortù – «Such trifles!» – alle quali non resta che contrapporre, a chiusura della poesia, un riferimento concretissimo, cronachistico, alla discussione sull’abolizione del dazio sul grano – ancora il cibo come topos ricorrente, rivelatore direi – prevista in quegli stessi giorni nel Parlamento inglese. Una sorta di ritorno forzato in patria, un’Itaca non desiderata, che incarna il freudiano principio di realtà, a sancire una volta per tutte la fine del «sogno italiano». Il viaggio, l’evasione, l’alterità non sono più possibili. La fine dell’utopia, del mito, del Romanticismo, si celebra qui nella familiarità dello sguardo, nella reticenza dell’immaginario, nella percezione che il mondo finisca là dove la vista può estendersi. Un passo avanti, e siamo già alla vita misurata «con cucchiaini da caffè» dal Prufrock di Eliot. Anche per questo Browning è un grande poeta. E per questo va letto, dunque, per questo bisogna lasciare che la sua voce ritorni a parlare, la voce dei suoi fanatici religiosi, ciarlatani, artisti rovinatisi con le proprie mani, amanti traditi, cattivi poeti, insani uxoricidi, sofisti, mascalzoni di varia natura, viaggiatori caduti in disgrazia, truffatori; la voce del suo Pictor Ignotus, che si fa una ragione del suo anonimato, vi si arrocca dentro come se fosse una corazza, e finge di averlo scelto volontariamente; la voce del suo adorabile Fra Lippo Lippi, l’artista del corpo e dell’esperienza, convinto che, nonostante tutto, il mondo abbia pur sempre un significato «intenso» e «buono»; la voce del suo Orlando, il cavaliere in cerca della Torre Oscura, con la sua vocazione al fallimento. Solo così si può riscoprire il genio sorprendente di questo poeta vittoriano che, forse, ci può aiutare a guardare al nostro presente da una prospettiva più sghemba, più ardita, più imprevedibile, e soprattutto più ricca. In fondo, non è ancora questo lo scopo della poesia?

Fabrizio Coscia

(La traduzione dei versi della poesia è di Angelo Righetti, tratta dal volume: R. Browning, Poems-Poesie, Mursia, 1990).

L'articolo “Autumn at Sorrento”: la parodia del viaggio in Italia per Robert Browning. Ovvero: riflessioni sull’opera di un poeta da rileggere (senza di lui, non potremmo capire T. S. Eliot, Ezra Pound e Kavafis) proviene da Pangea.

from pangea.news https://ift.tt/2L9Pcft

#news #Poesia #bellezza #Browning #Byron #Ezra Pound #Fabrizio Coscia #La letteratura #Letteratura #N

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thorsenmark · 6 years

Video

flickr

This Time in Canyonlands National Park I Hiked to Explore the Island in the Sky (Canyonlands National Park) by Mark Stevens Via Flickr: On my last trip to Canyonlands National Park, it had been a short added drive to take in a few overlooks based on recommendations from a person at a local Austin camera store. Amazing views, needless to say, but this time I'd hope to explore and hike more locations. That's the story behind this walk about along Grand View Point Trail out to the less explored overlook. This view is looking to the southwest to the Green River area with canyon after canyon seemingly stretching to the horizon. With some angling of my SLR camera, I was able to catch a more sweeping view and not have much of a flattening look. Far (far off) in the distance are peaks of the Henry Mountains, including Mount Pennell and Mount Ellen. What also drew me into this image as I finished post-processing in Capture NX2 was the color contrast between the reds and browns of the national park and then blues and whites of the skies above. A contrast but also a complement for this setting in Canyonlands National Park.

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the-record-obituaries · 5 years

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Oct. 9, 2019: Obituaries

Brenda Johnson, 76

Mrs. Brenda Lowe Johnson, age 76, wife of L.E. Johnson of North Wilkesboro, died Saturday, October 5, 2019 at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

A memorial service will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, October 12, 2019 at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel with Rev. Darrell Poole officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 1:30 PM prior to the service at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home.

Mrs. Johnson was born January 8, 1943 in Wilkes County to Roy and Bertha Robinson Lowe.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Johnson was preceded in death by one sister, Hazel.

She is survived by her husband, L.E. Johnson, of the home; one daughter, Renae J. Ward and husband, Darrell, of Boone; one son, Brent Johnson and wife, Annette, of North Wilkesboro; four grandchildren, Nathan Ward and wife, Kayla, Rachel Brown and husband, Thomas, Tiffany Leonard and husband, Matt, and Megan Johnson and Seth Bell; six great-grandchildren, Sydney Ward, Cole Ward, Haddie Brown, Bailey Leonard, Tripp Leonard, and Leah Bell; six sisters, Betty Jo, Dottie, Margaret, Barbara, Tilly and Tootie; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Vascular Cures, 274 Redwood Shores Parkway #717, Redwood City CA 94065 or at [email protected].

Carol West, 76

Carol Burchette West, 76, of Spring Hill, Florida, passed away Sunday, September 29, 2019. Carol was born December 18, 1942 in Elkin, North Carolina. Carol was the daughter of the late Robert & Mauvrean (Pardue) Burchette. She came to Spring Hill three years ago from Wilkesboro, North Carolina and was employed as a cashier for Walmart for 20 years. She was Baptist by faith. Mrs. West was preceded in death by her husband, William Lloyd West.

She is survived by her sons and daughter-in-law, Robert & Jan West of Dallas, Georgia and William Thomas West of Randleman, her daughter and son-in-law, Alma "Lynne" & Mike McHugh; brother and sister-in-law, Robert "Frank" & Patsy Burchette of Winston Salem; and grandchildren, William Thomas West Jr., Michael Timothy McHugh II, Melanie Lynne McHugh, Robert Franklin McHugh and Max West.

Funeral service was October 8, at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Wilkesboro with Rev. Kevin Brown and Rev. Ken Pardue officiating. Interment was at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery where she will join her beloved husband. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Carol's honor to Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, 239 Champion-Mount Pleasant Road, Wilkesboro, NC 28697.

Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Brenda Hodges, 60

Brenda Lou Hodges, age 60, of Wilkesboro, passed away Thursday, October 3, 2019. She was born February 16, 1959 in Wilkes County to Gilford and Doris Hendren Johnson. Mrs. Hodges was a member of Cherry Grove Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her father; and her brother, Clay Johnson.

Surviving are her husband James Hodges; her sons, Josh Richardson and spouse Karen, Adam Richardson all of Wilkesboro, Ryan Hodges and spouse Bethany of Taylorsville, Adam Hodges of Millers Creek; her mother, Doris Hendren Johnson of Wilkesboro; sister, Linda Prevette and spouse Junior of Wilkesboro; grandchildren, Sera Richardson, Jared Richardson, Caleb Richardson, Avan Richardson, Anna Hodges and Nathan Hodges.

Funeral service was October 6, at Cherry Grove Baptist Church on Brushy Mtn. Road with Rev. Ryan Hodges, Rev. Tim McCann, Rev. Philip Moore, and Rev. Ethan Moore officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at Cherry Grove Baptist Church from 2:00 until 3:00 on Sunday, prior to the service. The family has requested no flowers. Memorials may be made to Gastroparesis Patient Association for Cures and Treatment. To donate go to g-pact.org Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Jerry Price, 81

Mr. Jerry Milton Price, age 81 of Millers Creek, passed away Thursday, October 3, 2019 at his home.

Memorial services was October 6, at Welcome Home Baptist Church with Rev. Lyn Lambert and Rev. Jeff Collins officiating.

Mr. Price was born November 29, 1937 in Iredell County to Raymond Milton and Jeanette Lewis Price. He was retired from Carolina Business Machines after thirty six years of service. Mr. Price was a member of Welcome Home Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three siblings; Diane, Joe and Grady.

Mr. Price is survived by his wife of sixty two years; Roberta Mitchell Price of the home, two daughters; Beverly Price Walsh and husband Kirk of Wilkesboro and Kathryn Price Junge and husband Chad of Cornelius, a grandson; Nathan Walsh, two sisters; Brenda Goodin of Mooresville and Jean Kennedy of Statesville, two brothers; Tony Price and wife Donna of Olin and Perry Price and wife Ida of Statesville, two step brothers and two step sisters.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Welcome Home Baptist Church 132 Welcome Home Church Road North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 or Wake Forest Baptist Care at Home Hospice 126 Executive Drive Suite 110 Wilkesboro, NC 28697.

Bob Osborne, 87

Bob Osborne, age 87, of North Wilkesboro, passed away Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at Forsyth Medical Center. Bob was born February 15, 1932 in Ashe County to Bryan and Vera Osborne. Bob spent most of his life living in Boomer, NC. He played guitar and sang for both his high school 4-H band and for the Gospel singing Travelairs. He was a US Airforce Veteran. Bob sold insurance for 38 years and was a beloved member of the community and of Cornerstone Church. Mr. Osborne was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Ruby Furr, Dorothy Hayes, Thelma Parker and Mildred Sexton; and brothers, Howard Osborne, Max Osborne and Ralph Osborne.

Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Grace Osborne; his son, Lee Osborne and Sandra Twomey of Hickory; granddaughters, Jacqualine Mahaffey and spouse John of Cornelius, Alisha Osborne of Asheville; his great grandchildren, Trajyn, Hayden, Gavin and Mika Mahaffey; and brother, Ronald Osborne and spouse Dorothy of West Jefferson.

A Celebration of Life with military honors by Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Guard Post 1142 was October 6, at Cornerstone Church in Wilkesboro with Rev. Workman officiating. The family has requested no flowers. Donations can be made to Cornerstone Church, 418 Wilkesboro Blvd., Wilkesboro, NC 28697 in honor of Bob.

Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

James Kennedy, 54

James Kenneth Kennedy, age 54, of Indian Trail, passed away Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at the home of his parents. Kenneth was born September 5, 1965 in Wilkes County to James Curtis and Brenda Stanley Kennedy. He graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Business. He attended Double Creek and Piney Grove Baptist Church. Mr. Kennedy was preceded in death by his brother, Tommy Ray Kennedy.

Surviving in addition to his parents, James Curtis and Brenda Stanley Kennedy of Hays; are his son, Josh Kennedy and spouse Tori of Traphill; daughters, Ashley Bare and spouse James of Crumpler, Kristina Tobar and spouse Christian of Lake Norman; grandchildren, Dalton Bare, Gannon Bare, McKinley Bare, Steven Tobar, Christian Junior Tobar, Fredy Tobar, Aiden Kennedy, Easton Kennedy and sister, April Ballard of Wilkesboro.

Funeral service was October 4, at Miller Funeral Chapel with Rev. Walter Hutchinson officiating. Burial followed in Piney Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society for Pancreatic Cancer, PO Box 9, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.

Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Barbara Howell, 80

Barbara Jean Howell, age 80, of Ferguson, daughter of the late Lida R. Testerman and the late Clyde S. Testerman, went home to be with our Lord and Savior on October 1, 2019. She was born October 17, 1938 in Ashe County. Barbara was a member of Duncan Acres United Methodist Church in Union, South Carolina. She was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, Franklin Testerman and Hunter Testerman.

Surviving are her husband of 62 years, Donald Howell; her children, Donna Parsons (Ron), Danny Howell (Jenny), Dianne Miller (Joel) and Dottie Lage (Randy); brother, Jerry Testerman (Marlene); five sisters, Janet Potts (Johnny), Jewel Mullis, Margie Stanley, Mary Ferguson (Danny) and Teresa Fraley (Mike); twelve grandchildren and six great grandchildren who she was known to as "Biggy"; and several beloved nieces and nephews.

Funeral service was October 3, 2019 at Mountlawn Mausoleum Chapel with Rev. Mitchell Phillips officiating. Burial followed in Mountlawn Memorial Park. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Wake Forest Stay at Home Hospice, 126 Executive Drive, Suite 110, Wilkesboro, NC 28697.

Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Mary Walker, 71

Mrs. Mary "Ruth" Phillips Walker, 71, of Boomer, went to her Heavenly Home to be with her Lord and loved one's that have gone on before, on Tuesday, October 01, 2019.

Ruth was born on October 28, 1947 in Wilkes County to Delbert John"Tom" Phillips and Della Dare Pennell.

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Stuart Monroe Walker; daughter, Barbara Lynn Walker and sister, Gloria Edminston.

Ruth is survived by her daughters, Sharon Key (Michael) Bobbie Walker (Mike) , Kathy Key (Mark) , Robin Souther ; sister Debbie Spears (Doug); brothers, Ansel Phillips, Wayne Phillips, Joe Phillips; 8 grandchildren, Adam, Brittney(Michael), Kody Key, Daniel, Jessica (Dustin) Brown, Lauren (Rodney) Sparks, Josh (Jenna) Walker, Jordan Souther; 5 great grandchildren, Callie, Trentyn, Killian, Mason, Stormy.

Memorial service was October 5, at Boomer Advent Christian Church. Pastor David Jones will be officiating.

In addition to flowers memorials may be made to Caldwell Hopice, 902 Kirkwood St NW, Lenoir, NC 28645

Adams Funeral Home of Wilkes has the honor of serving the Walker Family.

Dianne Eller, 72

Miss Dianne Madeline Eller, age 72 of Ferguson passed away Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at Wilkes Senior Village.

Private Graveside Services will be held at Hartley Ferguson Cemetery with Rev. Gordon Noble officiating

Miss Eller was born July 7, 1947 in Caldwell County to Vaden Greenmore and Julia Hartley Eller. She was a member of Beaver Creek Advent Christian Church.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a brother; Gary Douglas Eller.

She is survived by several cousins.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hartley Ferguson Cemetery Fund c/o Beaver Creek Advent Christian Church, 11665 W. NC Highway 268, Ferguson, NC 28624.

Randall Combs, 47

Randall Scott "Freebird" Combs, age 47, of West Jefferson, passed away September 30, 2019 at Ashe Memorial Hospital. Mr. Combs was born November 27, 1971 in Ashe County to Dale Emmett Combs, Sr. and Carolyn Price Combs. He was preceded in death by his brother, Dale Emmett Combs, Jr.

Surviving are daughter, Brianna Storm Nethery and spouse Mexwell Owen Feigel of Idaho; son, Dakota Scott Combs and girlfriend Kayla Bennett of Lansing; his parents, Dale Emmett Combs, Sr. and Carolyn Price Combs of West Jefferson; sisters, Karen Sue Barker of Glendale Springs, Tina Combs of Hays, Sharon Taylor and spouse Allen of Todd; and three grandchildren, Dalton Matthew Nethery, Wesley Owen Feigel, and Linsie Kalin Combs; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service was October 4, at Miller Funeral Chapel with Rev. Joey McClure and Rev. Tommy Dollar officiating. Burial followed in Goodman Cemetery Mulatto Mountain Road. Flowers will be accepted. The family has requested no food.

Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Keith McNeil, 51

Mr. Keith Daniel McNeil, age 51 of Ferguson, passed away Monday, September 30, 2019 at his home.

Funeral services were October 7, at Reins Sturdivant Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Kenneth Bumgarner officiating. Burial wasin Mountlawn Memorial Park.

Mr. McNeil was born May 23, 1968 in Wilkes County to Ike Daniel and Annie Ruth Church McNeil. He was a member of Dunkirk United Methodist Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five uncles; Lawrence Church, Kenneth McNeil, Ray Church, Vilas Church and Fred Junior Church and two aunts; Eula Dean Hyatt and Shirley Johnson.

He is survived by nine aunts; Judy Church of Ferguson, Stella Greene and husband James of Ferguson, Beulah Greene and husband Benny of Ferguson, Joyce Minton of Wilkesboro, Stena Payne and husband Vilas of Wilkesboro, Catherine Eller of Ferguson, Jeanette Edmiston of Ferguson, Rebecca Hamby and husband Steve of Ferguson and Elizabeth Marley of North Wilkesboro, four uncles; Tom McNeil and wife Edith of Ferguson, Henry McNeil and wife Shirley of Lenoir, Andrew McNeil and wife Gaye of Georgia and Charlie McNeil of Granite Falls and lifelong friends; Ida McNiel- Isaacs of Boone, Jeff Gentry of Kingsport, TN and dedicated friend; Carl Wolfe of Ferguson.

Flowers will be accepted.

Charles Hale, Sr. 70

Mr. Charles Allen Hale, Sr. age 70 of North Wilkesboro, passed away Monday, September 30, 2019.

Funeral services were October 4, at Reins Sturdivant Chapel with Rev. Steve Snipes, Rev. Jimmy McGlamery and Rev. R.C. Griffin officiating. Burial with Masonic rites by Wilkesboro Liberty Lodge #45 and Marine Corps League Brushy Mountain Detachment 1187 was in Scenic Memorial Gardens.

Mr. Hale was born October 16, 1948 in Columbus, OH to Raymond Lee Roy and Dorothy Flo Six Hale. He never met a stranger. He loved the simpler times which included trains, antiques and cowboy westerns. He took pride in helping his children and adored his grandchildren. He was member of North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church. Charles was a Vietnam War Veteran where he served in the United States Marine Corps. During his service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal w/1*, Vietnamese Campaign Medal 1/1960, Meritorious Mast, Ltr of appreciation, Air Medal w/1* and the Good Conduct Medal. Charles was a member of the Oasis Shriner Temple, Oldies Shriner Club, Past Master of Liberty Lodge #45 AF&AM, Wilkes Chapter 42 Order of the Eastern Star and was a member of the Wilkes Rescue Squad. Charles was a devoted public servant in the community having given years of service to the NC Forest Service and working for Wilkes County EMS where he was a retired EMT Intermediate.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister; Betty Leslein.

He is survived by his wife; JoAnne Combs Hale of the home, two sons; Charles "Chas" Allen Hale, Jr. and wife Jana Leigh Hale of Mooresville and Justin Andrew Hale and wife Kaylin Lambert Hale of Purlear, three grandchildren; Molly Leigh Hale, Caroline Elizabeth Hale and Allie Grace Hale, a sister; Edna Butts and husband Jerry of OH and a brother; Raymond Lee Roy Hale, Jr. and wife Arlene of FL.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Oasis Shriners Temple 604 Doug Mayes Pl Charlotte, NC 28262.

Claudia Eller, 90

Mrs. Claudia Mae Eller, age 90 of Purlear passed away Sunday, September 29, 2019 at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

Mrs. Eller was born May 25, 2019 in Ashe County to Carl and Edna Dancy Pruitt. She was an avid reader, loved flowers and animals and was a member of Millers Creek Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband; Bill Eller, two sisters; Ruby Harless and Mary Wilson and two brothers; Claude Pruitt and James Pruitt.

She is survived by three daughters; Susie Tilley and husband Daniel of North Wilkesboro, Kathryn Eller of Purlear and Barbara Foster and husband Roger of Concord, one son; Rickie Joe Waters of Virginia Beach, VA, five grandchildren; Michael Queen and wife Deanna, Timothy Burton Foster, Nicole Jacobs and husband Craig, Joey Eller and wife Wendy and Kristina Goulds, ten great grandchildren; Caleb and Noah Queen, Raegan and Garrett Foster, Madison Jacobs, Leah Meeks and husband Andrew, Chase, Brayden and Paxton Eller and Peyton Ann Goulds and one great great grandson; Dawson Meeks and fur baby; Kaley.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 9, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659

Mattie Blackburn, 78

Mrs. Mattie Church Blackburn, age 78 of Purlear, wife of Harold Blackburn, passed away Sunday, September 29, 2019 at Wilkes Senior village.

Private Graveside services were October 1, at Lewis Fork Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Dwayne Andrews officiating.

Mrs. Blackburn was born June 14, 1941 in Wilkes county to Troy Alton and Lora Mae Faw Church. She was a member of Lewis Fork Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by an infant brother and sister.

She is survived by her husband; Harold Clay Blackburn of the home, four daughters; Debbie Blackburn of Purlear, Patricia Wyatt and husband Jeffrey of North Wilkesboro, Beth Johnson and husband Roy of Purlear and Christian Cardwell and husband Kevin of Millers Creek, eight grandchildren; Jennifer Wyatt, Matthew Wyatt, Emilee Hartley, Courtney Pierce, Madison Huffman, Seth Hartley, Haley Cardwell and Hannah Ortiz, two sisters; Janie English of Drexel and Sue Shumate of Biloxi, MS. and one brother; Troy Leon Church of North Wilkesboro.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 9, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659

The family requests no food.

J.C. Felts, 87

J.C. Felts, age 87, of McGrady, passed away Saturday, September 28, 2019 at SECU Hospice Home in Yadkinville. He was born December 17, 1931 in Wilkes County to Everett and Cordelia Absher Felts. Mr. Felts was a member of Mountain Valley Baptist Church of McGrady and a US Army Veteran. Mr. Felts was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Christine Davis Felts; brothers, Don Felts, Edward Felts; and sisters, Hazel Felts Greene and Ruby Felts McGrady Royal.

The patriarch of the gospel singing group "Felts Family" and husband to Christine Felts as well as daddy to Cathy and Vicki went home to be with the Lord and join his wife of 66 years on September 28, 2019. His life began with very humble beginnings to a family during the depression. He lost his dad at age 5 and was then raised with two brothers and two sisters by a very determined Mommy. Despite all of his childhood struggles he overcame them all. At age 21 while working in Lenoir, he met a 16 year old young lady, Christine Davis. 30 days later they ran away and got married. Shortly after getting married he joined the Army and proudly served for two years. Leaving the military with a life long disability and with the help of his wife Christine, he successfully built three businesses from the ground up; at the same time raising his two daughters along with traveling as "The Felts Family". While building the business, "Felts Grocery and Snack Bar" he took his family and traveled for fifteen years singing the gospel.

He was a charter member of the McGrady Fire Dept. as well as the Halls Mills Ruritan Club. As he reached his retirement years he once again began a new venture, J & J Mobile Home Park. Throughout the rest of his life he continued being faithful to God's calling as a deacon, working in his local church as well as spreading the gospel in song at every opportunity.

When tragedy struck his wife of 66 years he faithfully took care of her until her death, June 1, 2019. For him he then felt like his work on earth was finished. The things that brought him joy in his later years was making music with old friends and playing his guitar. But the thing that brought him the most joy was knowing the family tradition of gospel singing was going to be carried on by his granddaughter, DeAnna Bumgarner Lovette and her family. J.C. Felts was not a perfect man but he was a perfect daddy, grandpa, great grandpaw. It brings us real peace to know he and our mother are now singing God's praises together and they will never grow old or sick again.

Surviving are his daughters, Cathy Bumgarner and spouse Garey, and Vicki Carty and spouse Tim all of North Wilkesboro; grandchildren, Deanna Bumgarner Lovette and spouse Bobby of Wilkesboro, Rev. James Jason Bumgarner and spouse Michelle of Millers Creek, Tabitha Lovette of Ronda, Rebecca Shepherd Minton and spouse Anthony of Wilkesboro, Brandi Carty Linville and spouse Kenneth of McGrady, Samantha Carty of North Wilkesboro; and twelve great grandchildren.

Funeral service was October 1, at Mountain Valley Baptist Church in McGrady with Rev. Jason Bumgarner, Rev. Donnie Shumate, Rev. Eddie Tharpe and Rev. Ronnie McManus officiating. Burial with military honors by Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Guard Post 1142 followed in Cane Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Cane Creek Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, PO Box 134, McGrady, NC 28649.

Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Mary Sheppard, 71

Mary Lou Lunsford Sheppard, age 71, of Wilkesboro, passed away Friday, September 27, 2019 at Wake Forest Baptist Health-Wilkes Regional. She was born June 21, 1948 in Wilkes County to Grover and Maie Hendren Lunsford. Mrs. Sheppard was a member of Cub Creek Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, William Bower Sheppard; granddaughter, Kayla Dubuque; grandson, Anthony Sheppard; brother, Coy Lunsford; and sister, Pauline Jarvis.

Surviving are her children, Beth Wood and spouse Jeff of North Wilkesboro, Mary Sales and spouse Donald of Ronda, Billy Sheppard and Kim Young both of Wilkesboro, Shane Sheppard and spouse Shelia of Purlear; grandchildren, Alicia Wood, Curtis Wood, Nicole Gwyn, Bill Hairston, Donavan Sheppard, Catlin Foster, Mason Foster; sisters, Irene Johnson and spouse Commie of Moravian Falls, Juanita Greene of Mulberry; brothers, Clyde Lunsford and spouse Debra of Moravian Falls, Billy Lunsford and spouse Vicie of North Wilkesboro; seven great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Memorial service was October 1, at Cub Creek Baptist Church with Rev. Brian Sampson officiating.

Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Vena Prevette, 90\

Mrs. Vena Mae Roope Prevette, age 90 of Hays, passed away Thursday, September 26, 2019 at Wilkes Senior Village.

Funeral services were September 29, at Round Mountain Baptist Church with Rev. Roger Jennings and Rev. Jason Wiles officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Mrs. Prevette was born February 26, 1929 in Wilkes County to James Sherman and Mattie Billings Roope. She retired from Modern Globe and was the oldest living member of Round Mountain Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband; Albert Prevette, a daughter; Debra Prevette, a son; James Albert Prevette, a granddaughter; Andrea P. Owings, two brothers; Wayne Roope and Fred Roope and a son in law; Clinton Miller.

She is survived by a daughter; Mary Miller of North Wilkesboro, a son; David Prevette of North Wilkesboro, five grandchildren; Brandon Prevette, Amanda McMillan, Barry Prevette, Michael Prevette and Dana Prevette, seventeen great grandchildren; Andrew Owings, Elizabeth Owings, Sarah Owings, Brendan Prevette, Laney Prevette, Brayden Prevette, Alexis Prevette, Christian Prevette, Joshua Miller, Cameron McMillan, Caleb McMillan, Cadence Prevette, Alexis Peacock, Hailey Peacock, Nathan Brown, Hailey Brown and Emma Brown, six great great grandchildren; Camilla, Calvin, Jaxon, Maddix, River and Delilah, a sister; Virginia Dare Neenan and husband Charles of Wake Forest, a brother; Clyde Roope and wife Charlene of King and a daughter in law; Margaret Prevette of North Wilkesboro.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Samaritans Purse PO Box 300 Boone, NC 28607.

Jerry Lowe, 74

Jerry Ray Lowe, age 74, of Lakeland, FL, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019 at Lakeland Regional Health. He was born Dec. 1, 1944 in Wilkes County to Roy and Vera Hall Lowe. Jerry attended Bethel Baptist Church in Lakeland, FL and was a US Marine Veteran. Jerry loved God and his family more than anything. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Clifton Lowe, Vera Hall Lowe and his brother, Everett Lowe.

Surviving are his children, Pamela Bracey and spouse Brian, Cynthia Shower and spouse Kevin of Lakeland, FL, Shoun Lowe and spouse Pennie of Euless, TX; and grandchildren, Easton Bracey, Layton Bracey, Brila Bracey, Chanse Shower, Bryse Shower, Courtney Martin, Dayna Lowe and Keyda Lowe; brother, Bill Lowe of North Wilkesboro, NC and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service was October 5, at Miller Funeral Chapel with Pastor Eddie Foster and Pastor Wayne Roberts officiating. Burial with Military Honors by Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Guard Post 1142 followed at Mountlawn Memorial Park.

Flowers will be accepted or donations to Bethel Baptist Church Building Fund, 3125 West Socrum Loop Rd, Lakeland, FL, 33810.

Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

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junker-town · 5 years

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How your NFL team can fix its biggest offseason needs

Buffalo Bills

The Bills used free agency to build around Josh Allen, getting quantity (if not quality) as they work to prop up their budding franchise QB. Wideouts John Brown and Cole Beasley will add viable targets for a weak passing game, and linemen Mitch Morse and Spencer Long should keep Allen from getting his jersey too dirty in 2019.

There are still plenty of holes to fill in Buffalo, however. The Bills lack the kind of game-changing WR1 who can give Beasley, Brown, and Zay Jones room to thrive. They could also use a run-stopping plug in the middle of the defensive line now that Kyle Williams has retired, and the secondary needs help as well.

Miami Dolphins

Miami needs help just about everywhere, and while signing Ryan Fitzpatrick gives the Dolphins some experience at quarterback, he’s no long-term solution. First-year head coach Brian Flores also brought former Patriots Eric Rowe and Dwayne Allen south with him, which ... yeah, isn’t splashy.

That leaves plenty of work to do in the draft and 2019 will be a rebuilding year, so Flores should prioritize adding as much pure talent to a barren roster as possible. Replenishing the team’s defense — primarily at edge rusher and in the secondary — and the offensive line would be a good start for what could be a long road back to prosperity.

New England Patriots

The Patriots watched some premium talent leave this offseason when Trent Brown and Trey Flowers each struck off for massive contracts elsewhere and Rob Gronkowski retired. Filling Tom Brady’s need for receiving talent is the uninspiring new group of Demaryius Thomas, Bruce Ellington, Matt LaCosse, Maurice Harris, and Austin Seferian-Jenkins. On the plus side, veterans Michael Bennett and Mike Pennel should be able to replace some of the versatile upfront presence Flowers left behind.

New England still needs young blood at wideout and tight end, as well as a dominant pass rusher to keep players like Deatrich Wise and John Simon in rotational roles. With 12 picks, the Patriots could also grab an offensive tackle and — gasp! — a quarterback to potentially replace Brady one day (if he ever stops playing football).

New York Jets

New York is following a similar blueprint as Buffalo: adding talent around a second-year quarterback to help coax a giant leap out. That’s brought Le’Veon Bell and Jamison Crowder into town to revamp the offense, while C.J. Mosley will be called upon to lead the Jets’ defense.

The team still needs to address the departures along the interior of its offensive line in order to allow Bell to feast and to keep Sam Darnold upright. New York also needs help at cornerback to allow the Jamal Adams-Marcus Maye duo to shine and an edge presence to balance out an uneven pass rush.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens lost some big names (C.J. Mosley, Joe Flacco, Terrell Suggs) and added a pair of their own in Earl Thomas and Mark Ingram. That’ll add an extra punch to the running game and provide a younger upgrade to Eric Weddle at safety, but Baltimore’s chance to repeat as AFC North champion may hinge on adding new, dynamic talent in this year’s draft.

The top priority may be giving Lamar Jackson the receiving (and tight end) talent he needs to thrive as a passer. He could use more help in the middle of his offensive line to clear a path for both him and Ingram on the ground, too. The Ravens also need pass rushers to replace the production Suggs and Za’Darius Smith left behind.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals’ quest to move on from the Marvin Lewis era meant re-signing marginal (or oft-injured) talent like Bobby Hart, C.J. Uzomah, and Tyler Eifert. Vontaze Burfict is gone though, so now the Steelers will have to drive 15 more yards than usual each time they play Cincinnati.

New coach Zac Taylor is an offensive-minded leader, but he’ll have to draft a cache of defensive talent to restore the Bengals to contender status. Cincinnati needs help in the trenches, with gaps at both defensive tackle and along the edges, and linebacker support — especially now that Burfict is gone. A quarterback to eventually take over for Andy Dalton could be on the agenda, too.

Cleveland Browns

Only the Raiders could match the Browns’ big-name activity this offseason, as new head coach Freddie Kitchens added Odell Beckham Jr., Olivier Vernon, Kareem Hunt, and Sheldon Richardson to his rising team. This influx of talent, coupled with the strong finish to 2018, has Cleveland looking like AFC North favorites for the first time in a long, long time.

There are still holes to be patched, though none especially gaping. A foundational left tackle could upgrade Baker Mayfield’s protection in 2019 and beyond. A linebacker who can be the Kirkland version of Jamie Collins and another cornerback would boost the defense. Oh, and a punter would help, too.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Le’Veon Bell? Gone. Antonio Brown? Gone. Jesse James? Also gone, but in much less dramatic fashion.

Who’s in? Mark Barron, Steven Nelson and, uh, Donte Moncrief.

So the Steelers need some fresh talent in this year’s draft. Getting an inside linebacker who can cover rangy tight ends and replace the leadership Ryan Shazier once provided would be a big win. Help at cornerback should Artie Burns never live up to his potential is also needed. And Ben Roethlisberger could use some supporting WR/TE help to keep Pittsburgh’s offensive legacy intact.

Houston Texans

The Texans lost two major components of their 2018 run when starting safeties Tyrann Mathieu and Kareem Jackson departed for eight-figure salaries elsewhere. Kevin Johnson and Christian Covington followed, leaving gaps only be partially filled by free agent signees Tashaun Gipson, Bradley Roby, and Briean Boddy-Calhoun.

Houston still needs secondary help, especially if Roby remains a bit of an enigma. But most importantly it needs to keep Deshaun Watson — who was sacked an unacceptable 62 times in 2018 — upright and healthy. Upgrading an ever-porous offensive line will be paramount to the team’s AFC South title defense.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts jumpstarted their rebuild with a handful of impact additions last offseason, but have been relatively quiet this spring despite a wealth of cap space. Indianapolis re-signed Pierre Desir, bet on Devin Funchess living up to his potential with Andrew Luck, and then lured Justin Houston north after he was released by the Chiefs to cap a small — but potent — free agent haul.

Chris Ballard absolutely nailed last year’s draft, adding two different All-Pros. This year he needs some wide receiving help behind T.Y. Hilton and Funchess, a pass rusher to thrive next to veterans Houston and Jabaal Sheard, and some secondary help to keep Desir from shouldering the entire load in the defensive backfield. He’ll have four top-90 picks to get there.

Jacksonville Jaguars

2018 was an impressive mess, and the 2019 offseason brought quarterback Nick Foles and not much else to help it. Jacksonville is betting last year’s defensive regression won’t last, adding only Green Bay linebacker Jake Ryan despite losing Tashaun Gipson and Malik Jackson. It still has several good, young players in place, but it would benefit from finding an edge rusher to pair with Yannick Ngakoue.

The Jaguars’ lack of cap space places an extra emphasis on drafting playmakers — particularly wide receivers and tight ends who can expand Foles’ margin of error. On a similar note, help at either tackle position would help keep Foles protected. He was sacked 4.5 percent the past two years in Philadelphia, while Blake Bortles and Cody Kessler were sacked on 9 percent of their dropbacks in 2018.

Tennessee Titans

Tennessee has to make a decision about whether to commit to Marcus Mariota at quarterback or not as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. The team has given him some extra weapons this offseason, signing slot receiver Adam Humphries and lineman Rodger Saffold. The latter will be particularly useful after losing both his starting guards from 2018 — Josh Kline and Quinton Spain — this spring.

Adding more playmakers would help Mariota be his best self, but a few impact defenders could transform the Titans’ defense from good to great. Tennessee needs additional depth at all three levels of the defense, including pass-rushing presences both inside and out and some safety help alongside Kevin Byard. Fortunately, the 2019 NFL Draft is loaded with those type of players.

Denver Broncos

John Elway has pegged Joe Flacco, a man with worse numbers than Case Keenum in 2018, as his Keenum replacement. And though he added Ja’Wuan James to hold down the right tackle spot, he also lost interior blockers Matt Paradis and Billy Turner in free agency, creating a need to protect the former Super Bowl MVP — or whichever rookie takes over.

Yep, quarterback is a major need Elway will have to address at the 2019 NFL Draft. So is tight end, where Jake Butt has been limited to just three games in two seasons due to injury. The Denver defense could also use an infusion of talent after backsliding in 2018. Most notably, the Broncos could use a powerful defensive tackle who can take the blocking attention away from Von Miller and Bradley Chubb along the edges.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs needed defense, but were too cash-strapped to keep the big names they already had in 2019. Eric Berry, Dee Ford, Steven Nelson, and Justin Houston are all gone from last year’s AFC finalist squad. Frank Clark, Tyrann Mathieu, and Alex Okafor will help bolster the defensive rebuild, but they’ll need help.

Kansas City enters the draft with several needs and some unappealing picks with which to fill them, especially after trading its first-round pick for Clark. It needs secondary help to keep teams from outscoring Patrick Mahomes. And, if the value is there, the Chiefs wouldn’t be too off base by picking up some interior line help to keep Mahomes upright.

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers’ 2018 put them back in contention for the AFC West crown, but a tight salary cap situation meant the biggest contract they’d hand out would go to backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Los Angeles’ free agent losses were minimal — deep threat Tyrell Williams, lane-clogging DT Darius Philon, and oft-injured cornerback Jason Verrett foremost among them — so there’s a chance Philip Rivers’ team can compete in 2019 even without a new crop of rookie playmakers.

Of course, an impact draft class could be the missing piece that sends Rivers to his first Super Bowl. LA needs receiving talent to replace Williams and give Keenan Allen some downfield support — especially if Allen gets injured again. The team could also use some help along the edges to keep its veteran quarterback protected.

Oakland Raiders

Jon Gruden’s second offseason was somehow busier than his first, as he handed out massive deals to Trent Brown, Tyrell Williams, and Lamarcus Joyner after trading for unhappy Pittsburgh wideout Antonio Brown. Vontaze Burfict is also here to give John Madden flashbacks of his 1970s Oakland squads.

The Raiders are primed for a bounce back, but they’ve still got needs to address if they’re going to compete in the ultra-tough AFC West. They no longer have a Khalil Mack-like presence in the pass rush and could use help both on the edge and from the interior of their defensive line. They also need secondary help — a need that’s haunted the team for what seems like the past decade — and a useful dual-threat tailback to replace Marshawn Lynch ... whenever.

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys used this offseason to keep DeMarcus Lawrence locked down and bring Jason Witten out of retirement, which is a boon for both their receiving corps and any of us who failed to mute Monday Night Football in 2018. Signing Randall Cobb adds an extra weapon for Dak Prescott, who will be without Cole Beasley and Geoff Swaim after both signed elsewhere. And while George Iloka isn’t Earl Thomas, he’ll still add value to the Dallas secondary.

But Prescott still needs targets, particularly at tight end with Witten pushing 37 years old. And that defense could use a long-term solution at safety, especially since Iloka is only signed for a single year. Getting Lawrence a pocket-crumpling running mate would be a boost as well.

New York Giants

Dave Gettleman’s reshaping of the Giants’ roster has been puzzling for much of the 2019 offseason. He traded both Odell Beckham Jr. and Olivier Vernon to the Browns, leaving big shoes to fill at wide receiver and defensive end — although the latter trade landed guard Kevin Zeitler in New York, helping to upgrade an offensive line that struggled in 2018. The Giants also lost Landon Collins, one of the best young safeties in the NFL, in free agency.

The Giants found replacements by signing receiver Golden Tate, pass rusher Markus Golden, and safety Antoine Bethea. But all three are downgrades, and the team still has work to do at the most premium positions — not to mention quarterback, where a replacement for Eli Manning needs to be found soon.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles already have a roster that should continue to be in Super Bowl contention, so the offseason has mostly just been small tinkering to make it even better. The Eagles added Malik Jackson to the defensive line, traded to bring receiver DeSean Jackson back to where his career began, and added running back Jordan Howard in another trade.

There are no holes on the roster that desperately need to be filled, but Philadelphia could stand to add defensive depth. Michael Bennett was traded away to the Patriots, leaving room for another pass rusher to be added to the mix. More help in the secondary and a replacement for 37-year-old left tackle Jason Peters could also be top priorities.

Washington

The offseason started for Washington in a big way with the addition of Landon Collins, a transformative safety who should make a gigantic difference on defense. The problem is the rest of the spring has just been depressing for the team.

Alex Smith probably won’t be back in 2019, and Washington acquired Case Keenum as the quarterback to temporarily fill those shoes. The team also signed colossal draft bust Ereck Flowers for offensive line depth, and pulled cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie out of his brief retirement.

Washington is left with plenty of rebuilding to do. A quarterback of the future needs to be found at some point, but a pass rusher to complement Ryan Kerrigan may be the even higher priority. The team also needs receivers, defensive backs, and offensive linemen.

Chicago Bears

Last year, the Bears dove headfirst into free agency and then landed Khalil Mack in a trade just before the regular season. The 2019 offseason hasn’t been nearly as exciting, but it hasn’t had to be. Chicago is already a contender and tried nudging itself over the hump by signing safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and receiver Cordarrelle Patterson.

Clinton-Dix will help offset the loss of Adrian Amos, who joined the Packers in free agency. The Bears also lost cornerback Bryce Callahan and running back Jordan Howard, but the additions of Buster Skrine and Mike Davis should fill those holes.

All that leaves little work left for general manager Ryan Pace to do in the draft. The Bears could target help in the secondary, another pass rusher, or hunt for some skill position upgrades.

Detroit Lions

The coup of the offseason for the Lions was pass rusher Trey Flowers, who will make a big difference on defense if he provides more consistency than Ezekiel Ansah did. That was far from the only move Detroit made, though. The Lions also brought on cornerbacks Justin Coleman and Rashaan Melvin, tight end Jesse James, and receiver Danny Amendola.

Still, the roster has plenty of reconstruction left to do. Matthew Stafford needs more help, and Detroit could benefit from drafting another receiver and one of the many top tight end prospects this year. Most of all, Matt Patricia could use more pieces on defense — especially in the secondary and on a defensive line that needs to add more than just Flowers.

Green Bay Packers

It was an uncharacteristically active venture into free agency for the Packers, who added safety Adrian Amos, linebackers Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith, and offensive lineman Billy Turner. All those additions free up Green Bay to use the draft to fulfill its top priority of the offseason: Make Aaron Rodgers happy.

Outside of Davante Adams, there really aren’t many receiving options that the Packers can feel comfortable with on the roster. Both receivers and tight ends could be on the draft-day wish list for Green Bay. The Packers could also stand to round out the defense with linemen and defensive backs to complement their free agent additions.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings’ defense was still good in 2018, but quarterback Kirk Cousins wasn’t the savior who pushed the team over the top. Part of his struggled can be attributed to an offensive line that failed to clear space. Minnesota hasn’t done much to fix that yet, though. It lost Nick Easton in free agency released Mike Remmers, and only spent big money to retain Anthony Barr.

Protecting Cousins is clearly the top priority heading into the draft, at both guard and tackle. Other places on the roster — like running back, wide receiver, and defensive tackle — could stand to add depth as well.

Atlanta Falcons

The offseason for the Falcons has consisted of more subtraction than addition with Tevin Coleman, Robert Alford, Andy Levitre, and Bruce Irvin all leaving as free agents. Atlanta kept the most important impending free agent, though, by giving defensive tackle Grady Jarrett the franchise tag.

Still, Matt Ryan has no shortage of weapons, and the defense has speed at linebacker and in the secondary. Now, Atlanta needs to add beef on both sides of the ball.

The defensive line will be the more important project of the two with defensive tackles and pass rushers at the top of the wish list. The offensive line needs help too, but adding James Carpenter and Jamon Brown in free agency may serve as a solid band-aid for the situation.

Carolina Panthers

It’s starting to feel like a bit of a broken record at this point: The Panthers need to upgrade Cam Newton’s supporting cast. Keeping offensive tackle Daryl Williams and signing center Matt Paradis was a start, but the offensive line could still use more help and receiving options are thin after D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel — especially after the departure of Devin Funchess.

But the bigger issue is a defensive line that has Kawann Short, Mario Addison, and not much else. Julius Peppers finally retired and that leaves pass rusher as the clear top priority for the team heading into the draft.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints didn’t need to do much this offseason after a 13-win season, and that’s good because they didn’t have many resources to use. New Orleans needs cap space in the reserves to lock down Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara for the future. But the team still managed to tinker away in free agency and add tight end Jared Cook and center Nick Easton. It lost pass rusher Alex Okafor and running back Mark Ingram, but replaced the latter with Latavius Murray.

New Orleans isn’t scheduled to make its first draft pick until late in the second round, but there’s no single pressing need that the Saints have to address. Adding a defensive tackle, wide receiver, or cornerback who can contribute as a rookie could be all it takes to push the Saints over the top.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bruce Arians’ first year coaching in Tampa looks like a rebuilding one. The Bucs made few big moves this offseason; their most expensive signing of the spring was punter Bradley Pinion. Kwon Alexander, Adam Humphries, and even Ryan Fitzpatrick have all moved on from Tampa Bay, leaving Arians with an opportunity to shape the team in his image.

Alexander’s departure leaves a hole in the middle of the defense, and the receiving corps are pretty limited after Mike Evans thanks to Humphries’ departure and the trade that shipped DeSean Jackson back to Philadelphia. Some high-upside defensive backs would also help bolster one of the league’s worst passing defenses — and allow quarterback Jameis Winston to win some games that aren’t shootouts.

Arizona Cardinals

While the Cardinals made some minor moves to improve an awful roster this offseason, their rebound from 2018’s bottoming-out will come through the draft. Defenders like Jordan Hicks, Darius Philon, and Robert Alford were strong supporting additions, but players like J.R. Sweezy, Charles Clay, and a 36-year-old Terrell Suggs probably aren’t going to be instrumental to the team’s rebuild.

Kyler Murray would, however. Taking a second straight first-round quarterback would give debuting head coach Kliff Kingsbury a passer he’s long coveted and make Arizona infinitely more entertaining. The Cardinals need plenty of help elsewhere, no matter who their 2019 QB is — restocking the team’s offensive line and receiving corps should be a priority during the draft.

Los Angeles Rams

2019 has been a measured offseason for a Rams team that built an NFC champion over the course of the previous two years. Starters like Lamarcus Joyner, Rodger Saffold, and Mark Barron have departed, replaced by Eric Weddle, Clay Matthews, and whomever can step up either in this year’s draft or from previous drafts.

The reigning NFC West champs aren’t hurting for talent, but an aging secondary could use reinforcements — many of which will be available at the end of the first round. There’s need up front, too, especially since it appears Ndamukong Suh won’t be returning to Los Angeles this fall.

San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco lost a season due to quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s knee injury, but 2019 should bring improvements thanks to the expensive addition of linebacker Kwon Alexander and pass rusher Dee Ford, and the low-risk, high-reward signings of Tevin Coleman, Jordan Matthews, and Jason Verrett. The free agent losses were minimal, too — the biggest names leaving Santa Clara were punter Bradley Pinion and rotational pass rusher Cassius Marsh.

The Niners have premier position in this year’s draft, which should allow them to pick up the pass-rushing talent they need with the No. 2 selection. Their second-round spot will yield a solid group of young receivers to team up with Marquise Goodwin, George Kittle, and Dante Pettis and push Garoppolo to a resurgent season. A little extra blocking wouldn’t hurt, either.

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle’s latest attempt to protect Russell Wilson swaps out J.R. Sweezy for Mike Iupati, which is a step in the right direction but probably not enough for Wilson to avoid being one of the league’s most-sacked QBs again. While retaining K.J. Wright and the awaiting-sentence-for-insider-trading Mychal Kendricks helps, that won’t offset the losses of defenders like Shamar Stephen, Justin Coleman, Frank Clark, and especially Earl Thomas.

If the Seahawks want to stave off a decline, they’ll have to add some defensive talent both up front and in the backfield to provide at least a passable imitation of the former Legion of Boom. Wilson still needs help too — not just from a cheesecloth offensive line, but also from a group of wide receiver and tight end targets led by Tyler Lockett and a 31-year-old Doug Baldwin.

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