Category: General

Marcus B. (Mark) Simpson, Jr. passed away November 19, 2023 in Hendersonville, NC.

Mark was born to Marcus B. Simpson, Sr. and Nora Grace Simpson 79 years ago in Sanford, NC and grew up in Statesville, NC.   Mark had an endless curiosity about the natural world that was especially inspired by his father and by his favorite teacher, Lois Goforth.  His love of nature and especially birds led him to join the Carolina Bird Club as a teenager in the 1960’s long before it was cool to be a young birder.  Legendary CBC contributor and author Eloise Potter encouraged his interest and an accidental meeting (staring at a bird and running into the car he was following on a birding trip) with ornithologist and author Roger Tory Peterson sealed the deal.

Mark went on to study biology at Davidson College where he met fellow birders and lifetime friends Doug Pratt, Sterling Southern, and Jim Davidson.  He studied biology under renowned professor Thomas (Bugs) Daggy, who further contributed to his interest in the natural world. From there Mark continued on to medical school at UNC-Chapel Hill and completed his internship and residency at Yale and Johns Hopkins Universities.  After serving in the US Army at Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital he had a highly successful and productive career as a Pathologist, both teaching and directinghospital laboratories at Duke University, George Washington University, the University of Pittsburgh, and finally returning home to North Carolina to retire from his final position at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.  He loved writing and was a prolific contributor to medical journals specializing in blood banking and transfusions.

As busy as his career kept him, medicine was never his only interest.  He always found time for his love of ornithology and natural history and was a frequent contributor to such publications as “the North Carolina Historical Review”, “the Archives of Natural History”, as well as decades of contributions to the quarterly publication of the Carolina Bird Club, “The Chat.”  His specialty in the birds of the Southern Appalachians culminated in his tour de force 1992 publication of Birds of the Blue Ridge Mountains (UNC Press).

Mark was preceded in death by his talented first wife, Sally Simpson, with whom he contributed articles on early whaling off the NC coast, and is survived by his second wife, Marilyn Westphal, who shared his passion for birds and the mountains and with whom he contributed articles on breeding Hermit Thrushes and Northern Saw-whet Owls in the Southern Appalachians.

Mark was a truly remarkable person who will be greatly missed by his friends and relatives, and he was a kind, loving husband and best friend to his heartbroken wife Marilyn.

A memorial service will be held for Mark in spring 2024 in his beloved Blue Ridge Mountains.  Exact location will be announced.  All are welcome to contribute to the memory of Mark with donations to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation or Conserving Carolina.

John “Bud” Bradley Cousar Jr. died peacefully surrounded by family in his home in Charlottesville, Virginia on November 17, 2023.

John was born on November 21, 1946 to John Bradley Cousar Sr. and Helen McMillian Cousar in Sumter, South Carolina. After the loss of his father when he was only nine, John went on to graduate from A.C. Flora High School in 1965 and Davidson College in 1969. Following in his father’s footsteps, John became a doctor, graduating from the University Of Virginia School Of Medicine in 1973. He practiced pathology for 38 years, serving as Director of Clinical Laboratories, Director of Hematopathology and Professor of Pathology at Vanderbilt University. In 2002, John joined the Pathology Department at the University of Virginia where he served as Professor and Director of Hematopathology as well as founding Director of the Hematopathology Fellowship Training Program until his retirement in 2011.

A culinary wizard, John could make a mean pot roast, rack of ribs, and jalapeño cornbread. He loved to fish and hunt with friends and even canoed competitively, though by his own account he was once lapped by a band of whistling girl scouts. He was deeply connected to nature and could rattle off the age, sex, and mating quirks of any bird that visited his homemade platform feeder. But John’s most accomplished art was surely comedy. Never one to miss a party, he was known for his deadpan punchlines that regularly left the room in tears of laughter.

Despite his many talents and professional accomplishments, John never boasted and always put others first. A true Southern gentleman, he was extraordinarily kind, humble, and wise, taking joy in simple, albeit eccentric, routines- compulsively mowing the grass, blurting out expletives to the “idiot” contestants on Wheel of Fortune, and staring blissfully for hours at wild turkeys with his friend Tess, the late standard poodle. Above all, John loved his family and his life’s joy was to make his wife, children, and grandchildren happy.

John is preceded in death by his sister, Helen Wells, and his parents, John Bradley Cousar Sr. and Helen McMillian Cousar. He is survived by his wife, Leslie Reed; his daughters, Lauren Cousar and Anna Mechem (Tyler); his stepsons, Reed Espinosa (Lauren) and Charlie Espinosa (Sierra); his grandsons, Milo Downie, Henry Mechem, Charlie Mechem, and Samuel Mechem; his nephew, Brad Wells (Alyssa); his sister-in-law, Jane Reed; and his first wife, Ellen Cousar.

A private family burial will be held at Panorama Natural Burial. An informal celebration of life will take place at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 3450 Blandemar Dr, Charlottesville, Va. In lieu of flowers, John would like you to fix a gin and tonic and enjoy yourself.

Benjamin (Ben) Cannon Jr. died on November 11, 2023 at the age of 76 in Chico, CA. Ben is survived by his wife Mary Cannon, Brother-in-law Lon Addams, nieces Kimberly Cronin and Stephanie Addams Jones. Nephews; Lee Addams and Joel Addams, stepchildren; Allison Craig, Hannah Boeldt and husband James Boeldt and their son Christopher James Boeldt, Alexander Craig and his wife Megan Craig. He is preceded in death by his parents Benjamin and Mary Cannon, his sister Marsha Addams and niece Lindsey Addams.

Ben was born in Statesboro, Georgia. He graduated from Davidson College in North Carolina and received his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia. He completed an Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma Washington and furthered his education with a degree in Diagnostic Radiology at Letterman Army Medical Center in San Francisco, CA. Ben proudly served as a Colonel in the United States Army Medical Corp until 1984. He worked as an Interventional Radiologist at Chico Community Hospital, North State Radiology, and Enloe Hospital in Chico, CA.

Ben married Mary Cannon on May 5, 2012. He retired to pursue his passionate interests; golf, abalone diving off the Mendocino Coast, snorkeling, hiking, traveling, and spending time with his wife, family, and friends.

Donations can be made in his name to Doctors Without Borders or in care of Brusie Funeral Home.

Services will be held December 2, 2023 at 11:00 at Faith Lutheran Church, Chico, CA.

Bishop Thomas Barber Stockton, of Arbor Acres, Winston-Salem, North Carolina moved from life to life eternal on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. Born to Norman and Emorie Stockton on July 26, 1930 along with his twin brother, Richard, he attended Wiley School, Reynolds High, Davidson College, Duke Divinity School, and Cambridge University, and received honorary doctorates from Pfeiffer College and Shenandoah University.

Tom married Jean Stevens, the love of his life, in 1953. They worked deeply together in ministry, family and life until Jean’s death in November, 2017. They had three children and nine grandchildren: Lisa Stockton Howell, and her husband James, and their children Sarah Howell-Miller, Grace Howell, and Noah Howell; Tom Stockton, Jr., and his wife Margie, and their children Rosie Stockton, Elizabeth Fox, and Katy Stockton; and Shannon Stockton Miller, and her husband Shannon, and their children Regan Johnson, Taylor Miller, and Sydney Miller.

He entered the United Methodist ministry in 1956 and served Thrift United Methodist Church in Charlotte, First United Methodist Church in Reidsville, Dilworth United Methodist Church in Charlotte, Central United Methodist Church in Asheville, Myers Park United Methodist Church in Charlotte, and Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in High Point. Tom then served as Bishop of the Virginia United Methodist Annual Conference. In addition, he served on the United Methodist Board of Higher Education, and as a Trustee of Duke University, High Point University, and Virginia Methodist College. Upon retirement he taught at High Point University until he and Jean moved to Arbor Acres.

A Service of Death and Resurrection will be held at Centenary United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem on Saturday, October 28, at 2 p.m., conducted by Dr. James Howell, Rev. Sarah Howell-Miller, and Bishop Ray Chamberlain.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Resident Assistance Fund at Arbor Acres, 1240 Arbor Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27104, or to Lake Junaluska, Annual Fund, PO Box 67, Lake Junaluska, NC 28745. Condolences may be made online at www.salemfh.com.

On October 7, 2023, age 69, longtime Haddonfield and West Windsor resident; Beloved husband of the late Tracy Stiefel; Loving father of Frank J. IV (Holly) of Portland, OR and William of Laramie, WY; Cherished son of Frank J. II and Genevieve; Dear brother of Christine, Virginia, Jeanne, and Joanne. Frank spent every day in service to his family, friends, and community. He cared deeply for those he knew well, while consistently opening his doors to those he met along the way.

Frank’s storied career in the pharmaceutical industry connected him to lifelong friends, colleagues, and his wife Tracy. He was known and respected across the industry and around the world for his sharp mind, big heart, and generous mentorship. Outside of work, he volunteered with Meals on Wheels and supported the Hands Together charity. Wherever he saw an opportunity to help, Frank stepped up to the plate, working hard without question. Before launching his professional career, he graduated from Davidson College, where he remained a proud and active alumnus throughout his life.

Frank had an intrinsic love of sports, especially the game of golf, and he shared this love with his family and friends. He rooted on his Yankees and Giants while nurturing and supporting the athletic pursuits of his children. His work and spirit of exploration led him around the world, cultivating a global perspective and enthusiasm for new places. Never shy to crack a joke, or share a smile, Frank could brighten any room. He was well-loved for his wit and intelligence. The music never stopped for Frank and he continued to see his favorite artists perform live throughout his life. His heart was most full when together with family and friends, his beloved dogs, sharing a day on the beach, or sitting down to a delicious meal. He would have sacrificed anything for those he loved. His loyalty and commitment knew no bounds. Frank’s soul held faith in God and he remained wholly grateful for the beauty he found on earth.

Frank’s family will receive friends on Thursday, October 26^th, 9:30-10:45 AM at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Wood Lane & Wayne Ave., Haddonfield, NJ; where his Service will follow at 11 AM.  Interment, private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honor of Frank may be made to The Humane Society of the United States.