In Memoriam

Memorial wall and Columbarium

Gary Everette Gammill

January 7, 1944 - May 21, 2011

Gary Everette Gammill, a faithful servant of God, died peacefully Saturday, May 21, 2011 at the Hospice Home of Wake County after suffering for several months from cancer.

He was born January 7, 1944 in Shelbyville, TN to Eva Mae Prosser Gammill and James Mitchell Gammill, Sr.

Gary graduated with a Bachelor’s in education from Florida Atlantic University. He earned a Master’s in curriculum and instruction from Florida Atlantic and a degree in administration from UNC.

He taught social studies and math in middle and alternative schools before becoming the assistant principal at North Ridge Elementary and then the principal at Douglas Elementary. He was the principal at Northwoods Elementary when he retired in 2006.

Gary was active at Apex United Methodist Church, where he served as a Stephen Ministry leader and belonged to the Mayberry Sunday School class. He helped launch Read and Feed, a local literacy program for at-risk children, and he was on the board of Western Wake Crisis Ministry.

He enjoyed working with tools, feeding wild birds, watching Carolina basketball, doing crosswords, and telling stories, and he loved being Granddad to his grandchildren. He was a man of tremendous faith, humility, and love, and he’ll always be remembered for his helpfulness to others, his smile, and his sense of humor.

On June 11, 1966 he married his sweetheart, Marsha Derey Gammill, who survives him. They would have celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary in June. He is also survived by daughters and sons-in-law Julie Gammill Gibson and Michael Gibson of Pittsburgh, PA, and Amy and Tony Read of Wilmington, NC; grandchildren Ruby, Everett, and Eva Gibson and Jack, Ava, and Lydia Read; brothers Jim (Marge), Steve (leanne), John (Mary), and Rick (Kathi); sisters Judy Julian (David), Patsy Gammill, and Kathy McCann (Mike); dear in-laws Nancy and Jerry Sparrow, Bill Derey, and Wesley Derey; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Dr. Jon A. Brandt

September 10, 1947 - November 26, 2012

Dr. Jon A. Brandt died in his home on Monday, November 26, 2012. Jon was born September 10, 1947 to Alvina and Donald Brandt in Anna, OH. He loved his childhood on the farm, raising farm animals, participating in the State Fair with the 4H Club, and his year abroad in Sweden when he was in high school. He attended and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Ohio State University where he was also a proud member and president of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, and he went on to earn his PhD at the University of California-Davis. Jon served as an officer in the U.S. Army at the Pentagon during the Vietnam War.

Jon is survived by his two children, Melissa Brandt Nelson and her husband Ken (and their two daughters Emily and Claire) and Ryan Brandt and his wife Laura (and their sons Ryder and Miles). He never had the opportunity to meet his grandchildren, who would no doubt have brought him a great deal of joy, as family was very important to Jon.

Jon lived a long full happy life, even though he was only 65. He loved his work, colleagues and students at NC State University in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. Jon was then recognized as the longest active serving Department Head at the university, a position he held for over twenty years. Among his many honors and awards, he was recognized in 1996 as a Distinguished Alumnus of the Ohio State University. From 2003-2004, he was the President of the American Agricultural Economics Association. He spent countless hours serving on Boards and consulting for the agricultural industry, both in North Carolina and nationally.

He was devoted and faithful to another of his passions, his church, Apex United Methodist. He sang in the choir, was involved in Bible Study and classes, and served on many committees over the years. He was a devoted Ohio State and NC State sports fan and loved his baseball trips with his friends and weekends at the beach with his family and constant companion, his beagle Maggie.

Jon was absolutely known as a generous and loving man. He cared deeply for his family and friends. He was a man of constant faith, even in the face of challenges, which brought inspiration to many around him. He was a happy man, and was able to spend a very blessed Thanksgiving with his whole family before his death.

Donald Howard Flayhart

December 6, 1932 - March 20, 2016

Donald Howard Flayhart, 83, died March 20, 2016, at his home.

Donald was born on December 6, 1932, in Baltimore, MD. He was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the U.S. Army Transportation Corps. Donald’s life-long passion was transportation. He was a member of the National Railroad Historical Society (Philadelphia and Baltimore chapters), the Motor Bus Society and the Baltimore Street Car Museum. He worked for Trans World Airlines (TWA) for 33 years.

Donald is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Joanne. He is also survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Sherry and Andrew Bain of Matthews, NC, and Karen and Brian Stoller of Deerfield, IL; his four grandchildren, Maddie, Caitlin, Lindsay and Zachary; his sister and brother-in-law, Peggy and Donald Wagner of Hanover, PA; and several nieces and nephews.

Glenn Eldridge Mason

July 15, 1941 - June 1, 2017

Glenn Eldridge Mason passed away on June 1, 2017.  Glenn was born in Harnett County on July 15, 1941, the son of the late William C. and Savannah H. Mason. He was married to Elaine Bartlett of Goldsboro on August 4, 1962 and is survived by his loving wife, with whom he enjoyed over 54 years of marriage.

Glenn was educated at Guilford Technical Institute, Atlantic Christian College (Barton College) and Duke University where he earned a Masters of Divinity. He was ordained an Elder in the North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church and loyally served congregations in Saulston, Oriental, Durham, Raleigh, Clayton and Apex. He was honored to be named Pastor Emeritus at Apex UMC where he remained active in many ministries until his death.

In addition to his loving wife Elaine, he is survived by his sons, David of Holly Springs and Kevin and his wife Cathy of Fuquay Varina; his brother, William Mason and his wife, Annette, of Kinston; his eight grandchildren: Cameron and Harper of Holly Springs and Holden, Grant, Savannah, Audrey, Davis and Eva of Fuquay Varina; his sister-in-law, Sue Uzzell of Scotland Neck; and brother-in-law Lemuel Bartlett and wife Gwen of Goldsboro; and many nieces and nephews.

Glenn was blessed to have served numerous congregations and developed lasting friendships throughout his life.  He took great pleasure in many activities including time spent at the beach with his family, speckled trout fishing and gardening. Glenn was committed to living a life of spiritual growth and service. Every Friday morning, he gathered with Glen Astolfi, James Dobson and Bill Kempffer for coffee in what they called their Men’s Accountability Group. He cherished these friendships and immensely enjoyed being a part of a group of men committed to spiritual formation and living a life in service to God. Glenn leaves a legacy of a life lived in service to others, an undying commitment to his relationship with God and the covenants of spirituality he so deeply cherished.

Arthur F. Clemm Jr.

May 29, 1937 - May 3, 2018

Arthur F. Clemm died peacefully on May 3, 2018, after a long, brave battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Art was born in Wilkes-Barre, PA on May 29, 1937.

He attended Meyers High School prior to earning a bachelor’s degree from Wilkes University and later a master’s degree from Lehigh University. Art retired after four years in the USAF and 25 years with Western Electric Company. He moved to Apex from Seaside Park, NJ in 1998 and was an active member of the community for the past 22 years.

Art loved his family and is survived by his wife, Joyce, of 59 years, his daughter Julie (Matt) Moon and son Mark (Colleen) of Pennington, NJ.  Also surviving are brothers Carl (Penny) of Gilroy, CA and Paul (Mary) of Dallas, PA and his many nieces and nephews. Also left with priceless memories of their “Pop Pop”/Grandpa are Tyler, Meghan, Brian, Ryan and Chris.

Sandra K. Hughes

February 24 ,1946 - February 20, 2021

Sandra Kellar Hughes, 74, of Apex, NC passed away February 20, 2021 at Transitions Life Care Raleigh, NC. She was born on February 24, 1946 in Illinois to William and Betty (Fawcett) Kellar.

Devoted wife, loving mother, who also cherished her role as grandmother. She was a child of God and a member of Apex United Methodist Church and actively involved in their Prayer Shawl ministry as well as Alliance Church’s Chemo Cap program. She attended Pensacola Junior College before becoming a stewardess for Eastern Airlines, and later graduated from Meredith College. In addition to her roles as a wife, mother and grandmother, she started a craft business named SandiCrafts sewing items for children; she started a lawn mowing business called Ms. Mowers, and she started a non-profit business at the Women’s Center enabling women to earn income from all occasion greeting cards which she marketed through Hallmark stores in the Triangle Area. She enjoyed the outdoors and exercise including YMCA Water Aerobics and walking. Often you could find her in Emerald Isle biking around the island on her yellow bike. She found solace in gardening and working in the yard. She lived life to the fullest and will be remembered as someone who always put others before herself, constantly finding ways to support and care for her friends and family.

Charlie and Sandi met on the beach in Pensacola in April 1967, married in July 1967, and have been together ever since. Charlie took her home to meet his parents for the first time and his father said “You have done good.” How right he was! They celebrated 53 years together in 2020 and set an example of an ideal marriage for their children and grandchildren. She loved her family with all of her heart. She put their needs above her own and enjoyed welcoming anyone who loved her family into her home. Anyone who was friends with her children when they had open lunch during high school certainly enjoyed many lunches prepared by Sandi. She loved crafting, sewing, and knitting always having a project or craft to do with the grandchildren. She was known for her homemade sourdough bread which she made from starter that she kept alive for 50 years. Her grandchildren named it “Grammy Bread” and it was a family favorite for all who knew and loved her. You were someone special if you received Grammy Bread! She enjoyed playing cards and her family marveled at the fact that she could beat anyone in Gin but never once sorted the cards in her hand! Many fun nights were spent at the beach and at home playing the card game Hand and Foot with friends and family. She was a member of many groups of friends who celebrated birthdays, planned wedding and baby showers for each other’s children and grandchildren, and made meals for each other frequently. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by William Edward Kellar (father). She is survived by Betty Kellar (mother), Charles Hughes (husband), Larry Kellar (brother and wife Ellen), Kristen Bradshaw (daughter and husband Thomas), Charles Hughes III (son and wife Amanda), Angela Smelcer (daughter and husband Hudson), and grandchildren Hazel Hughes (granddaughter), Cranz Smelcer (grandson), Rye Hughes (granddaughter), and Elyse Smelcer (granddaughter).

Michael S. Bereman

July 3, 1981 - March 17, 2021

Michael S. Bereman born July 3, 1981 of Apex, NC passed away peacefully at home on March 17, 2021 surrounded by his loving wife, family and friends. Michael bravely battled Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS/Lou Gehrig’s Disease) for 6 years.

An Apex native, Michael attended AV Baucom Elementary, Apex Middle, and Apex High Schools (graduating class of 2000). While he was an avid athlete and sports fan, his greatest love was the game of basketball, playing from the age of 4 with his older brother Matthew all the way to varsity basketball at Apex High School, which was one of his fondest memories. His formative years were truly shaped by his “small town” community and playing sports which yielded relationships with friends, teachers and coaches that would last a lifetime.

Michael was a lifelong Wolfpack fan, proudly earning his BS in Chemistry with a minor in Mathematics in 2004 and his PhD in Analytical Chemistry in 2009, both from NC State University. He would then continue to the University of Washington in Seattle for a postdoctoral position in the Genome Sciences department while he and wife Meagan enjoyed life as newlyweds in the Pacific Northwest for several years.

A faculty position at NC State University in 2013 would then bring Michael back to the east coast and his alma mater to start his dream job in the College of Sciences and begin his own family where he was raised. Michael’s doctoral and postdoctoral research was shaped by biomarker research for many diseases, but it wasn’t until his own diagnosis of ALS in 2015 would his focus forever be changed. Michael quickly became a giant in the field of ALS research and enjoyed sharing his passion for science with his students, where their work together would be published in top tier journals. His collaborations as a tenured Associate Professor and University Faculty Scholar would forge relationships around the world. He was awarded prestigious grants from the Department of Defense, the national ALS Association and other elite universities and research institutions to continue his pursuit of novel and dedicated research to ultimately find a cure for ALS. The Bereman’s family motto was shaped by Coach Jim Valvano’s famous quote, “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up!” and Michael lived by these words. He worked furiously right up to a few days before his passing by utilizing his eye gaze computer technology.

Michael’s passion and drive for life was evident in all that he did and all whom he loved and held close in his life. May we all continue to never give up and fight with each earthly breath to make a difference and change the world, just as he did. We are forever grateful for his mark left on our hearts, and the legacy left in his beloved children Mason and Millie who will surely follow in their Daddy’s footsteps of always being “Bereman Brave”.

Michael is survived by his loving wife Meagan Myers Bereman, children Michael Mason, and Millicent Middleton, adoring parents Dr. Robert Deane Bereman and Barbara Jo Melbourne Bereman of Apex and beloved brother Dr. R. Matthew Bereman (Julie) and nieces Madelyn Mae and Aubrey Rose of Fuquay-Varina.


When Great Trees Fall

When great trees fall, rocks on distant hills shudder,
lions hunker down in tall grasses, and even elephants lumber after safety.
When great trees fall in forests, small things recoil into silence, their senses eroded beyond fear.

When great souls die, the air around us becomes light, rare, sterile.
We breathe, briefly.
Our eyes, briefly, see with a hurtful clarity.
Our memory, suddenly sharpened, examines,
gnaws on kind words unsaid, promised walks never taken.

Great souls die and our reality, bound to them, takes leave of us.
Our souls, dependent upon their nurture, now shrink, wizened.
Our minds, formed and informed by their radiance, fall away.
We are not so much maddened as reduced to the unutterable ignorance of dark, cold caves.

And when great souls die, after a period peace blooms, slowly and always irregularly.
Spaces fill with a kind of
soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never to be the same, whisper to us.
They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be better. For they existed.

-Maya Angelou