Smith & Buckner Funeral Home

07/31/2026

Arthur "Buddy" Ralph Capps

Arthur Ralph Capps,(Buddy) 69, of Siler City, North Carolina, passed away on July 29,2026 surrounded by his loving family.

Buddy was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He shared his life with his beloved wife, Lou Ann Capps, and together they built a family that was the center of his life.

He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years ; his children, Marshall Capps spouse (Kimberly), Bell Capps, Elijah Capps, and Jennifer Oglesbee spouse(Jimmy); his grandchildren, Corey Bray spouse(Jasmine), Courtney McBee spouse (Preston ), and Cassidy Bray; and his cherished great-grandchildren, Braxton and Maggie Bray.

Buddy was employed with Caviness Trucking and had a lifelong love for driving big trucks. He took great pride in his work. He enjoyed working with his hands and was always willing to lend a helping hand to family, friends, and neighbors. His strong work ethic, generous spirit, and quiet strength left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.

Above all, loved the Lord and was faithful to his church. His faith guided his life and was reflected in the kindness, compassion, and love he showed to others. He found great joy in spending time with his family and creating memories that will be treasured for generations.

Though his presence will be deeply missed, Buddy’s legacy of faith, love, hard work, and devotion to his family will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

The family appreciates the prayers, love, and support shown during this difficult time and asks that Ralph be remembered for the life he lived, the love he shared, and the faith that carried him through every season of life.

A Visitation will be held at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home, 6:00pm - 8:00pm Saturday, August 1st, 2026.

The Funeral will be 4:00pm, Sunday, August 2, 2026, at Plainfield Friends Meeting Church, with Pastor Wayne Lamb officiating the service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorials in Buddy's memory may be made to Plainfield Friends Meeting Church.

View Arthur "Buddy" Ralph Capps's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/31/2026

Boyd Lee Culberson

Boyd Lee Culberson, 76, died, Wednesday, July 29th, 2026, at his home in Siler City, NC.

He was born February 12th, 1950, in Chatham County, son to the late Gladys Johnson and Wade Clifton Culberson.

Surviving family members include his sons, Chris Culberson (Bobbie) of Asheboro, NC and William Culberson (Heather) of Bear Creek, NC; his grandchildren, Wyatt Culberson, Casey Culberson and Jacob Joyce; his great-grandchild, Sofia Santos; his sister, Yvonne Mashburn of Siler City, NC; and his brothers, Robert Culberson (Audrey), Glenn Culberson and Archie Culberson, all of Siler City, NC.

A Graveside Service will be held 10:30am, Tuesday, August 4th, 2026, at Rocky River Baptist Church.

View Boyd Lee Culberson's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/29/2026

Edna Esther McAllister Becker

Edna Esther (McAllister) Becker, 92, of New York, entered her heavenly home on July 23, 2026, at Elcor Nursing and Rehabilitation, Horseheads, New York. Edna was born November 19, 1933, in Queens, New York to Ferdinand and Esther McAllister.

Edna married Guenther K. Becker in December 1953. The couple had four children. Following the death of her husband in 1966, Edna and her children moved to Toms River, New Jersey where she was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Toms River and worked as a home health aide.

Edna and her children moved to Siler City, North Carolina in 1983, where she was a devoted member of the Siler City Presbyterian Church. Her deep and abiding faith was a guiding presence throughout her life, providing her with strength, comfort, and grace. She worked at the VA Medical Center in Durham as a unit clerk for many years.

Edna was blessed with many dear friends and treasured the time she shared with them. Her warm smile, compassionate heart, and genuine kindness drew people to her, creating friendships that lasted a lifetime. She especially enjoyed traveling with her friends from the Siler City Senior Center, embracing every opportunity to explore new places and create lasting memories. Whether traveling across the United States or abroad, Edna approached each journey with a sense of adventure, curiosity, and gratitude. The friendships she cultivated and the experiences she shared brought her great joy and enriched her life in countless ways.

In her later years, Edna moved to Big Flats, New York, where she was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. Edna attended the Daytime Program at Elcor Nursing and Rehabilitation for several years before eventually becoming a resident there.

Edna is lovingly remembered by her children: Bernhard Becker and his wife, Karen, of South Carolina; Bruce Becker and his wife, Sue, of Delaware; and Martha and her husband, Kyle, of New Jersey. She also leaves behind eight cherished grandchildren and seven beloved great-grandchildren, each of whom brought her immense joy and pride.

Edna was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Guenther Becker; her beloved son, Ralph Becker; her cherished grandson, Jesse Becker; and her siblings, Marilyn Hargrave, Melvin McAllister, and Ward McAllister. Though she will be deeply missed, her love, faith, and the memories she created will live on in the hearts of her family and all who knew her.

A visitation will be held at Smith & Buckner, Siler City, NC. from 8:30am to 10:30am on Friday, July 31. Graveside service will follow at Chatham Memorial Park, Siler City, NC.

Smith & Buckner Funeral Home will be assisting the Becker family.

Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh.com

View Edna Esther McAllister Becker's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/28/2026

Patricia Rice Smith

Patricia Rice Smith, 83, of Siler City, died Saturday, July 25, 2026.

Patricia was born in Chicago Illinois on May 11, 1943, to Richard Rice and Josephine Sandners Rice. She was teacher for many years. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family.

She is survived by her son, Lewis Fadely; granddaughters, Morgan Keefer and husband, Austin, Jennah Fadely and Shirley Villatoro; stepson, Greg Smith and wife, Susan; and sister-in-law, Naomi Rice. Patricia was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, John Rice; and husband, Ray Smith.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Oakwood Cemetery at 10:00 am, with Rev. Bob Wachs officiating.

Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is serving the Smith family.

Online Condolences may be made at www.smithbucknerfh.com

View Patricia Rice Smith's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/28/2026

Jacqueline Mae Valentine Sheffield

Jacqueline Mae Valentine Sheffield, 64, of Siler City, went to her Heavenly home on Saturday, July 25th, 2026, at home surrounded by family.

Jacqueline was born on October 3rd, 1961, in Lee County, to Billy and Nelle Valentine.

She is survived by her husband, Lacy Sheffield; her sons, Joe Sheffield and Travis Valentine; her daughter, Liz Sheffield; and her sisters, Kathy Sheffield, Billie Gardner, and Cheri Valentine.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date.

Smith & Buckner Funeral Home will be assisting the Sheffield family.

Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh.com

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07/15/2026

Frederic Hobson Griffin, Jr.

Frederic “Bobo” Hobson Griffin, Jr. went to his Heavenly home on July 11th, 2026, at home. Known as Hobson for the first couple of years of his life until his sister, who was learning how to talk, called him "Bobo" which forevermore became his moniker.

Bobo did not care one whit for statistics. He outlived all the doctors and nurses who didn't expect him to live past childhood, much less to sixty years old. Though his childhood was anything but normal, he was still a mischievous big brother who chased his sisters around with boogers and loved to surprise them with foul smells--universal brother humor. Despite being non-verbal, Bobo could still communicate in his own way. He was stubborn and feisty; he had a sense of humor and sense of adventure; he inspired many people by his resilience and determined spirit.

Bobo was a resident of Alpine Cottage at Murdoch Developmental Center for fifty-three years. In that time there have been countless staff members who worked with Bobo. They have all become like family and they grieve this loss every bit as much as we do. Words cannot fully express our gratitude to every person who loved Bobo over the years. They not only cared for his medical and physical needs but joked and played around with him and respected the unique person God created him to be.

Bobo is preceded in death by his parents, Frederic "Bud" Hobson Griffin, Sr. and Mathilde "Teal" Miltenberger Griffin; three of his grandparents: Marvin Griffin and James and Adeline Miltenberger; aunts and uncles: Ray Griffin, Linda and Len Meltz, and Mary Rush Schreiber.

He is survived by his two sisters: Mary-Garner (Jim) Merz and Elizabeth "Lizz" Griffin (John Redner); grandmother, Estelle Griffin; aunts and uncles: Jerry Ann Griffin, Jenny (Gary) Lester, Elaine (Joe) Barton, Sherry (Richard) Holloman, and Bob Schreiber; nieces and nephews: Caroline (Michael) McAdams and their children, Jeannie and Anthony, Julia Lopez, Garrett Merz, Catherine (Ian) Fernandez, Isabella (Kayden) Garibay-Shephard, Sarah Lopez, John Frederic Merz, and Celeste Merz.

A Funeral Mass will be held 10:30AM, Friday, July 17, 2026, at the Murdoch Center in Butner, NC. A visitation will follow at 11:30AM. Bobo will be buried at Chatham Memorial Park in Siler City, NC.

In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully asks that donations be made and specifically applied to Alpine Cottage in memory of Bobo Griffin to the Murdoch Center Foundation either by mail Murdoch Center Foundation, P.O. Box 491, Butner, NC 27509 or via their website.

Smith & Buckner Funeral Home will be assisting the Griffin family.

Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh.com

View Frederic Hobson Griffin, Jr.'s obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/11/2026

View Alberto Aldair Charles Zapata's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/09/2026

Emma Jean Burke

Emma Jean Callicutt Burke, 86, of Bear Creek entered her heavenly home on July 8, 2026, at SECU Jim & Betsy Bryan Hospice Home of UNC in Pittsboro. Mrs. Burke was born in Chatham County on July 5, 1940, to Causy Lee Callicutt and Linnie Bright Callicutt Crutchfield. She attended Bonlee High School and graduated as the Valedictorian of the Class of 1958. After graduation, she began working and then on November 19, 1960, she married the love of her life, Harold Thurman Burke. They spent almost 60 years side by side before Thurman entered his heavenly home on May 29, 2020. She was preceded in death by Vernon Lou Carter, Beulah Lee Gwynn, James Walter Callicutt, Lester Eugene Callicutt, and Mary Louise Fields.

Throughout Thurman and Emma Jean's entire life, they were both faithful and humble members of Sandy Branch Baptist Church where Emma Jean served as the church clerk, taught Vacation Bible School and was the Children’s Church leader. For many years, she made sure the church sanctuary was adorned with beautiful flowers on Sunday mornings…oftentimes, you could find one of her heartfelt written poems honoring and remembering those she loved. Once you entered the doors of the church, you immediately became family to Emma Jean. She welcomed everyone with open arms, especially the children as they ran to her every week to get their bag of candy. Her love for the Lord and her church family will long be missed as she instilled in so many people how to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

For over 50 years, Emma Jean was the face of Chatham Hospital as she was the Emergency Room Clerk. She faithfully worked there until her grandchildren were born and then she came home to be Granny, Big Nana and Fuzzy. She always made sure they were loved, rocked, read, and sung too. Buying books for them was one of the many ways they were spoiled…between Pa’s “Pepsi Money” and Granny’s prayers, Shelton, Chance and Emma were very blessed. For the past 8 months, she shared all those same blessings with Hunter who brought her great joy! She enjoyed shopping, getting her hair done every Thursday, pedicures, buying bracelets and lunch with friends. She is survived by her son Stephen Douglas Burke and wife Lynda of Bear Creek, Joseph Harold Burke and Fiancé Tiffany Roberts of Bear Creek. Grandchildren, Shelton Burke and wife Mackenzie of Bear Creek, Chance Burke of Mooresville, NC, and Emma Burke of Siler City, NC. Her great-grandson Hunter Thurman Burke of Bear Creek, NC. Also surviving is her brother Frank Crutchfield of Augusta, Georgia. Mrs. Burke had several nieces and nephews whom she loved and enjoyed spending time with.

The family will welcome friends and family at the home of Doug and Lynda Burke, 537 Willis Dunn Road, Bear Creek.

A visitation will be held Sunday, July 12th, 2026, at Sandy Branch Baptist Church from 5-7 pm. Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 13th at 11 am, at Sandy Branch Baptist Church. Services will be officiated by Reverend Jimmy Brown, Reverend Marc Sanders, and Reverend Bob Wachs.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Sandy Branch Baptist Church or SECU Jim & Betsy Bryan Hospice Home of UNC in Pittsboro.

Smith & Buckner Funeral Home will be assisting the Burke family.

Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh.com

07/06/2026

Anna Joan Morris Harrell

Anna Joan Morris Harrell, 84, of Goldston, died Sunday, July 5, 2026 surrounded by her family.

Anna was born in Roanoke Rapids on May 11, 1942, to the late Allen Cohen Morris, Jr. and Earline Cox Morris.

A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is serving the Harrell family.

Online Condolences may be made at www.smithbucknerfh.com

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