North Carolina
Richard Martin, 65
Died November 23, 2020.
Luther Nick Jeralds Middle School, Fayetteville, NC
Science
Richard “Rick” Alan Martin, 65, passed away Nov. 23, 2020 from COVID-19.
He was born in Detroit, Michigan to Robert and Marilyn Martin. He was happily married to his wife, Lynn Fann Martin.
Rick is the beloved father of Nate Martin and girlfriend (Sindy Ortega) of Davie, Fla. Admired stepfather of Gina (Eric) Tew of Dunn, Matt (Danielle) Sutton of Seattle; cherished Pops to Carson and Wesley Tew; dear brother of David (Sharon) of St. Clair Shores, Mich., Nancy (Joel) Grumm of Lake City, Mich., Peggy (Tom) Kmiec of Troy, Mich; loving uncle of Justin Martin, Lauren Grumm Bieszka, Philip Grumm, Adam Kmiec, and Kate Kmiec. He was much loved by his large extended family and many friends.
Rick was a proud graduate of Eastern Michigan University where he studied Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education. He graduated from South Lake High School in 1973.
For the last 15 years Rick worked at Cumberland County Schools — Luther “Nick” Jeralds Middle School. He cherished his years as a teacher, looking forward each year to setting up his classroom and meeting the new students. He often told stories of Mr. Bones, his classroom skeleton.
Rick was a wonderful, devoted husband. He enjoyed the simple things in life, spending time with his family, morning coffee on the deck, and watching his grandsons play baseball. He looked forward to visits from Nate, annual trips to Michigan, and retirement plans. He was planning to retire at the end of the 2020/2021 school year.
Teresa Gaither, 61
Died November 9, 2020.
Easton Elementary School, Winston-Salem, NC
Technology
On November 9, 2020, Teresa Spaugh Gaither was called to her heavenly home. Born on November 4, 1959, at Forsyth Hospital, Teresa just turned 61. It was a privilege to have known and loved this amazing woman.
Teresa was a spirited, compassionate, and strong individual. For 22 years, she has worked at Easton Elementary in multiple capacities. She loved her students as though they were her own kids, with some even seeing her as their second mom. She also was a Girl Scout leader for multiple troops for 25 years. Teresa loved camping, playing bingo, and playing with her dog, Jasper.
As Teresa reunites with her husband, Randall Clay Gaither, and daughter, Tina Marie Gaither, she is survived by her brother Ricky Spaugh (Glenda), her daughters Krystal Gaither, Angela Koenig (Leo), Nancy Bellous, and Amanda Fulp. Her 3 grandchildren, Ason, Sean, and Jordan will also miss her dearly
Julie Davis, 49
Died October 4, 2020.
Norwood Elementary School, Norwood, NC
Third Grade
Julie Kaye Andrews Richardson Davis, 49, passed away in the early hours of October 4th, 2020 at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst. Julie was born on December 11th, 1970 at Montgomery Memorial Hospital to Grant and Ann (Perry) Andrews.
Julie attended Mount Gilead Elementary School, Highland Middle School, and West Montgomery High School (Class of 1989). Julie would continue her education at Montgomery Community College where she received a degree in business. On April 20, 1999, while holding her firstborn daughter, Leanna Richardson, Julie witnessed the horrors of the Columbine High School massacre. Invigorated with passion, Julie pursued elementary school education to inspire and guide young minds. She would attend Pfeiffer University to obtain her bachelor’s degree (Class of 2003) and eventually earned a masters degree in reading education at Pembroke University. Julie worked as an educator at Page Street Elementary (16 years) and Norwood Elementary School (approximately 2 years). When Julie wasn’t in the classroom, grading papers, or preparing for upcoming classes, she devoted herself to being a grandmother to her first grandson, a mother to her two children, a caring daughter to her aging parents, a proud aunt to her niece and nephew, an earnest sister to her three siblings, and a wife to her husband. Aside from being an ardent caregiver, Julie walked her life in a vivacious manner, constantly spreading joy and encouragement wherever she went. She loved her family dearly and perpetually sought to uplift those around her. Her impact on her family and her community is quite simply immeasurable.
She is survived by her husband, Donnie Davis; daughter, Leanna Richardson; son, Nathan Richardson; her mother, Ann Perry Andrews; father, Grant Andrews; sister, Laura Britt; brothers, Perry Andrews and Stan Andrews; grandson, Eli Samual Waldroup; niece, Kasey Crump; nephew, Dustin Britt.
Mary Ward, 53
Died November 6, 2020.
Capitol Encore Academy, Fayetteville, NC
Fine Arts
Mary Margaret Mollica-Ward, 53, of Fayetteville NC passed away Friday November 6, 2020 at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center after a brief illness.
Mary was born February 15, 1967 in Syracuse NY. She attended Jamesville Dewitt high school graduating in 1985. She obtained her Associates Degree from SUNY Mohawk Valley and then went on to complete her education at LeMoyne College graduating with a Bachelors’ Degree. Mary resided in the Syracuse area for the majority of her life making lifelong friends and sharing her artistry and love with so many. She moved to Fayetteville NC in 2017.
She found her joy in an art teaching position at Capitol Encore Academy where she was involved with a prayer group among her fellow teachers. Mary loved working with her students and admiring art, especially the works of Frida Kahlo. Mary would ask her students to “live on through their art and continue to pursue their dreams”.
She was a faithful member of Manna Church where she enjoyed worshipping and serving with the congregation. No matter the challenges she faced, Mary always found the time to help others and lift them up in her prayers. She will be remembered as a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother (Lolli), daughter, and sister whose smile lit up every room and her creativity and artistry was reflected in every aspect of her life.
Mary is survived by her loving husband, Jerry Ward; her son Joshua Ward (Kirsten Tegtmeyer); her daughters Kaitlyn Ward (Brent Lowery) and Hannah Robbins (Dalton Robbins); her grandson Liam Ward; her parents Kathy and Barry Silvers; her brother Dominick Mollica (Laura Mollica) & their son Christian, her sister Michelle Mollica; step sisters Sara Willis, Susan Warren, several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews and her beloved dog Mugs. She was predeceased by her father, Benjamin Mollica, as well as paternal and maternal grandparents.