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OBITUARIES
Obituary for Shaun Wilburn
Shaun Wilburn passed away at his home in Hillsborough, North Carolina on the morning of February 26, 2026. Born on December 4, 1963, in Chapel Hill, Shaun lived a life defined by the work of his hands, the warmth of his heart, and his devotion to his family. A Chapel...
Obituary for Karen Piplani
Karen Piplani died peacefully at home in Chapel Hill, NC on Feb 15, 2025 after a long illness. She was with her daughter, Mira, and husband, Ratan (Ray), at the time of her passing. She was born in 1941 to Christian Elmore Radcliffe, MD and Maxine Madden Radcliffe in...
Tributes Pour In After James Spurling, Director of Kenan Stadium, Dies at 68
James Spurling, who served as the Director of Kenan Stadium and the Kenan Football Center in the heart of the UNC campus since 2006 and had been a Chapel Hill staple for many years prior, died Thursday. He was 68 years old. Tributes flooded in from across the Chapel...
Obituary: John Martin “Jack” Sanders
Longtime Chapel Hill Business Owner and Community Supporter Jack Sanders Passes Away John Martin “Jack” Sanders, 63, of Chapel Hill, passed away on January 5, 2025. Jack was the longtime owner of Jack Sanders Paint Company, which he founded in 1988 and operated with...
Obituary: Clyde Jones — Artist of Bynum, North Carolina
Clyde Jones, “The Critter Man,” a beloved artist and longtime resident of Bynum, North Carolina, passed away on December 24, 2025, leaving behind a rich legacy of creativity, generosity, and quiet influence.
Four-Term North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt, a Leader in Education Reform, Dies at 88
Former Gov. Jim Hunt, a towering figure in North Carolina politics in the late 20th century who helped leaders from both major parties strive for public education reform, died Thursday at the age of 88.
North Carolina Author, UNC Administrator and Radio Show Host D.G. Martin Dies at 85
David Grier “D.G.” Martin, Jr. – a lawyer, UNC System administrator and veteran turned longtime author, book reviewer and show host – died on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at his home in Chapel Hill. He was 85 years old.
Obituary: Former Orange County Commissioner, Environmental Builder Mark Marcoplos
Devoted family man and innovative green builder, county commissioner and civic activist, musician and athlete, Mark Marcoplos passed suddenly on Oct. 19.
Obituary for Julie Allison Harrison
Julie Glasser Harrison, 66, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, passed away on October 30th, 2025, surrounded by her family. Julie was born on November 24th, 1958, in Siler City, North Carolina. She attended Jordan Matthews High School and graduated from East Carolina...
Obituary for Ene Marie Thomsen
Ene Marie Thomsen passed away on October 21, 2025, at age 94, after a short illness. She died peacefully in her home at The Arbor at Galloway Ridge in Pittsboro, North Carolina. Ene Marie was born in the village of Timring, Denmark on June 25, 1931, to Charles and...
Barbara Jessie-Black, Longtime Leader of CommunityWorx, Dies at 62
Barbara Jessie-Black, who helped lead the Carrboro nonprofit CommunityWorx for more than two decades, died this week at the age of 62.
Obituary: William Scott Kelly
William Scott Kelly (March 15, 1951 - January 31, 2025) William Scott Kelly died in Charlotte, NC from complications of a stroke. He was the son of William Clavon Kelly and Betty Elizabeth “Jo” Kelly (nee Lynn). Scott lived in Chapel Hill from about 1969 until 1990...
Obituary: Richard Alan Yenoff
Richard Alan Yenoff, age 75 of Chapel Hill, died September 15, 2025 at his home. Richard pursued his education at the University of Cincinnati, laying the foundation for a successful career as a commercial trader within the textile industry. His professional endeavors...
Chapel Hill, Carrboro Civil Rights Activist and School Reformer Hilliard Caldwell Dies at 88
Hilliard Caldwell, a civil rights activist in the greater Chapel Hill community and former elected official, died recently at 88 years old.
Obituary: David Lee Kroninger
David Lee Kroninger August 20, 1953-May 9, 2025 The world got a little dimmer on May 9 for those who loved Dave Kroninger, as he passed away surrounded by family. Dave touched the lives of more people than he realized. Among those are his wife, Jane Murray; siblings,...
Former UNC Strength Coach Dies in Car Crash; Community Raises Money for Family
Former Carolina Athletics strength coach Dominick Vetell died in a car crash May 16, with the UNC community raising money to help his family.
First Black Hillsborough Mayor Horace Johnson Dies at 95
Horace Johnson, a longtime elected official who became the first Black mayor of the Town of Hillsborough, died Thursday. He was 95 years old.
UNC Men’s Basketball Star Larry Miller, 2-Time ACC Player of the Year, Dies at 79
Larry Miller, who starred for the UNC men's basketball team under head coach Dean Smith in the 1960s, died Sunday in Pennsylvania, the program announced Monday afternoon. Miller was 79. https://twitter.com/UNC_Basketball/status/1922041330592580068 Miller helped the...
Obituary for Carol Ruth Stainback Newnam
Carol Ruth Stainback Newnam died Saturday, April 19, 2025. She was 82 years old. Born in Charlotte, NC, Carol moved to the Chapel Hill area in 1966 after marrying Boyd Lee Newnam (dec. 2001). She worked as a home economics teacher for two decades in Durham and Chapel...
Obituary for Sally Carson
Sally Victoria Carson, of Cary, NC, died on April 23, 2025, at Duke Regional Hospital, peacefully, with family by her side. She was born on July 13, 1950 in Springfield, Massachusetts to Earla Rowley Carson and Parker Cooke Carson. She was predeceased by her sister,...
ANNOUNCEMENTS
For Lei (Bella)
Dear Lei (Bella), You are a shining star of Carrboro High! You have excelled in musical theatre and art, captivating audiences with your talent and charm. As you step into the next chapter of your life, we couldn't be prouder of the mature, happy, lovely young lady...
