Obituaries

1996

Hurricane Fran's death toll continued to rise more than one week after the storm Saturday when two men, including one from Vance County, were killed in accidents.
Kittrell resident Robert Ferebee ''Bob'' Pernell, 57, was killed about 5:30 p.m. while cutting a tree that was partially blown over in Hurricane Fran. The accident marked Vance County's first storm-related death since Fran swept across North Carolina on Sept. 6.
The three-foot diameter tree, which was in a field behind Pernell's home on Kittrell Road, had broken about 18 feet above the ground and was resting on a stump as Pernell removed limbs with a chain saw. The tree fell from the stump on top of Pernell, crushing his right side.
Previous news articles erroneously reported Pernell was severely wounded by the chain saw during the accident, but Vance County Sheriff Thomas Breedlove said that was not the case.
''He was not cut,'' Breedlove said.
Pernell was one of two North Carolinians killed in storm-related accidents Saturday, bringing the total to 23.
George Habib Akel, 50, of Wrightsville Beach, was electrocuted Saturday while cleaning a house he shared with his mother, Wrightsville Beach Police Ofc. Teresa Fountain.
Fountain discovered Akel in the home, lying on the carpet with a lamp across his chest. The downstairs carpet of the house was wet.
Tom Ditt, a spokesman for the N.C. Emergency Management Agency, said both fatalities will be reflected in statistics that will influence policy decisions concerning hurricane education.
''We're concerned whenever there's a death,'' Ditt said. ''We look at these and ask if there's anything we could do to educate people that would have prevented them.''
But, Ditt said, the record of hurricane-related deaths gets more difficult to keep over time. ''Six months from now, trees are still going to be falling,'' he said. ''There's got to be a cut off.''
Pernell was a native of Vance County and was the owner of Pernell's Steel and Machine Service.
Funeral Services for Pernell will be held at 2 p.m. today at the South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church by the Rev. Frank Sossoman. Burial will follow at Sunset Gardens.
He is survived by his wife, Hilda Thomas Pernell; two sons, Tommy Pernell, and Ronnie Pernell; and two stepsons, David Hock and Todd Hock.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Herald-Sun, The (Durham, NC) - September 17, 1996
 
Mr. Barnes, a man of vision and commitment, often rose to leadership positions and served as either president or chairman of the following professional and civic organizations: North Carolina Teachers' Association, N.C. District 11 Division of Principals, N.C. State Region 3 Staff Development Committee, Vance County Chapter of the American Red Cross, Vance County United Fund and Vance County Voters League. He also served as secretary-treasurer of Henderson Re-Development Commission and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Another source of pride, service, and personal esteem for Mr. Barnes was his membership in Beacon Light Lodge no. 249, Henderson Consistory no. 195, and Imran Temple no. 168. He served as recorder for the Blue Lodge, Keeper of Seals and Archives, and Past Commander of Henderson Consistory no. 195, Past Potentate of Imran Temple no. 168; and Past Imperial Deputy of the Oasis of Henderson (Vance, Warren, Franklin, and Granville Counties). On Nov. 1, 1976 Mr. Barnes received the last and 33rd Degree of Scottish Rite Free Masonry in Washington, D.C. In 1987 he served as Imperial Deputy Emeritus. He also survived as a member of the Imperial Council's Credential Committee.
Funeral services will be conducted Monday, April 8, 1996 at Shiloh Baptist Church, 835 College Street, at 12:00 noon. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. A formal visitation period will be held Sunday, April 7, 1996 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Shiloh Baptist Church. At other times, the family will receive visitors at the home at 426 Pearl Street. Arrangements are by Williams Funeral Home.
Herald-Sun, The (Durham, NC) - April 7, 1996
Mr. Barnes, a man of vision and commitment, often rose to leadership positions and served as either president or chairman of the following professional and civic organizations: North Carolina Teachers' Association, N.C. District 11 Division of Principals, N.C. State Region 3 Staff Development Committee, Vance County Chapter of the American Red Cross, Vance County United Fund and Vance County Voters League. He also served as secretary-treasurer of Henderson Re-Development Commission and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Another source of pride, service, and personal esteem for Mr. Barnes was his membership in Beacon Light Lodge no. 249, Henderson Consistory no. 195, and Imran Temple no. 168. He served as recorder for the Blue Lodge, Keeper of Seals and Archives, and Past Commander of Henderson Consistory no. 195, Past Potentate of Imran Temple no. 168; and Past Imperial Deputy of the Oasis of Henderson (Vance, Warren, Franklin, and Granville Counties). On Nov. 1, 1976 Mr. Barnes received the last and 33rd Degree of Scottish Rite Free Masonry in Washington, D.C. In 1987 he served as Imperial Deputy Emeritus. He also survived as a member of the Imperial Council's Credential Committee.
Funeral services will be conducted Monday, April 8, 1996 at Shiloh Baptist Church, 835 College Street, at 12:00 noon. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. A formal visitation period will be held Sunday, April 7, 1996 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Shiloh Baptist Church. At other times, the family will receive visitors at the home at 426 Pearl Street. Arrangements are by Williams Funeral Home.
Herald-Sun, The (Durham, NC) - April 7, 1996

 

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Information obtained and transcribed by Tina Oneyear. 
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