Obituaries Sffoofm 'Funeral Home (fmM 1946 724-1561 BOWENS Mrs. Willie Mae Thomas Saunders Bowens of 3450 Healy Drive. Apt. 5D. departed this life July 28 at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. She was horn to the late John Henry Baskin-Thomas and Roseanna Harper Thomas on Sept. 30, 1923. the second child to this union. Mrs. Bowens was a member of the West Congregation of Jehovah's Wit nesses. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister. Mrs. Lucille Thomas Massey Lvles. She leaves to mount her home-going: two daughters, Mrs Mary Thomas Scott (James) Peterson of Junction City, Kan., and Mrs. Ann (Norman) Caldwell of the city; two sons, Dwight Leon (Merita) Saun ders and George Neal (Carolyn Scippio), Saunders, III, all of the city; five brothers, James C. Thomas. Lloyd L. Thomas, Robert Baskin. all of the city, William Thomas of Bronx, N.Y., and Clint (Ruth) Foster of Taylors. S C.; three sisters, Mrs. izora Glenn of the city, Mrs. Jane A. Smith of Bronx, N.Y., and Mrs. Ilene LeFong of Atlanta, Ga.; 19 grand children; 23 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one sister in-law, Magdalene S. Wright; one brother-in-law. Bravette Lyles Sr.. both of the city; a host of devoted nieces, nephews, aunts, friends, brothers and sisters in Christ. The funeral was held Aug. 2 at 2 p.m. in the Hooper Funeral Home Chapel. Interment followed in Evergreen Cemetery. A special "thank you" to the residents of Healy Towers, Forsyth Medical Center ninth floor staff, and the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. May God bless each of you. Hooper Funeral Home directors were in charge of the arrange ments. GIVENS Mrs. Willie Mae Whaley Givens, 95. formerly of 790 A Highland Ave., passed away July 29 at the Oaks of Forsyth Nursing Center. She was a native of Lancaster. S.C.. and a resident of Winston-Salem for many years. Mrs. Givens was member of Hanes CME Church, where she served in the missionary department. She was preceded in death by her husband. Bill Givens. and a son. Herbert Crockett. Surviving are: a daughter. Linda (Warren) Napper of Winston Salem: five grandchildren. Samuel Wilson. Diane (Burnis) Simmons of Walnut Cove, N.C.. Scott (Shon) Wilson of Atlanta, Ga., Avis and Aaron Crockett; a host of great-grandchildren; other relatives, includ ing a devoted cousin. Reva Evans of Greensboro: and friends. The funeral was held Aug. 4 at 2 p.m. at Hanes Memorial CME Church. Interment followed in Evergreen Cemetery. Hooper Funeral Home directors were in charge of the arrange ments. PARKER Ms. Frances Tate Parker. 85. of 2097 E. 12th Street, departed this lite July 29 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Bom to the late John and Betsy Jackson Tate, she was a lifelong res ident of Winston-Salem, a retiree of N.C. Baptist Hospital and a mem ber of St. Paul United Methodist Church. Survivors include: one sister. Ms. Jeanette Tate; one brother. John Tate, both of the home: one sister-in-law. Suzanna Tate: two godchil dren. Janice Brown and Wanda Rucker. all of Winston-Salem; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. The funeral was held Aug. 2 at noon at St. Paul United Methodist Church. Rev. Donald Jenkins officiated. Interment followed in Ever green Cemetery. Special thanks to Mrs. Brown and the Mt. Zion Bap tist Church enrichment program, and the nurses and doctors at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Hooper Funeral Home directors were in charge of the arrange ments. WOFFORD Ms. Louise Wofford of 1114 E. 14th Street was bom Feb. 29,1936, to the late Crowell and Alice Wofford. She graduated from Atkins High School and N.C. Central University, where she majored in education and pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. She retired from the Win ston-Salem/Forsyth County public school system as a librarian after 30 years of service. During her tenure as a librarian, she encouraged numerous studies to excel in life. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Harold Wof ford and Cecil Holcomb. Ms. Wofford passed away on July 31 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. She leaves to cherish her memory: three nieces. Mary Burchette, Avis (Rev. Perry) Walker and Harolyn Lane, all of the city; one nephew. Rodney (Emily) Wofford of Jessup, Md.; a special cousin. Ernestine "Pete" Hines of Newark. N.J.: three special care-givers. Charlene Rosehoro, Gwendolyn Smith and Clark G. Hanner Sr., all of the city; other relatives and friends. The funeral was held Aug. 4 at 11 a.m. at Hooper Funeral Home. Rev. Charles W. Leak officiated. Interment followed in Evergreen Cemetery. Hooper Funeral Home directors were in charge of the arrangements. Russell Funeral Home 822 Carl Russell Ave. 722-3459 DUNCAN-THOMAS Little Bianca JaCole Duncan-Thomas. 1800-C Geneva Street, passed away at her residence on July 29. Angels are remembered for ever. Bianca JaCole Duncan-Thomas entered into this earthly realm July 3. A special thanks to Hospice of Winston-Salem for the grace, care and support that were shown to us during this short period of illness. She leaves to cherish her memory: her parents, Chiquita Duncan and Kevin Thomas, both of Winston-Salem; maternal grandparents, Jacqueline Duncan and Chaviler Rogers of Oklahoma, City. Okla.; paternal grandparents. Minister Cassandra Williams and Michael Thomas, both of Winston-Salem; maternal great-grandmother. Minister Cynthia "Sweetie Pie" Duncan of Winston-Salem; paternal great grandparents. Mr. and Mrs. Orpheus Michael and Mr. and Mrs. James Thomas, all of Winston-Salem; a host of other relatives and friends. A graveside service was held Aug. 2 at 11 a.m. at Piedmont Memo rial Gardens. Pastor Sheldon M. McCarter officiated. Burial followed at Little Angels Garden of Piedmont Memorial Gardens. Russell Funer al Home directors were in charge of the arrangements. JOHNSON Mr. David Leroy Johnson. 1900 W. First Street, passed away Aug. 2 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. He was a native of Florence, S.C.. bom Sept. 23, 1936, to Willie Mose and Bra/elle Park er Johnson. He had lived in Winston-Salem for most of his life. He was a member of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, where he sang in the Male Chorus, was a former employee of Wake Forest University Bap tist Medical Center and was an avid gardener. He is survived by: two sisters, Louetta Henneghan and Betty Alston, both of Florence. S.C.; one brother, Johnnie Johnson of St. Petersburg, Fla.: two aunts. Willie Mae Edwards of Orangeburg. S.C. and Emma Lee Hickman of Hartsville, S C.: a devoted cousin, Richard (Delores) Scales of Winston-Salem: a host of other relatives and friends. The funeral was held Aug. 6 at noon at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. Robert L. McGowens Sr. officiated. Burial followed at Evergreen Cemetery. Russell Funeral Home directors were in charge of the arrangements. LITTLE Mr. Samuel Nebrasker Little. 130 Champlain Street, passed away July 27 at Winston-Salem Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. He was bom Sept. I, 1943, in Winston-Salem, the son of the late Booker T. Clybum and Almira Friday Little. He spent the early years of his life in Loris, S C. "Winston-Salem Sam," as he was most frequent ly called, was a devoted sports fan. He coached and umpired Little League sports. He played semi-pro ball with the Winston-Salem Indi ans and Pond Giants. He attended Anderson High School, worked for Winston-Salem Transit Authority for many years, and in his later years, worked at Winston-Salem State University until his health begun to fail. Surviving to cherish his memories are: six daughters, a devoted daughter. Deborah (Bennie) Harris, DeAnlha McCall. Sonya Leathers, SherTy (Sam) Switzer. Darlene Hunter ami Shemeille Davis; five sons, a devoted son, Virgil "Dewauane." Calvin and Chris McCall, Bernard Crawford and Samuel N. Little Jr.; 12 grandchildren; one great-grand son; three devoted brothers, James (Brenda) Little, Nathaniel (Rebec ca) Little, Alvin (Joan) Little of Winston-Salem, and brothers John (Jean) Clybum of Winston-Salem, Richard (Nora) Clybum of Durham, and Billy Hennigan of Loris. S.C.; three devoted sisters, Geraldine (Sam) Stimpson of Winston-Salem, Charlene Tillery and Patricia (Erdie) Picart of Fayetteville, and sisters Lottie Clybum of Buffalo, N.Y.. and Louella (Kenneth) Sinclair of Buffalo, N.Y.; a former devot ed wife. Sheryl V. Davis; faithful and devoted friends, Mr. Jack Howie, Mr. Ed Anthony and Mrs. Christine Evans; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The funeral was July 31 at noon at the Chapel of Russell Funeral Home. Rev. Melvin "Rip" Wilkins officiated. Burial followed at Ever green Cemetery. Russell Funeral Home directors were in charge of the arrangements. SPEASE Mr. Vemard Erwin Spease. New York, N.Y., and formerly of Win ston-Salem, passed away July 26 at Veterans Administration Hospital, New York. N.Y, He was bom May 11, 1951, in Forsyth County, N.C., to Minnie Spease and the late Charles Spease. He attended Anderson High School, was a graduate of Winsalm Business College and was a gradu ate of Long Island University with a bachelor of science degree and master's degree. He also had two MBAs in computer science. Vemard was a member of Who's Who of Outstanding Students of American Colleges. He was employed by the state of New York as a computer programmer. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was a member of Mars Hill Baptist Church. He is survived by: his wife, Mrs. Earlina Spease; two children. Eric ka and Kwame. all of New York. N.Y.; his loving mother, Minnie Spease Carpenter of Winston-Salem; his three sisters, Barbara (Samuel) Cureton, Carolyn Spease and Patricia Spease: one brother. Rocky Spease, all of Winston-Salem; a beloved play sister, Sarah Mack; nieces, Beverly (Wendell) Halsley. Toni Peoples. Rita Spease, Kim (Kelvin) Banner. Bridgett (Sonny) Robinson and Kisha (Kelvin) Adams: nephews, Kelvin L. Spease, Samuel Cureton Jr., Vincent Cure ton, Nigel Spease; beloved cousins. Emma Young, Debra Stokes, Pam (Connell) Taylor. Barron Stokes. Sheila (Terry) Langford; devoted cousin. Raymond Daniels of New York, N.Y.; a host of other relatives and friends. A home-going service was held on Aug. 2 at 2 p.m. at Mars Hill Baptist Church. Rev. Lewis Crawford officiated. Burial followed at Evergreen Cemetery. Russell Funeral Home directors were in charge of the arrangements. VAN EATON Mrs. Louise Ida Hagwood Van Eaton, 2980 Reynolda Road, passed away July 26 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. "Miss Irene," as she was affectionately called, was bom on July 11, 1921, in Martinsville. Va? to the late Jesse Ben Hagwood and Annie Hayes Hag wood. She was the oldest of three children. She was educated in the public schools of Martinsville. Va. Being the oldest child in the family, she played an important role in the lives of her siblings and was very instrumental in taking care of and raising them. "Miss Irene" moved to Winston-Salem at an early age. She met, married and divorced her hus band. She resided in Winston-Salem for more than 60 years. She was a domestic worker, a mother, godmother and nanny to many children throughout her life in various neighborhoods, raising them as they were her own. She worked for Mr. and Mrs. Albert Butler for more than 50 years and raised their children, Diane, David, Chris (and his wife, Anne), all of whom respected and lived her as their own mother. "Miss Irene" was a member of Union Baptist Church and attended regularly before her failing health. She enjoyed singing with the oper atic "high pitched" voice, but* only to herself, as she was shy. She is survived by and leaves to cherish her memory: her loving daughter, Beverly Jarrett of Winston-Salem; one grandson, her pride and joy, G'Woyne Jarrett of Winston-Salem; one sister, Annie Bell Barksdale of Martinsville, Va.; one brother, Robert Hagwood of Mar tinsville, Va.; four godchildren. Sharon Green. Agnes Rogers, Tiffany Rogers. Mandy Rogers, all of Winston-Salem; a devoted cousin, James King of Roanoke. Va.; two nieces, Joyce Jarrett of Detroit, Mich., and Denise Barksdale of West New York, N.J.; three nephews, Lorenzo Barksdale (Laverne). Joseph Barksdale (Rita), both of Detroit, Mich., Jerry Barksdale of Memphis, Tenn.; a host of great-nieces, great nephews, cousins, other relatives, extended family members and friends. A home-going service was held Aug. 2 at noon at the Chapel of Russell Funeral Home. Apostle Barry Spates officiated. Burial followed at Piedmont Memorial Gardens. Russell Funeral Home directors were in charge of the arrangements. One-on-One from page B2 nitely going to key on you, Erick. Erick: See. 1 think that may be a good thing for us. The teams will key on me and then other guys get loose. Anthony: What if you all don't win it all this year? 1 mean, will that be acceptable at all? Erick: Not at all. Nothing will be accepted but a state championship. Anthony: Do you all really expect to win it all every year? Erick: Yes. You can't go into the seaso'n any other kind of way or you'll fall short. So that's how we go out there every day, as if we're practicing for the state championship. We're not practicing for the first game or for the semifinals. We're practicing for the state championship. Anthony: How does the team stay hungry. It's got to be hard to keep that initial hunger after you've won it already. Erick: It's a little hard. See, 'last year I wasn't really a leader. I didn't really have to do much because of Jamel. He's my best friend. He was the defensive captain last year. This year was pretty different as far as that was concerned. No one really wanted to listen to me at first. I had to fight a couple of people the first couple of days. Anthony: Really? Erick: Yeah. I had to let them know that I'm the leader and I'll get in their you know what. Once that happened, everything kind of fell in place. Anthony: (Both laugh.) Aight. What's the strongest ele ment of this team? What are the fans going to talk about the most? Erick: They'll probably mention the running backs, but I think the strongest element is the offensive line. Nothin' else can happen without them. Carveris) always had a domi nant offensive line. Anthony: Do you still wear your championship ring? Erick: (Smiles.) Naw. I don't even wear it anymore. (Pause.) I don't wear it because me and the football team was at the club one night and some guy hit my friend. Tristim And one thing lecl to another. My knuckle was so swollen after that I couldn't even put my ring on anymore. I'm kind of glad that I can't because now I can sit and look at it. Anthony: OK. Name a football player that you look up to. Erick: My favorite players have always been Walter Pay ton and Lawrence Taylor. My favorite player now is Monte (Anthony). He's one of the coolest people I know. He's helped me with my homework, the plays, my girl. Anthony: Your girl? How did he help you with your girl? Erick: Me and this girl named Tanisha was having problems last year, and he helped us get back together. (Laughs.) We broke up again. I'm working on that now. (Both laugh.) She'll come around. Anthony: Don't you get play from the other women? Erick: (Smiles.) I do. but you don't want the ones that you can just have. Anthony: I feel you. Erick: I mean. I get at them. I have the little ones that I have on the side, but I love her. Anthony: Aight. (Smiles.) Erick. do you see yourself as the best player on the team? Erick: I know that I'm good, and I may know the game a little better than most people on the team, but 1 think the rest of the team makes me look bet ter because they do their job so well. Anthony: What do you do when you're not playing foot ball? Erick: (Smiles.) I just try to have fun. I enjoy being a kid. I just try to have fun. Anthony: What type of music do you listen to before football games? Erick: I like to listen to T.I. (rapper). If I'm (not) listening to him. then I'm listening to LiP Wayne. Anthony: If you could be with any woman, who would it be? Erick: Stacey Dash. That is the finest woman I've ever seen. Ever since 1 saw her in "Clueless" I've felt like that. Anthony: Yeah. I forgot about her. She is fine. dawg. (Pause.) If you could sign with any college, which one would it be? Krick: It would probably be with Nebraska. I'd probably still get I.(MX) yards rushing even if I was fourth string. Antony: How big of an influence has coach (Keith) Wilkes been in your life? Krick: He's been a very big part of my life. He's been on me every since the ninth grade. He's always been there for me. He used to tell me to keep my grades right. He told me to go and take the SAT. I did that and did a good job on it. I got 1080 on it. I got a 3.2 GPA too. Anthony: Man. that's excellent. Krick: Yeah: (Pause.) But coach Wilkes is a good man. Anthony: OK. Let's con clude with free association. Krick: OK. Anthony: Parkland High footbaH team. Krick: Beat. Anthony: Edgerrin James (Indianapolis Colt running back). Krick: Tight. Anthony: Down South rap. Krick: Lil' Wayne. Anthony: 2003 3-A state champs. Krick: (Laughs.) Carver. Anthony: Best player in the state of North Carolina. Krick: Isaiah "Puff Daddy" Thomas (UNC freshman and former Yellowjacket.) Anthony: Dream car. Krick: '65 Chevy Impala. Anthony: That's it. man. Good luck with the season, dawg. Krick: Thanks. Cleo from page HI responsible for recruiting high school prospects, organizing scouting reports as well as skill development and floor coaching. His 1999 recruiting class was ranked 18th in the country. y From 1991-1994. Hill worked as an assistant basketball coach at his alma mater. Orange High School (N.J.). In 1994, he helped guide the team to victories in the state championship and the Tournament of Champions. He also worked for EKB Scouting Service in Orange. N.J.. from 1992-1995 as a coach and scout. Hill played professionally in Australia for two seasons (1990 and 1991) with the Swann Hill Flyers. Hill averaged 41 points and 8.3 assists per game during the 1991 season. He was the sec ond leading scorer in the team's history with a single game record of 55 points. Hill was also the MVP for the league's first All Star game, scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds and 19 assists. Hill's collegiate career began in 1984 when he chose to attend N.C. Central University in Durham. He was a 1,000-point scorer and was among the top 15 all-time scorers in NCCU history. He served as captain of the squad for all four seasons with the Eagles. His senior year, he guid ed NCCU to the finals of the South Atlantic Regional and was named to the all-tournament team. Hill's abilities on the court were instrumental in turning NCCU's team from a 4-21 record his freshman year to a 26-3 record his senior season. During his high school career, Hill was also a 1,000 point scorer. He led Orange High School in scoring three consecu tive seasons and graduated as the third leading scorer of all time. He was selected to All-City. All County and All-State teams. He received his bachelor of 1 arts degree in physical education in 1994 from N.C. Central Uni versity. He is also a certified per sonal trainer and has worked as a substitute teacher in New Jersey as well as North Carolina. He is the son of Cleo and Ann Hill. Cleo Sr., ,a retired college basketball coach and athletics director, is a former standout player at Winston-Salem State University. In 1961, he became the first African-American from a historically black college or university to be drafted by the St. Louis (now Atlanta) Hawks in the first round (eighth overall) of the NBA draft. "Hill is a great leader," said ' Dr. Eve Atkinson, professor and director of athletics at Cheyney. "As a multiyear captain of his high school and college teams. Hill has the respect of coaches and teammates alike. Throughout his career, he has shown a com mitment to excellence both on and off the court. "The entire Cheyney com munity looks forward to working with Coach Hill as he leads our men's baskethall team to promi nence in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference."