Smith & Buckner Funeral Home

12/04/2025

William Kenneth Freshwater

William Kenneth Freshwater, 78, of Siler City, passed away at Hock Family Pavilion of Durham.

Kenneth was born on November 28th, 1947, in Alamance County to Joseph W. Freshwater, Jr and Beryl Barton Freshwater. He is preceded in death by his parents, and his wife, Becky Freshwater.

Kenneth graduated from Elon College with an Accounting Degree, and he held many positions throughout his life. He loved playing his guitar. Kenneth was a loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather and will be missed by many. Left to cherish his memory are his two daughters, Angela Michele Willett and her husband, Tim of Bonlee, and Kristin Gayle Freshwater of Durham; his two granddaughters, Morgan Blake Willett Brown and her husband, Colby, and Briana Willett Williams and her husband, Justin; his three great grandchildren, Layne and Coy Brown, and Fisher Williams; and his cousin, Kaye Chandler and her husband, Curtis of Mebane.

There will be no services at this time.

Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is assisting the Freshwater family.

Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh.com

View William Kenneth Freshwater's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

12/03/2025

Duncan Sinclair Cruikshank IV

Duncan Sinclair Cruickshank, IV, 62, of Siler City, passed away Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025, at Chatham Hospital surrounded by family.

Duncan was born on July 23rd, 1963, in Niagara County, NY to the late Duncan Sinclair Cruickshank, III and Judith Arlene Webb Cruickshank.

Duncan was of the Catholic religion, and he never was employed anywhere. Duncan loved game shows, music, and reading books. He is survived by his brother, Bruce Cruickshank and his wife, Elizabeth of Chesapeake, VA; his sisters, Sharon Guariglia and her husband, Richard of Silk Hope, and Brenda Stecher and her husband, Joseph of Siler City; his uncle, Timothy Webb of Flint, MI; his aunts, Nancy Brenske of Winston Salem, NC and Rosemary Trapasso of Youngstown, NY; his nieces and nephews, Duncan, John, Rachel, and Elizabeth Cruickshank, Michael and Nicholas Guariglia, and David and Emily Stecher.

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

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

Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh.com

View Duncan Sinclair Cruikshank IV's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

12/02/2025

Deborah Lee Courie

Deborah Lee Courie, 69, of Siler City, went to her Heavenly home on Saturday, November 29th, 2025.

Deborah was born October 15th, 1956, in Summit County, OH, to Robert and Charlotte Cox Hoover.

Left to cherish her memory is her son, Christopher Michael Benson; her sister, Phylis H. Clark of Copley, OH; her brother, Robert “Tom” Thomas Hoover of Camillus, NY; and her good friend, Marlo Williams of Siler City.

There will be no services at this time.

Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is assisting the Courie family.

Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh.com

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

11/28/2025

Pastor Vernon Clark Davis

Pastor Vernon Clark Davis, 90, of Bear Creek, went to his Heavenly home on Thursday, November 27th, 2025, at home surrounded by family.

Clark was born on March 12th, 1935, in Johnston County, NC to the late Walter L. “Bo” and Alice S. Davis. He is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Glenda Davis Johnston; his brother, Wendell Walters Sherwood Davis; and his wife, Mary Lou Whitehurst Davis.

Clark attended Randolph Macon Military Academy on a football scholarship and then went on to attend East Carolina University also on a football scholarship. At the age of 40, he went back to college and attended Bob Jones University. He was a minister for 25 years at Antioch Christian Church, Independent Baptist. He loved going hunting and fishing, as well as playing music and singing. Clark could play most musical instruments. He also liked to weld in his spare time. Clark was also a Korean war veteran for the United States Army.

Left to cherish his memory are his son, Mark Aden Davis and his wife, Susan of Bear Creek; his grandchildren, Leighton Davis and his wife Alexis, Lauren Davis Carlson and her husband, Jeremy, Connor Davis and his wife, Colby, and Savannah Davis Crissman and her husband Evan; his three great grandchildren, Riley Davis, Scarlett Davis, and Kacie Chrissman; and his brother, Don Davis.

A funeral service will be held Monday, December 1st, 2025, at 3 pm, at Antioch Christian Church, Independent Baptist in Bear Creek. There will be a visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow the service with military rights by the Randolph County Honor Guard in the church cemetery. Services will be officiated by Pastor Jimmy Talton and Pastor Steve Johnson.

Memorials can be made to Antioch Christian Church, Independent Baptist, 246 Antioch Christian Church Rd, Bear Creek, NC 27207.

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

Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh.com

View Pastor Vernon Clark Davis's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

11/27/2025

11/25/2025

June Karen Phillips Price

Ms. June Phillips Price died peacefully on November 23, 2025, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina surrounded by her family.

Ms. Price is survived by her children, Karen Phillips (Gary) and Torris Price, Jr. Her siblings Donna P. Kivett (Ricky) and Burl Phillips, Jr. (Kristy), two grandchildren Whitney Keck (Sam) and Torris Price, III. She is preceded in death by parents, Burl Phillips, Sr and Jean Stephens Beal.

June was born in Siler City, North Carolina and is graduate of the class of 1972 from Jordan-Matthews High School. Her children remember her as a kind and gentle mother who encouraged them to pursue their goals and was extremely proud of her grandchildren and their accomplishments. June was a knowledgeable genealogist, who loved telling everyone how they were related. She was a generous and witty friend, who loved history and who was passionate about volunteering with Domestic Violence survivors. June was an active and dedicated member of the many genealogical groups and often volunteered at Chatham County Historical Museum when her health allowed.

A funeral is scheduled for Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 2 pm at Smith and Buckner Chapel, with visitation beginning at 1 pm, the Rev. Wayne Lamb will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate June’s life.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Piney Grove Church, c/o Piney Grove Crew at PO Box 9, Siler City, NC, 27344.

The family would like to thank all of her caregivers at Parkview Rehabilitation for their efforts, care, and dedication. The family would also like to extend their thanks and appreciation to Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Tilley for being good neighbors and friends.

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

Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh.com

View June Karen Phillips Price's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

11/24/2025

Judith "Judy" Gail Beaman

Judith “Judy” Gail Beaman, 56, of Siler City, went to her Heavenly home on Thursday, October 30th, 2025, at UNC Chapel Hill Hospital.

Judy was born on November 24th, 1968, in Modesto, CA to Neil and Emma Nicholson Beaman. She is preceded in death by her parents.

Judy loved watching football, especially the Kansas City Chiefs. She loved to joke around and laugh with everyone. She loved spending time with Megan and loved going shopping. Left to cherish her memory is her partner, Megan Ritter of Siler City.

There will be no services at this time.

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

Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh.com

View Judith "Judy" Gail Beaman's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

11/21/2025

Graham Jeffrey "Jeff" Dowd

Jeffrey “Jeff” Dowd, 65, of Lexington, passed away on Tuesday, November 18th, after a brief stay at Hospice of Davidson County.

Jeff was born on February 2nd, 1960, in Siler City, NC, to Graham Coolidge Dowd and Sara Jo Davis Dowd. He is preceded in death by his parents.

Jeff had a gift for making jokes and sharing stories with family and friends. He especially enjoyed making his wife, Melynna, laugh nearly every day of their marriage. He had a generous spirit and was quick to help others. In his spare time, Jeff enjoyed wood working and DIY projects, restoring and exhibiting his Ford 8N tractor, hunting deer, and taking trips to the beach. Later in life as his health declined, he enjoyed creative writing and listening to music.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Melynna J. Dowd; his sister, Darlene Vasquez and her husband, Roberto of Siler City, and Teresa Holloway of Hixson, TX; his nephews, Chris Holloway, Nick Holloway, Wesley Vasquez, and Lorenzo Vasquez. Jeff’s uncle Aubra Davis and his many cousins are also left to cherish his memory.

A visitation will be held on Monday, November 24th, 2025, from 2-2:45 pm, at Love’s Creek Baptist Church in Siler City, with the service following at 3 pm. A graveside service will be conducted at Chatham Memorial Park on Friday, November 28th, 2025, in Siler City. Reverend Kenny Black will officiate the services.

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

Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh.com

View Graham Jeffrey "Jeff" Dowd's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

11/11/2025

Jeffrey Michael Scott

Jeffrey Michael Scott, 54, of Bear Creek, passed away at his home unexpectedly on Thursday, November 6th, 2025.

Jeff was born on February 28th, 1971, in Chatham County, to Mike and Hazellean Gaines Scott.

Jeff worked for the Chatham County Sheriff’s Department in several positions in his earlier years. He then went to work for the DMV as a Lieutenant where he retired at the age of 48. He was presently employed at Mountaire Farms as a Security Supervisor. Jeff liked reading books, collecting coins, working out, loved history, and looking for shark teeth at the beach.

Jeff is survived by his parents, Mike and Hazellean Scott of Bear Creek; his daughter, Amber Bonde and her husband Thomas of Fort Benning, GA; his son, Tyler Scott and his significant other, Adaishia Strickland of Pittsboro; his grandchildren, Emma Bonde and Hadley Strickland; his sister, Rhonda Smith and her husband, Tim of Bear Creek; and nephews and niece, Michael Smith (Micaiah), Matthew Smith, and Ashley Smith.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Thursday, November 13th, 2025, at 2 pm, at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services. A private graveside will be held at a later date. Pastor Darrell Gaines will be officiating the service.

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

Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh.com

View Jeffrey Michael Scott's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

11/11/2025

Jennifer Diane Godfrey Scott

Jennifer Diane Godfrey Scott, 50, of Bear Creek, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, November 6th, 2025, at her home.

Jennifer was born on December 15th, 1974, in Lee County to Danny Eugene and Sylvia Jean Knight Godfrey. Jennifer loved the beach and collecting seashells, spending time with her grandchildren and making memories. She loved watching football, especially when her Chiefs were playing. She was a very giving, loving, and caring friend to everyone and she never met a stranger. She loved her children and grandchildren with everything she had.

Left to cherish Jennifer’s memory is her daughter, Amber Bonde and her husband, Thomas of Fort Benning, GA; her son, Tyler Scott and his fiance, Adaishia Strickland of Pittsboro; her grandchildren, Emma Bonde, Hadley Strickland, and Kelsey Ree; her parents, Danny and Sylvia Godfrey of Cameron; her brother, Joseph Godfrey and his wife, Shana of Moncure; her nephew, Bryton Godfrey; and her niece, Eve Godfrey.

Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, November 15th, 2025, at 1 PM, at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home chapel. Services will be officiated by Pastor Gail Dickens.

Memorials can be made in Jennifer’s name to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital, https://www.stjude.org/donate/

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

Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh.com

View Jennifer Diane Godfrey Scott's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

11/11/2025

We honor all Veterans today including those we have on staff pictured here.