Grainger R. Barrett, 59, passed away July 29, 2009, at Durham Regional Hospital. Mr. Barrett was the Cumberland County Attorney.

Mr. Barrett was born in Mexico City and lived with his parents in countries throughout the world. His father served as a diplomat with the United States State Department, including posts in Egypt, Ireland and Spain. Grainger graduated from high school in Madrid, Spain.

He began his college education at Elon College and received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Following service as an officer in the U.S Air Force, Grainger received his law degree from UNC, began a career in public service, and made North Carolina his home.

During his 35-year legal career, Grainger was the Person County attorney, the Chapel Hill Town attorney, an assistant professor at the Institute of Government at UNC, and maintained a private law practice before joining the Cumberland County attorney's staff in 1998. He was the county attorney since 1999.

He was the current president of the North Carolina Association of County Attorneys and a council member ofthe Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Section and the Public Sector Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association. He also served on the Advisory Board of the Cumberland County Educational Foundation and was a frequent speaker at conferences and seminars on topics related to government law.

He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Barrett.

He is survived by loving wife, Sharon C. Barrett of the home; daughter, Meghann Barrett of Hillsborough; sons, Devin Barrett and his wife Tina Barrett of Durham, Clark Barrett of Chapel Hill, and Ronald Pannell and his fiancee Meg Hassey of Summerville, Mass.; mother, Eleanor Spring Barrett of Spokane, Wash.; brother, Clark Barrett of Brokenhill, Australia; sisters, Cheri Ensby of Durham, Holly Barrett of Portland, Ore., and Melanie Barrett of Franklinville, N.J.

A memorial service celebrating Grainger Barrett's life will be held on Monday, Aug. 3, at 2:30 p.m. in the Crown Center Ballroom.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Educational Foundation of the University of North Carolina, P.O. Box 2446 Chapel Hill, NC 27515.

Bennie Bryant Hewett

Bennie Bryant Hewett, 69, of Chapel Hill, passed away July 28, 2009, following a freak accident at his home.

Mr. Hewett worked hard all of his life. He farmed as a young man, and then worked for his brother in ceramic tile. In 1986, when his brother retired, he became owner of Hewett's Ceramic Tile. Mr. Hewett was forced to retire in 2007 due to full knee replacement surgery.

Mr. Hewett was well known in his community as a helpful and hardworking neighbor. He was always willing to lend a hand, give friendly advice, maintain the road, mow the grass, remove trees and take firewood to neighbors in need. He helped so many people in many different ways. He was a giver, not a taker and never expected anything in return. He was one of the best tile setters ever.

He was a loyal husband, daddy, grandpa, brother and friend to all. He never met a stranger.

He was preceded in death by his parents, W.J.B. and Scottie Carlisle Hewett of Ash, and by five sisters and four brothers.

Bennie is survived by his wife, Shelby O'Neal Hewett of the home; daughter, Sondra Ray Edmunds and husband, Charles of Chapel Hill; sisters, Velma Maggard of Supply and Loretta Fowler and husband, R.D. of Shallotte; grandsons, Stephen Hans Brinitzer and wife, Krystalin of Bremerton, Wash., Julian Lenn and Collin Bryant Ray, both of Chapel Hill; great grandsons, Anthony Hans Brinitzer of Goldston and Landon Makai Brinitzer of Bremerton, Wash.,; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were conducted Saturday, Aug. 1,at Walker's Funeral Home Chapel by the Rev. Ernie Keck. Interment followed in New Salem Baptist Church Cemetery in Pittsboro.

Online condolences may be sent to www.walkersfuneralservice.com