Marcellus B. Hearne

Marcellus B. Hearne Marcellus "Cell" Bernard Hearne, 101, of Cary, died Friday, Nov. 7, 2008, at The Laurels of Chatham in Pittsboro. Cell was born in Farmville on Aug. 14, 1907, one of ten children born to Louisa Star May Hearne and William Augustus Bernard Hearne. Cell spent most of his life in Greenville and moved to Woodland Terrace of Cary with his sister Lucille Swaney in the 90's. He proudly and voluntarily served his country as a Corporal in the US Army – he was a part of 'The Great Campaign' in Normandy . . . D-Day. He devoted his life as a caretaker for his parents and two elderly aunts. He thoroughly enjoyed fishing and hunting with his brothers and their dogs. He was a kind and gentle man with the biggest and warmest heart. He believed strongly that laughter was the best medicine and was always ready with a joke or funny story to cheer up anyone who would listen. He was a serious student of health and physical conditioning -- even at 101 you could find him arm wrestling or jogging down the hallway to show his level of fitness! During his youth his Aunt Mattie treated him to a local performance of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show featuring Annie Oakley. While working at Virginia Beach with his brother Bill, he was quite astonished one day to see a plane actually 'on the beach'. He and Bill paid $2.50 for an exciting 10-minute sight seeing ride over the Atlantic Ocean . . . and the plane was piloted by Amelia Earhart! Surviving Cell are his sisters, Star May Hearne Williams of Casper, Wyo. and Ada June Hearne Ray of Cary; nieces, Donna Star Williams, Betsy Lynne Pentecost Nichols, Venetia June Pentecost Everette, Dotsie Hearne Faught and Laura Lou Hearne; nephews, James Spurgeon Pentecost Jr, Alan, Ken and Ray Marcus, cousins Elsie May Mason of Davidson, Robert May of Farmville, and Alfred May of Australia. Cell was predeceased by his sisters, Lucille Hearne Swaney, Venetia Hearne Pentecost, Laura Hearne Marcus; brothers, William "Bill" Hearne and Champ Hearne. Cell was well loved and will be deeply missed by his family and friends. No formal service is planned at this time. Online condolences to: www.griffinfuneral.com, Select Obituaries. Arrangements are under the care of Griffin Funeral Service, Pittsboro.