Bertie COUNTY NC Obits April 2005 ********************* Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/bertie.htm ******************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Claudia Williams Mmaker52@aol.com Bertie County North Carolina Obituaries April 2005 JESSIE SAWYER WINDSOR - Jessie Allene Byrum Sawyer, 85, a native of Bertie County, died April 2, 2005 at her home. She was born on December 17, 1919 to the late James Vernon and Harriet Pierce Byrum. Mrs. Sawyer was a homemaker and a member of Edgewood Baptist Church. A funeral was conducted Monday at Edgewood Baptist Church by the Rev. Chris Lee and the Rev. Michael Bryant. Burial was in Edgewood Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Edgewood Baptist Church. Walker Funeral Home, Windsor, was in charge. Survivors include her husband, Rommie Lee Sawyer, Windsor; five sons, Buddy Bunting of Wilmington, Lloyd Belch of Edenton, Arnold Belch of Sanford, Pete Belch of Edenton, and Randy Sawyer of Windsor; five daughters, Geralene Smith of Meredian, MS, Alice Nixon of Edenton, Christine Williams of Merry Hill, Ann Beckwith of Wilmington and Jessie Hoggard of Windsor; two sisters, Alice Jones and Mary Jones, both of Murfreesboro; a brother, William Buddy Byrum of Murfreesboro; 23 grandchildren, 32 great- grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. MABEL H. DILDAY POWELLSVILLE - Mabel Hoggard Dilday, 96, of Dilday Road, died Saturday, April 2, 2005, in Guardian Care of Ahoskie. Mrs. Dilday was born in Bertie County, a daughter of the late Dorsey and Olia Harris Hoggard, and was a member of Powellsville Baptist Church. She was a homemaker and the widow of Joseph Fletcher Hoggard. Survivors include her daughter, Mary Anne Williams and husband, Kendred of Powellsville; four sons, Jesse Preston Dilday and wife, Velma, of Suffolk, VA, Colbert Lee Dilday and wife, Earle of Fayetteville, Robert Earl Dilday and wife Marian of Powellsville, Jospeh McCoy Dilday, and wife, Lona, of Richmond, VA; a brother, C.D. Hoggard of Powellsville; twelve grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and two great- great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be conducted on Tuesday, April 5, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. at Powellsville Baptist Church, with Rev. Ed Davis, officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens. The family received friends at Garrett Funeral Home, Ahoskie, form 7 till 8:30 p.m. on Monday. Memorial donations may be made to Powellsville Baptist Church, 307 West Main Street, Powellsville, NC 27967. SIDNEY V. ALSTON NORFOLK - Sydney V. Alston of the 5100 block of Kennebeck Ave, passed away peacefully April 2, 2005 at his home of 47 years, surrounded by loved ones after a fearless two-year battle with melanoma. Loving father, husband, and brother, he was also known as "Uncle Sid". He was 74 years old a native of Windsor, NC, where he was raised the youngest of 10 children. He was predeceased by his parents, Molly and Walter Alston; eight siblings; and a son Randy V. Alston. He is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Doris Alston; son and spouse, Donald and Leslie Alston; and sister and spouse, Edna and Jimmy Stocks. Sidney served as a cook in the Navy. Later he became a 33 year employee of Belo Food Stores starting out as a meat cutter and later became the head meat merchandiser for all stores. Sidney was an avid outdoorsman who loved to spend time hunting, fishing, gardening, and playing. One of his greatest passions was growing a big vegetable garden every year and giving out fresh vegetables to all who wanted them. He was a lifetime member of the Izaak Walton League of America. He will be dearly missed by all. A graveside service will be held at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. with the Rev. Roger A. Gauthier officiating. The family will gather at the home of Doris Alston after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice at Sentara Home Care Services, 535 Independence Parkway, Suite 200, Chesapeake, VA 23320. Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Tidewater Drive Chapel, is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomom-brown.com. DAISEY B. OUTLAW WINDSOR - Daisey B. Outlaw, 75, of the 500 block of Mountain St., Brooklyn, NY, died April 2, 2005. A wake will be conducted from 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Gilliam Funeral Home, Windsor. A funeral will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at Oxley Hill Baptist Church, Merry Hill. Burial will be in the Holley family cemetery. Gilliam Funeral Home is in charge. Daisey was the third of five children born to Joseph Young and Hester Cofield Ryan. Daisey was educated in the public school system of Bertie County. She was untied in Holy Matrimony to the late Clifton R. Outlaw Sr. on June 21, 1948. From this union, they were blessed with six children. She leaves to mourn six children, Shirley Turner, Alice Rascoe, Julia Rix Outlaw, Clifton Outlaw Jr., Daisy Campbell and Al Rufus Outlaw, a goddaughter, Angela Harris, two sons-in-law, Charles Turner and Carlos Campbell, one daughter-in-law, Stephanie Outlaw; a former daughter-in-law, Yvonne Outlaw; one brother Adolf Coflield; two aunts, Alice McDonald and Daisy Williams, two brothers-in-law, John and Nelson Outland; two sisters-in-law, Rosa Wright and Connie Coffield, nineteen grandchildren, seventeen great- grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Funeral services were held at Oxley Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Merry Hill with Reverand Vonner G. Horton officiating. Gilliam Funeral Home of Windsor was in charge of arrangements. CHARLES H. EDWARDS LEWISTON-WOODVILLE Charles Henry "C.H." Edwards, 81, of 312 Charles St., died Sunday, April 3, 2005 at his home. He was born in Bertie County on November 18, 1923 to the late Charles H. and Annie Johnson Edwards. Mr. Edwards graduated from Lewiston- Woodville High in May 1940 and entered the Norfolk Naval Apprentice School in June 1941 and graduated with honors in April 1944. Upon graduation he entered the Naval Reserve and served during World War II until June, 1946. He married Evelyn Peele in 1949 and celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in July of 2004. He attended East Carolina College and graduated in August 1951. C.H. worked for four years as a tax accountant in Rocky Mount and returned to Lewiston in 1955 and served 30 years as Secretary and Treasurer of Harrington Mfg. Co. Inc. Beginning in 1961, he served as a Bertie County Commissioner. Of his 40 years serving as a County Commissioner, the last 22 were as Chairman of the Board. He was a member of Lewiston Baptist Church, and a member and officer of the Masonic Lodge in Lewiston. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Peele Edwards; a daughter, Belinda Kay Edwards Sellers of Raleigh, NC; two sons, Richard Edwards of Raleigh, NC and Bob Edwards of Davidson, NC; as well as eight grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at Lewiston Baptist Church on April 7, 2005 at 11 a.m. by the Rev. James Baughn and the Rev. Cecil Harkey. Burial with military honors will follow at Hoggard Memorial Cemetery, Lewiston-Woodville. The family will receive friends Wednesday, April 6, 2005 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, Windsor, NC. Memorial gifts may be made to Relay For Life, c/o Bobbie Parker, PO Box 505, Aulander, NC 27805. Walker Funeral Home, Windsor, is in charge of the arrangements. FRANCES W. TINKHAM AULANDER - Frances Kay Williams Tinkham, 49, of Broad Street, died April 4, 2005. Mrs. Tinkham was a member of Ahoskie Freewill Baptist Church. She was vice-president an secretary of Tri-Co Metal Works and taught music at several local schools and private piano lessons. She will be remembered for her love of God, her family, and a deep appreciation for music. Kay is survived by her husband of 31 years, Willard Bradley Tinkham; her mother, Dorothy James Williams of Murfreesboro; two sons, Jamie Brandly Tinkham and wife, Jennifer of Aulander, Jason Will Tinkham and wife, Dana of Aulander; a daughter, Kristy Kay Tinkham of Edenton; a sister, Beth Osburn of Oklahoma City, OK; two brothers, Jimmy Williams of Murfreesboro and William Williams Jr. of Wilmington. A funeral will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at Garrett Funeral Home, Ahoskie. Burial will follow in Aulander Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Memorial donations may be made to the Chowan College Music Department. ANNIE C. RASCOE MERRY HILL - Annie Cooper Rascoe, 81, was born July 8, 1923 in Bertie County, NC, to the late George Washington Gilliam and Venus Rankins Gilliam. She departed this life on April 4, 2005 at the Brian Center in Windsor, NC. Annie attended public schools of Bertie County, NC. She was a dressmaker in a Brooklyn, NY knitting mill. She was a faithful and dedicated member of Oxley Hill Missionary Baptist Church. She was united in marriage to Sherman Cooper. After his death, she married Johnnie Rascoe, who preceded her in death. She leaves to cherish her memories, three sisters, Stalis Wilson of South Mills, NC, Maggie Williams of Merry Hill, and Geneva Faulcon of Roanoke Rapids, two brothers-in-law, Rev. William Faulcon of Roanoke Rapids, and Willie Hall of Merry Hill, one uncle, David Rankins, Edenton, a host of nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews, as well as other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Colerain on Friday, April 8, 2005 with Rev. W. R. Best officiating. Burial followed in Ashland Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery. Gilliam Funeral Home of Windsor was in charge of the arrangements. DAVID TYLER COLERAIN - David Tyler, 63, a native of Bertie County, died April 5, 2005 at his residence. He was born October 1, 1941. A funeral will be conducted at noon Saturday at Evening Light Church of God In Christ Jesus, Windsor, by Overseer Luther Cherry. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Wilder's Funeral Home Inc, Aulander, is in charge. Tyler retired from Newport News Shipyard, Newport News, VA. He was member of Evening Light Church of God in Christ Jesus, Windsor. Survivors include his wife, Rether Drake Tyler of the home; sons, David Cordell Tyler and Keith Romell Tyler, both of Knightdale; daughters, Stephanie Tyler Jenkins of Zebulon, Maxine Raynor of Middletown, Conn., and Maxine Stephenson of Portsmouth, VA; sisters, Emma Cherry of Windsor, Mary Tyler of Colerain and Sarah Jane Williams of Rich Square; a brother, Willie Tyler of Portsmouth; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. MURRAY G. PERRY COLERAIN - Murray Glenn Perry, 86, passed away after a brief illness on April 5, 2005, at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital. The oldest son of George and Lucy Perry, he was born may 25, 1918, in Colerain. Perry attended Colerain Union School and served in the US Army Air Force during World War II. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Technical Sergeant in 1945. A gifted automobile mechanic, he owned and operated Perry's Repair Shop in Trap for 45 years. Survivors include his brother, Eugene Perry of Edenton; a daughter, Sharon Perry of Raleigh; son, Scott Perry, also of Raleigh; and two grandchildren. A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at Highland Memorial Gardens by the Rev. Gary Cline. The family will meet at the funeral home at 10 a.m. prior to services. Memorial contributions may be made to the Colerain Rescue Squad or the Colerain Baptist Church. Garrett Funeral Home, Ahoskie, is in charge. BRUCE ASKEW COLERAIN - Bruce Askew, 50, a native of Bertie County, died April 5, 2005. A funeral was conducted Sunday at New Holley Grove Baptist Church by the Rev. Roosevelt Askew. Burial was in Harrellsville Chapel Church Cemetery. Hunter's Funeral Home, Ahoskie, was in charge. Askew was retired from the U.S. Army. He was a member of New Holley Grove Baptist Church. Survivors include two sons, LaBruce Askew and Calvin Askew, both of Colerain; three daughters, Danielle Askew, LaShonda Askew and Shontia Askew, all of Colerain; three brothers, John Askew of Brooklyn, NY, Ernest Freeman of Yonkers, NY and Charles Freeman of Georgia; seven sisters, Willie Mae Freeman and Barbara Freeman, both of Brooklyn, NY, Shirley Gaston of Yonkers, Florence Perry of Texas, Pearl Rankins of Harrellsville, Peggy Palmer of Cofield and Donna Outlaw of Ahoskie; and six grandchildren. BLANCHE MORRIS AHOSKIE - Blanche Farmer Morris, 83, died April 6, 2005 at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital. She was the widow of Herman Morris. A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at Connaritsa Baptist Church by the Rev. Freddie Harris. Burial will be in Aulander Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday. Those desiring may make contributions to Connaritsa Baptist Church. Massey Funeral Home, Aulander, is in charge. Mrs. Morris was a member of Connaritsa Baptist Church. She was also a member of the W.M.U. Survivors include three daughters, Sue Farmer Weeks of Mt. Olive, Brenda Farmer White of Askewville and Judy Farmer Baker of Ahoskie; one sister, Rachel Tillery of Ahoskie; one brother, Leroy Farmer of Aulander; seven grandchildren; and six great- grandchildren. FANNIE SPELLER JAMES WINDSOR - Life begins, Life moves on, and then Life ends. The end for our loved one came Wednesday. April 6. 2005, at Bertie Memorial Hospital, Windsor, NC, after a three-month illness. She was the youngest of five children. On October 25, 1939, a star was born to the late William Daniel Speller (Shug) and Fannie James Speller (Mead). She attended the St. Francis Elementary School and W.S. Etheridge High School and graduated in 1957. At an early age, she joined the Speller's Chapel Church of Christ (DOC) and was a faithful member until her illness. On several occasions, she attended the Pleasant Oak Missionary Baptist Church. She was a choir member and was the secretary of the Benevolence Fund at St. James Church of Christ. She was a hard worker at Williford Cleaners in Windsor, NC for about 15-20 years. After leaving Williford Cleaners, she was employed with Solid Foundation and remained there until her health failed. In 1975. she met and married Joseph James. Those who remain to cherish her memories include: one son, Vernon E. Speller of Durham, NC; one goddaughter, Elizabeth Speller (Liz) of Windsor, three grandchildren, Teshawn Sanderlin of Williamston, Tyrek Speller of Windsor, and Brycen Jenkins of Durham, three sisters, Georgia Speller (Betty) of Manhatten, NY, Lucy Speller Morris (Doll Baby) of Hollis, NY, and Martha Speller of Windsor; a special and devoted friend, Mary Norfleet, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at Speller's Chapel Church of Christ DOC in Windsor on Saturday, April 9, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. with Eldress Ophelia Speller officiating. Gilliam Funeral Home of Windsor was in charge of the arrangements. HELEN C. MONAHAN SUFFOLK - Helen Clay Monahan died peacefully at Nansemond Pointe Nursing Home with her son by her side on April 7, 2005. She was 96 years old and the widow and devoted wife of the late Francis Marion Monahan. A native of Colerain, Bertie County, NC, she was the daughter of the late George Clay and Allie Myers Clay White. Mrs. Monahan, a registered nurse, was a graduate of Lakeview Hospital and worked there and later at the old Lakeview Clinic for 30 years before retiring. She is survived by a son, Frank M. Monahan of Suffolk, two nieces, Judy H. Pierce and Sue Ellis Laine; five nephews, Graham Harrell, Steve, Jerry, Danny and Jimmy Johnson and their families. Mrs. Monahan was preceded in death by two sisters, Bertha C. Ellis and Gladys C. Harrell; a half sister, Nell W. Johnson; and two brothers, George E. Clay and Shelby H. Clay. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church, 202 S. Broad Street, Suffolk, VA 23434 or to the Nansemond Suffolk Rescue Squad, PO Box 1515, Suffolk, VA 23439. A funeral service will be conducted Saturday at 3 p.m. in the R.W. Baker & Co Funeral Home & Crematory by Father Lou Ruoff with a private burial. The family will receive friends in the funeral home Saturday from 2 p.m. until the service time. Condolences may be left at www.rbakerfh.com. JOHN A. NOWELL AULANDER - John A. Nowell, 79, of the 300 block of East Main Street, died April 7, 2005 at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. He was a native of Bertie County, NC and had retired from the parts department at Charles H. Jenkins Co. Mr Nowell was a member of the Davie Masonic Lodge No 39 AF&AM, Sudan Shrine Temple, New Bern, NC., Roanoke-Chowan Shrine Club, Ahoskie Chapter of the Easter Star No 291 and Aulander Baptist Church. He was predeceased by his wife of 48 years, Della Evans Nowell. Survivors include a sister, Louise N. Deans of Greensboro, NC, a brother, Hamp Nowell Sr. of Norfolk; and nieces, nephews and friends. A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday (April 10) at Garrett Funeral Home, Ahoskie. Burial will follow in Hoggard Memorial Cemetery, Lewiston-Woodville, NC. The family will receive rinds at the funeral hom from 7 to 8:30 p.m. toady. Memorial donations may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, Greenville SC 29605 or a favorite charity. ELMA N. SMITH SEDLEY - Elma Newsome Wade Smith, 93, died April 8, 2005 at Southampton Memorial Hospital. A native of Bertie County, NC, she was one of 11 children of Mr. and Mrs. William Wingate Newsome and was predeceased by her first husband, Sam Wade. Mrs. Smith was a member of Sedley Baptist Church since 1926 and its Ladies Bible School Class. Survivors include her husband, Oscar Lynn Smith; a daughter, Sylvia Henson and husband Fred of Lithonia, Ga; two sons, William R. "Billy" Wade and John R. Wade and wife Edna, all of Sedley; two stepchildren, Rose Marie Myers of Baltimore, MD., and Helen Sumner and husband John of Chesapeake; four sisters, Jonnie Eley of Franklin, Mary Edwards of Newport News, Elien Isom of Tuscon, AZ, and Sally Kordulak of Virginia Beach; a half brother, Shirley Newsome of of Bumpass; a stepsister, Irene Epperson and husband Arthur of North Carolina; two grandchildren, Sheron Wade Williams of Courtland and John Randolph Wade and friend Janet and son Shane of Ivor; two great- grandchildren, Jamie D. Williams and Christopher Wade Williams; 23 stepgrandchildren; and two stepgreat- grandchildren. In addition to her first husband, Mrs Smith was predeceased by a sister, Elizabeth Porter and seven brothers, W.P. Newsome, OH Newsome, Leslie Newsome, Brantley Newsome, Leon Newsome, William W. Newsome Jr. and Reddick Jennings. A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Sedley Baptist Church, with burial to follow in Rosemont Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, and suggest memorials be made to Sedley Baptist Church, 17494 Johnsons Mill Road, Sedley, VA 23878. JOHN THOMAS HARRELL MERRY HILL - John Thomas "J.T." Harrell, 82, of the 200 block of Mount Gould Road, died April 10, 2005, at his home. He was born in Bertie County on May 22, 1922 to the late Richardson Pearce and Myrtle Miller Harrell and was predeceased by his first wife of 31 years, Rosalie Casper Harrell and a sister, Doreen Maranger. Mr. Harrell was a member of 'Riverside Baptist Church, a farmer, and an Army veteran of World War II, attached to the 20th Combat Engineers. Survivors include his wife, Ercel Belch Harrell of Boulder, CO; a son, Richard Harrell and wife Sarah of Merry Hill, NC; sisters, Betty Bunch of Edenton, NC, Lucy Byrum of Elizabethtown, Tenn., and grandchildren, Lyman and Rosanna Harrell of Merry Hill. A funeral will be held Tuesday in Riverside Baptist Church at 2 p.m. by the Rev. Al Jarrell. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery, Colerain, with military rites. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today in Walker Funeral Home and at other times at the home of Richard Harrell, 234 Mount Gould Road, Merry Hill. Memorial gifts may be made to either Riverside Baptist Church or the American Cancer Society. FRANCES H. HARRIS COMO - Frances Harrell Harris, 71, of the 200 block of Statesville Road, died April 10, 2005 at her home. She was the widow of Carlton Harris. Mrs. Harris was born in Bertie County and was the daughter of the late Lannie and Annie Harrell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by infant brothers, Raymond McCoy and Thurman Thurston Harrell; brothers, Leslie and Melvin Harrell; and sisters, Mildred, Bernice "Bunny" and Florence Lorraina. A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Roberts Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery by the Rev. Ralph Brabban. Friends may join the family from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday in Miller Funeral Home, Gatesville, and all other times at the residence. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest that contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, in care of the Hertford-Gates Relay for Life, 437 NC 561 W., Aulander, NC 27805. Mrs. Harris was a waitress at various restaurants in Murfreesboro and she had worked 17 years at the former Heritage Restaurant and later retired from the housekeeping department of Hertford County Middle School. She was a member of Buckhorn Baptist Church as its WMU. Survivors include one daughter, Juanita Williams and husband C.E. of Gates; one son, Michael Harris and wife Maria of Easley, SC; and four grandchildren, Brian Harris and wife Tonia Harris, Tanya Harris, Shelley Shrader and Thomas Shrader; and several nieces and nephews. JAMES CHAMBLEE NEWPORT NEWS VA - James Chamblee, 57, a native of Bertie County, died April 11, 2005 at his residence. He was born April 14, 1947. A funeral was conducted Monday at First Baptist Church Powellsville and employed with CSX Railroad. Survivors include his wife, Patricia Chamblee of Ahoskie; a son Emmette Jordon of Asheville; three daughters, Jennica Chamblee of Ahoskie, Tonya Kershaw of Hampton and Cindy Clark of Portsmouth; three brothers, James Palmer of Bronx, NY, William Palmer of Aulander and Steve Palmer of Harrellsville; a sister, Mable Palmer of Powellsville; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. HORACE SPIVEY SR Cofield - Horace Randolph Spivey Sr., 78, a native of Bertie County, died April 12, 2005 at his residence. He was born December 26, 1926. A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Philippi Baptist Church, Cofield, by the Rev. William C. Clark. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Wilder's Funeral Home, Inc, Aulander, is in charge. Spivey was retired from Norfolk Naval Shipyard as a transportation specialist. He was honorable discharged from the US Army, Masonic member and deacon at Philippi Baptist Church. He was also a Sunday School Teacher and member of the choir. He was a town councilman and volunteer fireman. Survivors include his wife, Doris King Spivey of the home; sons, Melvin Lee Spivey, Horace Randolph Spivey Jr. and James A. Spivey, all of Cofield, Earl L. Spivey of Brooklyn, NY; daughters, Dorothy L. Spivey of Brooklyn, NY, Connie M. Spivey and Angela F. Jordan, both of Cofield; sisters, Lalia Sutton of Cofield and Cordelia Taylor of Queens; a brother, Leroy Spivey of Queens; eight grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren. WILBERT J. OUTLAW WINDSOR - Wilbert Jason Outlaw, died April 13, 2005. He was the widower of Ella Virginia Outlaw and the son of John Outlaw and Mary Outlaw Speller. A funeral was conducted Sunday at Gilliam Funeral Home, Windsor, by the Rev. George Futrell. Burial was in the Outlaw Family Cemetery. Survivors include a son, George Outlaw; a brother, Avery Outlaw; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren. LOUISE P. MILLER WINDSOR - Louise Perry Miller, 75, a native of Bertie County, died April 15, 2005 at Bertie Memorial Hospital. She was the widow of Clyde Sutton Miller. She was born August 29, 1929 to the late John H and Goldie Mizelle Perry. A graveside funeral was conducted Monday in Edgewood Cemetery by the Rev. Roger Kiker. Memorial gifts may be made to the Bertie County Rescue Squad, PO Box 74, Windsor, NC 27983. Walker Funeral Home, Windsor, was in charge. Mrs. Miller was a member of the Easter Star and a retired bridge tender with the NC Department of Transportation. Survivors include a daughter, Sandra M. Sawyer of San Antonio, Texas; a son, Jimmy Miller of Windsor; a brother, Mack Perry of Texas; and three grandchildren. JUNIUS C. PARKER ROXOBEL - Mr. Junius Clinton "J.C." Parker, age 79, passed away at his home Saturday, April 16, 2005 surrounded by his wife and children. Mr. Parker was born March 17, 1926 in Northhampton County, NC the son of the late Charlie Robert Parker and Minnie Dunning Parker. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Lois Parker and a grandson Brandon Mitchell. He was a retired farmer and a member of Sandy Run Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Sally Harrell Parker; his children, Linda Lassiter of St. John, Yvonne Cooper and her husband Jimmy of Whitakers, NC, June Joyner and her husband, Manuel of Roxobel, Anne Brinkley and her husband Jackie of Union, Alton Parker and his wife Martha, ad Patty Mitchell and her husband, Gene, all of Roxobel; his sister, Doris Hodges of Jacksonville, Florida; his brothers, Charlie Parker Jr. of Roanoke, VA., and Hubert Parker of Roxobel; his grandchildren, Kimberly Bristow, Dawn Jones, Manuel Joyner Jr., Mitchell Joyner, Sheri Futrell, Josh Brinkley, Ashley Parker, Abby Parker, Anna Parker, and Courtney Mitchell; and four great- grandchildren, Hannah Jones, Sarah Grace Jones, Steven Futrell and Michaela Grace Futrell. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 19, 2005 at 2 p.m. at Sandy Run Baptist Church with the Rev. Curtis Faison and the Rev. Dave Rimel officiating. Burial will follow in Roxobel Kelford Cemetery. The family received friends at Massey Funeral Home in Aulander, NC, Monday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and other times at the home. JIMMY T. MIZELLE COLERAIN - Jimmy Travis Mizelle, 71, died Saturday, April 16, 2005 at his home. Mr. Mizelle was born in Bertie County on March 1, 1934 to the late Otis and Clarice Hoggard Mizelle. He was a member of Ross Baptist Church and retired from Three Rivers Oil Company. Graveside funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 19, 2005 at Ross Baptist Church Cemetery by the Rev. Roger Kiker. He is survived by his wife Lorretta Castellow Mizelle of Colerain, his son Travis Mizelle of Colerain, his sister, Lena M. Cowan of Windsor and one grandchild. The family received friends from 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, April 18, 2005 at Walker Funeral Home, Windsor. Memorial gifts may be made to either Ross Baptist Church, 1020 Bull Hill Road, Windsor, NC 27983 or to University Hospice Care, PO Box 71, Ahoskie, NC 27910. MARY A. POWELL BRONX, NY - Mary Askew Powell, 63, a native of Bertie County, died April 16, 2005 at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital. A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at Metropolitan Interdenominational Church of God, Aulander, by Bishop Anthony Cherry. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Windsor. Wilder's Funeral Home, Inc., Aulander, is in charge. Mrs. Powell was a member of Rehoboth Church of God in Christ, Bronx. Survivors include her husband, Winslow C. Powell of Bronx, a son, Linwood Earl Powell of Aulander; a daughter, Teresa Powell of Windsor; five sisters, Gladys Cherry of Windsor, Flora Rascoe of Bayshore, NY, Mageline Lassiter of Tarboro, Evelyn Mitchell of Middletown, Conn, and Doris Sessoms of Tarboro; a brother, McClimen Askew of Bayshore, NY and four grandchildren. ANNIE H. TAYLOR AHOSKIE - Annie Hendricks Taylor, 94, a native of Bertie County, died April 17, 2005 at Guardian Care Nursing Home, Ahoskie. She was born on November 12, 1910 in Bertie County. A funeral will be conducted at 3 p.m. Thursday at Newsome Grove Baptist Church by the Rev. Richard E. Smallwood. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Wilder's Funeral Home, Inc., Aulander, is in charge. She was a member and deaconess of Newsome Grove Baptist Church. Survivors include a son, James Donnell Taylor; and a daughter, Belinda M. Smallwood, both of Ahoskie. JAMES CRAIG WINDSOR - James "Jabo" Craig, 88, of Windsor died Sunday, April 17, 2005. He was born on May 16, 1917 in Windsor, NC, Bertie County, to Lizzie Sutton Craig and Andrew Craig. A native of Bertie County, Craig was a WWII Army Veteran and worked as a janitor and cook in New York until he retired and returned to Windsor. A son, Earl Craig of Ahoskie, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren survive him. A funeral was conducted Thursday, April 21 at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Windsor with Rev. James Wrighton officiating. Gilliam Funeral Home in Windsor was in charge of the arrangements. RUBY S. JERNIGAN AULANDER - Ruby Outland Smith Jernigan, 90, died at the Roanoke Chowan Hospital in Ahoskie April 17, 2005. Mrs Jernigan was married to Joseph Smith who died in 1959. She later married Cecil Jernigan who died in 1981. She worked for Golden Peanut Co. for 25 years as a peanut grader. She was a member of Rich Square Baptist Church. Mrs. Jernigan loved flowers and gardening. Also preceding her in death was her mother, Lucy L. Outland, her father, Jessie H. Outland; one son, Glenn Smith; and two brothers, Cecil Outland and Ralph Outland. Survivors include her daughter, Peggy Burgess and husband Clyde of Franklin; her son, Wayne W. Smith and wife Marilyn of Aulander; three sisters, Myrtle Jordon of Williamsburg, Va.; Lucille Hale and husband Bob of Sunberry, NC, and Elizabeth Mizell of Ahoskie; five grandchildren; and six great- grandchildren. A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Sykes Funeral Service, Rich Square, with interment following at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in Rich Square. Officiating will be the Rev. Bob Skeens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home today from 7 to 8:30 p.m. VASSIE WHITE PORTSMOUTH - Vassie "Da-Da" White, 76, a native of Colerain, died April 19, 2005, in Autumn Care of Portsmouth. White retired after 17 years as a laborer with Atlantic Wood Industries Inc. Survivors include his wife, Gerald White; a stepdaughter, Antionette Mayo-Cherry; stepson, Angelo Mayo; eight grandchildren; and 22 great- grandchildren. A graveside service was conducted Monday in Lincoln Cemetery, Portsmouth. Fisher Funeral Services Inc., was in charge. STARKEY CHERRY JR WINDSOR - Starkey Benjamin "Jr. Bug" Cherry Jr., died April 20, 2005 at his home. He was born May 20, 1938 to the late Starkey Sr. and Sue Cherry. Cherry was employed with Gilliam Bros. Peanut Company. A funeral was conducted Saturday at Mt. Ararat Missionary Baptist Church by the Rev. Ronald Taylor. Burial was in the Cherry Family Cemetery. Gilliam Funeral Home, Inc., was in charge. Survivors include his wife, Shirley Gilliam Cherry; two daughters, Deborah Grisson and Debbie Cherry, both of Brooklyn; eight sisters, Mary Gunter and Sylvia Townes, both of Hampton, VA, Minnie Hendrix, Maola Wesson, Peggy Watson, Cynthia Cherry, Donna Gilliam, and Evelyn Cooper, all of Windsor; and seven grandchildren. ETHEL MAE MILLER NORFOLK - Ethel Mae Miller of the 700 block of Easy St., died April 20, 2005, at her residence. A native of Windsor, NC, she was the widow of Charlie E. Miller, a homemaker and a former member of Queen Street Baptist Church. Survivors include a daughter, Lucy Taylor of Norfolk; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. A funeral will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. in Carlos A. Howard Funeral Home, Norfolk Chapel, by Bishop Anthony E. Moses. Burial will be n Calvary Cemetery. The remains will be ready for viewing Wednesday from 3:30 to 8 p.m. The family will assemble at 815 Goff St. Apt. 35, at 10 a.m. for the procession. RHONDA L. JOHNSON WINDSOR - Rhonda Lynn Johnson, 23, died April 21, 2005. A funeral was conducted Sunday in First Pentecostal Holiness Church. Walker Funeral Home, Williamston, was in charge. DELLA B. SUMNER PORTSMOUTH - Della B. "Dell" Sumner, 94, of ther 1200 block of Coltrance Drive, died April 21, 2005, in Sentara Nursing Center, Portsmouth. A native of Lewiston, NC, she was the widow of Trafton Sumner. Survivors include a son, Frank Parker (Mildred) of Portsmouth; two grandchildren; six great- grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends. A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Corprew Funeral Home, Portsmouth chapel, by Bishop James M. Whitaker. Burial will be in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, Norfolk. Condolences may be made to www.corprewfuneralhome.com . DANNY W. BROWN AULANDER - Danny William Brown, 24, died April 22, 2005 at Pitt Memorial Hospital, Greenville. A funeral was conducted Monday at the Chapel of Massey Funeral Home by the Rev. Jay Lassiter. Burial was in Cedarlawn Cemetery, Rich Square, with military honors.. Brown was employed as a correctional officer with Odom Prison and a veteran of Iraq with the U.S. Army. Danny was presently attached to the 120th HQ Company of the 30 H.S.B. National Guard in Wilmington. Survivors include his mother, Jane R. Brown; brothers, Jerry Brown and Robert Bishop and Richard Tibbs, all of Aulander. LUCY P. COOPER WINDSOR - Lucy Parker . "Mutt" Cooper, 82, died April 23, 2005, at her residence. She was the widow of Clinton R. Cooper Sr. She was born October 21, 1922 to the late General and Rosa Bunch Parker in Bertie County. A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday in Sandy Point Baptist Church, Windsor. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A wake will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday at Gilliam Funeral Home Chapel, Windsor. Survivors include three daughters, Lucy Grey, Carolyn and Castella, all of Windsor; four sons, Clinton Jr. of Stockton, MD, Charles Sr. of Snow Hill, William and Mike, both of Windsor; two sisters, Rosa Mae of Windsor and Meta James of Norfolk, VA.; 17 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. WILLIAM R. RANKINS COLERAIN - William R. Rankins, 67, a native of Bertie County, died April 25, 2005 at Pitt Memorial Hospital. He was the widower of Shirley Capehart Rankins. He was born April 29, 1937 in Colerain, NC. A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Zion Hill Baptist Church, Colerain. Burial will be in Ashland Missionary Baptist Church, Merry Hill. Gilliam Funeral Home, Windsor, is in charge. Rankins was a farmer. He was a member of Ashland Missionary Baptist Church, where he served on the Trustee Board, Usher Board, Kitchen Committee and Burial Ground Committee. Survivors include two daughters, Sheila Rankins of the home and Brenda Wright of Edenton; three sons, William Rankins Jr. of Durham, Bishop Loverne Rankins of Roughmount and Randy Rankins of Oxford; one foster son, Caroll Leary of Paterson, NJ; one foster daughter, Helen Leary of Paterson; four sisters, Inez R. Bass, Betty R. Watford and Evangelist Mamie R. Bass, all of Colerain and Alfreida Torian of Hillsborough; 16 grandchildren; and seven great- grandchildren. GEORGE CHERRY SUFFOLK VA - George Cherry, 84, a native of Bertie County, died April 27, 2005 at Beverly Manor Nursing Home, Portsmouth VA. A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Zion Hill Baptist Church. Hunter's Funeral Home, Ahoskie, is in charge. Cherry was a retired saw mill operator for Georgia- Pacific. Survivors include a brother, Leroy Cherry of Lake Helen, Fla., and two sisters, Mary Cherry and Ethel Green of Rochester, NY. G.B. LAWRENCE WINDSOR - The Rev. Glennwood Brinkley Lawrence, 81, a native of Bertie County, died April 28, 2005 at his home. He was the widower of his first wife, Mary Scarborough Lawrence. He was born on July 26, 1923 to the late David Brinkley and Doris Pierce Lawrence. Rev. Lawrence was a minister with the Assembly of God Churches. A graveside funeral service was conducted Monday at Edgewood Cemetery by the Rev. Charles Kelly and the Rev. Chuck Gray. Walker Funeral Home was in charge. Survivors include his wife, Helene Dunitz Lawrence of Windsor; two daughters, Glenda L. Busch of Lakeland, Fl, and Susan L. Nolley of Lumberton; one son, Robert Lawrence of Bear Grass; four sisters, Dorothy Dew of Kingston, GA, Rose Willetts of Chesapeake, VA, Faith Roberson of Hertford and Ethel Hedman of Elizabeth City; one brother, Gaston Lawrence of Elizabeth City; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. GEORGE E. WILLIAMS WINDSOR - George Edward "Stumpy" Williams, died April 28, 2005 at Wake Medical Center, Raleigh. He was born August 8, 1951 to Sarah Amerylis Williams and the late Edward Williams. He grew up in Cooper Hill where he was educated in the Bertie County School System. A funeral was conducted Sunday at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church by the Rev. Roy Sharpe. Burial was in the Cooper family cemetery. Gilliam Funeral Home was in charge. Williams was employed with the United States Postal Service in Manhatten. Survivors include his mother, Sarah C. Williams of the home; one son, George E. Williams Jr. of Windsor; one brother, Kenneth Williams of Cary; and two sisters, Mary W. Harrison of Silver Spring, Md., and Edna W. Brown of Windsor. GEORGE R. MCPHERSON MERRY HILL - George Richardson McPherson, 52, died April 28, 2005 at Pitt Memorial Hospital, Greenville. He was born to the late William Edward McPherson (Big Mac) and the late Rosa Lee McPherson on March 13, 1953. A funeral was conducted Monday at Oxley Hill Missionary Baptist Church by the Rev. W.J. Best, Jr. Burial was in Ashley Baptist Church Cemetery. Gilliam Funeral Home was in charge. Survivors include his wife, Mary E. McPherson; four daughters, Kendra of Raleigh, Shaquandra, Melissa and Melinda, all of the home; two sons, Kenrie of Lewisburg and Montell of the home; his mother, Kate McPherson of Edenton, five brothers, William Keith McPherson of Norfolk, Va., Benjamin McPherson of Edenton, Herbert McPherson of Edenton, Michael Rayner of Edenton and Ernest Rayner of Edenton; one sister, Margie R. Downing of Edenton; and two grandchildren. ADRIAN M. PULLER AHOSKIE - Adrian Michael Puller, 26, a native of Bertie County, died April 29, 2005 at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Ahoskie. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. Hunter's Funeral Home, Ahoskie, is in charge. ALICE R. CULLIPHER MERRY HILL - Alice Riddick Cullipher, 90, of the 1400 block of NC 45 Hwy N., died April 29, 2005, in Guardian Care of Ahoskie. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Miller Funeral Home, Edenton. DAVID M. FREEMAN COLERAIN - David M. Freeman, 80, died April 29, 2005 at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Ahoskie. A funeral will be conducted at 12 noon Friday at First Baptist Church of Colerain. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A viewing will be conducted from 6-9 p.m. Thursday at the church. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The remains will lie in state at the church from 10 a.m. until time of the service on Friday. Walson Funeral Home, Elizabeth City, is in charge. SARAH B. PENNY AHOSKIE - Sarah Brown Harrell Penny, 90, formerly of Colerain, died April 30, 2005, in Yadkinville, NC, home of her son Fletcher. Mrs. Penny was born in Bertie County, NC, Dec. 11, 1914, and was a member of First Baptist Church and the Woman's Club of Ahoskie. She was married to T.E. Harrell, who passed away in March of 1966, and later married C.R. Penny who also predeceased her. Sarah was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and was most happy when she was cooking, cleaning house or growing prize winning roses. Survivors include three of her four children, Barbara H. White and husband James of Jacksonville, Fla., Thomas E. Harrell and wife Nancy of Colerain and Fletcher V. Harrell and wife Linda of Yadkinville; three brothers, Stanley Brown and wife Lois of Columbia, S.C., Ollie Brown of Ahoskie and Shirley "Cutt" Brown and wife Nita of Colerain; 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and one great- great-grandchild. Sarah was also predeceased by a daughter, Molly H. Raines. A funeral will be conducted at 21 p.m. Thursday in Garrett Funeral Home, Ahoskie, with the Rev. Dr. Jesse J. Croom, officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1 until 2 p.m. Thursday, prior to the services, and other times at the home of Thomas and Nancy Harrell, Colerain. Memorial donations may be made to University Health Systems Hospice Care, PO Box 272, Ahoskie, NC 27910. JAMES A. CHERRY SR. WINDSOR - James A. Cherry Sr., 58, of the 100 block of Berry Lane, Windsor, died April 30, 2005. A funeral will be Saturday at 1 p.m. in Crossroad's Missionary Church. Gilliam Funeral Home is in charge.