Bertie COUNTY NC Obits ********************* 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 OBITUARIES DECEMBER 2003 NEALIE B. PARKER ROXOBEL - Nealie Bracy Parker, 87, died Dec 1, 2003 at Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville, NC. Mrs. Parker was born Jan. 17, 1916 in Northhampton County, NC, the daughter of the late Elias Bracy and Carrie Smith Bracy. She was a member of Sandy Run Baptist Church. Survivors include her daughter, Carolyn Bracy of Spring Lake, NC; sisters Ruth Parker of Rich Square, NC and Virginia Wise of Suffolk; and 15 nieces and nephews. A funeral will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. in Sandy Run Baptist Church with the Rev. David Rimet officiating. Burial will follow at Roxobel-Kelford Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Massy Funeral Home, Aulander today from 7 to 8:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sandy Run Baptist Church Building Fund. LEROY PIERCE COLERAIN - Leroy Pierce, 72, died Wednesday, Dec 3, 2003 at Guardian Care Nursing Home in Ahoskie. Pierce was born on July 15, 1931 in Bertie County to the late Hezzie VanBuren and Emma White Pierce. He was predeceased by his wife, Foy Davis Pierce and a brother Alton Pierce. Pierce was a farmer and a member of Colerain Baptist Church. He was also a former member of the Lions Club and the Colerain Rescue Squad. He was a basketball coach in the senior league in Windsor and the old Albemarle League in Colerain. Survivors include sons, Steve Lee Pierce of Gonzales, LA., Chief Warrant Officer 3, Ronald Wood Pierce of Fort Riley, KS, and Vann Pierce of Ahoskie, NC. A sister Virginia P. Joyner of Colerain, NC, brothers, Fleetwood Pierce of Colerain, NC and Darnell Pierce of Frisco, NC, six grandchildren and one step granddaughter A funeral was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, 2003 at Colerain Baptist Church by the Rev. Billy Sellers. Burial followed in Hillcrest Cemetery, Colerain. The family received friends from 7-8:30 p.m. Friday at Walker Funeral Home, Windsor, and at other times from the home of Vann Pierce. BURDEN R. GATLING, JR. PORTSMOUTH - Burden R. "Junior" Gatling, Jr., 75, of the 2000 block of Atlanta Ave. died, December 4, 2003 at Maryview Medical Center. Born in Bertie County, N.C., to the late Burden Reven Gatling Sr., he had been a resident of Portsmouth for the past 59 years. He is survived by three daughters, Linda Gray, Patricia Holley (Sammy) and Ramona Cherry; a son, Tony Gatling; four sisters, Beaulah Ballard of North Carolina, Margarette Shepard, Maggie Passmore and Dorothy Johnson (Herman); a brother, Rudolph Gatling; several grandchildren; a devoted caregiver, his niece, Saundra A. Bracy; aunts, and uncle, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends. A graveside service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Monday at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, Portsmuth, by the Rev. F.R. Williams. Viewing at Corprew Funeral Home will be from 2 to 5 p.m. today. RUDOLPH HILL Rudolph Hill, 81, died Thursday, December 4, 2003 at his home. Hill was born in Bertie County, a son of the late Joe and Mamie White Hill and was a member of the Bethel Assembly of God Church, Askewville, NC, and the Woodmen of the World. He was a retired as a heavy equipment operator with the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Survivors include his wife, Virgie Lassiter Hill, two daughters, Carolyn Edwards of Ahoskie, NC, Dianne Lassiter of Aulander, NC; a son, Donald Hill of Rocky Mount, NC; two sisters, Alease Askew and Nadine Bazemore both of Windsor, NC; four brothers, Joe Hill and Haywood Hill, both of Windsor, NC, Carlton Hill of Colerain, NC, Jim Hill of Chesapeake, VA; four grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. He was predeceased by a sister, Rebecca Jarvis, a brother, Garner Hill, and grandchildren Darlene Lassiter and Jeff Edwards. A funeral service was held on Saturday, December 6, 2003 at 1:00 p.m. at Bethel Assembly of God Church, Askewville with the Rev. R.O. Denton, Jr. and Rev. R.O. Denton, Sr., and Rev. Johnny Bryant officiating. Burial followed in Highland Memorial Gardens. The family received friends at Garrett Funeral Home Friday, December 5, 2003. NOYES A. DAUGHTRY AULANDER - Noyes Alfred Daughtry of the 1400 block of Hwy. 561 died at his residence in Aulander Dec. 6, 2003. He was born in Hertford County on May 20, 1929. He was a site attendant for the landfill. He was a member of Zion Grove Baptist Church in Aulander. He is survived by his wife Christlee Daughtry; two sons, Noues Daughtry, Jr. of Suffolk, VA and Johnny Daughtry, three daughters, Delores Mitchell of Aulander, NC; Gloria Smith of Ahoskie, NC and Lillian Cherry of Aulander, NC; two brothers, Edgar Lee Daughtry of Aulander, NC and Robert Joes Daughtry of Patterson, NJ; four sisters, Dorothy Belfield of Kelford, NC, Marion Taylor of Edison, NJ, Mildred Howard of Paterson, NC and Lucinda Lee of Ahoskie, NC. A funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec 12, 2003 in Zion Grove Baptist Church. The Rev. Elbert Lee will officiate. Burial will follow at Zion Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Wilder's Funeral Home, Aulander, is in charge. FELIX HARDY Felix Hardy, 73, died on December 6, 2003 in Kelford, NC. He was born September 23, 1930. He is survived by his wife, Magdaline, five children, Evangeline Howard of Lewiston, NC, Peggy Hilliard of Rocky Mount NC, Allen Ray and Jessie Hardy of Roxobel, NC, and Felecia Bazemore of Hope Mills, NC. In addition, he leaves three sisters, Margaret Jane Lee of Lewiston, Barbara Garris of Ahoskie, and Janet Farmer of Greenville, NC, two brothers, Rosoe Hardy of Roxobel, and William "Billy" Hardy of Patterson, NJ, eight grandchildren, three great grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews, relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at Sandy Branch Baptist Church on Saturday, December 13, 2003 at 1 p.m. Rev. Robert Walton officiated. FITCHEW L. WHITE CHESAPEAKE - Fitchew Lee White, 75, of the 1300 block of Stewart St., passed away in Chesapeake Dec. 9, 2003. He was a native of Windsor, NC, and the son of the late Bennie Foster and Gency Mizelle White. He was retired as a chemical mixer with Swift Fertilizer Co. and late retired from Berkley Machine Works. He is survived by his wife, Rita Stubbs White of Chesapeake; three sisters, Annie Mae Bazemore and Eurnice Castellow, both of Cofield, NC, and Helen Fuller of Ahoskie, NC; two brothers, Ollie W. White and Tommy R. White Sr., both of Chesapeake; and several nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held Friday at 2:30 p.m. in Rosewood Memorial Park, Virginia Beach. The family will receive friends today from 7 to 8 p.m. at Graham Funeral Home, South Norfolk chapel, and at the residence at all other times. Friends may sing the guest register at www.grahamfuneralhome.com. MEANDER SLADE AHOSKIE - Meander Slade, died December 9, 2003, at Guardian Care Nursing Home, Ahoskie. The funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Sunday at Zion Grove Baptist Church, Aulander, by the Rev. Lebron Britt, Jr. Burial will be in the Bryan-Slade family cemetery. Reynolds Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie, is in charge. A wake will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home chapel. Survivors include a son, Marlo Slade of Ahoskie; four daughters, Annie Prout and Ollie Lee, both of Colerain, Carolyn Watford of Portsmouth, Va, and Ivory Jordon of Ahoskie; 36 grandchildren; and many greatgrandchildren. JOELENA SMALL JONES Joelena Small Jones was the seventh child of eleven born to the late Rodney and Meta Small on February 12, 1928 in Bertie County. She took her flight to her heavenly home on December 9, 2003. She attended public schools in Bertie County and joined Cedar Landing Baptist Church at an early age. After graduating from High School, she moved to New York. She stayed there over 20 years. She moved back home in 1975 to be with her mother. "Sister" as she was affectionately called by her siblings, was always a sweet, loving, kind, and trusting friend to all and would go out of her way to help anyone. She gave so much of her life to others and asked so little in return. In May, her daughter, Beverly Newkirk, preceded her in death. Four sisters, Fannie, Katie, Thelma and Lola also preceded her in death. She is survived by two brothers, Roger and William, four sisters, Sweetie, Alma, Frankie, and Jean, one uncle, Lewis Carter, two grandsons, Jameel and Saeed, a son-in-law, Floyd Newkirk and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. The funeral was held on Saturday, Dec 13, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. at Cedar Landing Baptist Church in Windsor. Rev. Shelton Barnes officiated. JAMES ELVIS CASPER "RED" James Elvis Casper "Red", 43, of Kelford, NC died on December 9, 2003 at Roanoke Chowan Hospital. He was born in New Jersey on March 18, 1960. He leaves to cherish his memories Tommie Casper, Sr., his wife, Dianne Gatling Casper, one son Jamond Faison, One daughter Casonya Casper Jefferson of Greenville, NC, four step-children, Brenda and Angela Gatling of Aulander, Curtis Gatling of Ahoskie, Sandra Gatling of Ahoskie. He also leaves one brother Tommy Casper, Jr. of Syrasuse, NY, two sisters, Elaine Moore of Roxobel, NC, and Brenda Cunningham of Paterson, NY, two grandchildren, and 16 step-grandchildren and a host of aunts, uncles, sisters-in-law, brothers-in- law, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends. The funeral was held on Sunday, December 14, 2003 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Lycurgus Harrell officiating. JENNIE LEE P. WARD Jennie Lee Pearce Ward, 80, a member of Ahoskie House, died Tuesday, December 9, 2003, in Roanoke Chowan Hospital. Ward was born in Bertie County, a daughter of the late Thomas Dewitt and Maude Eve Lee Pearce, and was the widow of Samuel Silas Ward, Sr. She was a member of Union Baptist Church and a homemaker. Survivors include three daughters, Emily Lee Minton of Chesapeake, Va., Joey Kay Rutherford of Ahoskie, Connie Eve Jones of Conway, four sons, Thomas A. Ward of Plymouth, NC, David H. Ward, James C. Ward, and Samuel S. Ward, Jr. all of Ahoskie, eighteen grandchildren, and eighteen great grandchildren. A funeral service was held on Saturday, December 13, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. at Union Baptist Church with the Rev. James C. Ward officiating. Burial followed in Ahoskie Cemetery. The family received friends at Garrett Funeral Home from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and other times at the home of James C. Ward. AGNES ROSE BAKER MIZELLE Agnes Rose Baker Mizelle, 73, died Saturday, December 13, 2003, in her home. Mizelle was born in Bertie County, a daughter of the late Ernest Calvin and Georgia Luis Harden Baker, and was a member of Harrellsville Baptist Church. She was retired as the manager of Centura Bank in Harrellsville. She is survived by a daughter, Jo Mizelle Liles and husband, Thurston, of Harrellsville, a son Randy Mizelle and wife Linda, of Harrellsville, daughter, Ann Mizelle Conner and husband of Greenville, a sister, Vivian Baker Meadows of Roanoke Rapids, and four grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted on Monday, December 15, 2003, in Harrellsville Baptist Church with the Rev. Jimmy Jerrell officiating. Burial followed in Harrellsville Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Harrellsville Baptist Church or to the Harrellsville Volunteer Rescue Squad or University Health Systems Hospice Care. DAVID R. JOHNSON PORTSMOUTH - David R. "Jabo" Johnson, 65, of Westmoreland Ave., died peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003 in his home surrounded by his family. Mr. Johnson, a native of Aulander, NC, was the son of the late Willie Johnson and Martha Brown Johnson. He was also predeceased by a brother, Wesley Johnson. He was co-owner of Johnson and Shires Body Shop and a member of Living Waters Christian Fellowship. Survivors include his wife, Sandi R. Johnson, daughter, Glenda "Mitch" Stevens of Raleigh, NC; stepchildren, Victoria Howerton and husband Andy, Bobby L. Cahoon Jr. and wife Kathleen, Michael L. Cahoon and special friend, Kiea Brown; grandchildren, David, Lauren, Shannon, Michelle, Laylin, Gatlin, Hunter, and Shelby; two special little girls, Tabitha and Alexis; great-grandchild Sevanna; sisters, Ruth "Sissy" Tripp, Jean Pierce and husband Melvin, Helen Farmer and husband Leroy, and Faye Thompson; brothers, Charlie Johnson and wife Iris and J. C. Johnson and wife Geneva. A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Living Waters Christian Fellowship by the Rev. Nelson Fields. Burial will follow in Olive Branch Cemetery. Friends may join the family today from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Living Waters Christian Fellowship, 2700 Gum Road, Chesapeake, VA 23321. The family is being served by Foster Funeral Home, Portsmouth. The world is richer because of Jabo's life, and poorer now that heaven has been rewarded with his arrival. BARBARA J. POWELL PATERSON, N.J. - Barbara J. Powell, 58, died December 14, 2003. A funeral will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at Cedar Creek Baptist Church. Wilder's Funeral Home, Aulander, NC, is in charge. KALVIN O. JEFFERSON WINDSOR - Kalvin O. Jefferson, 34, of the 500 block of Mountain St., died Dec. 14, 2003. A funeral will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in Mount Ararat Baptist Church. Gilliam Funeral Home is in charge. THADDIEOUS OUTLAW RALEIGH - Thaddieous Outlaw, 53, of the 1500 block of Sunbow Falls Lane, died Dec. 16, 2003. A funeral will be held Monday at 1 p.m. in Indian Woods Baptist Church. Gilliam Funeral Home is in charge. SALLIE DOWNING Sallie Downing, 82, of Powellsville, NC died on December 16, 2003 at Guardian Care Nursing Home. She was born on February 2, 1921 in Hertford County. She was a member of Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church. She is survived by a host of nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held on Sunday, December 21, 2003 at 4 p.m. with the Rev. Vernon Lassiter officiating. LOUETTA W. JERMAN AULANDER - Louetta Wooten Jerman, age 87 of Aulander, died Dec. 18, 2003 at Roanoke Chowan Hospital, Ahoskie, NC. Mrs. Jerman was born July 13, 1916 in Pender County, NC the daughter of the late Amos Stephen Wooten and Alice Raynor Wooten. She was preceded in death by her husband of forty-nine years Ashley Horne Jerman, Sr. She was a retired restaurant owner. Survivors include her daughter, Faye I Cooke and her husband Larry of Aulander, NC. Her son Ashley Horne Jerman Jr, and his wife Melanie of Charlotte, NC. Her sisters, Pearl Ketchem of Jacksonville, NC and Sue Grin of Swansboro, NC. Her brother, Walter Wooten of Wilmington, NC. Four grandchildren, Larry Cooke Jr., Kelly Cooke, Adam Cooke, and Laura Jerman. One great grandson, Alden Cooke. Funeral services were held, Saturday, Dec 20, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. at Massey Funeral Home in Aulander, NC with Rev. Robbie Parker officiating. Burial followed at Aulander Cemetery. The family received friends at Massey Funeral Home in Aulander, NC Friday from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Aulander Rescue Squad. WILEY S. LEICESTER WINDSOR - Wiley Stevenson "Steve" Leicester, 51, of the 100 block of St. Luke Church Road in San Soucci, died Dec. 21, 2003. Leicester was the son of Virgie Williams and Melvin S. Leicester and the husband of the late Carolyn Leicester. Leicester was a member of the Edenton Church of God, the United Christian Ministerial Alliance International, a former Lions Club member. Leicester was also the owner and operator of Jubilee Medical Apparel and was a member of the Board of Directors for the Bertie County Board of Elections. Surviving other than his parents are his daughter, Michelle Leicester of the home, and his sister Marcia Castellow and her husband Tom of Windsor. A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Edgewood Cemetery, the Rev. Donald Sawyer officiating. Evans Funerals and Cremations is in charge. GROVER S. HOGGARD WINDSOR - Grover Scott "Boots" Hoggard, 85, a native of Bertie County, died December 21, 2003, at Bertie Memorial Hospital. He was the widower of Annie Louis Langdale Hoggard. A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. at Lawrence Baptist Church by the Rev. J. N. Baggett. Burial will be in Edgewood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Walker Funeral Home. Memorial gifts may be made to the Bertie County Rescue Squad, PO Box 74, Windsor, NC 27983 or to the American Cancer Society. Hoggard was a retired farmer. He was a member of Lawrence Baptist Church. Survivors include a daughter, Ann H. Haislip of Windsor; two sons, Don Hoggard of Centreville, MD and Jack Hoggard of Lincolnton; six grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and two great great- grandchildren . FRANCES G. ALEXANDER NORFOLK - Frances G. Alexander, 77, known to all of us as "Aunt E" or "Ms. Eva", of the 1500 block of Longdale Drive passed December 21, 2003. Frances was born February 16, 1926 in Windsor, NC. She was retired. Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 53 years, Mayfield Alexander, Sr. of the home; one son, Mayfield Alexander Jr. (Audrey) of Norfolk; four grandchildren, Anthony, Antonio, Tiffany and Shimeka Alexander; one aunt, Herline McNeal; and a host of other relatives and friends. Frances was predeceased by her parents, Elizabeth and Abraham McNeal; two sisters, Pearline Peterson and Edna Brevard and a brother, Eddie McNeal. A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Monday in the chapel of Metropolitan Funeral Service, 7246 Granby St. Interment will be at Roosevelt Memorial Park, Chesapeake. The family will receive friends at 2832 Beachmont Ave. today where they will also assemble on hour prior to service for procession to the chapel. To send condolences and sign guest book online, visit www.metropolitanfuneralservice.com. EDWARD L. ARMSTEAD WINDSOR - Edward Lewis Armstead, 89, died Dec 23, 2003. A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Sunday at Hillcrest Cemetery. Blair Funeral Service is in charge. LENA JENKINS BRONX, N.Y. - Lena Jenkins, 88, died Dec. 23, 2003. A funeral will be Monday at 2 p.m. in Wilder's Funeral Home Chapel, Aulander, N.C. ANTOINETTE EVANS AULANDER - Antoinette Evans, 58, of the 500 block of Oak St., died Dec. 23, 2003. A memorial service will be today at 11 a.m. in Wilder's Funeral Home Chapel. WILLIE B. TAYLOR MERRY HILL - Willie B. Taylor, 81, of the 900 block of Pineridge Road, died Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2003. Taylor was the son of the late Mattie E. Taylor and Norman Taylor. He was a member of Capehart Baptist Church. Surviving include his wife Vivian Evans Taylor, his son Donnie B. Taylor, his two sisters, Martha White of Roper and Carolyn Copeland of Aulander; brother Iry T. Taylor of Merry Hill, his two grandchildren, Brent Taylor and Elizabeth Taylor, and one great grandchild, Courtney Taylor. A graveside service was held Saturday, December 27, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. in Capehart Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Tim Parker officiating. The family received friends at their home.. Evans Funerals and Cremations is in charge. BILLY W. AMBROSE AULANDER - Billy Wade Ambrose, 39, died Dec. 26, 2003. Survivors include his wife, Kim Lassiter Ambrose; his son, Derek Ambrose; his mother, Sybil Ambrose; his sister, Gail Ambrose, all of Aulander; and his brothers, Carlton "Zip" Ambrose and Brad Ambrose of Ahoskie, Trent Ambrose, Kenny Ambrose, both of Aulander. A graveside service will be held Monday at 2 p.m. at Edgewood Cemetery in Windsor, NC, by the Rev. Lester Jarrett. The family will receive friends today from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Massey Funeral Home in Aulander. DENNIE CHERRY SR. POWELLSVILLE - Dennie Lee Cherry Sr., 76, a native of Bertie County, died December 26, 2003, at Roanoke- Chowan Hospital. A funeral will be conducted at 12 noon Tuesday at First Baptist Church of Powellsville by the Rev. Vernon Lassiter. Burial will be in St. Mark Baptist Church Cemetery, Colerain. Wilder's Funeral Home, Inc., Aulander, is in charge. Cherry was a painter and a member of St. Mark Baptist Church. Survivors include seven sons, Bobby James Cherry of Plainfield, NJ, Adolph Cherry of Middletown, Conn., Charles Cherry of Newark, William Mack Cherry of Englewood, Donnell Cherry of Cofield, Dennie Lee Cherry Jr. of Raleigh and Delope Askew of New York, NY; four daughters, Diane Cherry of Englewood, Emmer C. Cherry and Marie Cherry, both of Powellsville and Dorothy Cherry of Suffolk, VA; one brother, Joseph Cherry of Colerain; two sisters, Annie Chamblee of Powellsville and Evoria Lee of Colerain; 25 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and two great- great-grandchildren. VERTIE J. BRYANT PORTSMOUTH - Vertie Jerigan Bryant, 85, formerly of the 2000 block of Airline Blvd, died Sunday, December 28, 2003. Mrs. Bryant, a native of Bertie County, North Carolina, was the widow of William A. Bryant since his death in 2002. Survivors include her daughter, Jean B. Casane and husband Mike of Portsmouth; tow granddaughters, Tammy Woods and husband Richard of Portsmouth and Tracy Casane of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; a great-grandson, Nicky Woods, three sisters, Simone Miles of Evansville, Ind., Rennie Futrell of Conway, NC and Nita Boone of Raleigh, NC. A private funeral will be held today at Meadowbrook Mausoleum, Suffolk, by the Rev. W. Dabney Walters. Foster Funeral Home, Portsmouth, is handling arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice. The family wishes to thank Lillian's Loving Care for their many kindnesses. BELVA P. PERRY WINDSOR - Belva Perry Perry, 90, died December 29, 2003 at Thomasville Medical Center. She was born in Bertie County on March 8, 1913 to the late Dowe and Hattie Williford Perry and was married to the late Donnis Frank Perry. Besides her husband she was predeceased by a sister, Vivian Joyner, a brother, Donald Mizelle, and a grandson, Viincent S. Perry. Perry was a homemaker and a former member of Edgewood Baptist Church. A graveside service held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, December 31, 2003 at Edgewood Cemetery, Windsor, NC, by the Rev. Jack Byrd. Walker Funeral Home is in charge. Survivors include a son, Franklin Stewart Perry of Winston Salem, NC, and two grandchildren. Memorial gifts may be made to the Shady Grove United Methodist Church, 167 Shady Grove Church Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27107 or to a charity of choice. SALLIE F. WYNN NORFOLK - Sallie Frances Wynn, 87, of the 7300 block of Clayton Drive, took flight on the wings of a dove and went home to be with her God on Dec. 29, 2003, in DePaul Hospital. She was born Oct. 16, 1916 in Bertie County, North Carolina, to the late Pattie and Walter McCoy. Sallie was the widow of Louis S. Wynn. She was a retired domestic worker. Sallie was a member of St. Mark RZUA Church, Norfolk. Those left to cherish her memory are four sisters, Josephine Towe of Chesapeake, Myrtle Williams of Plymouth, NC, Helen Williams of Norfolk and Shirley Taylor of Tuskegee, Ala.; two nieces, Peggy Mickens of Norfolk and Tanya Shorts of Delaware; two caretakers, a special niece, Justina Lavender of Norfolk and nephew, Ricky Williams of North Carolina; and a host of other relatives and friends. A funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in St. Mark RZUA Church, 1513 Colonial Ave, the Rev. Alvin B. Thomas officiating. Interment will be at Roosevelt Memorial Park, Chesapeake. Family and friends will assemble at 7037 Clayton Drive one hour prior to the service for the procession to the church. Metropolitan Funeral Service, 7246 Grandby St., is in charge. To send condolences and sign guest book online, visit www.metropolitanfuneralservice.com CAROL G. FRANCIS AULANDER - Carol Gray Francis, 82, died December 30, 2003 at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital. Mr. Francis was born in Bertie County and had retired as assistant manager of Colonial Stores Supermarket. He was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church and a former member and deacon at Holly Grove Baptist Church. Surviving are his wife, Velma H. Francis of Aulander; daughter, Sharon Frances Phelps and husband Ronnie of Coinjock, NC; and grandson Marcus Carol Phelps of Chesapeake. A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Aulander with the Rev. Bob Skeens officiating. Interment will be in Ahoskie Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today at Garrett Funeral Home, Ahoskie. Memorials may be sent to the National Arthritis Foundation or to Oak Grove Baptist Church. SALLY V. KEELY NORFOLK - Sallie Vick Keely, 86, died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. Mrs. Keely, a former resident of Norfolk, was born in Roxobel, N.C., March 21, 1917, and was predeceased by her parents, Andrew Judson Vick and Rennie Peele Vick, also formerly of Bertie County, N.C.; her husband, Willie Flowers Keely formerly of Norfolk; a son Donald Cullifer formerly of Norfolk; seven sisters, Flonie Ivonok, Myrtle Cullifer, Barbara Jenkins, Thelma Powell, Elma Peele, Willie Francis Vick, and Clara Vick; two brothers, William Vick and Horace Vick, all formerly of Bertie County. Survivors include two sisters, Hellen Francis of Jacksonville, FL, and Chloree Overton of Ahoskie, NC; and her son, William M. Keely of Currituck County, N.C. She was a homemaker and a longtime member of Norview Baptist Church. During World War II, she served her country in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard as a "Rosie the Riveter" and volunteered at the Veterans Affairs Hopsital in Hampton, VA during the Vietnam War. A private graveside service, officiated by family friend Robert Wollard, was held Jan. 2, 2004, at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk. EDNA D. LEWTER MURFREESBORO - Edna Carroll Doughtie Lewter, 81, died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, at Craven Regional Medical Center in New Bern, NC, surrounded by family and friends She was born in Bertie County on Sept. 24, 1922, to the late Raleigh and Nora Doughtie of Murfreesboro and was the widow of John Lewter. She was preceded in death by her sister, Bernice and her brothers, Edward, Dewey, J.P., and Oliver (Preacher), and a stepson, Carlton Lewter. She is survived by three daughters, Penny G. Lewter of Raleigh, NC, Pam L. Francis and husband Ron of New Bern, NC, Gail Lewter of Nashville, NC, a son Steve Lewter and his wife, Diane, of Raleigh; five grandchildren, Kenny Lewter of Le High, Fla., Brad Lewter of Raleigh, NC, Corey and Kevin Woodard of Nashville, NC, Ronda Francis of New Bern, NC, a stepdaughter, Lynn L. Warren and husband Bob of Murfreesboro, NC; step-grandchildren, Judi Northcott and husband Joh of Murfreesboro, Terry Lewter Warren and husband of Murfreesboro, John M. Sheets of Phoenix, Ariz; step grandchildren and step great- great-grandchildren. "Aunt Edna" is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. She was a member of Murfreesboro Baptist Church and a charter member of Murfreesboro Lioness Club. After years of working in the public, she operated a "home" day care until her retirement in 1984. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Murfreesboro Baptist Church with the Rev. Ken Compton officiating. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Garrett Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today. Memorial donations may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, The Lioness Club of Murfreesboro, Murfreesboro Baptist Church or Tabernacle Baptist Church Building Fund, New Bern, N.C.