Bertie COUNTY NC Obits March 2006 ********************* 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 MARCH 2006 JOHN L. TYLER LEWISTON - John Louis Tyler, died March 1, 2006. A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church by the Rev. Jones. Burial will be in the family cemetery. Reynolds Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie, is in charge. Survivors include his mother, Bertha R. Tyler of Lewiston; two brothers, Larry Tyler and Terry Tyler, both of Lewiston; and four sisters, Bertha O. Taylor of Windsor, Patricia Tyler of Murfreesboro, and Essie Tyler and Geraldine Taylor, both of Ahoskie. JAMES SIMMONS AULANDER - James H. Simmons, 59, died March 1, 2006 at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Ahoskie. A funeral was conducted Friday at Woodland United Methodist Church by the Rev. Sid Collins. Burial was in Woodland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Woodland United Methodist Church, Woodland, NC 27897. Massey Funeral Home, Jackson, is in charge. Simmons was a member of United Methodist Church and was retired from the NC Department of Correction, Jackson. Survivors include his wife, Mary Simmons; his children, Joseph Daniel of Woodland, and Carlton Daniel Jr. of Lasker; his brothers and sisters, J. C. Simmons of Windsor, Barbara Jones of Williamston, Carol Thames of Windsor and Shelia Shingleton of Walstonburg; six grandchildren; and one great- grandchildren. JAMES BELL COLERAIN - James Bell, of Colerain, NC, died March 2, 2006 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital, Greenville. A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Ashland Baptist Church, Merry Hill, by the Rev. Willie Best. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Reynolds Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie, is in charge. Survivors include one son, Shawn Bell of Florida; mother, Mary B. Bell Basnight of Colerain; one brother, James Basnight of Colerain; three sisters, Annie Outlaw of Merry Hill, Gladys Anderson of Ahoskie and Gloria Johnson of Windsor; and two grandchildren. SARAH F. RODGERS WINDSOR - Sarah Freeman Rodgers, 72, of the 700 block of Woodard Road, died March 4, 2006 in her home. She was the daughter of George S. and Emma L. Freeman, born on January 14, 1934 in Windsor. She was predeceased by her husband, John W. Rodgers. She bravely and courageously fought her illness for some time with great integrity, humility, and endurance. She leaves to mourn her loss, two brothers, George Freeman of Windsor and Haywood Freeman of Norfolk, Va, five sisters, Fannie Williams, Emma Green, and Ida Wynn, all of Norfolk, Rebecca Grandy and Mary Mitchell, both of Windsor, NC, one stepson, John Rodgers and two stepdaughters, Jennifer Rodgers of Greenville and Cynthia Woolard of Williamston, five sister-in-laws, one uncle, two aunts, and a host of other relatives, cousins, friends and neighbors. A funeral will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday in Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witnesses, Windsor. Burial will follow in the Freeman Family Cemetery in Windsor. Visitation was held Tuesday, March 7, 2006 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Gilliam Funeral Home is in charge. JOHN A. DREW JR. AULANDER - Mr. John Asa Drew, Jr., age 79, died at Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville, NC on March 5, 2006. He was married to Vera Bryant on August 2, 1947. Mr. Drew was a member of the Aulander Baptist Church in Aulander and was active in the Men’s Adult Sunday School Class. He worked for the North State Provision Co., Inc., for thirty eight years, serving on the board of directors and retiring from the company. During his life, Mr. Drew coached many little league baseball teams and adult softball teams. He has remained a lifelong supporter and avid fan. Meaning most to Mr. Drew was his family. His life with his family was both fulfilling and rewarding. His love for them was shown and felt throughout the life of John Asa Drew, Jr. Mr. Drew was a charter member of both the Millennium Fire Department and the VFW Post # 11226 which he was instrumental in organizing. Preceding him in death are his mother and father, Lettie Casper Drew Casper and John Asa Drew, Sr. as well as two brothers, James and George Drew. Survivors include his wife, Vera Drew of the home, one daughter, Janet D. Emory and her husband Wayne of Aulander, NC, four sons, Larry Drew and his wife Carolyn of Aulander, NC, Billy Drew and his wife Kathy of St. John, NC, Fred Drew and friend Sandra Peele of Aulander, NC and Eddie Drew and his wife Vicky of Millennium, NC, eleven grandchildren, Jeff Emory and his wife Angela, Mickey Drew and his wife Mindy, Brian Drew and his fiancé Beth, Scott Drew and his wife, Angie, Sonya Ramsay and her husband Joe, Heath Drew and his fiancé Kaci, Kristy Dunlow and her husband Scott, David Simmons and his wife Denise, Reba Drew, Titia Vaughan and her husband Mike, and Tracy Burkett and her husband Scott. As well as twelve great-grandchildren, Dylan and Katlyn Drew, Tery, Joseph, and Zachary Ramsay, Scott Dunlow, David, Jr., Caleb and Gracie Elizabeth Simmons, Michael Vaughan and Ashley and Austin Burkett. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 at 2 p.m. at the Chapel of Sykes Funeral Service in Rich Square, NC with the Rev. Tom Culver and Rev. Lester Jarrett officiating. The interment will follow at the Aulander Cemetery in Aulander, NC. The family will receive friends at Sykes Funeral Service Tuesday evening from 7:00- 8:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the VFW Post 11226, c/o Sylvia Bryant, Treasurer, 128 J. T. Hall Road, Aulander, NC 27805. JAMES W. BURDEN WINDSOR - James William Burden, 89, an active farmer in Isle of Wright County, died March 7, 2006, at his home. Born June 28,1916, in Aulander, NC he was the son of the late Albert B. and Eula Benthal Burden, widower of Kathryn Burden and father of the late Sandra Faye Burden. Mr. Burden was a member of Liberty Spring Christian Church, and the Purdie Masonic Lodge of Windsor and Windsor Ruritan Club. He was an Army veteran of World War II and retired from NASA as an aerospace researcher. Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Jimmie W. and Dawn M. Burden of Windsor; a grandson, Jesse D. Burden of Windsor; granddaughters, Erica D. Zill of Windsor, Lisa G. Stamps of Newport News, and Dana C. Beale of Suffolk; a great-grandson, Aaron Stamps; and great-granddaughters, Kaleigh Beale and Kacey Beale. A funeral will be conducted Friday at 2 p.m. at the graveside at Colosse Baptist Church Cemetery by the Rev. Allen L. Lancaster. The family will receive friends in the R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home & Crematory Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to Boy Scout Troop 41, c/o Larry Willis, 67 E. Windsor Blvd., Windsor, VA 23487. Condolences may be registered at www.rwbakerfh.com. DORIS PARKER Doris D. Parker, 40, a native of Bertie County, died March 7, 2006 at Pitt Memorial Hospital. A funeral was conducted on March 12, 2006 at First Born Holy Church, Grimesland, NC, by Pastor Virgil Smith. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Don Brown Funeral Home, Ayden, NC. Doris was born August 8, 1965 in Bertie County, the daughter of Evelyn Scarbor and Andrew Parker, JR. She graduated from Bertie High School in 1983. She became a member of Sandy Point Baptist Church at an early age, and as the years progressed she united with Refreshing Center COGIC. After relocating to Grimesland, NC she united with First Born Holy Church. She was preceded in death by her father Andrew Parker Jr., and her grandfather, Andrew Parker, Sr. She leaves to cherish her memories three sons, Marqeith Parker of Portsmouth, Va., Dominque Cherry of Windsor, and Tiras Smith of Grimesland, one daughter, Jacina Freeman of Windsor, her mother, Evelyn Scarbor of Virginia Beach, VA, stepfather, Larry Scarbor of Portsmouth, grandmother, Bertha Parker and step-mother, Annie Pearl Parker, both of Windsor; one brother, Michael Parker, two sisters, Jennifer Mourning and Carol P. Pugh all of Windsor, and a host of aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. LELLIE W. BROWN COLERAIN - Lellie Vann White Brown, 92, of the 100 block of Quebec Road, died March 8, 2006. Mrs Brown was the widow of George Herbert Brown. She was a native of Bertie County, the daughter of the late Herbert R. and Lila Sessoms White. She was a dedicated mother, homemaker and an active member of Mars Hill Baptist Church. She was president of the Women’s Missionary Society, leader of the Intermediate Girls Auxiliary, treasurer of the church, coordinator of the 1987 church directory and taught Sunday School. Survivors include one daughter, Peggy Brown Ruffin and husband Herbert H. Ruffin of Great Bridge, Chesapeake; three grandchildren, Andrea R. Crooks and husband Jeff Crooks of Virginia Beach, Amy R. Forbis and husband Pat Forbis of Southern Shores, NC, Herbert C. Ruffin and wife Kelli Ruffin of Hampstead, NC; and five great-grandchildren, Brandon, Lauren, Megan, Matthew, and Tommy. A graveside service will be conducted by the Rev. Burke Holland at Highland Memorial Gardens, Ahoskie, Saturday at 3 p.m. The family will receive friends at Garrett Funeral Home, Ahoskie, form 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, prior to services. Memorial donations may be made to Mars Hill Baptist Church, 1325 Meadow Road, Colerain, NC 27924. LESTER THOMPSON HARRELLSVILLE - Lester Thompson, 92, a native of Bertie County, died March 8, 2006 at his residence. A funeral will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at New Harrellsville Chapel Church, Harrellsville, by the Rev. Robert L. Lewis. Burial will be in Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery. Due to recent illness of the wife, the family will receive friends at the viewing from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Reynolds Funeral Home Chapel, Ahoskie. Thompson was a member of Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Mary Frances Thompson; two sons, John Edward Thompson of Harrellsville and Robert Thompson of Winton; four daughters, Mary Thompson Porter of Harrellsville, Bessie Byrd of Powellsville, Flossie Smallwood of Windsor and Annie Mae Holley of Ellicott City, Md.; two brothers, John David Thompson of Suffolk, Va., and Eddie Thompson of Lewiston; one sister, Sally Thompson of Oak City; 16 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and one great- great-grandchild. IRVIN M. VINSON AULANDER - Irvin McCoy Vinson, 55, of the 100 block of Grant Mitchell Road, died March 9, 2006. A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday in Menola Baptist Church. Wilder’s Funeral Home Inc., is in charge. MARGARET W. GODWIN AHOSKIE - Margaret Williams Godwin, 90, a native of Bertie County, died March 9, 2006 in her home. She was the widow of Stanley W. Godwin. Mrs. Godwin was a member of Brantley’s Grove Baptist Church. She and her late husband, Stanley W. Godwin, founded and operated Godwin’s Country Meats until their retirement. Survivors include a daughter, Geraldine G. Jones of Ahoskie; two sons, Stanley Sherwood Godwin and Wallace Dale Godwin, both of Ahoskie; a sister, Shirley Sybil Rawls of Murfreesboro; a brother, Omax Williams of Chesapeake, Va.; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Garrett Funeral Home, Ahoskie, by the Rev. J.N. Baggett and Rev. Jimmy Ward. Burial will follow in the Ahoskie Cemetery. ALFONSO L. SPIVEY PORTSMOUTH, VA - Alfonso Lee Spivey, son of Linnie Lee Spivey and the late Melvin Spivey Sr., was born on September 30, 1954. He departed this life on Saturday, March 11, 2006 at Mary View Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia. He was formerly married to Floretta Gilliam. Four young men and one lovely daughter were born to this union. He left home at an early age to serve in the United States Army. After leaving the Army, he returned home to Lewiston, NC. He worked for several years at Weyerhauser Lumber Co. He spent the latter years of his life living, laughing, and loving, Chicago, Florida, New York and Virginia. He was preceded in death by one brother, Jerry Spivey and one sister, Linda Spivey. He leaves to cherish his memories and celebrate his home going, his former wife, Floretta Gilliam of Lewiston and their five children, Craig Gilliam, and Antwan Spivey, both of Lewiston, Alonzo L. Spivey of Plymouth, Shanga Spivey of Newport News, Va., and his only daughter, Natasha Spivey of Ahoskie, his loving mother, Linnie L. Spivey of Windsor, three brothers, Melvin Spivey Jr., of Newport News, Va., Delton and Ricky Spivey of Windsor, eight sisters, Shirley Williams, Earnestine Rascoe of Bronx, NY, Judy Suttles and Sharon Bunch of Chesapeake, Va., Barbara Bazemore and Joann White of Aulander, Tara Spivey of Windsor and Sylvia Cherry of Lewiston, seventeen grandchildren and a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at Mount Ararat Baptist Church in Windsor on Saturday, March 18, 2006 at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. Dr. James E. Jones, Jr., officiating. Cherry’s Funeral Home of Windsor was in charge of arrangements. RUTH H. WILLIAMS GATES - Ruth Harrison Williams, 87, of the 1500 block of U.S. 13 N. died March 11, 2006, in Down East Health and Rehab in Gatesville. Mrs. Williams was born in Bertie County and was the daughter of the late Spurgeon Lee and Lucy Ward Harrison. A retired electronics operator with Birdsong Peanuts in Suffolk, she also many years ago worked at the Gatesville Theater and later the Theater Grill. She was a member of Reynoldson Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Garland M. Williford and Curtis Lee Williams, a daughter, Dorothy Lilley and a son, Grady Williford. Surviving are two daughters, Linda Wiggins Connolly and husband Paul of Gatesville and Phyllis Williams Liverman and husband Jimmy of Aulander; two sons, Finley Lee Williford of Newport News and David A. Williford and wife Betty Ann of Chesapeake; a daughter-in-law, Sonny Lilley of Gates; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and one great-great- grandchild. A funeral will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. in Reynoldson Baptist Church by the Rev. John Wilkinson and the Rev. Billy Presley. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may join the family today from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Miller Funeral Home, Gatesville, and all other times at the residence. JAMES HARRIS AHOSKIE - James Harris, 87, a native of Bertie County, died March 11, 2006 at his residence. Harris was a formally employed with HT Jones Lumber Company, as a saw mill operator. Survivors include two sons, Jule Bazemore of Raleigh and John T. Smallwood of Lewiston; daughter, Gladys Bazemore of Ahoskie; one sister, Martha Sessoms of Ahoskie; and one grandson. A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday at Canaan Missionary Baptist Church by Rev. Franklin D. Williams. Burial will be in Mt Olive Baptist Church Cemetery, Lewiston. Hunter’s Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie, is in charge. EURA SESSOMS Eura Sessoms, 94, of the Vintage Inn in Williamston, died Saturday, March 11, 2006. She was born on January 11, 1912 in Bertie County to the late John Bazemore and Annie Todd Bazemore. She was a member of St. Paul’s Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband Tom Sessoms. She is survived by her brother Rudolph Bazemore of Seattle, Wa., and two grandchildren. Funeral services were held Saturday, March 18, 2006 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. James R. Wrighton officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Manson Mortuary was in charge of the arrangements. JACK WILSON TODD, SR. Jack Wilson Todd, Sr., 69, of Williamston, NC died on March 11, 2006 at his residence. He was born on January 14, 1937 to Mary Thomas Leggett and the late Francis Todd in Bertie County. He was a retired truck driver. He is survived by his daughters Sharon Hoell of Robersonville, Rose Hubbard of Falcon, NC and Tonys Ward of Williamston, his sons, Danny Todd of Clinton, MS, Jack Todd Jr., of Williamston, and Jamie Todd of Robersonville, his mother of Williamston, his brothers Richard Todd of Fort Recovery, OH, Jimmy Leggett of Mountain City, TN, his sisters Mary Francis Phelps of Windsor, Jane Jamerson of Portage, IN, her thirteen grandchildren and her eight great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at Biggs Funeral Chapel on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Roger Leggett officiating. Burial followed in Edgewood Cemetery. Biggs Funeral Home of Windsor was in charge of the arrangements. ELSIE L. NEWSOME COLERAIN - Elsie L. Newsome, 75, of Bud Taylor Road, died Sunday, March 12, 2006, in Annie Penn Hospital, Reidsville, NC. Miss Newsom was born in Bertie County, a daughter of the late Moses Arthur and Allie Sessoms Newsome. She was a member of Mars Hill Baptist Church and was retired from Freeman Metal Company as a casket interior liner. Left to cherish the memory of Miss Elsie are two nieces, Peggy Lovings of Reidsville, NC, Jean Bracy of Colerain; a great niece, Amanda---of Reidsville; and great nephews, Jay Rakestraw of Reidsville and Joshua Bracy of Colerain. A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 15, 2006, at Highland Memorial Gardens, with Pastor Jim Cox an the Rev. Holland officiating. The family will assemble at the cemetery at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday prior to services. Memorial donations may be made to Mars Hill Baptist Church, 1325 Meadow Roa, Colerain, NC 27924. Garrett Funeral Home, Ahoskie, is serving the Newsome family. CLARA BOND SPELLER Clara D. Bond Speller, "Foone" was so fondly called by her family, was born November, 3, 1940 in Bertie County to the late Link and Margaret Bond Cherry. Clara joined Beacon Light Baptist Church at an early age. She attended W.S. Etheridge High School. Clara married her high school sweetheart Willie Speller in 1959 and to this union four children were born. Clara loved cooking, caring for her family, coming to North Carolina, and shopping. Clara leaves to cherish her memory, her loving husband Willie Speller, children, Margie Haggard, Dora Speller, Shirley Speller, Wilbert Speller, sisters, Sarah Carty, Belinda Cooper, Debra Cherry, all of Windsor, Elaine Manning of Williamston, brothers, James Cherry, Sylvester Cherry, Tim Cherry, and James Ruffin, five grandchildren, three great- grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her brother Lewis Ruffin Jr. Funeral services were held at East Ward Missionary Baptist Church in New York on Saturday, March 18, 2006 at 9:30 a.m. with Rev. Dr. Sean Pl Gardner officiating. Burial followed in Rosedale Cemetery in Linden, NJ. FLORENCE H. HURDLE MILLENNIUM - Mrs. Florence Harrell Hurdle, 84, a native of Bertie County, died March 14, 2006 at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital. She was the widow of Elwood Hurdle. Mrs. Hurdle was predeceased by her parents Flora Parker Harrell and William T. Harrell. Mrs. Hurdle and her husband owned and operated the local grocery in Millennium and later opened Florence’s Drive Inn in Aulander, which she operated until the death of her husband in 1986. Survivors include her sister, Irma H. Harris of Scotland Neck; and her brother, Robert E. Harrell of Jackson. A graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Sunnyside Cemetery in Scotland Neck by the Rev. Roger Cope. The family will receive friends following the graveside service. Memorial contributions ay be made to University Hospice of Ahoskie, 521 W. Meyers Street, Ahoskie, NC 27910. Sykes Funeral Service, Rich Square, is in charge. JOHN C. HECKSTALL HEMPSTEAD, NY - John Cleveland. Heckstall, Jr., 61, of Harriett Avenue, died March 15, 2006. He was born on March 14, 1945 in Bertie County to the late John Cleveland Heckstall, Sr., and Cleo Heckstall. He grew up attending the public schools of Bertie County. On March 15, 2006 God quietly called him home. He leaves to cherish his memories his loving children John Heckstall of Windsor, Vanessa Owens of Odenton, Md., and Pamela Wise of Queens, NY, his brothers, McKinley Heckstall of Brooklyn, NY, Layfette Heckstall of Queens, his sisters, Audrey Freeman of New Jersey, Erma Harrell, Geneva Pugh, and Betty Miller, eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and a host if nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, Windsor, NC on Sunday, March 19, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Roy Sharpe officiating. Gilliam Funeral Home, Windsor, is in charge. IRY T. TAYLOR MERRY HILL - Iry Thelber Taylor, 86, of Merry Hill, died March 16, 2006 at Pitt County Hospital. He was born September 6, 1919 to the late Norman Frank and Mattie E. Hughes Taylor. Mr. Taylor was a WWII veteran and he received the Bronze Star for Bravery. He was a merchant, farmer, and member of Capeharts Baptist Church. A graveside service will be held at Capeharts Church Cemetery Saturday at 2 p.m on Saturday, March 18, 2006 in Capeharts Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Bruce Dayton officiating. He is survived by his wife Frances Howell Taylor of Merry Hill, his sons, Iry Taylor, Jr., of Colerain and Christopher Taylor of Wilson, NC, his sisters, Carolyn Copeland of Aulander and Martha Sue White of Roper, NC, his seven grandchildren, and his two great-grandchildren. The family received friends at the home. Walker Funeral Home of Windsor was in charge of the arrangements. HELEN H. HALL AHOSKIE - Helen Hayes "Emma" Hall, 59, a native of Bertie County, died March 16, 2006 at Bertie Memorial Hospital, Windsor. She was born November 29, 1946 in Bertie County. A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Ashland Baptist Church, Merry Hill, by the Rev. W.J. Best. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Wilder’s Funeral Home, Inc., Aulander, is in charge. Mrs. Hall was a former employee of Lea Lumber Company and Perdue, Inc. She was a member of Ashland Baptist Church. Survivors include he son, Rodney Hayes of Colerain; daughter, Elsie Hayes of Ahoskie; brothers, George Lewis Hayes of Connecticut, Robert Earl Taylor of New York City and Earnest Earl Holley of Roper; sisters, Mary L. Hayes of Philadelphia, Pa., Yvonne Askew of Colerain, Barbara Banner, Priscilla Taylor, Helen Morring and Mary Warren, all of Edenton, Juanita Dingle of New York City, Cora Taylor of New Jersey and Mary Gilliam of Caswell; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. IRY TAYLOR MERRY HILL - Iry Thelber Taylor, 86, died March 16, 2006 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital, Greenville. A graveside funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Capeharts Baptist Church Cemetery by the Rev. Bruce Dayton. The family will receive friends at the home. Walker Funeral Home, Windsor, is in charge. Taylor was a WWII veteran and received the Bronze Star for Bravery. He was a merchant, farmer and a member of Capeharts Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Frances Howell Taylor of Merry Hill; two sons, Iry Taylor Jr. of Colerain and Christopher Taylor of Wilson; two sisters, Carolyn Copeland of Aulander and Martha Sue White of Roper; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. CLINTON BROWN Clinton Brown, 56, a native of Bertie County, died March 17, 2006 at Calvary Hospital, New York. A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at Spring Hill Baptist Church, Lewiston, by the Rev. Leroy Douglas. Burial will be in the Brown Family Cemetery. Hertford County Undertakers, Winton, is in charge. Survivors include three daughters, Sandy Kennedy of Queens, Jackie Kennedy of Bronx and Jacquell Kennedy of Columbia, Md; sisters and brothers, Florence Clark and Brucey Brown of Petersburg, Va., Harlee Messick of Wilmington, Betty Casterlow, and Clifton of New Jersey, Mary Sutton of Wendell, Sylvia Jordan of Aulander, Williothea Powell and Marie Smith, both of Ahoskie, Franklin Brown of Bronx, Andrew Brown of Como, Hosea Brown an James Brown, both of Murfreesboro, Cleveland Brown Jr. of Lewiston, Richard Brown of New Jersey, Roy Brown of Fayetteville, and Willie Brown of Lewiston; and two grandchildren. DONALD L. SALISBURY COLERAIN - Donald Lee Salisbury, 41, a native of Bertie County and of the 300 block of Sally Freeman Road, died March 18, 2006 at his residence. He was born June 20, 1964 in Bertie County. A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church of Powellsville, by the Rev. Vernon Lassiter. Burial will be in the Salisbury Family Cemetery, Hexalena. Wilder’s Funeral Home, Aulander, is in charge. Survivors include his wife, Debra Outlaw Salisbury; sons, Donald Salisbury Jr. of Connecticut, Roderick Outlaw of Lewiston and Deaudra Casey of Ahoskie; his mother, Agnes Salisbury Wiggins of Colerain; brothers, John Arthur Downing of Powellsville, Joe Williams of Virginia, Willie Wiggins of Ahoskie, Larry Salisbury of Murfreesboro, Johnnie Salisbury of Greenville and twin brother, Ronald Salisbury of Colerain; sisters, Annie Mae Dukes, Agnes Simpson, Virginia Freeman, Maxine Rankins and Gladys Salisbury, all of Powellsville, Rosa Battle of Windsor, Marian Swain and Viola Cherry, both of Colerain. RUTH B. PARKER RICH SQUARE - Ruth Bracy Parker, 85, died March 18, 2006. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Roxobel/Kelford Cemetery. Massey Funeral Home, Jackson, is in charge. CHRISTINE L. MORRIS COLERAIN - Christine Lawrence Morris, 85, of 2103 Wakelon Road, died peacefully at home March 18, 2006. She was the daughter of the late Annie Perry and Luther Lawrence and a native of Bertie County. Ms. Christine, as she was known to her friends and colleagues, was a graduate of Meredith College. Following her graduation, she taught elementary school briefly in Washington County before joining the U.S. Army. In the Army, she rose to the rank of 1st Lieutenant and was stationed at Army hospitals in Georgia and Hawaii where she provided physical therapy to military personnel injured in World War II. Upon discharge from the Army, she returned to Bertie County and married Earl Morris, a former classmate at Mars Hill High School. In her early years of marriage, she devoted her time to raising four children, working on the family farm and participating in school, church and community activities. In 1961, she returned to teaching. She taught for 21 years, primarily at Asheville Elementary School but also for a number of years at Windsor Elementary where she was a special education teacher. During her tenure as a teacher, she touched the lives of many hundreds of students with her care and compassion. She was an active member, until her health failed, of the Mars Hill Baptist Church where she served as a deacon and as a longtime teacher of the senior adult Sunday School Class. She was also an active member for many years of Delta Kappa Gamma International, and educational sorority. She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Earl Morris, and by her brothers, Harold Lawrence and Mac Lawrence. She is survived by daughters, Mary Bethel and husband Art of Fuquay-Varina, Jean Matthews and husband Bobby of Ahoskie and Laura Cunic and husband Brad of Belton, S.C.; son, Jim Morris and wife Donna of Colerain; sisters, Jane Hutchinson of Lafayette, La., and Margaret Bry of Clinton, S.C.; sister-in- law, Carolyn Lawrence of Colerain; grandchildren, Craig and Christie Bethel of Fuquay-Varina, Mary Beth Matthews of Ahoskie, Eric Shock and wife Amber of Winfield, Va., Matthew Shock of St Albans, W. Va., and Zach and Nicholas Morris of Colerain; and great-grandaughter, Gracee Shock. The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all those who provided compassionate care to Ms. Morris during the period of her declining health. Special thanks goes to Dr. Colin Jones of Ahoskie Family Physicians and to her current and former caregivers Bettina Jernigan, Hallie Smith and her daughter Donna, Sally Ayers, Sandra Ward and her daughter Kim, Alice Rogers and Nancy Duffy. Appreciation is also extended to members of the community, church family and others who did so many things to help her remain at home. A funeral was held at 11 a.m. Monday at Mars Hill Baptist Church, 1325 Meadow Road, Colerain, with the Rev. Tommy Tripp officiating. The family received friends at Garrett Funeral Home, Ahoskie, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday and other times at the Morris home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to University Health Systems Hospice Care, PO Box 272, Ahoskie, NC 27910 or to a charity of one’s choice. SHERMAN LEARY COLERAIN - Sherman Lee Leary, 78, a native of Bertie County and of the 300 block of Quebec Road, died March 20, 2006 at his residence. He was a resident of Colerain. Mr. Leary was a member of Ashland Missionary Baptist Church in Merry Hill, NC. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in Ashland Baptist Church, Merry Hill by the Rev. W.J. Best. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Wilder’s Funeral Home, Aulander, is in charge. Sruvivors include children, Denise Leary, Stephany Leary, Pheobia Overton, Valorie Lassiter and Catherine Leary, all of Colerain, Bryan L. Basnight of Powellsville and Avis L. Harrell of Harrellsville, James Holley of Hampton, Va., Dana Perry of Carrollton, Venita Walker of Landover, Md., Donald Sumner of Germany, Lashonda Rankins of Colerain, Kevin Leary and Tykella Leary, both of Colerain and Shawn Leary of Georgia; brothers, Samuel Leon Leary, Eddie Leary and Tony L. Leary, all of Windsor, Darryl Perry of Colerain; sisters, Georgia Perry of Askewville, Lillian Walden of Murfreesboro and Pearl Rankins of Colerain; 14 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. BENJAMIN RASCOE JR LEWISTON - Benjamin L. "Ben" Rascoe Jr., 63, a native of Bertie County and of the 1000 block of Indian Woods Road, died March 20, 2006 at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Ahoskie. He was born on December 27, 1942 in Bertie County. He was a member of Spring Hill Baptist Church of Lewiston, NC. A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Spring Hill Baptist Church by the Rev. Harry Hayes. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Wilder’s Funeral Home, Aulander, is in charge. Survivors include a son, Carl Rascoe of Connecticut; his mother, Alfredia Butler; brothers, John Rascoe of Lewiston, Joseph Rascoe, Louis Rascoe, Monroe Butler, and James Saunders, all of Bridgeport, Conn., and Horace Duncan of Penn.; sisters, Jannie Williams and Mollie Hayes, both of Lewiston and Angela Butler of Bridgeport, Conn.; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his special friend Ellah Pugh, his uncle Joseph Rascoe and great uncle Anderson Pugh. BERNICE L. DOXEY NORFOLK - Bernice Leicester Doxey, 94, of the 2700 block of Vimy Ridge Ave., passed away March 20, 2006, at her residence. Born in Windsor, N.C., she was a member of Lafayette Presbyterian Church, a graduate of Old St. Vincent Hospital Class of 1933 and a former nurse at Lake Taylor Hospital. Mrs. Doxey was the widow of Leon C. Doxey and is survived by two brothers, James Aubrey Leicester and Melvin Smithwick Leicester as well as two sisters, Bertha L. Barncascel and Mary L. Edwards, all of Windsor, NC. A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday at Holloman- Brown Funeral Home, Tidewater Drive Chapel, with Pastor Max Culler officiating. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be offered to Layfayette Presbyterian Church. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon- brown.com. JIMMY R. BOND WINDSOR - Jimmy Rudolph Bond (Blueboy) was born on September 2, 1944 in Bertie County. He departed on March 22, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. at the Bertie Memorial Hospital. He married Alfreda Bryant Bond on September 2, 1994. He was the oldest son of Esther Ruth Bond and the late Nept Bond Jr. He was predeceased in death by his brother, Nept Bond III and two sisters, Alice Wright and Angeletta Bond. He joined St. Luke Baptist Church at an early age, and he attended the schools of Bertie County. He leaves to cherish his memories a loving wife, Alfreda Bryant Bond of Windsor, three children, daughter, Doris Harrell and two sons, Bethel Askew and Ternall Bond, all of Windsor, two grandchildren, Keshawna Harrell and Nikki Harrell of Windsor. He raised one great niece, Sha’Keila Bond as his own and one godson, Eric Core, both of Windsor, six sisters, Elsie Mae Bond of Washington, DC, Althea Clark, Lillie Heckstall, Jenny Craig, Mary Bond and Joyce White, all of Windsor; three brothers, Robert Bond of Windsor, and Elijah Bond of Washington, DC, two aunts, Annie Freeman of Windsor and Mary Williams of Philadelphia, Pa., as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday, March 26, 2006 with Rev. Roy Sharpe officiating. Burial followed in Hillcrest Cemetery in Windsor. Gilliam Funeral Home of Windsor was in charge of the arrangements. MACK CLARK JR AHOSKIE - Mack Clark Jr., 81, a native of Bertie County, died March 25, 2006 at Bertie County Memorial Hospital, Windsor. He was born on March 23, 1925 in Bertie County. A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Wilder’s Funeral Home Chapel, Aulander, by the Rev. Theresa Dudley- Gaskins. Burial will be in the Clark Family Cemetery, Lewiston. Wilder’s Funeral Home, Inc., Aulander, is in charge. Survivors include one daughter, Jackie Clark of Windsor; sisters, Jessie Mae Bond of Richmond, Va., Viola Lee, Lendora Bond and Fannie Mae Bazemore, all of Petersburg; and one brother, Milton Clark of Richmond. WILLIE C. BROWN SR NEW HAVEN, CONN - Willie C. Brown Sr, 66, died March 26, 2006. A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in Cedar Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Gilliam Funeral Home is in charge. MICHAEL CAMERON WINDSOR - Michael "JB" Cameron, 62, died March 28, 2006 at his residence. Survivors include two grandchildren. No services will be held. Cremation will be done on April 4. Hunter’s Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie, is in charge. FRANCIS E. HOLLOMAN MURFREESBORO - Francis Eley Holloman, 87, of the 1200 block of US 158 West died March 29, 2006, at Forsythe Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC. He was a native of Bertie County, the son of the late Herman J. and Elizabeth Cobb Holloman, and was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Annie Early Holloman. He was a retired farmer and served as a technician for the USDA Soil Conservation Service. He was a member of Mt Tabor Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, choir member and church treasurer for many years. He was a member of the Murfreesboro Lions Club and served as treasurer for many years, a member of the Roanoke Chowan Wildlife Club and served as treasurer of the local Woodmen of the World Society. Surviving are two daughters, Pat H. Kline of Hampton, Va., and Betty H. Jensen and husband John of Winston-Salem; one brother, Rudolph Holloman and wife Phyllis of Toledo, Ohio; four grandchildren, David Kline and wife Amorette of Chesapeake, Holly Kline of Hampton, Johnny Jensen of Raleigh, N.C., and Tommy Jensen of Asheville, N.C. A service to celebrate the life of Mr. Holloman will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Garrett Funeral Home, Ahoskie, with the Rev. Wint Hale officiating. Interment will follow in Mount Tabor Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 3 ro 4:30 p.m. Sunday and other times at the home. Flowers will be accepted or those wishing to make contributions may do so to Mount Tabor Baptist Church, 814 US 158 West, Ahoskie, NC 27910. LOUIS E. SMITH AHOSKIE - Louis Edward Smith, 67, of the 900 block of NC Hwy 461, died March 31, 2006, at his home. Mr. Smith was born in Bertie County, a son of the late Charlie Minton and Hazel Miller Smith. He was a retired corrections officer with the North Carolina Department of Corrections, an active member and deacon of Union Baptist Church and was an Army veteran serving during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Survivors include his wife, Shirley Benton Smith; a daughter, Tammy Smith Askew and husband Jay of Ahoskie; a son, Chris Smith of Ahoskie; sisters, Ruby Mince of Tyner, Rachel Smith of Ahoskie, Mary Skinner of Edenton; brothers, Charlie Smith of Aulander and Andrew Smith of Suffolk; and two grandchildren, Krislyn Askew and Hunter Smith. A celebration of life service was held Monday, April 3, 2006 at 11 a.m. at Union Baptist Church, with the Rev. Johnny Baker and the Rev. Curtis Pixler officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens. The family received friends at Garrett Funeral Home, Ahoskie, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, April 2. Memorial donations may be made to University Health Systems Hospice Care, 521 Meyers St., Ahoskie, NC 27910 or to Union Baptist Church Parsonage Fund, 431 Boone Farm Road, Ahoskie, NC 27910. DORENE P. WHITAKER VIRGINIA BEACH VA - Dorene Pierce Whitaker, 77, a native of Colerain, died March 31, 2006. She was the widow of William F. Whitaker. She was born Sept 28, 1928 in Colerain, NC. She was the daughter of the late LeRoy and Martha Pierce. Mrs. Whitaker worked at Fort Lee until 1958. She was also a partner with her husband’s business of Courtesy Lincoln Mercury. She was past president of the Richmond Women’s Club, member of the Order of the Eastern Star and Virginia Beach General Hospital Auxiliary. Survivors include her daughter, Lynn Whitaker. A memorial service was held in Virginia Beach United Methodist Church on Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 945, Virginia Beach, Va. 23451. She will be missed by the many who loved her. I love you Sunshine.