Bertie COUNTY NC Obits May 2003 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Mmaker52@aol.com Claudia Williams http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/bertie.htm Jimmy J. Ruffin Mr. Jimmy James Ruffin, 89, of 1084 U.S. Highway 64 East, Plymouth, died Wednesday, April 30, 2003, at Washington County Hospital. A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday in Second Zion Grove Baptist Church, Plymouth, with the Rev. Brady Carmack officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Mr. Ruffin was born in Windsor, the son of the late James and Emma Jane Ruffin. He was married to Annie Mildred Small Ruffin, who survives. He was retired from Atlantic City, N.J. Survivors include seven daughters, Emma Carlisle and Gwendolyn Ruffin, both of Hampton, Va.; Cora Lee Mays of Durham, Carol Horton of Creswell, Joyce Whitehurst of Plymouth, Tassie Ruffin of Washington and Shelly Jester of Newport News, Va.; six sons, Albert Ruffin of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Ralph Ruffin of Raleigh, Willie Lee Ruffin of Bronx, N.Y.; Clinton Ruffin and Donald Ruffin, both of Plymouth; and Calvin Ruffin of Kansas City, Mo.; 40 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Simmons Funeral Service, Plymouth, and other times at the home of his daughter, Joyce Whitehurst, 411 E. Third St., Plymouth. Orita W. Austin WINDSOR -- Orita Walker Austin, 75, of Trump Town Road, died May 1, 2003 in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. She was a native of Richmond, a homemaker and mother, and a member of Jehovah's Witnesses. Her parents, Vernie Thompson and Willie Augustus Walker preceded Mrs. Austin in death. Survivors include her husband, Roy Melvyn Austin Sr.; daughter, Christine A. Pierce of Windsor; three sons, Bradley A. Austin of Edinburg, Va., Roy M. Austin Jr. of Windsor and William E. Austin of Franklin; sister, Eloise W. Waters of Chesapeake; brother, Willie Augustus Walker Jr. of Richmond; 11 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be conducted Sunday at 2 p.m. in Colonial Funeral Home Chapel with Cloyce Poling officiating. The family will receive friends at the residence. Rochelle Leary COLERAIN - Rochelle "Roach" Leary, died May 1, 2003, at his residence. A funeral was conducted Monday at Zion Hill Baptist Church, Colerain, by the Rev. Nathaniel Thompson. Burial was in the church cemetery. Reynolds Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie, was in charge. Survivors include his wife, Patricia Leary; two sons, Rochelle D. Gaskins of Colerain and Jerome Gaskins of Murfreesboro; three daughters, Cotyé, Charnella and Raquel Leary, all Colerain; five brothers, Greggory Morris Leary of Philadelphia, Pa., Willie Lee Leary Jr., Eric Leary and Jimmy Leary, all of Newport News, Va., Clifton Leary of Colerain; and five sisters, Marion Moore, Shirley Leary and Peggy Golden, all of New Jersey, N.J. and Ann and Jackie Leary, both of Colerain. Ralph “Smitty” Smith Ralph “Smitty” Smith, 70, passed away Thursday, May 1, 2003 at Guardian Care of Rocky Mount. He was born July 7, 1932 in Bertie County, the son of the late Bela O. and Lillian Early Smith. He was a member of the Church of the Nazarene. Smitty proudly served in the U.S. Army for 27 years, and fought in World War I and Korea, where he was a POW for 18 months. He also served in Vietnam. He was preceded in death by a son, Scotty Smith, and two brothers, Otis and Bud Smith. He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 10 years, Trudy Smith of the home; four sons, William Smith of Petersburg, VA, Bob Smith and wife, Beverly, and Jim Smith and wife, Bobbie Jo, all of Hopewell, VA, and Randy Smith of Rocky Mount; four stepdaughters, Renee Banaszak of Greenville, Michele Parker and husband, Glenn, of Rocky Mount, Mary Kirby and husband, Alex, of Tempe, AZ,and Tammy Saunders and husband, Keith, of Kissimmee, FL; one stepson, Ron Banaszak and wife, Allison, of Momeyer; two sisters, Essie Shepard of Lynchburg, VA, and Margaret Bland and husband James of Windsor; one brother, B.J.Smith and wife, Lillian of Whitakers; 21 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends Sunday, May 4, 2003, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Bowling Funeral Home, and other times at the home. Funeral services will be held Monday, May 5, 2003 at 2 p.m. in the chapel of the funeral home, with Pastor Bob Lockwood officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetary in Nashville. Freddie Williams Freddie Williams was the son of the late Freddie William Sr of the Cedar Landing Area, Windsor North Carolina and Eleanor Cherry Williams of Norfolk VA. He was born on April 15, 1944 and departed this earthly life on May 1, 2003 in Windsor, NC. He was joined in Holy Matrimony to Jean Bond of New York. He resided in Norfolk, VA after which he moved to Windsor, NC. He leaves to cherish his memory a loving sister, Carrie L. Brown, Norfolk, VA; three uncles, Charlie Cherry (Sunny), and Rudolph Cherry of Windsor, NC and Samuel Cherry (Frog) of NY; three aunts, Alvinia Cherry (Sug) of NY, Minnie Allen and Ruth Cherry of Jersey City, NJ; special thanks to his aunt Annie Cherry Joyner “Sweet Meat” of Windsor NC for staying right by his side; nieces, nephews, and a host of others relatives and friends. A funeral service was held at the Gilliam Funeral Home Chapel in Windsor at 1:00 p.m. in Friday, May 9, 2003. Interment was followed at the Rascoe Family Cemetary. Gilliam Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Emily Cooper Lambert Emily Cooper Lambert of Chapel Hill, a loving wife, mother, and grandmother passed away peacefully on May 2, 2003. Emily was born in Merry Hill, North Carolina on August 31, 1916 to Emily Cooper. Emily and Ben Lambert, her loving husband of 64 years, moved to Chapel Hill in June 2002 from Charlottesville, VA. Emily was a frequent volunteer at the Village Chapel’s Bargain Box Store. In addition to Ben, Emily is survived by a son, Gary; his wife, Debbie; and grandson Robert, all of Raleigh; and Janet Spruill, a niece living in Aulander, NC. Memorial contributions in Emily’s memory may be made to The Village Chapel, P.O. Box 1060, Pinehurst, North Carolina 28370 David P. Nickels WINDSOR -- David Peter Nickels, 41, of the 12200 block of Redhouse Road, died May 3, 2003, in Portsmouth. A Portsmouth native, Mr. Nickels was the son of Hilde Kersten Nickels and the late Robert E. Nickels. He was employed by General Electric as an field engineer. Along with his mother, he is survived by his wife, Valorie S. Nickels. A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel, by the Rev. Tom Potter. Burial will be in Olive Branch Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. today. Winborne R. McLaurin WINDSOR - Winborne Ray "Mac" McLaurin, 69, a native of Sampson County, died May 5, 2003, at the Brian Center. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Windsor Volunteer Fire Department or to the American Cancer Society. Walker Funeral Home, is in charge. McLaurin was a graduate of NC State and retired as a wood technician and researcher. He then ran a logging equipment and repair service and was associated with J.T. Hoggard Logging. He was also a member of Cashie Baptist Church and Pollocks Ferry Hunting Club. Survivors include his wife, Susan Gregory McLaurin; a daughter, Sherry McLaurin of Angier; a stepdaughter, Paige Parrish of Smithfield; two sisters, Loueen Daughtry of Goldsboro and Glennis Howell of Fayetteville; a brother, Hector Earl McLaurin; and five grandchildren. Annie S. Holley PORTSMOUTH -- Annie Frances Sutton Holley, 98, of Carver Circle, passed away May 3, 2003 in Sentara CarePlex, Hampton. A native of Bertie County, N.C., she was the widow of Joe Mitchell Holley and a member of Olive Branch Baptist Church, Portsmouth, and was a Missionary. Survivors include four daughters, Ella M. Hopson of Hampton, Linel Lassiter of Newport News, Ethel Harrell (Harry Sr.) of Corapeake, N.C., and Annie Mae Freeman of Chesapeake; three sons, Mike Holley (Mary) of Chesapeake, George Holley of Waterbury, Conn., and James Holley of Portsmouth and wife Esther of New Jersey; 46 grandchildren; 106 great-grandchildren; 85 great-great- grandchildren; an aunt, Mary Wright of Edenton, N.C.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends. A funeral will be held Saturday at noon in Olive Branch Baptist Church, Portsmouth, with the Rev. Ernest L. Reid officiating and eulogy by the Rev. J.B. Sharp. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Chesapeake. Viewing at Corprew Funeral Home, Portsmouth, will begin at noon today where the family will be from 5 to 6 p.m. The family will also be at 202 Ivey St., Portsmouth, and will assemble there for the procession to the church. Nova Ruth Barnes CHESAPEAKE -- Nova Ruth Barnes, 87, of the 1100 block of Sparrow Road, passed away Sunday, May 4, 2003 at her residence. She was a native of Colerain, N.C., a member of Woodland Heights Baptist Church, and the widow of Luther Carlton Barnes. She is survived by two daughters, Patricia Williams and her husband Charlie of Chesapeake, and Mary Susan Brown and her husband Albert of Freeport, Fla.; two sons, Karl Barnes and his wife Pudgie and Larry Barnes and his wife Dale of Chesapeake; nine grandchildren; 14 great- grandchildren; and three sisters, Vashti Jernigan of Virginia Beach, Viola Harrell of Colerain, N.C. and Alene Rhodes of Houston, Texas. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Indian River Chapel, with the Dr. Ken Barnes officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Hillcrest Cemetery in Colerain, N.C. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com. Edna D. Carter SUFFOLK, Va. - Edna Dixon Carter, 96, a native of Kelford, died May 4, 2003 in Suffolk. She was the widow of James Robert Carter. A graveside service was conducted Wednesday in Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens. Snellings Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel, was in charge. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.snellingsfuneralhome.com. She was a Baptist. Survivors include two sons, Robert R. Carter of Naples, Fla. and Earl W. Carter of Duck; and seven grandchildren. Henry C. Bond Henry C. Bond, the son of the late Emma and Hayward Bond was born on June 11, 1916 in Windsor, North Carolina. He departed this life of May 5, 2003. He received his education at the Bond School in Windsor NC before moving to New York in 1934. There he met and married Velma Jones and to this union, two children were born. One son, Hayward, preceded him in death. Velma also preceded him in death in 1962. He attended Southern Baptist and Mt Olivet Churches in Harlem, New York. He worked at Benson-Hedges Tobacco Company for many years before taking a position at Beschard Rug Company. His last job was at Columbia University before he retired to Windsor, North Carolina. He leaves to cherish his loving memory: his son, Nelson; daughter-in-law, Gladys; grandchildren, Lisa and Nelson Jr; three great grandchildren, E’lan, Kai, and Anaiyah; one brother, Sam; two sisters, Bernice and Annie Bertha, and a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. A funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Sandy Point Missionary Baptist Church by the Rev Samuel Fields, officiating. Interment was followed at the Bond Family Cemetary. Gilliam Funeral Home was serving the Bond family. Winborne McLaurin WINDSOR - Winborne Ray McLaurin, 69, of 206 Hofler St. died Monday, May 5, 2003. A native of Sampson County, he was a member of Cashie Baptist Church. He was a wood technician and a member of Pollocks Ferry Hunting Club. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Walker Funeral Home. Christine B. Asbell AULANDER -- Christine B. Asbell, 64, died May 6, 2003. Graveside services will be held today at 2 p.m. at Hoggard Memorial Cemetery, Lewiston. Sykes Funeral Service, Rich Square, is in charge Arnetta Williams FAYETTEVILLE - Arnetta Williams, a native of Bertie County, died May 6, 2003. A graveside service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Springhill Baptist Church Cemetery, Lewiston, by the Rev. Leroy Douglas. Reynolds Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie, is in charge. Miss Williams was a member of Springhill Baptist Church. Survivors include two sons, Johnnie Mosley of Ahoskie and Mosley Thompson of Richmond, Va.; a daughter, Violine Copeland of Fayetteville; one brother, James Harris of Ahoskie; one sister, Lillie Mae Lassiter of Aulander; 20 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Willie L. Winborne AULANDER - Willie Lee Winborne, died May 6, 2003, at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital. A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at Conoconary Baptist Church, Aulander. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Ahoskie. Reynolds Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie, is in charge. Winborne was a member of Conoconary Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Earlclease Beverly Winborne; three sons, Christopher Winborne of Enfield, Stacey Waddell Winborne of Almeta, CA., and Willie Derrick Winborne of Germany; one brother, Thomas Winborne of Washington, D.C. four sisters, Ella Myrick of Aulander, Georgia Sawyer, Mattie Riddick and Hattie Winborne, all of PortsmouthVa.; and three grandchildren Jimmie M. Holland WINDSOR -- Jimmie Marion Holland, 82, died May 7, 2003. A native of Isle of Wight County, he was the son of the late Margaret Edna H. Holland and Marion Joseph Holland and the widower of Sylvia Weaver Holland. He was also predeceased by his daughter, Margaret Judith Cobb. He was a retired farmer and also retired from the maintenance department of the Isle of Wight County School Board. He was an avid fisherman and gardener and loved baseball. He was a member of Beaver Dam Baptist Church. He is survived by a son and special friend, J. Wayne Holland and Mary Darden of Windsor; grandchildren, Jeff and Renee Lankford of Windsor, Yvonne L. and Cotton Bradshaw of Windsor, Lisa L. White of Windsor, Tracy W. and Susan Holland of Smithfield, Angel H. and J.C. Harrell of Suffolk, Tammy D. and Daryl Barrett of Suffolk and Angie R. Cobb of Staunton, Va.; 12 great-grandchildren; and a special canine friend, Pookie. A graveside service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Windsor Cemetery by the Rev. Roger D. Johnson. Friends may join the family today from 7 to 8 p.m. at Parr Funeral Home and other times at the residence. Memorial contributions may be made to the Windsor Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 636, Windsor, VA 23487. MARGIE H. BRITTON LEWISTON-WOODVILLE -- Margie Holland Britton, 80, died Friday, May 9, 2003, at her home. Britton was born in Edgecombe County Oct. 27, 1922, to the late Alonza and Bessie Howard Holland. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Everett Britton Sr. and a son, William E. Britton Jr., Britton was a member of Lewiston Baptist Church and a homemaker. She is survived by daughters, Sally B. Mitchell of Wendell and Carol B. Hoggard of Windsor; a son, Donald Wayne Britton of Greenville; sisters, Helen H. Beach and Katie H. Barnes, both of Tarboro; brothers, Leroy Holland and Jesse Ray Holland, both of Tarboro; five grandchildren and six great- grandchildren. Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Lewiston Baptist Church with Rev. James Baugham officiating. Interment will follow in the Hoggard Memorial Cemetery at Lewiston. Memorial gifts may be made to University Hospital Hospice, P.O. Box 272, Ahoskie, N.C. 27910. Arrangements by Walker Funeral Home, Windsor. Willie Everett Sr. AULANDER - Willie Carlton Everett Sr., 66, a native of Hertford County, died May 9, 2003, at Guardian Care Nursing Home, Ahoskie. A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Greater Harvest Fellowship Church, Aulander, by Elder Gomize Hoggard. Burial will be in the Cherry Family Cemetery, Aulander. Wilder's Funeral Home, Aulander, is in charge. Everett was a nailer with Bennett Box Company and a member of Greater Harvest Fellowship Church. Survivors include his wife, Vernice Baker Everett; five sons, Bernard Everett of Aulander, Willie Everett Jr. of Alexander, Va., Michael Everett of Fort Washington, Md., Randy Everett of Forestville and Dwight Everett of Ahoskie; five daughters, Carolyn Johnson of Chesapeake, Shelia Edwards of Baltimore, Linda Askew of Lawton, Okla., Wanda Everett of Suffolk and Jacqueline Jenkins of Durham; three brothers, Walter Everett, Ronald Everett and Kenny Everett, all of Aulander; eight sisters, Roberta Vaughan of Ahoskie, Marie Williams of Saluda, Brenda Jennings of Fayetteville, Sallie Mae Askew of New Carrollton, Doreatha Foster of Greenbelt, Josephine Lee of Upper Marlboro, Mildred Holloman of Ft. Washington and Elizabeth Chase of Hyattsville; 24 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Leslie Coburn Sr. CHESAPEAKE, Va. - Leslie ``Sam'' Coburn Sr., 78, a native of Bertie County, died May 11, 2003. A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday in Graham Funeral Home, Greenbrier Chapel, by Dr. Rod Bell Sr. Burial will be in Chesapeake Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m. and at the residence at all other times. Friends may sign the guest register at www.grahamfuneralhome.com. Coburn was a retired auto mechanic at the Norfolk Naval Air Station with 30 years of service. He was a member of the Tabernacle Baptist Church, Virginia Beach and George W. Wright Masonic Lodge No. 346. Survivors include his wife, Isabell Briley Coburn; a daughter, Sheila Robertson of Portsmouth; son, Leslie Coburn Jr. of Virginia Beach; a sister, Ruby Leggett of Lewiston; four grandchildren; and three great-grandsons. Bettie Barnes LEWISTON - Bettie Cullifer Barnes, 69, a native of Roxobel, died May 13, 2003, at her home. A memorial graveside service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday at Hoggard Memorial Cemetery, Lewiston. Walker Funeral Home, Windsor, is in charge. Mrs. Barnes and her husband operated Lewiston Dry Cleaners for over 40 years. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Lewiston. Survivors include a daughter, Lisa Jean Barnes; a son, Frank Barnes Jr., both of Lewiston; two sisters, Ethel C. Pothier of North Ridge, Calif., and Marjorie P. Mace of Virginia Beach, Va.; and one grandchild Joey Hunter Barnes. Mamie C. Faison OMAHA, Neb. - Mamie Clark Faison, a native of Bertie County and formerly of Kelford, died May 14, 2003, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She was the widow of Carlton Faison Sr. A funeral will be conducted at 12 noon Saturday at Beautiful Zion Baptist Church, Lewiston, by the Rev. Eugene Harris SR. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A viewing will be held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday. Wilder's Funeral Home, Aulander, is in charge. Survivors include daughters, Brineal Benjamin of Portsmouth, Va., Nancy Faison of Paterson, N.J. and Artis Chism of Omaha; sons, Carlton Faison of Kelford and William McCoy Faison of Paterson; brothers, James Williams of Norfolk and Cornelius Williams of Scotland Neck; sisters, Violet Hayes of San Francisco, CA and Nettie English of Philadelphia, Pa.; 19 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; 27 great-great-grandchildren; and two great-great-great-grandchildren Robert M. Dilday AHOSKIE -- Robert Mathison ``Bobby'' Dilday, 68, died May 15, 2003 at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital. Mr. Dilday retired from Perdue as a housing construction supervisor, attended Ebenezer Assembly of God Church in Windsor and was a member and former president of the Ahoskie Kiwanis Club. Surviving are his wife of 49 years, Mary Elizabeth Dilday of Ahoskie; son, Robert Earl Dilday and wife Kim of Gatesville; daughter, Denise Dilday Farmer and her husband Lee Roy Farmer Jr. of Kelford; grandchildren, Lee Roy Farmer III and his wife Alicia, Kelley Elizabeth Farmer and Clayton Mathison Farmer, all of Kelford and Dustin Robert Dilday of Ahoskie; stepgrandchildren, Brian L. Riddick of Ahoskie and Andy L. Riddick of Gatesville; great-grandchildren, Ashton and Brooke Farmer and Trey Bowen, all of Kelford, Ashley Riddick of Camden and Brandon Riddick of Eure; brothers, Lee Dilday and Donald Dilday, both of Ahoskie; sisters, Ann Tayloe of Hexalena and Evelyn Jones of Ahoskie; and several nieces and nephews. A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. today at Garrett Funeral Home with the Rev. David Miller officiating. Interment will be in Highland Memorial Gardens. Leo V. Norman HERTFORD -- Leo Vinson Norman, 72, of the 200 block of Winfall Blvd., died May 16, 2003 in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. Mr. Norman was born in Bertie County and was the son of the late Guy Russell Norman and Flossie Norman Boyce. He was a retired truck driver with the Weyerhauser Corp. of Plymouth. Surviving are his wife of 36 years, Myrtle Byrum Norman; a stepdaughter, Marian Casper and husband Vernon of Belvidere; a stepson, John Richard Byrum and wife Carrie of Tyner; a sister, Marjorie Boyce; a half sister, Donna Faye Swain; a half brother, Melvin Boyce, all of Edenton; six stepgrandchildren; and five stepgreat-grandchildren. A funeral will be held Sunday at 3 p.m. in Miller Funeral Home Chapel, Edenton, with burial to follow in Beaver Hill Cemetery. Friends may join the family today from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home and all other times at the residence. May 16 2003 Accident claims teen's life By Cal Bryant LEWISTON- WOODVILLE - A Bertie County teenager was killed here Friday afternoon in an accident on the Jack Branch Road (RP 1119). Terrell Pittman, 16, died after being struck by a 1997 Ford pick-up truck driven by Michael Morris III, 26, of Windsor. Morris is an officer with the Windsor Police Department. He was off-duty at the time of the 4:30 p.m. accident and was driving his personal vehicle. According to a report filed by North Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper S.K. Sutton, Pittman, a pedestrian, was allegedly darting in and out of traffic near his home on the Jack Branch Road. He entered the path of Morris' vehicle and was struck in the eastbound lane. No charges were filed. Terrell L. Pittman LEWISTON - Terrell Lamont Pittman, 16, a native of Bertie County, died May 16, 2003, at Bertie Memorial Hospital, Windsor. A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Luke Pentecostal Healing Temple, Lewiston, by Elder Patrick Walton. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Cherry's Funeral Home, Windsor, is in charge. Terrell was a sophomore at Bertie High School. Survivors include his parents, his father Lamont Cardell Pittman; his mother, Alice Chamblee Pittman; two sisters, Tanesha of Lewiston and Charisma of Scotland Neck; two brothers, Lamont Pittman Jr. of Scotland Neck and Ahmon of Rocky Mount; his stepmother, Chanda Pittman of Rocky Mount; his grandparents, Alice Chamblee of Lewiston, Minnie Futrell of Scotland Neck and William Chamblee of Ahoskie; and great-grandmother, Gladys Chamblee of Ahoskie. ANNIE WYNNS YATES KEARNEY ANNIE WYNNS YATES KEARNEY, 78, of 604 Taylor Street, died Saturday, May 17, 2003 at her home. She was born on March 17, 1925 in Windsor, NC to the late Alfred James "A.J." Yates and Annie Mitchell Yates. Mrs. Kearney retired from Farmers Home Administration after 34 years of service. Mrs. Kearney was a member of Windsor United Methodist Church. Survivors include her daughter, Ann Kearney Spivey and husband, W.R. "Russ" Spivey of Windsor, NC; son, Dr. Henry A. Kearney III and wife, Carrie W. Kearney of Robersonville, NC; and five grandchildren, Mitchell and Blake Spivey of Windsor, NC; and Henry Kearney IV; Liz and Lee Kearney of Robersonville, NC. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, 2003 at Windsor United Methodist Church. Memorial gifts may be made to the Windsor United Methodist Church or the Windsor Fire Department. Walker Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Jassiephine J. Chamblee HARRELLSVILLE - Jassiephine J. Chamblee, 89, a native of Bertie County, died May 18, 2003, at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Ahoskie. A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday at Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church by the Rev. Robert Ashe. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Hertford County Undertakers, Winton, is in charge. Survivors include her husband, General Chamblee; children, Ernest Chamblee of Harrellsville, George N. Chamblee of Dewitt, VA, Alvin Chamblee of Jamaica, N.Y., Earl Chamblee and Vivian Rapley, both of Charlotte, and Minnie Chesterleigh Chamblee of Brooklyn; 27 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and one great- great-grandchild. Agnes T. Wesson Agnes Taylor Wesson was born to the late Julia Cherry and the late Tang Cherry in Windsor, NC. Mother Agnes peacefully and quietly departed this life on May 19, 2003 at Bertie Memorial Hospital, Windsor, NC. Mother Agnes attended the public schools in Bertie County. She was a faithful 20-year employee at Hamilton Beach where she retired in 1965. At an early age, she accepted the Lord as per personal Savior at Sandy Point Missionary Baptist Church. Early in life, she was untied in holy matrimony to Robert Lewis Wesson, who preceded her in death. To this union, nine children were born, She leaves to cherish her memory: four daughters, Audrey M. Hill (David), Linda Bryant (Clarence), Jeannette Hoggard (Willie Lee), and Jean Wesson, all of Windsor, NC; a son, Rudolph Wesson (Helen), and a stepson, James Walton (Nelly); four sons, James D. Wesson (Rosa), George Wesson (Janie), John T. Wesson (Mollie), and William L. Wesson, preceded her in death. Others left to cherish her memory include loving neighbor, friend, and prayer warrior, Ms. Georgia Pugh, thirty-five grandchildren, sixty-six great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends. A funeral service was held Saturday, May 24, 2003 at 1:00 p.m. at Sandy Point Missionary Baptist Church by the Rev. Samuel Fields, officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Gilliam Funeral Home of Windsor was in charge of the arrangements. Thomas E. Edmonds ROXOBEL -- Thomas E. Edmonds of Tyler School Road died May 21, 2003. A funeral will be Sunday at 1 p.m. in Sandy Branch Baptist Church. Wilder's Funeral Home, Aulander, is in charge. Willie M. Bond WINDSOR -- Willie Mary Bond, 84, of the 1200 block of Windsor Oaks, died May 21, 2003. A funeral will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Indian Woods Baptist Church. Gilliam Funeral Home is in charge. Ryan Burke WINDSOR -- Ryan O'Neil Burke, 31, died May 24, 2003 in Maryland. Mr. Burke was a sales representative for Oliver's Auto Transport. He attended the Open Door Church in Suffolk and was predeceased by his father, Bays Burke and a brother, Christopher Burke. Survivors include his wife, Pamela Tomlin Burke; his mother, Brenda Duke; stepdaughter, Megan Roberson; custodial daughter, Jessica Oliver; and two brothers, Stoney Burke and Keith Craiger. A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Open Door Church by Pastor Tony Peak. Burial will be in Holly Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the R.W. Baker and Co. Funeral Home. Calvin Swain COLERAIN - Calvin Swain, died May 27, 2003, at his residence. A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at Ashland Missionary Baptist Church, Colerain, by the Rev. Nathaniel Thompson. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Reynolds Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie, is in charge. Swain was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Lillian C. Swain; a daughter, Gladys Swains of Powellsville; two brothers, James Swain of Colerain and Ernest R. Swain of Winton; one sister, Alma C. Taylor of Edenton; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.