Bertie COUNTY NC Obits Sept 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 BERTIE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA OBITUARIES FOR SEPTEMBER 2003 DAVID T. "RED'' ROBERTSON, 83, Sept. 1. Arrangements by Massey Funeral Home, Aulander. JOHN A. FREEMAN JR. COLERAIN - John Albert Freeman Jr., 41, a native of Bertie County, died September 2, 2003, at his residence. A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at Wilder's Funeral Home Chapel, Aulander, by the Rev. Mar Speller. Burial will be in the Freeman Family Cemetery. Freeman was a truck driver and a member of the First Baptist Church of Powellsville. Survivors include his daughters, April Freeman and Courtney Freeman, both of Ahoskie; his mother, Dorothy Freeman of Colerain; and two sisters, Blanche F. Gaskins of Powellsville and Jacqueline Freeman of Powellsville. Kevin R. Cofield Jr. AULANDER - Kevin Rogers "Baby Boy" Cofield Jr., died September 5, 2003, at Pitt County Memorial Hospital, Greenville. A graveside service was conducted Monday at the Lassiter family cemetery, Ahoskie, by the Rev. Johnnie Cofield. Reynolds Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie, was in charge. Survivors include his parents, Kevin R. Cofield Sr. and Tremaine L. Eure, both of Aulander; maternal grandparents, Phyllis and Elvis Eure, both of Aulander; paternal grandmother, Helen Cofield of Como; great-grandmother, Larcie Cofield of Winton; and maternal great-grandmother, Evelyn Eure of Gatesville. Arthur J. Watford Sr. COLERAIN - Arthur J. Watford Sr., 86, a native of Bertie County, died September 6, 2003, at Sentara Norfolk General. He was a retired farmer and owner of Watford Vault Company. Mr. Watford was a member of New Bethany Baptist Church where he was chairman of the deacon board for more than 39 years and a deacon for more than 50 years. Survivors include a wife, Absoluta H. Watford of Harrellsville; three daughters, Jerolean W. Moore of Hampton, VA, Faye W. Mitchell of Chesapeake, and Sonja W. Mair of Smyrna, GA.; a son Arthur J. Watford Jr. of Aulander; eight grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. A funeral will be conducted at 12 noon Wednesday at New Bethany Baptist Church by the Rev. William Clark. Burial will be in the Watford family cemetery, Colerain. Hertford County Undertakers, Winton, is in charge. Daniel W. Thompson LEWISTON - Daniel W. Thompson, 64, of 1004 Indian Woods Road, Lewiston, NC, died September 6, 2003 at Brian Center, Windsor, NC. He was born February 9, 1939 to Caroline Shepard and the late James Cherry. He was a truck driver. Survivors include his wife, Sarah Lee Thompson, two sons, Daniel W. Thompson, Jr. of Raleigh, NC and Travis L. Thompson of Efland, NC, one daughter Valerie K. Thompson of Windsor, NC, five grandchildren, mother, Caroline Shepard of Colerain, NC, one brother, James E. Smallwood of Colerain and one sister, Mary Gaylord of Colerain, NC. A funeral service will take place Saturday, September 13, 2003 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Daniel W. Thompson, Jr. officiating at Spring Hill Baptist Church in Lewiston, NC. Burial will follow in Christian Love Center in Lewiston, NC. Visitation will be Friday, September 12, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Christian Love Center in Lewiston, NC. Cherry's Funeral Home, Windsor, is in charge BRODIE SESSOMS POWELLSVILLE - Brodie Sessoms died Sept 8, 2003. A funeral will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at New Bethany Baptist Church, Harrellsville. Reynolds Funeral Home is in charge. CLAREATHER CHERRY PORTSMOUTH - Clareather Cherry, 64, of the 3200 block of Knox Street, died Sept 8, 2003, in Maryview Medical Center. A native of Bertie County, North Carolina, she retired from the U.S. Coast Guard as a computer programmer analyst after 24 years of service and was a former member of Fourth Baptist Church and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Survivors include a daughter, Mia Speller (Thaddeus) of Orlando, Fla; two sisters, Rosa Smallwood (Johnnie) and Gladoria Cowell (Boston_), all of Portsmouth; a brother Jimmie J. Cherry (Anita) of Chesapeake; four grandchildren, Ian Granger, Joshua Granger, Kianni Speller, and Leila Speller; two aunts, an uncle, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. A funeral will he held Saturday at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Fisher Funeral Home by speaker Stiles Tanksley. Burial will be in Roosevelt Memorial Park, Chesapeake. Viewing will be Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The family will be at 3 Freedom Court to receive friends and assemble there for the procession. CLARA A. PUGH WINDSOR - Clara A. Pugh, 71, of the 100 block of Cedar Landing Road, died Sept 9, 2003. She was born in Bertie County on March 20, 1932 to the late Sarah Ward and William McKinley Miller. At an early age, she joined the Cedar Landing Missionary Baptist Church. She received her education in the Bertie County public schools. Clara Pugh was united in marriage to the late George Ed Pugh at the age of 16. This union was blessed by four daughters and five sons. She leaves to cherish her memory; four daughters, Dorothy cooper (Jimmie) of New York City, Marie Cherry (Kenneth) of New Jersey, Mable Cooper and Clara Grandy of Windsor, NC; five sons, George Pugh and Willie Pugh of Brooklyn, NY, Randy Pugh (Theresa) of Windsor, NC, James Pugh (Dwight) of Windsor, NC; and Moses Pugh (deceased); five sisters, Mary Williams (Cornelious) of New York City, Margie Miller, Pattie Smith, and Betty Lee of Brooklyn, NY, and Hattie King of Windsor, NC; four brothers, William Miller (Lillian) of Windsor, Virgil Miller (DeLois), Willie Miller (Deceased) (Annie), and George Roundtree (Katie); twenty one grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews and friends. Funeral services took place Sunday, September 14, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. at Cedar Landing Missionary Baptist Church in Windsor with Rev Shelton Barnes officiating. Gilliam Funeral Home assisted the Pugh Family. CARROLL E. HOGGARD COLERAIN - Carroll Eugene Hoggard, 65, of the 208 N. Academy Street, died Sept. 11, 2003, in his home. Mr. Hoggard was born in Bertie County and was a member of Wakelon Baptist Church. He was retired from George C. Moore Company in Edenton, NC. Survivors include four daughters, Jeanette H. Taylor of Harrellsville, Annette Hoggard of Colerain, Frances Tull of Windsor; Virginia Bailey of Winton; a son Dennis Hoggard of Colerain; two sisters, Hilda Harden of Millennuim and Sophia White of Askewville; two brothers, Robert Hoggard and Sherman Hoggard both of Chesapeake, VA and seven grandchildren. A graveside service was conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 13, 2003 in Highland Memorial Gardens with Rev. John Smith, officiating. Garrett Funeral Home, Ahoskie, is in charge. WILLIAM L. MELTON AHOSKIE - William Leon Melton, 59, of the 400 block of Boone Farm Road, died Sept 11, 2003. A funeral will be held Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at New Holley Grove Baptist Church, Colerain. Wilder's Funeral Home, Aulander, is in charge. JOSEPH W. WHITE JR. WINDSOR - Joseph Willard White, Jr., 54, of the 100 block of Red Bud Lane, died Sept 12, 2003 at Roanoke Chowan Hospital. He was born in Norfolk to the late Frances Scarce White Fenley and Joseph W. White, Sr. Mr White and employed by Moon Engineering and was present owner of the J. W. White Company. Survivors include his wife, Particia G. White; daughter, Renee W. Kilpatrick and her husband Josh; son, Joseph W. White III and his wife Dana; grandchildren, Taylor Jordan Foy and Joseph W. White IV; and brother, James R. White, all of Windsor. A funeral will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at Walker Funeral Chapel by the Rev. Frank Stansbury. Burial will follow in Edgewood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. NELLIE M. NELSON, 84, Sept 12, Funeral 4 p.m., Sunday, Ahoskie Church of God. Burial, Aluander Cemetery, Aulander. Arrangements by Massey Funeral Home. RUBY A. MITCHELL NEW YORK, NY - Ruby Ann Mitchell, a native of Bertie Co., died September 13, 2003, at Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York. A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at Wynn's Grove Baptist Church, Colerain, by the Rev. Thomas Lee. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Reynolds Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie, is in charge. Survivors include two sisters, Retha White of Powellsville and Cora Morris of Rocky Mount. MATTIE L. SCHWALENBERG SUFFOLK, VA - Mattie Louise Sahwalenberg, 82, a native of Ahoskie, died September 12, 2003, in her home. A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Baker-Foster Funeral Home, Bennett's Creek Chapel, Suffolk, by the Rev. Carl LeMon. Burial will be in Meadwobrook Memorial Gardens. Baker-Foster Funeral Home is in charge. Mrs. Schwalenberg was a registered nurse and a member of Junto Women's Club and Cedar Point Club. Survivors include her husband, Frank A. Schwalenberg; two children, Mary Jo Schwalenberg of Virginia Beach and Frank C. Schwalenberg of Chesapeake; three sisters, Margaret Burden of Aulander, Carolyn Lawyer of Ahoskie, Mildred Staton of Goldsboro; three grandchildren, and two great grandsons. CARROLL FUNK WINDSOR - Carroll Funk, 74, died Sept. 15, 2003 in his residence. A native of Woodstock, Va, he retired as a carpenter for the Suffolk school board. Mr. Funk was a U.S. Air Force veteran with 25 years of service and a Vietnam vet. He also served with the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon in the early 1960s. Carroll had a long and full life. He loved his family and friends. His talents were many; cabinet maker, gardener and mechanic. He gave his heart to help everyone he knew. He was the son of the late Oliver M. Funk and Florence Fogel Funk. He was also predeceased by a brother. Survivors include his wife, Catherine Watts Funk; sons, Larry Funk of Nags Head, N.C., and Eugene Funk WILLIAM E. MIZELLE SR. HARRELLSVILLE - William Elwood Mizelle Sr., 92, a native of Bertie County, died September 15, 2003, at Guardian Care Nursing Home of Ahoskie. He was born on February 23, 1911 to the late Joe and Mary Fannie Lawrence Mizelle. He was the widower of Mary Winborne Mizelle. He served in the Army in World War II. A graveside funeral was conducted Wednesday, September 17, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. at Harrellsville Cemetery by the Rev. Hugh Mizelle and the Rev. Bob Johnson. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to the Harrellsville United Methodist Church or to Christian Harbor Baptist Church. Walker Funeral Home of Windsor served the Mizelle family. Mizelle was a farmer and a member of Harrellsville United Methodist Church. He served in the Army during World War II. Survivors include a son, William E. "Billy" Mizelle Jr. of Harrellsville; and two grandchildren, William E. Mizelle, III and Lisa M. Barkley, both of Harrellsville, NC VIOLA J. WHITE WINDSOR - Viola Johnson White, 95, of 218 Pocosin Road, died Sept 15, 2003 in Guardian Care Nursing Home in Ahoskie. She was born in Bertie County on June 1, 1908 to the late Perry and Mary Frances Hoggard Johnson and was predeceased by her husband Archie Dunstan White. Mrs. White was a member of Askewville Baptist Church and was a homemaker. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 17, 2003 at Askewville Baptist Church by the Rev. Freddie Harris. Burial in Edgewood Cemetery. Survivors include a daughter, Elsie W. Bazemore of Windsor, NC; sons Walter L. White and Archie Lathan White both of Windsor, NC; four grandchildren, four great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Walker Funeral Home served the White Family. JOSEPH W. MORRIS AHOSKIE - Joseph Wingate Morris, 78, died Sept 17, 2003 at Roanoke Chowan Hospital. Mr. Morris was born in Bertie County, a son of the late Elijah Lewis Morris and Bessie Britton Morris. He had retired from The Virginian Pilot newspaper as North Carolina county circulation manager, was a U.s. Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean War. Mr. Morris was a member of Ahoskie Baptist Chruch, the Tri-County Amateur Radio Service, a member of the Kiwanis Club, the Mid-East Conversation and Development Resources Advisory Council. Surviving are his wife, Jean Modlin Morris of Ahoskie and a daughter, Marsha Jo Morris of Greenville, NC. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Garrett Funeral Home. Interment will be in Ahoskie Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the residence. Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society. ALBERT L. EDWARDS JR. CHESAPEAKE - Albert Lee Edwards Jr., 46, of the 1200 block of Cedar Mill Square, went home to be with the Lord on Sept 17, 2003. Born in Windsor, NC, he was the son of Doris B. Edwards and the late Albert Lee Edwards Sr. He was employed at Norshipco, a graduate of Oscar Smith High School and attended Tidewater Community College. He is survived by his mother, Doris B. Edwards; two sisters, Josephine Edwards and Hattie Burwell (Jasper), all of Chesapeake; two nephews, Jason Edwards and Trenell Edwards Sr., both of Chesapeake; a great-nephew, Trenell Jr.; nieces, Trinity (TNT), Keyshara, Kayla and Talaiyha, all of Chesapeake; former wife, Michelle Edwards; ex-wife, Terry Edwards, both of Chesapeake; godson, Kenneth of Chesapeake; goddaughter, Tara of Norfolk; and a host of other relatives and friends. A homecoming service willl be held at 1 p.m. Friday in Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church, 2899 Welcome Road, Chesapeake. Interment will be at Roosevelt Memorial Park, Chesapeake. Family and friends will assemble at 1300 Transylvania Ave. one hour prior to service for procession to the church. Metropolitan Funeral Service, Berkley Avenue Chapel, is in charge. To send condolences and sign guest book online, visit www.metropolitanfuneralservice.com. ANDREW PARKER JR. WINDSOR - Andrew Parker Jr., 64, of the 1500 block of S. King Street, died September 17, 2003. A funeral will be held Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in Sandy Point Baptist Church. Gilliam Funeral Home is in charge. CARLTON SLADE SR. WASHINGTON, D.C. - Carlton Slade Sr., died Sept 18, 2003. A graveside service will be Friday at 2 p.m. at Slade Family Cemetery, Aulander. Reynolds Funeral Home, Ahoskie, is in charge. JIMMIE SPIVEY MANHATTAN, H.Y. - Jimmy Spivey, 57, died September 19, 2003, at his home. A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Elmo Bapitst Church. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. Gilliam Funeral Home, Windsor, is in charge. DAVID L. ATKINSON WILLIAMSBURG - David Leslie Atkinson, 88, of Williamsburg, passed away on Friday, Sept. 19, 2003 after a courageous battle with leukemia. A native of Windsor, N.C., David had been a Peninsula resident for 15 years. He was the son of C.W. and Ruth Tayloe Atkinson. After graduating from Hargave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., he moved to Norfolk where he raised his family and lived for 45 years. David was retired from Life and Casualty of Tennessee and the Hunter Foundation of Norfolk, where he served as executive director. David was preceded in death by his precious wife of 53 years, Evelyn Spruill Atkinson. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and soon to be great grandfather, and a friend to all who knew him. He leaves to cherish his memories his devoted daughter, Dana Mahnke, and her husband, Randy, of Williamsburg; sons, Stewart Atkinson, of Staunton, VA, and Steve Atkinson, of Elizabeth City, NC, grandchildren, David Boykins, of Richmond, VA, Carter and Molly Stewart Mahnke, of Williamsburg, Amy Jones, of Holly Springs, NC, and Brooke Matheson, of Jacksonville, Fl. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Nelsen Funeral Home. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Leukemia Foundation or the Red Cross. JOSEPHINE E. TARKINGTON WINDSOR - Josephine Essey Tarkington, 91, died Sept. 19, 2003. A funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sept 26 in Walker Funeral Home. KATHERINE J. TANNER CHESAPEAKE - Katherine Joyner Tanner, 89, of Chesapeake, passed away Sept 20, 2003 in Chesapeake Health Care. A native of Kelford, NC, Mrs. Tanner retired from theater ticket sales. She was the daughter of the late W. C. Joyner and Maud Joyner and the widow of Wendell B. Tanner. She is survived by her daughter, Linda K. Tanner of Chesapeake; a sister, Virginia DeBerry of Portsmouth; and a niece, Cathy Duggan of Portsmouth. The family would like to give special thanks to the staff and friends on Unit One at Chesapeake Health Care and special gratitude and thanks to Fran Cayton. A privare graveside service will be conducted on Tuesday. Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Great Bridge Chapel, is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Animal Assistance League, 1149 New Mill Drive, Chesapeake, VA 2322. LUCY B. CHERRY WINDSOR - Lucy B. Cherry, 89, of the 600 block of Blount St., died September 20, 2003, at Brian Center, Windsor. A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday at Cedar Landing Baptist Church by the Rev. Shelton Barnes. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Windsor. Gilliam Funeral Home, Windsor, is in charge. PATRICIA WHITLEY WINDSOR - Patricia Whitley, 67, a native of Bertie County, died Sept 21, 2003 at her home She was the widow of Sidney P. Whitley. A funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Elm Grove Baptist Church by the Rev. Paul LaPrevotte. Burial will be in the Cobb family cemetery. The family will receive friends at the home of Randy Cobb, 342 Askewville Rd, Windsor, NC. Walker Funeral Home is in charge. Mrs. Whitley was a homemaker and a member of Elm Grove Baptist Church. Survivors include two daughters, Donna W. Mizzelle of Windsor and Annette Byrum of Galacia; one sister, Barbara Freeman of Windsor; five grandchildren; and one great grandchild. JAMES A. WILLIAMS SR. NORFOLK - James A. "Pudding" Williams Sr., 46, of 707 W. 35th Street, died September 23, 2003 in Norfolk. He was the son of the late Audrey Williams. James was born in Bertie County on August 23, 1957 and was a mechanic at Berkley Machinery. He was a member of Prayer and Deliverance Center. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Clara Williams of Norfolk; one son, James A. Williams Jr. of the home; two daughters, Katressa Long and Jean Smith (Desmond), all of Norfolk; one brother, Willie Williams (Wanda) of Baltimore, Md., a mother-in-law, Vergie Long of Norfolk; a special aunt, Judy Edwards; six grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. A funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Bibleway Holiness Church, 2520 Dexter St., Chesapeake, by Bishop John T. Reid. Interment will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Norfolk. Family and friends will assemble at 707 W. 35th St., one hour prior to the service for the procession to the church. Metropolitan Funeral Service, Granby St. Chapel, is in charge. To send condolences and sign guestbook online, visit www.metropolitanfuneralservices.com. BRENDA SUE HOGGARD KELFORD - Brenda Sue Hoggard, 54, of the 200 block of Railroad Street, died September 23, 2003 in Bertie County Memorial Hospital, Windsor. A native of Bertie County, she was a homemaker and a Baptist. Survivors include her husband, Roger Dale Hoggard; two daughters, April Davis of Aulander and Terrie Groves of Rocky Mount; a brother, Mike Thomas of Norfolk; grandchildren, Brittney Davis of Aulander and two other grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in Garrett Funeral Home, Ahoskie, by the Rev. Robert May. CLEVELAND E. ASKEW POWELLSVILLE - Cleveland Earl Askew died Sept. 26, 2003, at Pitt County Memorial Hospital, Greenville. A funeral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. in Zion Hill Baptist Church, Colerain, N.C., by the Rev. Mary Drake. Burial will be in Highland Memorial Gardens, Ahoskie. Reynolds Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie, is in charge. Survivors include four sons, Cleveland, Matthew, Antwan and Kwame Askew, all of Powellsville; one daughter, Tomeka Askew of Powellsville; his parents, Thomas and Sarah Askew, both of Powellsville; one brother, Thomas L. Askew, Jr. of Powellsville. HAMP M. WILLIAMS LEWISTON - Hamp McCoy Williams, died September 26, 2003. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. Reynolds Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie is in charge. JOSEPH C. WILLIAMS WASHINGTON - Joseph C. Williams, 84, died Sept. 26, 2003. A funeral will be held Saturday at Weeping Mary Baptist Church, Lewiston, NC. Wilder's Funeral Home, Aulander, is in charge. NINO LASSITER ROXOBEL - Nino "Bruno" Lassiter died Sept 26, 2003. A funeral will be held Saturday at 3 p.m. in Sandy Branch Baptist Church. Wilder's Funeral Home, Aulander, is in charge. JAMES LEE DEMPSEY WINSTON SALEM - James Lee Dempsey died Sept 28. 2003. A funeral will be held Friday at 2 p.m. in Aulander First Baptist Church. Wilder's Funeral Home, Aulander, is in charge. CARLTON G. GILLAM WINDSOR - Carlton "Bro Dick" Goodchild Gillam, 82, died Sept 30, 2003 at his home in the 700 block of Gatling Street. The Windsor native was born Dec. 5, 1920. The son of the late John Bond and Sally Bond Gillam, he attended Wake Forest University. Mr. Gillam served in the Army during World War II. He was a former commander of the VFW and the American Legion. He was president of Gillam Farming Inc. and Gillam- Outlaw Farms Inc. He was a past president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Executive Committee of the NC Peanut Growers Association. He was one of the founders of Roanoke Chowan Academy in Windsor. He served many years as president of Bertie County Farm Bureau. He was a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church and a former vestry member. Mr. Gillam is survived by his wife of 57 years, Lucy Rascoe Outlaw Gillam; daughters, Nancy Gillam Spruill and Victoria Gillam Leggett; four grandchildren, Wayland Spruill, Brimage Spruill, Daniel Leggett, and William Leggett; and two great grandchildren, Henry Gillam Spruill and Isabella Spruill. He was predeceased by his son, Carlton "Brad" Bradford Gillam. A graveside service will be held Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at the family cemetery in Indianwoods on Indian Woods Road outside Windsor. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 400, Windsor, NC 27983, Bertie County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 74, Windsor, NC 27983 or University Health Systems Hospice Care, P.O. Box 272, Ahoskie, NC 27910. The family will receive friends at his home, 702 Gatling Street, Windsor. Walker Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.