Obituaries

NAKINA -- Jesse James Ellis, 73, died Saturday, Dec. 23, 2006, at his residence. He was the son of the late Walter James Ellis and Effie Jacobs Ellis.

Final rites were conducted Wednesday, Dec. 27, at Pine Level Freewill Baptist Church. Burial followed in the Bethel Memorial Cemetery. Inman Funeral Home of Tabor City handled the arrangements.

Survivors include his life-partner, Dianne Clark of the home; a daughter, Mitzi Ward of Clarendon; a son, Tony Ellis of Whiteville; and a sister, Alma Fowler of Southport; a stepdaughter, Kimberly Clark of Nakina; and five grandchildren.

TABOR CITY -- Bobby Bane Norris Sr., 71, of the Sandy Plain community, died Friday, Dec. 22, 2006, in the Loris Community Hospital, Loris, S.C. He was the son of the late W. Bane Norris and Blanche Bellamy Norris.

Final rites were conducted Saturday, Dec. 23, at Sandy Plain Baptist Church. Inman Funeral Home of Tabor City handled the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Annette Herring Norris of the home; three daughters, Patty N. Singletary of Tabor City, Cherry N. Roughton of Wilmington, and Kathy N. Barnes of Hampstead; a son, Bobby Bane Norris Jr. of Raleigh; a brother, William Otis Norris of Rock Hill, S.C.; and seven grandchildren.

BLADENBORO -- Maggie Jean Thompson Davis, 81, died Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2006, at her residence.

Final rites will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, at Butters Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Singletary Cemetery, Butters. Bladen Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband, Onley Davis of the home; a son, Roger Davis of Bladenboro; two daughters, Joyce Wilkins of Bladenboro, and Betty Jo Oxendine of Whiteville; a sister, Thelma Wiederspahn of Bladenboro; nine grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents, Joe and Irene Thompson; two sons, Onley Davis Jr. and Thomas Davis; two brothers, and two sisters.

NAKINA -- Kenneth Dale Stocks, 58, died Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2006, at Columbus Regional Healthcare, Whiteville. He was the son of the late James Bertis “Jim” Stocks and Mildred Faulk Stocks.

Final rites will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at the Inman Chapel with the Rev. Jackie Strickland officiating. Burial will follow at Lou Gore Cemetery, Nakina, with Masonic Rites. Inman Funeral Home of Tabor City.

Survivors include his wife, Cynthia Hammonds Stocks of the home; two sons, Kenneth Dale Stocks II of Chadbourn, and Andrew Dylan Stocks of the home; a stepson, Joshua Caraballo of Lumberton; a stepdaughter, Christi Gore of Whiteville; three brothers, J.W. Stocks and Colis Stocks, both of Tabor City, and Golenn “Tiny” Stocks of Nakina; a sister, Frances Stocks Evans of Ash; and 13 grandchildren.Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 29 from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home.

FAIR BLUFF -- Freda Kay Royals, 47, died Friday, Dec. 22, 2006, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington. She was born in Robeson County and was the daughter of the late Irvin and Margaret Todd Nobles.

Royals was previously employed with The News Reporter of Whiteville.

Final rites were held Wednesday, Dec. 27, at Meares Funeral Home, Fair Bluff. Dr. Ray Lundy and Rev. Richard Robinson officiated. Burial followed in the Powell Cemetery, Fair Bluff. Meares Funeral Home of Fair Bluff handled the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband, James W. Royals; her son, Jonathan Royals, and her daughter, Erica Royals, all of the home; two brothers, Danny Nobles of Cerro Gordo, and Douglas Nobles of Fair Bluff; and a sister, Wanda Gail Smith of Whiteville.

CERRO GORDO -- Maggie Thomas Powell, 49, died Friday, Dec. 22, 2006, at her residence. She was the daughter of the late Frank Lester Thomas Sr.

Final rites were held Sunday, Dec. 24, at Avants Chapel Freewill Baptist Church, Cerro Gordo with the Rev. Mack Watts officiating. Interment followed in the Gowan Cemetery, Cerro Gordo. Worthington Funeral Home of Chadbourn handled the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband, Roger Powell of the home; two daughters, Amanda Smith, and Kimberly Price, both of Chadbourn; her mother, Gloria Bullard Hatcher of Nichols, S.C.; a sister, Tina Brashear of Marion, S.C.; a brother, Lester Thomas of Little River, S.C.; and five grandchildren.

FAYETTEVILLE -- John Henry Simmons, 73, formerly of Tabor City, died Monday, Dec. 25, 2006, in UNC Hospital, Chapel Hill. He was born in Columbus County, the son of the late Marion Bruce Simmons and Delpha Ella Simmons.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, at Forest Lawn Cemetery, conducted by the Rev. Wayne Faulk. Inman Funeral Home of Tabor City is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include two sons, Johnny Ludlum of Supply, Clarence Simmons of Lumberton; two daughters, Deborah Garrell of Iowa, S.C., and Sharon Wilkerson of Lumberton; three brothers, Asier Simmons of Lumberton, Wade Simmons of Clarendon, and Bruce Simmons of Loris, S.C.; two sisters, Glayds Sessoms and Clara Carroll, both of Lumberton; and seven grandchldren.

The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 2 p.m. Thursday at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

COUNCIL -- Clemon Russ, 82, died Monday, Dec. 25, 2006, at Bladen County Hospital, Elizabethtown.

Final rites will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at Carvers Creek A.M.E. Zion Church, Council with the Reverends T. Freeman and Patrick McNair officiating. Burial will follow at Carvers Creek Cemetery, Council. S&L Funeral Home of Fair Bluff is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Lillie M. Russ of the home; three daughters, Gwendolyn Russ of Brooklyn, N.Y., Yvette Womack and Patricia Adedji, both of Whiteville; two sons, Christopher Russ of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Steven Russ of Detroit, Mich.; a sister, Leanna R. Manns of St. Albans, N.Y.; a brother, Avery Dean Jones of Wingate; and five grandchildren.

Vistationwill be held on Friday, Dec. 29 from 1-7 p.m. at the funeral home.

The family will receive friends at the home of Patricia Adedji, 804 Burkehead Street, Whiteville, N.C.

WHITEVILLE -- Jesse Lee Harrelson Jr., 66, died at home on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2006.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by McKenzie Mortuary of Whiteville.

BOLTON -- Lizzie Lee Freeman, 78, died Saturday, Dec. 23, 2006. She was born July 24, 1927 in Columbus County, the daughter of the late John L. and Addie Jacobs Freeman. She was a member of New Hope Baptist Church.

Final rites were held Wednesday, Dec. 27, at New Hope Baptist Church. Reverends Don Carter and Ronald Campbell officiated. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Peacock’s Funeral Home of Whiteville handled the arrangements.

Survivors include five sons, James Ervin Freeman, Eddie L. Freeman, Lennis Darnell Freeman, Ray Freeman, and John E. Freeman, all of Bolton; a daughter, Ethel Lee Graham of Bolton; three brothers, Lester Freeman, Norson Freeman, and Melton Freeman, all of Bolton; two sisters, Nettie Mae Freeman of Bolton, and Mertis Godfrey of Alexis; 12 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe H. Freeman, and a daughter, Lora Ann Freeman.

WHITEVILLE -- Bonnie Lou Stone, 57, of the Beaverdam community, died Sunday, Dec. 24, 2006, at her residence. She was the daughter of the late Maston Vernon Cartrette.

Final rites were held Wednesday, Dec. 27, at Beaverdam Freewill Baptist Church. Burial followed in the McPherson Cemetery. Inman Funeral Home of Tabor City handled the arrangements.

Survivors include her daughter, Angela Godwin of Whiteville; two sons, Jamie Stone of Hallsboro, and Durk Stone of Lake Waccamaw; her mother, Pauline C. Cartrette of Whiteville; three brothers, Paul and Gene Cartrette, both of Whiteville, and Darrell Cartrette of Lexington; two sisters, Margie Cribb of Whiteville, and Patsy Britt of Evergreen, and four grandchildren.

CHADBOURN -- Clara Handon Hamer, 87, died Saturday, Dec. 23, 2006, at Columbus Regional Healthcare, Whiteville. She was a homemaker.

Final rites will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at First Missionary Baptist Church in Chadbourn with the Rev. Lionel Cartwright officiating. Burial will follow in the Belvue Cemetery. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband, Robert Hamer; five daughters, Hilda Hamer and Cora Rainey, both of New York, N.Y., Bobbie Hamer, Bonnie Mitchell, and Bertha Hamer, all of Chadbourn; a son, Roscoe Hamer of Mattapan, Mass.; and a sister, Bertha Patterson of Chadbourn.

Viewing will be held at the funeral home on Friday, Dec. 29 from noon until 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10-11 a.m. Viewing will be at the church Saturday from noon until 1 p.m., and there will be no viewing after the service.

CLARKTON -- Gregory Lee Elkins, 40, died Saturday, Dec. 23, 2006.

A memorial visitation will be held by the family for friends from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 29, at Gaskins Funeral Home, Clarkton. Gaskins Funeral Home of Clarkton is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include his parents, Lee Elkins and Eva Mae Elkins; a brother, Scott Elkins of Clarkton; and a sister, Chamelle Chenevert of Louisiana.

Donations may be made for The Bedding Project of Columbus County Humane Society Inc., P.O. Box 742, Whiteville, N.C. 28472. (See story on page 1 of our printed edition)

HALLSBORO -- Vernice Estella Fleming, 84, died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006, at her residence. She was a homemaker.

Final rites were held Tuesday, Dec. 26, at Pleasant Union Baptist Church, Riegelwood. The Rev. Earl Godfrey officiated. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville handled the arrangements.

Survivors include three daughters, Mary F. Shaw of the home, Elizabeth Vereen and Mattie Fleming, both of Clarkton; two sons, Alvin Fleming of Mt. Pleasant, Mich., and Charlie Fleming of Wilmington.

TABOR CITY -- Deacon James Edward Bellamy, 78, died Sunday, Dec. 24, 2006, at Loris Healthcare System, Loris, S.C. He was the widower of Mother Mable Butler Bellamy.

Final rites were held Wednesday, Dec. 27, at St. Stephen Holiness Church with Pastor Antoine L. Bellamy officiating. Interment followed in the Butler Cemetery, Tabor City. Westside Funeral Home of Tabor City handled the arrangements.

Survivors include a son, French Bellamy of the home; two daughters, Ruby Frink of Sumter, S.C., and Donda Frank of Yucca Valley, Calif.; and a brother, Deacon Elwood Bellamy of Tabor City.

NICHOLS, S.C. -- Ulysess Porcha, 76, died Sunday, Dec. 24, 2006, at McLeod Regional Medical Center, Florence, S.C.

Final rites will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at Hickory Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Fair Bluff with the Reverends Ervin Harper and Thomas Nelson officiating. Burial will follow in the Hickory Grove Church Cemetery, Fair Bluff. S&L Funeral Home of Fair Bluff is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Eula M. Porcha of the home; three sons, Ulysess Porcha Jr. of Nichols, S.C., Mike Anderson of Hartford, Conn., and Larry Commedor of Maxton; six daughters, Lizzie M. Porcha, and Linda P. Goodman, both of Fair Bluff, Lois P. Grate, Virginia Davis, and Brenda White, all of Nichols, S.C., Sheryl Scott of Charlotte, and Eva M. Goodman of Pennsylvania; two sisters, Earline Vereen of Rochester, N.Y., and Sadie Elmore of Nichols, S.C.; 13 grandchildren, and 38 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Thursday (today) from 1-7 p.m. at the funeral home.

The family will receive friends at the home of Sadie Elmore, 6901 Herman Road, Nichols, S.C.

WHITEVILLE -- Nancy Nethken, 86, died Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2006, at Liberty Commons, Whiteville.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by McKenzie Mortuary of Whiteville.

CERRO GORDO -- James Thurman Stackhouse Sr., 74, died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006, at Columbus Regional Healthcare, Whiteville.

Final rites will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, at Greater Grace Non-denominational Church, Tabor City with the Rev. Thomas Nelson and Bishop Anthony Gerald officiating. Burial will follow in Hickory Grove Church Cemetery, Fair Bluff. S&L Funeral Home of Fair Bluff is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Eva Dell Danzy Stackhouse of the home; six daughters, Evon Edwards of Cerro Gordo, Judy Platt of Green Sea, S.C., Ella Myers, Violet Best, Suzzette Stackhouse, and Angela Stackhouse; a stepdaughter, Veronica Stackhouse; two sons, Palmer Stackhouse and Dennis Stackhouse; two sisters, Esther Mae Barnes, and Victoria Melvin; 37 grandchildren, and 32 great-grandchildren.

CHADBOURN -- Furman Ward, 89, died Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2006, in Loris Healthcare, Loris, S.C. He was born in Marion County, S.C., the son of the late Fernie and Hattie Lee Ikner Ward.

Final rites will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at Emerson Freewill Baptist Church with the Rev. Hollon Norris officiating. Burial will follow in the McPherson Cemetery, Chadbourn. Inman Funeral Home of Tabor City is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include a son, Wilbur Ward of Chadbourn; five daughters, Bettie Jo Tyree, Patricia Ann Ward, Judy Tyree, and Ruthine Cribb, all of Chadbourn; and Sarah Edwards of Fair Bluff; seven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Thursday (tonight) from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home.

LAKE WACCAMAW -- Alene McPherson, 77, died Thursday, Dec. 21, 2006. She was born March 3, 1929 in Columbus County, the daughter of the late Samuel and Susie Strickland. She was the widow of Junior McPherson. She was a long time member of First Baptist Church of Lake Waccamaw and was an avid camper.

An entombment service was conducted Friday, Dec. 22, at Peacock’s Columbus Memorial Park Mausoleum with the Rev. Trey Martin officiating. Peacock’s Funeral Home of Whiteville handled the arrangements.

Survivors include two sons, Barry McPherson and Joel McPherson, both of Charlotte; a daughter, Ava McPherson White of Surf City; three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

WHITEVILLE -- Geneva Fowler Hayes, 82, died Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2006, at Premier Living, Lake Waccamaw. She was the widow of Hassie Hayes and the daughter of the late Malcolm J. and Annie Belle Phelps Fowler.

Final rites will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at Old Dock United Methodist Church with the Rev. Wayne Faulk officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Worthington Funeral Home of Chadbourn is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include a son, Darrell L. Hayes of the home; and two grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Thursday (tonight) from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home.

WHITEVILLE -- Maebell Powell, 96, died Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2006. She was born July 8, 1910, in Columbus County, the daughter of the late Issac and Mary Olympus Sellers Benton. She was the widow of Horace G. Powell. She was a member of Spring Branch Holiness Church.

Final rites will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, at Spring Branch Holiness Church, with the Reverends Larry Dyer, Jeff Sparkman, and Jason Dyer officating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Peacock’s Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include a son, Jerry Powell of Whiteville; a brother, J.D. Benton of Whiteville; a sister, Ruth Bass of Whiteville; six grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Joyce Sellers.

COUNCIL -- Melba Lee Caulk Clark, 73, died Monday, Dec. 25, 2006, at Bladen County Hospital, Elizabethtown. She was a homemaker.

Final rites will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, at Bladen Funeral Home Chapel, Elizabethtown. Burial will follow in White Plains Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Bladen Funeral Home of Elizabethtown is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include a son, Jimmy Neil Clark of Bolton; a daughter, Marilyn Clark Sasser; a brother, Raymond Curtis Caulk; a sister, Ruth Neal Herring; three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Council Baptist Church, P.O. Box 94, Council, N.C. 28434.

CLARENDON -- Henry Mitchell Leonard, 38, died Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2006, at his residence. He was the son of the late Harvey James Leonard.

Graveside services were held Saturday, Dec. 23, at Smith Cemetery, Clarendon with the Rev. Glenn Lane officiating. Worthington Funeral Home of Chadbourn handled the arrangements.

Survivors include a daughter, Amber Mitchell Leonard; mother, Faye Lee Leonard of the home; brothers, Gary James Leonard, and Jamie Allen Leonard, both of Clarendon; and paternal grandmother, Ada S. Leonard of Elizabethtown.