Obituaries

RIEGELWOOD -- Elbert Lee Byrd Jr. “June Bug,” 58, died Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2006. He was born in Columbus County on Jan. 20, 1947, the son of the late Elbert Lee Byrd Sr. and Hannah Watts Byrd.

Byrd loved people and loved working with his hands. He attended Livingston Baptist Church. He will be greatly missed.

Final rites were held Friday, Nov. 24 at Livingston Baptist Church with the Rev. Bruce Edison Watts officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Coble Ward-Smith Funeral Home of Wilmington handled the arrangements.

Survivors include two brothers, Billie Byrd of Dudley, and David Byrd of New Bern; a cousin, Terry Watts of the home, and several nieces and nephews; and a host of family and friends.

Pallbearers were Butch Jackson, Chris Watts, Marlon Bordeaux, Roy Bordeaux, Dave Hill, and Al Watts.

The family would like to give a special thanks to John and the staff at the Piggly Wiggly in Riegelwood for all their acts of love and kindness.

Tributes and condolence may be sent to the family at www.MeM.com.

WHITEVILLE -- George Marvin Smith, 72, died Thursday, Nov. 23, 2006, at his residence. He was a mechanic.

Final rites will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28, at Central Baptist Church by the Rev. Ernest Cutler. Burial, with Masonic rites, will be held in the Hallsboro Memorial Park. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include seven daughters, Samala Smith of Edgewater Park, N.J., Katherine Smith of Chadbourn, Peggie Cutler of Havelock, Patricia Dukes, Lottie Stanley, and Carolyn Phillips, all of Whiteville, and Jean Jackson of Las Vegas, Nev.; a sister, Carlene Fulton of Lumberton.

Viewing will be at the funeral home Monday (today) from noon until 7 p.m. and Tuesday from 9 a.m. until noon. Viewing will be at the church Tuesday from 1-2 p.m., and there will be no viewing after the service.

The family will receive friends Monday (tonight) from 6-7 p.m. at the funeral home.

WAGRAM -- Sandra Oakley Elliott, 58, died Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2006 at her home. She was born Dec. 16, 1947 in Oakridge, Tenn., the daughter of Velma L. Oakley and the late Clyde Oakley. She was preceded in death by two sons, Gary Lee Elliott and Jim Elliott.

She was a home health care nurse and a member of Turning Point Worship Center.

Final rites were held Saturday, Nov. 25 at Turning Point Worship Center in Aberdeen with burial following in Blue Cemetery in Wagram. Richard Boles Funeral Home of Laurinburg handled the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband, Gary Elliott of the home; sons, Charlie Rogers and wife Renee of Rockingham, Glynn Elliott and wife Jaclyn of Seven Lakes; daughters, Tammy Mishue and husband Mitchell of Laurinburg, Sandee Elliott of Wagram; her mother, Velma Oakley of Whiteville; a brother, Jimmy Oakley; and eight grandchildren.

POPLARVILLE, Miss.--Earl Ward, 68, died Friday, Nov. 24, 2006. He was preceded in death by a son, Earl Lee Ward Jr.

Ward attended Mitchell Chapel Church of God.

Final rites were held Sunday, Nov. 26 at Mitchell Chapel Church of God. Burial followed in Mitchell Chapel Cemetery. White Funeral Home of Poplarville, Miss. handled the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Virginia Ward of Poplarville, Miss.; three sons, Kenneth Howard of Purvis, Miss., Keith Howard of Poplarville, Miss., and Mark Ward of North Carolina; three daughters, Rhea Seal of Poplarville, Miss., Pam Ward Prevatte of North Carolina, and Melissa Henley of Purvis, Miss.; 13 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

BOLTON -- Dorothy Mae Jacobs, 78, died Sunday, Nov. 26, 2006. She was the daughter of the late Riley and Mary Freeman. She was the widow of A.J. Jacobs. She was also preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.

Final rites will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, at New Hope Baptist Church by the Reverends Don Carter, Mike Jacobs, and Barney Campbell. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Peacock’s Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include six daughters, Patty Jacobs Norris, Avie Jacobs Patrick, Darlene Jacobs Graham, Teresa Jacobs, Sandra Jacobs Daniel, all of Bolton, and Audrey Jacobs Watson of Council; a son, Andy “Hawkeye” Jacobs of Bolton; a stepdaughter, Dorothy Brewington of Clinton; two sisters, Juanita Jacobs of Bolton, Lucille Young of Council; a brother, Rossie Freeman of Bolton; 12 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28 at the funeral home.

DILLON, S.C. -- Ruby Harrelson Bailey, 89, died Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2006, at her residence after an illness. She was born in Horry County, Aug, 28, 1917, the daughter of the late Jimpsey James Harrelson and Fannie Florence Powell Harrelson.

She was a member of Dillon First Baptist Church, and the Alice Hobeika Sunday School Class.

Final rites were held Friday, Nov. 24 at Dillon First Baptist Church with burial following in Greenlawn Cemetery. Cooper Funeral Home of Dillon, S.C. handled the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband, Lamar Bailey Sr. of the home; sons, Allen Lamar Bailey Jr., Michael (Betty) Bailey, all of Dillon, S.C., and Stephen (Carole) Bailey of Whiteville; grandchildren, Mike (Michelle) Bailey, Stephen Bailey, and Matthew Bailey; great-grandchildren, Zack Bailey and Katelyn Bailey; a sister, Daisy Hewett of Tabor City; and a special friend, Cocoa.

Memorials may be mde to Dillon First Baptist Church Cooperative Program, 400 North 4th Avenue, Dillon, S.C. 29536.

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- Lonnie Mayo Hewett, 71, died Saturday, Nov. 25, 2006, in the Grand Strand Regional Hospital, here. He is the son of the late McDuffie Hewett and Sallie Fowler Hewett.

Hewett was the owner of Hewett’s Heating & Air Inc., and a member of the Dulah Baptist Church.

Final rites will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28, in the Inman Funeral Home Chapel in Tabor City with interment to follow in the church cemetery. Inman Funeral Home of Tabor City is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley Suggs Hewett of the home; a daughter, Patricia Hewett Tyler of Loris, S.C.; two sons, Donnie Hewett, and Wayne Hewett, both of North Myrtle Beach, S.C.; two brothers, William Mack Hewett and Paul Hewett, both of North Myrtle Beach, S.C.; six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Monday (tonight) from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

EVERGREEN -- Mazelle Shaw Icard, 84, died Sunday, Nov. 26, 2006, at her residence. She was the daughter of the late Havana and Nellie Jane Benton Shaw and the widow of Norfleet “Duke” Icard.

Final rites will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28, at Evergreen Baptist Church with the Reverends Ricky Donaldson and Elmore Strickland officiating. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. Worthington Funeral Home of Chadbourn is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include two daughters, Carol Harrison of the home, and Bobbie Floyd of Evergreen; a sister, Louise Rabon of Shallotte; six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

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

CHADBOURN -- Harvey Daniel Cross, 82, died Thursday, Nov. 23, 2006, at Columbus Regional Healthcare, Whiteville. He was born in Darlington, S.C. on Jan. 27, 1924. He was the second of three sons to parents Austin Daniel and Cora Jordan Cross.

Cross was a veteran of the United States Army serving in World War II. Early in his career he served many years as the Chief of Police in Pamplico, S.C. He was also the owner/operator of Cross Auto Parts for more than 35 years.

Final rites were held Sunday, Nov. 26, at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Ricky Donaldson officiating. Interment followed in the Chadbourn Memorial Cemetery with military honors. Worthington Funeral Home of Chadbourn handled the arrangements.

Survivors include his loving wife of 49 years, Flora Mae Skipper Cross; three daughters, Judy Hammond of Tabor City, Brenda Bennett of Lexington, S.C., and Camelia Watts of Chadbourn; three sons, Danny Cross of Lumberton, Corey Cross and Ryan Cross, both of Chadbourn; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

LUMBERTON -- Alice Caldwell Richardson, 85, formerly of Chadbourn, died Thursday, Nov. 23, 2006, at Southeastern Regional Medical Center, here. She was the widow of Rev. Allen Richardson.

Richardson was a retired educator with the Columbus County School Systems.

Final rites were held Sunday, Nov. 26, at Chadbourn United Methodist Church with the Reverends L.P. Ward, Jerome Smith, and Nick Moorhead officiating. Burial followed in the Evergreen United Methodist Church Cemetery. Worthington Funeral Home of Chadbourn handled the arrangements.

Survivors include two daughters, Janice R. Moorhead of Whiteville, and Merilyn R. Guinn of Humble, Texas; a sister, Glayds Putnam of Orlando, Fla.; a brother, Walter Caldwell of New York; five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

CLARKTON -- Lula “Netty Bee” Jones, 29, died Sunday, Nov. 26, 2006, at Duke Hospital, Durham.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Union Funeral Home of Whiteville.

LAKE WACCAMAW -- Lydia Mae Mitchell Jacobs, 81, died Monday, Nov. 20, 2006, at Premier Living, here. She was the daughter of the late Cary W. and Bertie Blanks Mitchell and the widow of Willie Bunn Jacobs.

Jacobs retired from the Columbus County School System in 1990. Governor Jim Martin commended her for her time spent in helping to improve the quality of life of young children in her community.

Final rites were held Wednesday, Nov. 22, at Worthington Funeral Home with Brothers James Rogers and Earl Miller officiating. Burial followed in St. James Memorial Cemetery, Lake Waccamaw. Worthington Funeral Home of Chadbourn handled the arrangements.

Survivors include two daughters, Zenobia Spaulding of Lake Waccamaw, and Marjorie Moore of Hallsboro; three sons, Willie C. Jacobs of Whiteville, Lester Van Jacobs and Barty Jacobs, both of Lake Waccamaw; three sisters, Eliza Spaulding and Rhoda Young, both of Lake Waccamaw, and Jeanette Winstead of Pennsylvaniz; six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

CREEDMOOR -- Kenneth Ross “Mac” McRae, 57, died unexpectedly Friday, Nov. 24, 2006, at his home. A native of Whiteville, he was born Aug. 6, 1949 to the late William L. and Eloise Hammond McRae.

McRae enlisted in the United States Army and served his country proudly in Vietnam. He enjoyed playing golf, and fishing.

Final rites will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28, in the Tabernacle of Life Church, Durham. Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Columbus Memorial Park in Whiteville. Hall-Wynne Funeral Home of Durham is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Bobbie Parker McRae of the home; his children, Curtis Ross McRae of Creedmoor, and Jamie Stoker of Roxboro; four grandchildren; his brothers, William George McRae of Chadbourn and Phillip D. McRae of Dunn. He was predeceased by a brother, Edward McRae.

RAEFORD -- Retired SSGT. Mitchell Graham, 49, died Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006, at Womack Army Medical Center, Ft. Bragg, Fayetteville. Graham formerly was of Spring Branch community of Fair Bluff.

Final rites were held Saturday, Nov. 25 at Hickory Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Fair Bluff with the Reverends Ervin Harper and Thomas Nelson officiated. Burial followed in Hickory Grove Church Cemetery, Fair Bluff. S&L Funeral Home of Fair Bluff handled the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Diane Graham of the home; a daughter, Demetrail Sumpter of Fayetteville; a son, Reshaud Hilbert Graham of the home; her mother, Ola Mae Graham of Spring Branch; two brothers, Jimmy Graham of Panama City, Fla., and Johnny Graham of Wilson; father-in-law, Oscar Page of Nichols, S.C.; and four grandchildren.

DETROIT, Mich. -- Odell Vereen, 73, formerly of Nakina, died Friday, Nov. 17, 2006, at Henry Ford Hospital, here.

Final rites will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28, at the Peoples Funeral Chapel in Whiteville. Burial will follow in the New Zion Plain Cemetery in Nakina. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include two daughters, Wytina Michelle Bellamy and Sandra Yvonne Bellamy, both of Detroit, Mich.; two sons, Ledell Bellamy of Whiteville, and Lorenzo Bellamy of Detroit, Mich.; five sisters, Magdalene Pigott of Whiteville, Jettie Marjorie Vereen of Washington, D.C., Irene Goines, Mildred Farley, and Susie Giles of Paterson, N.J.; two brothers, John L. Vereen of Whiteville, and Alfred Vereen of Detroit, Mich.

Viewing will be at the funeral home Monday (today) from noon until 7 p.m. and Tuesday from 9 a.m. until time for the service.

TABOR CITY -- Martha Vample of Tabor City died Friday, Nov. 24, 2006, at the Loris Community Hospital, Loris, S.C.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time, but will be announced later by Westside Funeral Home of Tabor City.

HALLSBORO -- Lloyd Kemp Jr., 68, died Sunday, Nov. 26, 2006 at Wake Medical Center.

Arrangements will be announced by Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville.