Obituaries

MOUNT AIRY -- Brent Andrew Gilbert, 31, of Mount Airy, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2006, at his home. He was born Sept. 6, 1975, in Robeson County, to Dr. Roger and Deidra Jones Gilbert.

Gilbert graduated from Whiteville High School in 1994, and was a member of Whiteville First Baptist Church.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, Sept. 16 at First Baptist Church in Mount Airy. The service was conducted by the Rev. Harold Shirley, and burial followed in the Oakdale Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife, Jaclynn Rose Phillips Gilbert of the home; a daughter, Autumn Rose Gilbert of the home; his parents, Dr. Roger and Deidra Jones Gilbert of Mount Airy; a sister and brother-in-law, Kristi and Jeffrey Hinson of Charlotte, a niece, Jessie Hinson of Charlotte; and his grandparents, Bruce and Dora Gilbert of Huntsville, Ala., and Guy Kay of Huntsville, Ala.

Gilbert was preceded in death by his grandmother, Geneva Kay.

The family may be contacted at other times at the home of Dr. Roger and Deidra Jones Gilbert, 255 Ridgewood Drive, Mount Airy. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund or Youth Ministry, 714 North Main Street, Mount Airy, N.C. 27030. Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the Gilbert family. Online condolences may be at www.moodyfuneralservices.com.

ONANCOCK, Va.--Louise Dickie Formyduval, 85, wife of the late Morrison Formyduval Jr. and a resident of the Hermitage on the Eastern Shore passed away Monday, Sept. 11, 2006, at her residence. Born on Feb. 21, 1921, in Henderson, she was the daughter of the late Durward Thomas Dickie and Sallie Louise Macon Dickie.

She was a graduate of Meredith College in Raleigh, with a degree in music; a member of Market Street United Methodist Church, where she was a longtime member of the Dora Armstrong Circle and organist; and a volunteer Pink Lady at Shore Memorial Hospital.

Funeral services conducted from the Market Street United Methodist Church in Onancock on Friday, Sept. 15 with the Rev. Charles Shumate and the Rev. David Howell officiating. Interment in the Fairview Lawn Cemetery in Onancock. Williams-Onancock Funeral Homes, Inc. of Parksley, Va.

Survivors include two daughters, Alice Formyduval of Easton, Md. and Marguerite Furr of Onancock, Va.; a brother, George T. Dickie of Henderson; three grandchildren, Wendy Walker, Genevieve Walker, and Macon Furr; four great-grandchildren, Charlotte Louise Graham, Jonathan Walker Graham, John Major Morgan, and Ann Marley Morgan; one niece and several nephews.

She was predeceased by a sister, Agnes Jordan Long, and a brother, Durward T. Dickie Jr.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Orchestra of the Eastern Shore, P.O. Box 27, Onancock, Va. 23417 or to the Onancock Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 28, Onancock, Va. 23417.

Memory tributes may be sent to the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com.

TABOR CITY – Cassandra G. Daniels of the Clarendon community passed away Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2006 at Loris Community Hospital. She was the daughter of the late S.G. Daniels and Betty Daniels.

Final rites will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18 at the Deliverance Prayer Temple Church in Loris, S.C. with Pastor Louvenior Dewitt delivering the eulogy. Burial will follow in the Columbus County Singing Union Cemetery in Tabor City. Westside Funeral Home of Tabor City is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include a daughter, Jacqueline S. Daniels; a son, Mekel A. Daniels; a sister, Sherry Brown; five brothers, Samuel Daniels, Jeffery Daniels, Leo Daniels, Cedrick Daniels, and John Stephens. (See story on front page)

BLADENBORO – Mamie Thompson, 86, died Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2006 at Elizabethtown Nursing Center.

Final rites were held Saturday, Sept. 16 at Shady Grove Baptist Church of Bladenboro with the Reverends Michael Skinner and George Langley officiating. Bladen Funeral Home of Elizabethtown handled the arrangements.

Survivors include a son, Tommy Thompson, Bladenboro; a sister, Lottie Harris of Charlotte; one grandchild and three great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by husband, C.I. Thompson; and a granddaughter.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, P.O. Box 1984, Elizabethtown, N.C. 28337.

LAURINBURG – Linda Peterson Mitchell, 87, formerly of Hamlet, died Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2006 at Scotia Village there. She was born Jan. 11, 1919 in Clinton, a daughter of the late William and Eva Powell Peterson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph C. Mitchell and eight brothers and sisters.

She was a graduate of Clinton High School and Flora McDonald College in Red Springs. She taught in North Carolina public schools in the elementary grades for 34 years, with 20 years in the Richmond County schools. She was active in community and church work.

A member of First Presbyterian Church where she served as an elder and deacon, she had taught Bible school, Sunday school, served as circle chairperson, world mission chairperson, Sunday school class president and president of the Women of the Church.

Final rites were held Saturday, Sept. 16 from the First Presbyterian Church, Hamlet. The Rev. Shirley Hutchins officiated. Burial followed in Richmond Memorial Park in Rockingham. Watson King Funeral Home of Hamlet handled the arrangements.

Survivors include a daughter, Joanne Mitchell of Gastonia; a son, Lawrence C. Mitchell of Wilmington; and a brother, William Peterson of Clinton.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 317 Jefferson Street Fund, 200 Rice Street, Hamlet, N.C. 28345 or Hospice of Scotland County, P.O. Box 1033 Laurinburg, N.C. 28353.

WHITEVILLE – Iris Pierce McKoy, 78, died Thursday, Sept. 14, 2006 at Columbus Regional Healthcare. She was a custodian.

Final rites will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20 at Cedar Hill Freewill Baptist Church by Bishop Rudolph Powell. Burial will follow in the Spring Hill Cemetery. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include three daughters, Sandra Troy and Cindy McKoy, both of Fayetteville, and Darlene McKoy of Kansas City, Kan.; five sons, Randolph McKoy, Rev. Christopher McKoy, and Lorenza McKoy, all of Whiteville, Leon McKoy of Bridgeport, Conn., and Hew Lee McKoy of Kansas City, Kan.; three sisters, Eva Mae Bell of Jacksonville, Ark., Bethenia Taylor of Capitol Heights, Md., and Linda K. Jackson of Waldorf, Md.; three brothers, Rev. Arnold V. Pierce of Whiteville, Hew Lee Pierce of Bridgeport, Conn., and Franklin Pierce of Goldsboro.

Viewing will be at the funeral home on Tuesday from noon until 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Viewing will be at the church Wednesday following the service.

CHADBOURN – George Clarkson York, 79, died Friday, Sept. 15, 2006 at his residence. He was born in Boissevain, Va., the son of the late John W. and Jessie Yates York.

Final rites were held Sunday, Sept. 17 at the Old Zion Wesleyan Church, conducted by the Rev. Billy Roy with interment following in the Old Zion Cemetery, Tabor City. Inman Funeral Home of Tabor City handled the arrangements.

He is survived by his wife, Estalene Andrews York of Chadbourn; two stepdaughters, Patricia Ann LeBlanc of Albermarle, and Teresa Kay Solso of Daly City, Calif.; two stepsons, Robert Kendle Guyton of Petersburg, W. Va., and Ronald Ray Guyton of Chadbourn; a sister, Jewel Cook of Asheboro, and seven step-grandchildren.

TABOR CITY – Oscar Junior “Shorty” Gerald, 51, died Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2006 at Loris Community Hospital. He was mechanic.

Final rites will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19 at Little Iron Hill Missionary Baptist Church by the Bishop Bruce Alderman. Burial will follow in the Smith Family Cemetery. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Hilda S. Gerald; two daughters, Latasha Gerald of Durham and Tonya Simon, both of Longs, S.C.; his parents, Eudell and Daricus Gerald of Tabor City; four sisters, Rachel Gore and Brenda Batten, both of Tabor City, Alice Faye Brown of New York, and Sheila Moody of Loris, S.C.; three brothers, Edward Gerald, Frankie Gerald, and Dale Gerald, all of Tabor City.

There will be a wake Monday from 7-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Viewing will be at the funeral home on Monday from noon until 8 p.m. and Tuesday from 9 a.m. until noon. Viewing will be at the church Tuesday following the service.

TABOR CITY – Melissa Ann Buck, 29, died Saturday, Sept. 16, 2006 in an automobile accident. She was the daughter of the late John and Emily Ann Gaydos.

Final rites will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18 at Pireway Freewill Baptist Church with burial to follow in Jacobs Cemetery at Pireway.

Survivors include her husband, Rex Buck of Tabor City; three brothers, Jim Gaydos of Spartanburg, S.C., John Gaydos of Sumter, S.C., and Joey Gaydos. (See story on page 4A)

KELLY – Mary Viola Peterson Squires and Gordon Pierce Squires, both 89, died Thursday, Sept. 14, 2006. Mrs. Squires was the daughter of the late Johnny Peterson and Nellie Lennon Peterson. Gordon Pierce Squires was the son of the late Andrew Jackson Squires and Mary Pridgen Squires. Gordon Squires was preceded in death by six sisters, Tisha Squires, Gertrude S. Potter, Odessa Kelly, Pearl S. Russ, Blanche Lanier, Eva Brown; four brothers, Steve Squires, Cecile Squires, Andrew Squires, Glenny Squires, Mary Viola Peterson Squires was preceded in death by two brothers, Watous Peterson and John D. Peterson.

Final rites will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. at the Centerville Baptist Church in Kelly with the Reverends Jack Miller and Mike Burney officiating with burial following in the Squires Cemetery and Livingston Chapel Church Cemetery. McKenzie Mortuary is handling the arrangements.

Mary Viola Peterson Squires is survived by a stepson, Tom Phillips Jr. of Delco; a stepdaughter, Florance Stevens of Hampstead; five sisters, Leonia Parrish of Smithfield, Juanita Lennon of Delco, Edna Kelly of Wake Forest, Madelyn Hughes of Delco, and Vernell Bettis of Leland; a brother, Calvin Peterson and wife, Elaine of Salisbury, Md.

Mr. and Mrs. Squires are also survived by several nieces and nephews, a special nephew, David Hughes and wife, Daphne of Wilmington; and a special niece, Angie Horrell of Wilmington.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Sept. 20 from 1-1:45 p.m. at the church prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, P.O. Box 636 Whiteville, N.C. 28472-0636. (See story on front page)

WHITEVILLE – Eddie Lee Graham, 49, died Friday, Sept. 15, 2006 near his residence. He was a mechanic.

Final rites will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19 at the Brunswick-Waccamaw Baptist Association Building by Bishop E. Floyd Jr. Burial will follow in the Jones Cemetery in Clarkton. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara Graham; a daughter, Yashanda Renee Graham of the home; a son, David Rose of Whiteville; his mother, Hazel Graham of Whiteville; four sisters, Pauline Rouse of Whiteville, Rachael Campbell and Marjorie Campbell, both of Lisbon, and Jennifer Martin of Greensboro.

Viewing will be at the funeral home Monday from noon until 8 p.m. and Tuesday from 9-11 a.m. Viewing will be at the association building Tuesday following the service.

The family will receive friends Monday from 6-7 p.m. at the funeral home. (See story on front page)

ELIZABETHTOWN – Paul Thompson, 90, died Friday, Sept. 15, 2006 at Bladen County Hospital. He was a farm worker.

Final rites will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 at Butler Branch Missionary Baptist Church in Fair Bluff by the Rev. Ronald Alford. Burial will follow in the Butler Branch Cemetery. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include a sister, Floreen Gordon of Durham.

Viewing will be at the funeral home on Friday from 2-8 p.m. and Saturday from 10-11 a.m. Viewing will be at the church Saturday from noon until 1 p.m. at which time the family will receive friends.

WHITEVILLE – Lorraine L. Soles, 84, died Friday, Sept. 15, 2006 at Columbus Regional Healthcare. She was born March 26, 1922 in Columbus County, the daughter of the late Hector and Madge Grainger Lovette. She was formerly married to the late Tate Soles Sr.

She was past president of N.C. Teachers Association and was an active member with Retired N.C. Teachers Association and Columbus County and also a member of Whiteville United Methodist Church.

Final rites were held Sunday, Sept. 17 at Bethel United Methodist Church by the Reverends Carl Zorowski and David Benson. Interment followed in Gore Cemetery. Peacocks Funeral Home of Whiteville handled the arrangements.

She is survived by two sons, Tate Soles Jr. of Whiteville, and Danny Soles of the Bethel community; a daughter, Lana Soles White of Whiteville; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Leo Lovette, Dock Lovette and Claude Lovette; three sisters, Ruth Vehorn, Margie McMillan and Lillian Atkins.

BOLTON – Irene Knox Bennett, 87, died Friday, Sept. 15, 2006 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. She was born April 9, 1919 in Martin County, the daughter of the late William and Eva Martin Knox. She was the widow of the late Carl A. Bennett. She was a childcare provider in Washington, D.C. during World War II and in the community.

Final rites will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19 at Peacock’s Chapel In The Pines by the Reverends Charles Hester and Clifford Britton. Interment will be in Lake Waccamaw Hillcrest Cemetery. Peacocks Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors includes two daughters, Tylana Bennett of Bolton, and Jeanette “Bunny” Bennett Turbeville of Tabor City; two sons, Darryl “Bud” Bennett and Frederick Bennett, both of Bolton; stepmother, Burnette Reason of Greenville; two sisters, Elizabeth Brown of Bolton, and Inez Ambrose of Greenville; six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Carl M. Bennett.

The family will receive friends from 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18 at the funeral home.

BOLIVIA – Vertalene “Bert” Dutton, formerly of Whiteville, died Sunday, Sept. 17, 2006 in Carthage. She was born March 23, 1922 in Whiteville. The daughter of the late John Quincey and Reta McCumbee Atkins. She was the widow of Leroy Dutton.

Dutton owned the Cottage Café in Fayetteville for many years. She attended Massey Hill Baptist Church.

Funeral arrangements will be announced by Peacock’s Chapel In The Pines of Whiteville.

Survivors include five daughters, Cynthia Collins and Faye Mooton, both of Jacksonville, Fla., Diane Smith of Carthage, Brenda Sue Maynor, both of Fayetteville, and Judith Ayers of Ashley Heights; a son, Leroy Sanford “Sonny” Dutton of Bolivia; 16 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Debra McLaurin.

LAKE WACCAMAW – Essie Victoria Canady Benson, 88, died Friday, Sept. 15, 2006 at the Grand Strand Medical Center in Myrtle Beach, S.C. She was the last sibling of Fletcher “Pop” Mayo Canady and Margaret Elizabeth “Lizzie” Gray Canady.

Final rites were held Sunday, Sept. 17 at McKenzie Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. Frank Turner officiating. Burial followed in the Lake Waccamaw Cemetery. McKenzie Mortuary of Whiteville handled the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband, Thelba “Bud” Albert Benson of Lake Waccamaw; a stepdaughter, Donna Benson Little of Lake Waccamaw; two grandchildren, Vicki Keeter Strom of Crofton, Md.; and Marian “Libby” Keeter Piispanen of Allentown, Pa.; a nephew, Vernon Keeter of Lake Waccamaw; and several nephews.

WHITEVILLE – Geneva Edwards Thompson, 73, died Saturday, Sept. 16, 2006 at Columbus Regional Healthcare. She was the widow of Edward Bryant “E.B.” Thompson and the daughter of the late Charles P. and Edgie Brown Edwards.

Final rites will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18 at Mt. Calvary Freewill Baptist Church with the Rev. Garland Suggs officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Worthington Funeral Home of Chadbourn is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include two daughters, Ada Meadows Skipper of Bladenboro, and Linda Meadows Wiggins of Clarkton; a son, Wade Meadows of Tampa, Fla.; brothers, Jerry Ransom and Tim Ransom, both of Bladenboro; sisters, Carolyn Roberts of Holden Beach, Lonnie Williams of Whiteville, and Naomi Ransom, all of Abbottsburg; and two grandchildren.

CHADBOURN – Elsie Jones Boege, 86, died Thursday, Sept. 14, 2006 at Columbus Regional Healthcare. She was the widow of Frederick D. Boege Sr., and the daughter of the late Stephen Jefferson and Roxie Raney Caines Jones.

She worked at Columbus County Hospital for 28 years serving as the television hostess and later in charge of the cheer cart.

Final rites were held Sunday, Sept. 17 at Whiteville First Baptist Church with the Reverends Kendell Cameron and Steve Bailey officiating. Burial followed in the Chadbourn Memorial Cemetery. Worthington Funeral Home of Chadbourn handled the arrangements.

She is survived by a son, David Boege Jr. of Chadbourn.

EVERGREEN – Reather Gore McClain, 74, died Saturday, Sept. 16, 2006 at Columbus Regional Healthcare.

Final rites will be held Tuesday, Sept. 19 at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Daryl Handy Sr. officiating at St. John Baptist Church in Chadbourn. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. S&L Funeral Home of Fair Bluff is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include two sons, Thruston McClain, Ardell McClain; a brother, Liston Gore; a sister, Zeater Mae Paige; eight grandchildren.

The family will receive friends at home of Zeater M. Paige, 175, Grist Road, Chadbourn.

CLARENDON – Sherry McPherson, 43, died Sunday, Sept. 17, 2006 at her home.

Final rites will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Inman Funeral Home Chapel in Tabor City. Burial will follow at McPherson Cemetery at Beaverdam.

Survivors include her father, John Wayne McPherson of Whiteville, and her mother, Idella Cartrette McPherson of Clarendon; three sisters, Terry McPherson of Clarendon, Joan Ward of Council, and Susan Sellers of Texas.