VERNEDA H. HICKMAN

BOLTON -- Verneda H. Hickman, 88, died Monday, Aug. 27, 2007, at Columbus Regional Healthcare.

Final rites will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at Friendship AME Church with the Rev. Jerry Pearson officiating. Burial will follow at the Restwell Cemetery #1. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include two daughters, Ruby Mae Jones and Flossie I. Hickman, both of Bolton.

Viewing will be at the funeral home Friday from noon until 8 p.m. Viewing will be at the church saturday from 10 a.m. until time for the service and again following the service.

JERRY WAYNE GREEN

FAIR BLUFF -- Jerry Wayne Green, 63, died Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington. He was the son of the late Rev. Aubrey and Pensie Strickland Green.

Final rites will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, at China Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Thomas Fairfax officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Worthington Funeral Home of Chadbourn is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include his daughters, Pamela Corr of Fayetteville, Christy G. Hammel of Weaverville, and Heather Green of Hallsboro; sisters, Frankie Atkins of Cerro Gordo, Theresa Pridgen of Chadbourn, Alice McDonald of Rome, Ga.; brothers, Larry Green and Horace Green, both of Cerro Gordo; and two grandchildren.

ROBERT LEWIS JR.

CLARKTON -- Robert Lewis Jr., 82, died Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007, at Columbus Regional Healthcare.

Arrangements will be announced by Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville.

KATHLEEN CARROLL WEISHAAR

SEATTLE, Wash. -- Kathleen Carroll Weisharr, 74, died Monday, Aug. 20, 2007. She was born Nov. 5, 1932 and was the middle child of Frank and Bessie Carroll of Dublin.

Weishaar attended Tar Heel High School in Bladen County and later spent most of her adult life in Seattle.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8, at Bethel Baptist Church, Dublin. Burial will follow a short graveside service at the Allen Cemetery. Butler Funeral Home of Roseboro is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include her sisters, Rosa Lee Parrish of Salisbury, and Alta Baldwin of Whiteville; three daughters, Harriet Agee of Phoenix, Ariz., Carol Gunderson and Jane Norby, both of Seattle, Wash.; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, all of Seattle, Wash.

JOSEPH ‘CAREY’ GASKINS

SHALLOTTE POINT -- Joseph “Carey” Gaskins, 55, died unexpectedly Saturday, Aug. 25. Born Aug. 24, 1952, in Loris, S.C., he was the oldest son of J.C. and Pecolia Wood Gaskins of Tabor City.

Gaskins began his career in law enforcement in the 1970’s, and served for a short period of time in Columbus County. After moving to Shallotte, he was an officer for the Town of Shallotte’s Police Department for 20 years, serving as a lieutenant and currently it’s most senior member. He was a member of the Shallotte Masonic Lodge #727, A.F. & A.M.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, at the Supply Chapel of Coble Ward-Smith Funeral Home. Coble Ward-Smith Funeral and Cremation Service of Supply is handling the arrangements.

Survivors in addition to his parents are his two brothers, Jeffrey W. Gaskins of Ocean Isle Beach and Dr. Mark E. Gaskins of Sanford; a sister, Deborah “Sue” Gaskins of Tabor City; five children, Joseph “Cole” Gaskins and Megan Janelle Gaskins of Monroe, Joseph “Christopher” Gaskins of Nichols, S.C., Devan Grimes of Shallotte Point, and Georgina Williams of North Myrtle Beach, S.C.; and seven grandchildren.

The family will receive friends immediately following the services.

In lieu of flowers a memorial donation in Lt. Gaskin’s memory may be made to Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38195.

JIMMY LAVON STEPHENS

TAMPA, Fla. -- Jimmy Lavon Stephens, 52, formerly of Tabor City, died Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007, at Tampa General Hospital. He was the son of the late James and Gladys Stephens of Tabor City.

Final rites will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31, at Little Iron Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Tabor City. Burial will follow in the Stephens-Wright Cemetery in Tabor City. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include two sisters, Joyce Bellamy of Flag Patch, S.C. and Sylvia Stephens of New Haven, Conn.; four brothers, James Stephens of Whiteville, Minister Freddie Stephens of Tabor City, Milton Stephens of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Kenneth Stephens of New Haven, Conn.

Viewing will be at the funeral home on Thursday, Aug. 30 from noon until 8 p.m. and Friday from 9-11 a.m. Viewing will be at the church Friday following the service.

Friends may visit the family at the home of Joyce Bellamy, 1650 Auburn Drive, Loris, S.C. and Mr. and Mrs. James Stephens, 4514 Chadbourn Highway, Whiteville.

DON HARLEY JR.

CERRO GORDO -- Don Harley Jr., 57, died Monday, Aug. 27, 2007, at Columbus Regional Healthcare.

Arrangements will be announced by S&L Funeral Home of Fair Bluff.

Family will receive friends at the home of Barbara Harley, 52 Oscar Wilson Road, Fair Bluff.

GERALDINE CHERRY HOWARD

HALLSBORO -- Geraldine Cherry Howard, 65, died Friday, Aug. 24, 2007, at Columbus Regional Healthcare System.

Final rites will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29, at Second St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Joseph Bryant officiating. Burial will be in the Hallsboro Memorial Park. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband, Milton Howard; two daughters, Cynthia Howard and Melissa Howard, both of Whiteville; two sons, Garrett Howard of Hallsboro, and Derrick Howard of Whiteville; a sister, Betty Ann Cherry of Newark, N.J.; two brothers, John Cherry and Ackon Cherry of Hallsboro.

Viewing will be at the funeral home Tuesday, Aug. 28 from noon until 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 9-11 a.m. Viewing will be at the church Wednesday from noon until time of the service and again following the service.

MARY SASSER TURBEVILLE

WHITEVILLE -- Mary Sasser Turbeville, 88, died Saturday, Aug. 25, 2007, at Columbus Regional Healthcare. She was the daughter of the late John Louis Sasser and Frances Canady. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde J. Turbeville and two stepchildren, Jackie Turbeville and Marcelle Prince.

Graveside services will be held at Whiteville Memorial Cemetery Wednesday, Aug. 29 at 1 p.m. McKenzie Mortuary of Whiteville is handling the services.

Survivors include a daughter, Helen Ganus and husband Ed of Greendale, Wis.; and a son, Vernon Ward and wife Mary of Shallotte; a brother, Robert Hardwick of Pearl, Miss.; a sister, Ora Lee Townsend of Whiteville; nine grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, at the funeral home.

MAGGIE WRIGHT SIMMONS

TABOR CITY -- Maggie Wright Simmons, 76, died Friday, Aug. 24, 2007, in the Loris Community Hospital. She is the wife of the late Lonnie Wright and Charles Simmons and the daughter of the late Stedman Porter and Vicie Jocobs Porter.

Final rites were held Sunday, Aug. 26, at New Life Baptist Church with Dr. Mike Watford and Rev. Johnnie Jenerette officiating. Burial followed in the Forest Lawn Cemetery. Inman Funeral Home of Tabor City handled the arrangements.

Survivors include four sons, William Wright and wife Dianne, Randy Wright, Steve Wright and wife Donna, all of Tabor City, Johnny Wright and wife Carolyn of Green Sea, S.C.; eight grandchildren, Adrienne Wright, Colby Wright, Amanda Wright, Craig Wright, Lonny Wright, Heather Wright, Michelle Barrett and Jennifer Carter; six great-grandchildren, Angel Reagan, Katelyn Reagan, Deanna Reagan, Nicholas Barrett, Kathelynn Powers-Carter and Tommy Dean Johnson.

ACE ‘PETE’ SOLES

TABOR CITY -- Ace “Pete” Soles died Thursday, Aug. 23, 2007 at Loris Community Hospital, Loris, S.C.

Final rites will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, at Westside Funeral Home Chapel in Tabor City with the Rev. Heyward Soles officiating. Burial will follow in the Butler Cemetery, Dothan. Westside Funeral Home of Tabor City is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Lacey Lee Soles of the home; three children, Kenneth of Loris, S.C., Hoyt and Lavonte of the home.

Family visitations will be held from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 27, at the funeral home.

LEE V. LLOYD

BOLTON -- Lee V. Lloyd, 89, died Friday, Aug. 24, 2007, at Lower Cape Fear Hospice Care Center, Wilmington.

Final rites will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, at Lee’s Chapel AME Zion Church. Burial will follow in Restwell Cemetery #1 with Masonic rites. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include four daughters, Mary Victoria Lloyd, Laura Lloyd, and Nancy Bowen, all of Bolton, and Deborah Show of Wilmington; two sons, Jerry Lloyd and Willie Lloyd, both of Bolton.

Viewing will be at the funeral home Monday, Aug. 27 from 2-8 p.m. and Tuesday from 9 a.m. until noon. Viewing will be at the church Tuesday from 1 p.m. until time of the service, and again following the service.
The family will receive friends Monday, Aug. 27 from 7-8 p.m. at the funeral home chapel, at which time Eastern Star rites will be performed.

Friends may visit the family at the home of Mary Victoria Lloyd, 154 Lloyd Drive, Bolton.

ELAINE CARRIE SINGLETARY

BLADENBORO -- Elaine Carrie Singletary, 54, died Friday, Aug. 24, 2007, at Columbus Regional Healthcare.

Final rites will be held at noon Wednesday, Aug. 29, at Sandhill Missionary Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Sandhill Cemetery. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include a daughter, Tammy Singletary of Bladenboro; a son, Furnie Singletary Jr. of Bladenboro; a sister, Janice Cromartie of Elizabethtown; four brothers, Nathaniel Currie of East Arcadia, Preston James Currie and Eugene Goodman Currie, both of Bladenboro, and Gilbert A. Currie of Elizabethtown.

Viewing will be at the funeral home on Tuesday, Aug. 28 from noon until 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 9-10 a.m. Viewing will be at the church Wednesday following the service.

Friends may visit the family at the home of Furnie Singletary Jr., 388 Lawrence Brown Road, Bladenboro.

JESUS ‘JOJIE’ LUTAO

CLARKTON -- Jesus “Jojie” Santos Lutao, 47, died Saturday, Aug. 25, 2007, in an automobile accident. He was born Dec. 6, 1959 in Manila, Philippines, the son of Jamie Lutao of Wiesbaden, Germany and the late Ophelia Santos Lutao.

Lutao was employed with Smithfield Packing Company.
Visitation and memorial service will be held from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, at Peacock’s Chapel In The Pines. Peacock’s Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

UNDINE WEEKS BARNHILL

SCOTLAND NECK -- Undine Weeks Barnhill, 94, died Thursday, Aug. 23, 2007. She was born on Sept. 23, 1912 in Halifax County and lived there most of her life. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, one sister and her husband, Lemuel Wesley Barnhill, the love of her life.

Undine earned her BA from Meredith College and her MA from East Carolina University. She did additional graduate studies at Harvard, UNC, NCSU, University of London and Appalachian State University. She taught at Scotland Neck High School many years before joining the faculty at Chowan College in Murfreesboro, NC where she was a member of the English department from 1965 to 1978.

Undine was a faithful member of Dawson Baptist Church where she was the church clerk, Sunday School teacher and choir member for many years. She loved gardening, and her yard was always adorned with beautiful plants of all colors.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Undine Weeks Barnhill will be held at Dawson Baptist Church, 9775 Thirteen Bridges Road, Enfield on Sunday, Aug. 26 at 4 p.m. The interment will follow at Sunnyside Cemetery in Scotland Neck.

She is survived by her son, Larry J. Barnhill and wife Betty Jo of Raleigh; her daughter, Geneva B. Ashley and husband Bill of Whiteville; her sister, Emily Duffell of Sanford; four grandchildren, Lisa A. Harrington, John C. Ashley, Kristen A. Hooks and Chad Barnhill and three great-grandchildren, Blake Ashley, Greyanna Ashley and Hallie Harrington.
The family will receive friends in the church Fellowship Hall from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to The Dawson Baptist Church Building Fund or to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 1512, Cary, N.C. 27511.

Internet condolences may be made at www.letchworthfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are being handled by Letchworth Funeral Home in Scotland Neck.

JOHN NATHAN GREENE

WHITEVILLE -- John Nathan Greene, 66, died Friday, Aug. 17, 2007, at his residence.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, Oct. 6 at 2:30 p.m. at Peoples Funeral Home Chapel. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include two daughters, Natalie Greene of Bronx, N.Y. and Natalie Greene of Manhattan, N.Y.; a son, William Greene of Manhattan, N.Y.; five sisters, Orra Scott of New Haven, Conn., Rosa Smith of Washington, D.C., Patricia Hill of Whiteville, Belinda Dixon of Staten Island, N.Y., and Carolyn Jernigan of San Antonio, Texas; and a brother, Richard Jernigan of Whiteville.

MARY CAROLYN STEPHENS

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Mary Carolyn Stephens, 70, formerly of Evergreen, died Friday, Aug. 17, 2007. She was the wife of the late Orlando Vandyke Stephens.

Final rites will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at Center Missionary Baptist Church in Bladenboro. Burial will follow in the Stephens and Lennon Cemetery, Evergreen. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include two daughters, Donna Stephens and Neicy Stephens; and a son, Horace Stephens.

Viewing will be at the church Saturday from noon until time for the service.

MARIE CASHWELL COLLIER

WHITEVILLE -- Marie Cashwell Collier, 91, died Thursday, Aug. 23, 2007, at Columbus Regional Healthcare. She was the daughter of the late Arthur Dixon Cashwell Sr. and Pearl Robbins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Lennon Collier.

Collier was a member of First Baptist Church and was active in the Sunshine Group. She worked at Marks Truck and Tractor as a bookkeeper and secretary with the N.C.
Department of Transportation. Collier was a life member of Chapter 211 of the Eastern Star, Evening Garden Club and the Business and Professional Women's Association.

Final rites will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at McKenzie Mortuary Chapel with Rev. L. Kendell Cameron Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in the Western Prong Baptist Church Cemetery. McKenzie Mortuary of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivor sinclude a son, Michael Lennon Collier of Whiteville; and a grandson.

Vistation will be Saturday, Aug. 25 from 10-10:45 a.m. at the funeral home.

EDMOND ‘EDDIE’ PINKNEY SPIVEY

WHITEVILLE -- Edmond “Eddie” Pinkney Spivey, 65, died Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007, in Loris Healthcare, Loris, S.C. He was born in Columbus County, the son of the late Azier James Spivey and Lonie Ruth Worley Spivey.

Final rites will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24, at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church with the Reverends Pete Cribb and J.P. Jones officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Inman Funeral Home of Tabor City is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include four nephews, J.W. Spivey Jr. of the home; Tim Spivey of Green Sea, S.C.; Jeff Spivey of Whiteville, Steve Spivey of Whiteville; four nieces, Pam Hinson of Clarendon, Vickie Matthews of Whispering Pines, Glenda Spivey and Rita Gore, both of Whiteville; three great-nephews, T.J. Spivey of Whiteville, Brent Watts of Clarendon, and Brandon Matthews of Whispering Pines; four great-nieces, Anna Spivey of Whiteville, Katelyn Hinson of Clarendon, Ashlee Matthews of Whispering Pines, and Stephanie Spivey of Whiteville.

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

ANNER RUTH HODGES

GREEN SEA, S.C. -- Anner Ruth Hodges, 77, died Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007, in Conway Manor, Conway, S.C. She was born in Horry County, S.C., the daughter of the late Moses H. Hodges and Anner Hill Hodges.

Final rites will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Inman Chapel with Rev. Al Simms officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Nichols, S.C. Inman Funeral Home of Tabor City is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include three sisters, Pencie Allen and Annie Goff, both of Thomasville; and Martha Sellers of Whiteville.

Visitation will be Friday, Aug. 24 from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home.

MEREDITH HAYES HUGHES

FAIR BLUFF -- Meredith Hayes Hughes, 75, died Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007, at Shoreland Healthcare Center, Whiteville. She was born in Columbus County the daughter of the late Henry and Velma Johnson Hayes. She was preceded in death by her husband Foster Carwell Hughes Jr.

Final rites will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 24, at Fair Bluff Baptist Church with Dr. Ray Lundy officiating. Burial will follow in the Powell Cemetery. Meares Funeral Home of Fair Bluff is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include a son, Michael Hughes and his wife Suzanne of Fair Bluff; three daughters, Barbara H. Barnes and her husband Chip of Lake Waccamaw, Terry H. Enzor and her husband Wendell of Barnesville and Pamela H. Burchette and her husband Donald of Chadbourn; six grandchildren, Brandon Burchette, Emily Burchette, Stephanie Ivey, Miranda Barnes Rooks, Ashley Nicole Ward and Lesley Anne Hughes; and three great-grandchildren, Trenton J. Rooks, Rebekah Ward and Alexis Ward.

The family will receive friends tonight (Thursday) from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Youth Van Fund at Fair Bluff Baptist Church, P.O. Box 217, Fair Bluff, N.C. 28439.

You may sign the guest book online at www.mearesfuneralhome.com.

ROBERT DALE INMAN

TABOR CITY -- Robert Dale Inman, 73, died Wednesday, August 15, at Grand Strand Medical Center in Myrtle Beach, S.C. He was born in Tabor City, the only child of Jasper Leon Inman and Elgia Wright Inman.

He graduated from Tabor City High School in 1952 and served as Senior Class President. While attending North Carolina State in Raleigh, he met Lucille Suggs. That marked the beginning of a loving marriage of nearly 52 years.

After serving in the U.S. Air Force and farming for a brief time, Robert developed an interest in land surveying, which became his lifelong profession and passion. He became a Registered Land Surveyor in 1959 and maintained an active practice through 2006. He shared his love of surveying by teaching, through service in professional organizations, and by mentoring those who worked with and for him. He taught in the community college system at Coastal Carolina, Wake Tech, and Southeastern Community College as well as teaching seminars for continuing education. In the 1970s, he served eight years on the North Carolina Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, including a term as Chairman. He was a Fellow and Life Member of the North Carolina Society of Surveyors, serving as Secretary/Treasurer and ACSM (American Congress on Surveying and Mapping) Delegate. In addition to his professional interests, Robert was an avid gardener and a skilled craftsman spending many happy hours in his workshop.

Robert was the proud father of three daughters: Marie Inman Hall (husband John) of Newhall, Calif.; Nelwyn Wright Inman of Chattanooga, Tenn.; and Calista Inman Reiss (husband Loren) of Raleigh. Also highlighting his life were grandsons William Victor Inman Reiss and Austin Carlyle Inman Reiss.

Memorials may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 121 W. Main Street, Whiteville, N.C. 28472.

WILLIAM ‘BILLY’ DELANE TEDDER

WHITEVILLE -- William “Billy” Delane Tedder, 69, died early Monday, Aug. 20, 2007, at his residence. He was born in Columbus County, the son of the late Charlie and Rosa Tedder of Whiteville.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at New Hope Baptist Church, Whiteville with the Rev. Roy Walker officiating.

Survivors include his wife, Helena V. Tedder of Whiteville, a son, Anthony “Tony” Delane Tedder and wife Angela of Whiteville; a daughter, Helen Tedder Paquette and husband Michael of Fairfax, Va.; sisters, Christine Case of Savannah, Ga., Eloise Marker, Mona Faye McLelland, and Betty Smith, all of Whiteville; and eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by two brothers, James Audell Tedder and Charles Wayne Tedder.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Home Care and Hospice Inc., White Crossing Plaza, Whiteville, N.C. 28472.

ANTHONY ‘TONY’ ‘BUTCH’ DIMAIO

CONWAY, S.C. -- Anthony “Tony” “Butch” DiMaio, 63, formerly of Blackwood, N.J., died peacefully Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007, at his residence following a courageous battle with cancer. His family and faithful pet Casey were by his side. He was born in Camden, N.J., a son of the late John and Frances DeFrank DiMaio.

DiMaio was in the United States Army Reserves. He was a loyal employee of Campbell Soup Company for 37 years. During his career, he worked at the Campbell Soup Equipment center in Moorestown, N.J. He then transferred and eventually retired as a Purchasing Manager at their World Headquarters in Camden, N.J.

DiMaio loved spending time with his family and doing home improvements for family and friends. He enjoyed golfing and taking Casino trips to Atlantic City, N.J. He was loved by all and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

A funeral Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 23, at St. James Catholic Church with Father John Silver officiating. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery. A memorial service will be held in Blackwood, N.J. at a later date. Goldfinch Funeral Home of Conway, S.C. Chapel is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include his loving and devoted wife of 42 years, Gail E. Gentek DiMaio of Conway, S.C.; two sons, Michael DiMaio and wife Danielle of Atco, N.J. and David DiMaio of Longs, S.C.; two daughters, Tracy Pedano and husband Gregory of Margate, N.J. and Michele Hutchinson and husband Andrew of Whiteville; three grandchildren, Ashley and Gregory Pedano and Ava Hutchinson; a brother, Lawrence DiMaio and wife Lorraine of Williamstown, N.J.; two sisters, Angelina Dickinson and husband Richard of Runnemede, N.J. and Elena Hoffman and husband Milton of Mt. Laurel, N.J.; his mother-in-law, Iona Polaski; a brother-in-law, Kelvin Gentek of Florida; his nephew of Mafalda and Walter Piatek, and Harold Throneberry, all of N.J.; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 9-10:30 a.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Incare Home & Health Care Hospice, 4685 Hwy. 17 S. Bypass, Myrtle Beach, S.C. 29577.

Sign a guestbook at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com.

A. DANIELS

WHITEVILLE -- David A. Daniels, 73, died Monday, Aug. 20, 2007, at Blue Ridge Healthcare Center, Raleigh.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Whiteville. Burial will follow in the Hammond Family Cemetery, Nichols, S.C. Meares Funeral Home of Fair Bluff is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Veronica “Ronnie” Daniels of the home; two daughters, Gretchen D. Watson and her husband Joel of Winston, Ga., and Johanna Halla of Napierville, Ill.; and two granddaughters, Linley Faith and Anasthasia Hope.

The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21 (tonight) at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Whiteville, N.C. 28472 or Spring Branch Baptist Church, 6710 Church Loop Road, Nichols, S.C. 29581.

You may sign the guest book online at www.mearesfuneralhome.com.

BENNIE JACKSON

BOLTON -- Bennie Jackson, 59, formerly of Soperton, Ga., died Friday, Aug. 17, 2007, at Columbus Regional Healthcare.

Final rites will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at Evergreen True Vine Holiness Church, Vidalia, Ga. with the Pastor Overseer Annias Phillips officiating. Burial will follow in East Park Cemetery, Vidalia, Ga. Smith Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements here and Vincent Drummer Funeral Home of Vidalia, Ga. is also handling the arrangements in Georgia.

Survivors include his wife, Virginia Anders Jackson; two sons, Marvin Roundtree of Vidalia, Ga. and Tarus Jackson of Wilmington; a daughter, Jennifer Jackson of Wilmington; his stepmother, Pauline Jackson of Soperton, Ga.; four brothers, Slyvester Brownlee, Lewis Troupe, Billy and Robert Jackson; seven sisters, Lou Ann and Florine Walker, Jeanette Kelly, Nora Lee Brownlee, Mary Miller, Sarah Marinh, and Sherry Jackson; and three grandchldren.

There will be a wake on Wednesday, Aug. 22 at the funeral home in Whiteville from 6-8 p.m. Viewing will be from 1-8 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

ROBERT CALVIN CLIFTON

WHITEVILLE -- Robert Calvin Clifton, 60, went to be with the Lord Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center of Wilmington after a prolonged illness. He was a good father, son, brother, and friend. His kindness, guidance, love of family, and heart of gold will be missed by all who knew him.

Clifton was raised in a farming and commercial fishing family in Columbus and Brunswick counties. Early in life he learned how to repair and make almost anything. He was employed at Council Tool Company in the mid 70’s where he was a tool and die maker. He relocated to Greenville in 1980 where he retired as machinist for Burroughs Wellcome Pharmaceuticals. After his wife passed in 2002, he returned to Ocean Isle Beach and spent the remainder of his days with his family and the waters he grew up with.

He was preceded in death by his wife Wanda, his parents, Joel and Lycia Clifton, and his brother, Joel Curtis Clifton Jr. Survivors include his son and best buddy, Terry and his wife Lisa; two sisters, Nancy Davis and Sandra Ward; and two brothers, Wade and Chester Clifton and Chester’s wife Grace.

It is rare to find a man with a heart as big as Robert’s. What a blessing it has been to have shared our lives with such a good man.

Friends are welcome to join the family at Peacocks Funeral Home on Tuesday, Aug. 21 from 6-8 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at Peacock Chapel In The Pines Wednesday, Aug. 22 at 3 p.m. Burial will follow at Palmyra Cemetery in Old Dock.

AMORITE KELLY STROLE

WHITEVILLE -- Amorite Kelly Strole, 72, died Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007, at her residence. She was the daughter of the late Ray Henry Kelly and Ola Bennett Kelly. She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Gilmore Strole Jr. and her son, Larry G. Strole Jr.

Strole was a member of Northwood Assembly of God.

Final rites will be held at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, at Northwood Assembly of God with the Rev. David Hicks officiating. Burial will follow in the Whiteville Memorial Cemetery. McKenzie Mortuary of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include two daughters, Sharon Strole Smith and Terry Strole, both of Whiteville; two sons, Forrest Lyndall Strole and wife, Lynn of Whiteville, and Gannon Strole and wife, Jennifer of Whiteville; six grandchildren, Kris McQueen, Larry Strole III and wife, Niki, Amanda Strole, Morgan McCumbee, Hali McCumbee, and Samantha McCumbee; and two great-grandchildren, Elijah Strole and Savanah Strole.

Visitation will be held from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21 at the funeral home.

GEOFFREY GRAHAM

WILMINGTON -- Geoffrey Graham, 22, died Thursday, Aug. 16, at his residence.

Final rites will be held at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 20, at Townsend Temple First Born Church in Bolton with Pastor Lula Mae Webb officiating. Cremation will follow. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include his father, Almond Graham of Bolton; his mother, Paulette Martin of Leland; four sisters, Kourtnie Martin and Mykayla Martin, both of Leland, Tara Webb of Columbia, S.C., and Portia Bowen of Newark, N.J.; six brothers, Fredrick Mitchell and James A. Graham, both of Piscataway, N.J., Brian Jermaine Graham of Bolton, Daniel Collier and Jarrell Collier, both of Newark, N.J., and Austin Tyler Martin of Leland; paternal grandfather, James A. Graham of Riegelwood; maternal grandfather, Paul Belair of Lyndon Corner, Vt.

Viewing will be at the funeral home Sunday, Aug. 19 from 6-8 p.m. at which time the family will receive friends. Viewing will be at the church Monday following the service.

Friends may visit the family at the home of Paulette Martin, 9359 Buckwood Court, Leland.

GERTHA NORRIS SINGLETARY

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Gertha Norris Singletary, 93, formerly of Columbus County, died Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007, at Lexington Medical Center. She was the daughter of the late Marshall Norris and Pattie Jacobs Norris.

Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 20, at Columbus Memorial Park with the Rev. Ralph Gore officiating. McKenzie Mortuary of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include a sister, Lula N. Burgess of Lake Waccamaw.

JUANITA VIVIAN WHITE

OCALA, Fla. -- Juanita Vivian White, 87, formerly of Whiteville, died Thursday, Aug. 16, 2007, at Palm Gardens in Ocala. She was the daughter of the late Pinckney Clonnie White and Ruth Stevens White.

White was a member of Tarpon Springs Baptist Church. She did ministry work in her previous church she attended, New Hope Baptist Church of Whiteville.

Final rites will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, at New Hope Baptist Church with the Rev. Maurice Gilliam officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. McKenzie Mortuary of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include a brother, Wayne White of Ocala, Fla.

Visitation will be held at the church fellowship hall from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to the service.

LENUE WILSON WALTERS SR.

WHITEVILLE -- Lenue Wilson Walters Sr., 70, died Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007, at Columbus Regional Healthcare. He was the son of the late Woodrow W. Walters and Mildred Enzor Walters. He was preceded in death by a brother, David Woodrow Walters and a sister, Sarah Frances Walters.

Walters was a member of Union Valley Baptist Church. He worked with Federal Paper Company for more than 39 years.

Final rites will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23, at Union Valley Baptist Church with the Rev. Ken Baker officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. McKenzie Mortuary of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include a stepdaughter, Donna Jemison of Bladenboro; a stepson, Guy Jemison of Bladenboro; two nieces, Donna W. Worley of Tabor City, and Terri W. Gore of Whiteville; and a sister-in-law, Peggy Walters of Whiteville.

Visitation will be held from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22 at the funeral home.

WILLIAM EDWARD 'BILLY' MEMORY SR.

WHITEVILLE -- William Edward “Billy” Memory Sr., 78, died Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007, at Shoreland Healthcare & Retirement Center. He was the son of the late Simms Edward Memory and Eva Barnes Memory. He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert E. (twin) Memory.

Memory was owner and operator of Memory’s Supermarket from 1948 until 1983, and was a commercial real estate developer in forming the Memory Enterprises. He was a member of Whiteville First Baptist Church, where he served in various capacities including a deacon for many years.

During World War II he served in the United States Army and was also a 32nd degree Mason and was a member of the Whiteville Civitans Club.

Final rites will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21, at First Baptist Church with the Reverends L. Kendell Cameron Jr. and Kerry Peeler officiating. Burial will follow in the Whiteville Memorial Cemetery. McKenzie Mortuary of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Bettie Lou Powell Memory of Whiteville; two sons, William E. “Bill” Memory Jr. and wife Pattie, and Michael Powell Memory and wife Janice, all of Whiteville; two grandsons, Beau H. Memory and wife Ashley of Phoenix, Ariz., and Tate C. Memory of Charlotte; a granddaughter, Madeline Long of Pasco, Wash.; three great-grandchildren, Colby Callahan of Wilmington, Britt Callahan and Kattie Callahan, both of Pasco, Wash; a sister, Doris M. Hodgkins of Greensboro; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 7-9 p.m. Monday, Aug. 20, at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church History Room.

ALFONSO L. WILLILAMS JR.

WHITEVILLE -- Alfonso L. Williams Jr., 74, died Thursday, Aug. 16, 2007, at his residence. He was a veteran of the United States Army.

Final rites will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 20, at Peoples Funeral Chapel in Whiteville with Pastor Alonzo Nero officiating. Burial will follow in the Mitchell Field Cemetery, Clarkton. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

GEORGE W. MERCER

OTISVILLE, Mich. – George W. Mercer, 77, died Friday, Aug. 3, 2007, at Lapeer Regional Medical Center. He was born in Columbus County on
April 3, 1930 the son of the late Sam C. and Lula Mercer. He formerly resided in the Beaverdam community.

Mercer retired from Ternsteadt Manufacturing. He was a member of Farwell VFW Post #3039, Lake Station D.A.V. #105, Fisher Body Ternsteadt U.A.W. Local, and a member of Beaverdam Freewill Baptist Church of Chadbourn.

Mercer was a United States Army veteran having served in the Korean War. He was the recipient of a Purple Heart.

Final rites were held Monday, Aug. 6, at the Hudson Funeral Service, Inc., with Pastor Brent Bowden officiating. Cremation followed at the funeral home.

Survivors include his wife, Helen Mercer; three children, Nancy Mercer, George Wayne Mercer, Diane Harrison; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and a brother, Elbert Mercer. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Billy Ray and J.W. Mercer.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or the Kindey Foundation.

MAGGIE LEE BOONE

ELIZABETHTOWN -- Maggie Lee Boone, 83, formerly of Columbus County, died Thursday, Aug. 16, 2007, at Bladen County Hospital.

Final rites are incomplete and will be announced by F.W. Newton & Sons Mortuary of Elizabethtown.

Survivors include a daughter, Audrey Boone of Palatka, Fla.; two sisters, Ruth Lewis and Sallie Baldwin; and a brother, Levy Shaw.

SUE HARDIE

TABOR CITY -- Sue Hardie, 52, died Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2007. She was born in Columbus County, the daughter of the late James Elbert and Leatie Worley Hardie.

Final rites will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at Forest Lawn Baptist Church of Tabor City with the Rev. Jim Ponder officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Inman Funeral Home of Tabor City is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include a daughters, Kristy Hardie Gann of Tabor City; two sisters, Wanda Ward of Green Sea, S.C., and Sandra Becki of Montgomery, Pa.; a brother, James Larry Hardie of Whiteville; and a grandchild.

Visitation will be held tonight Friday, Aug. 17 from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home.

JEFFERSON BROOKS SHUPING

CHARLOTTE -- Jefferson Brooks Shuping passed away Monday, Aug. 13, 2007 after a brief illness. He was born Aug. 4, 1953 in Charlotte. He graduated from Whiteville High School and from Mount Olive College. His growing up years were spent in Whiteville. He was very active in Scouting and attained the rank of Eagle Scout.

Shuping was known and loved by many in the Charlotte area as a man who loved God. He was fervent in his pursuit of God and in helping people who were hurting. He will be remembered as a man of faith. He ministered to countless individuals in the hospital and most were touched and healed.

He was serving as assistant director of the Healing Rooms of Charlotte.

He is survived by his mother, Mary Baldwin Shuping of Wilmington; three brothers, George Shuping of Hallsboro, NC, Kemp and John Shuping both of Wilmington; sister, Mary Anna S. Orchuk of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and was preceded in death by his father, Brooks Shuping for whom he was named.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at Oleander Memorial Gardens, 306 Bradley Drive, Wilmington with the Rev. Clyde Denny. Andrews Mortuary of Wilmington is handling the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Grace United Methodist Church, 401 Grace St., Wilmington, N.C. 28401.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com

Andrews Mortuary Market Street Chapel, Wilmington, N.C.

JAMES EDWARD INMAN SR.

CERRO GORDO -- James Edward Inman Sr., 82, died Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007, at Columbus Regional Healthcare System in Whiteville. He was the son of the late George M. and Blanche
Stephens Inman and was a veteran of World War II serving in the United States Navy.

Final rites will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, at Worthington Funeral Home with Reverends Tim Moore and Titus Caraway officiating. Burial will follow in the Thompson Cemetery, Whiteville. Worthington Funeral Home of Chadbourn is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Dillie Williamson Inman of the home; three daughters, Elizabeth Woodburn of Riegelwood, Elaine Wise of Riegelwood, and Elisha Keown of Cerro Gordo; two sons, James E. Inman Jr. of Timmonsville, S.C. and Steve Inman of Chadbourn; a sister, Ruby Nance of Cerro Gordo; a brother, Hal Inman of Great Falls, Minn.; 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home.

WILLIAM ‘BILL’ EDWARD JUSTICE

WHITEVILLE -- William “Bill” Edward Justice, 39, died Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington. He was the son of the late Frank Edward Justice Jr. and Rena Brown Justice.

He was a member of the Whiteville United Methodist Church of Whiteville. He was a carpenter by trade.

Final rites will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 17, at Whiteville United Methodist Church with the Rev. Hope Vickers officiating. Burial will follow in the Clarkton Cemetery. McKenzie Mortuary of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Marie Davis Justice of Whiteville; his sister, Beverley Justice of Whiteville; stepdaughter, Ashley Stammer of Whiteville; stepson, Adam Stammer of Whiteville; and two grandsons.

Memorials may be made to Whiteville United Methodist Church, 902 Pinckney Street, Whiteville, N.C. 28472 or The Hospital Hospitality House, New Hanover Health Network, 1612 Medical Center Drive, Wilmington, 28401

Visitation will be held from 7-9 p.m. Thursday (tonight), Aug. 16, at the funeral home.

MARGARET CLINGAN

WHITEVILLE -- Anne Margaret Clingan, 86, died Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007, at Premier Living and Rehab center, Lake Waccamaw. She was the daughter of the late Thomas George Clingan and Mary Elizabeth Armstrong Clingan.

Clingan was a member of Highest Praise Church of Whiteville. She was a retired secretary. She worked for the Publisher Clearing House and Westbury Schools in New York.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17, at Highest Praise Church with Dr. Lyndon Purifoy officiating.

Survivors include a brother, Calvin Clingan of Beverly Hills, Fla.

Memorials may be made to the Highest Praise Church, P.O. Box 581, Whiteville.

The C.L. Gore Jr. family will receive friends in the fellowship hall following the service.

JESSIE D. MOSS

WHITEVILLE -- Jessie Cribb Moss, 93, died Monday, Aug. 13, 2007, at her residence. She was born Feb. 21, 1914 in Columbus County, the daughter of the late Isham G. and Lottie Hardee Cribb. She was the widow of the late Charlie “Shorty” Oyston Moss. Mrs. Moss and her late husband formerly owned and operated Moss’ Grocery in the White Marsh community.

Final rites will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17, at White Marsh Baptist Church with the Rev. Carroll Fonvielle officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Peacock’s Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include a son, James O. Moss Sr. of Whiteville; three daughters, Clara Moss FormyDuval of Whiteville, Doris Moss Priest of Lake Waccamaw, Diane Moss Carteret of Shallotte; a brother, J.L. Cribb of Clarendon; three sisters, Hulda Basista of Fayetteville, Faye Cribb of E. Hampton, Mass., Evelyn Greenwood of High Point; 12 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by three brothers, Dow, K.D., and W.C. Cribb; sisters, Connie and Josie Simmons, Rosie Purcell and Ellen Beck.

The family will receive friends from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday (tonight), Aug. 16 at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the N.C. Arboretum Society, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, N.C. 28806-9315.

ED HARRELSON

LAKE WACCAMAW -- Edward Buren Harrelson, 71, died Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2007, at Lower Cape Fear Hospice Center, Wilmington, He was formerly employed with Mundy Company.

Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, at Lake Waccamaw First Baptist Church with the Rev. Stuart Shumway officiating.

Survivors include his wife, Detra High Harrelson; a son, James Buren Harrelson of Hallsboro; a daughter, Christie Lynn Harrelson of the home; three brothers, David Harrelson of Waxhaw, Terry Harrelson of Whiteville, and Jimmy Rogers of Lake Waccamaw; a sister, Patricia Story of Murphy; and a grandson.

Memorials may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 121 W. Main Street, Whiteville, N.C. 28472 or Lake Waccamaw First Baptist Church Building Fund, 300 E. Old U.S. Highway 74-76, Lake Waccamaw, N.C. 28450.

JOANNE GIBSON BARDEN

CLARKTON -- Joanne Barden, 49, died Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2007, at her residence. She was a certified nursing assistant.

Final rites will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at Faith Temple, Clarkton with Pastors Clifton Wooten and Barbara Powell officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Olive Cemetery, Elizabethtown. Union Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband, Guy Barden; five children, Sabrina Smith, Christian Barden, Angela Barden, Paris Barden, and Maurice Barden; four sisters, Patricia Cromartie, Susan Wooten, Linda Smith, Sarah Smith; and a brother, Jerry Lewis.

Viewing will be held on Friday, Aug. 17 from 1-7 p.m. and on Saturday one hour prior to the services and following the services.

SCOTT CANADY

NAKINA -- Kerry Scott Canady, 40, died Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2007, at his home. He was born in Columbus County the son of Donna Hamilton Worley of Nakina and the late Dumes Garwood Canady. He owned and operated Canady’s Landscaping.

Final rites will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 17, at Gore’s Chapel Baptist Church with the Rev. Glenn Lane officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Peacock’s Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include his mother, Donna H. Worley; a son, Austin Scott Canady of Tabor City; two brothers, Ronnie Canady and Barry Canady, both of Nakina; a sister, Lynn Canady of Nakina. He was preceded in death by a brother, Manley Ray Vause.

The family will receive friends from 6:30-8:30 Thursday (today), Aug. 16 at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 121 W. Main Street, Whiteville, N.C. 28472.

LULA PAGE GREEN FLOYD

FAIRMONT -- Lula Page Green Floyd, 80, died Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007, at Southeastern Regional Medical Center, Lumberton.

Final rites will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 17, at Bethesda United Methodist Church with the Rev. Charles Herrin officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairmont Cemetery, Highway 130 bypass. Floyd Funeral Services of Fairmont is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include two sisters, Faye Hayes of Cerro Gordo, and Ruby Blackwell of Matthews.

Visitation will be held from 7-9 Thursday (today), Aug. 16, at the funeral home.

EVELYN EDWARDS ANDREWS

WHITEVILLE -- Evelyn Edwards Andrews, 78, died on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2007, at her residence.

Final rites will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17 at Central Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. David Flowers officiating. Burial will follow in the Millican Cemetery. Smith Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include her children, Homer Edwards Jr. of Whiteville, and Ann Brown of Wilmington; step-children, John V. Andrews of Laurinburg, Raymond A. Andrews and Brenda Andrews, both of Bladenboro, Darrell L. Andrews of Patterson, N.J.; a brother, Charles Leach of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Viewing will be on Thursday from noon until 8 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to services on Thursday at the church.

ESTHER WARD

NAKINA -- Esther Ward, 74, died Monday, Aug. 13, 2007, at her residence. She was the daughter of the late Berg and Annie Williamson Reeves. She was the widow of Tommy Maxton Ward.

Final rites were held Wednesday, Aug. 15 at 2 p.m. in the Pine Level Original Freewill Baptist Church with the Reverends Jackie Strickland and Daniel Tyler officiating. Burial followed in the Ward Cemetery, Nakina. Inman Funeral Home of Tabor City is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include a son, T. Lynn Ward of Nakina; a sister, Mildred Hancock of Whiteville; and two grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Tuesday (tonight), Aug. 14 from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home.

DALLAS ALEXANDER CAMERON JR.

RALEIGH -- Dallas Alexander Cameron, Jr., 68, died on Monday, Aug. 13, 2007, after struggling for many years with COPD and, most recently, lung cancer. The son of Dallas A. Cameron Sr. and Esther Mae Albritton, Dallas grew up in his beloved Lake Waccamaw. He shared many tales of his “swamp heritage” with his daughter, stepsons, and friends and developed a life-long love of watersports there. Dallas was an Eagle Scout and the first counselor at the Lake Waccamaw Home for Boys.

Dallas was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he also received his law degree. For one year, he served as an assistant to the Dean of Men at UNC-CH. Beginning in 1963 Dallas served as a special agent during the Cold War with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was assigned to posts in Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio and in New York City. After leaving the FBI in 1972, he became the first Training Director for the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts and then worked with the Judicial Standards Commission as its first Executive Director. He was named Assistant Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts in 1979 by then Chief Justice Susie Sharp, and served in that capacity for five successive chief justices. In 1996, he became Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts and served in that capacity until he retired in 1999.

Dallas was a man who made friends easily and retained a long series of close friendships throughout his life. He was an avid sailor and raconteur. Over his 37-year career, Dallas loved each of his varied jobs and the many court officials with whom he worked during his 25 years of service to North Carolina’s Judicial Branch of government. He was deeply respected for the strong moral compass that guided him in his professional life and for his wonderful sense of humor.

Dallas is survived by his beloved family: his wife, Christie Speir Cameron; his daughter, Gabrielle Virginia Cameron; and his two stepsons, David Craig Price and John Harvey Price. Dallas is also survived by his loving sister, Nancy Cameron Capel, and her husband, A. Leon Capel, of Troy; nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews; several god-children and many very close friends.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 15, at 5 p.m. at Edenton Street United Methodist Church, Raleigh. The family will receive friends in the Kerr Fellowship Hall immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to either the Lake Waccamaw Home for Boys and Girls or Hospice of Wake County.

Condolences may be made to the family at www.brownwynne.com.

ADA VICTORIA BUTLER
LEONARD SINGLETARY

WHITEVILLE -- Ada Victoria Butler Leonard Singletary, 92, died Tuesday, July 24, 2007, at SunBridge Care and Rehabilitation in Elizabethtown. She was the daughter of the late Hugh James and Emma Jane Jones Butler and the widow of Newman Leonard and Danvis Singletary. She was also preceded in death by three daughters, Emma Louise Beck, Hilda Gray Williamson, and Betty Floyd; two sons, Henry Leonard and Harvey James Leonard.

Graveside services were held Saturday, July 28, at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Tabor City with Rev. Calvin Smith officiating. Worthington Funeral Home of Chadbourn handled the arrangements.

Survivors include a sister, Lula Hawes of Shallotte; eight grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and several great-great-grandchildren.

ROBERT LEE

BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- Robert Lee, 75, formerly of Whiteville, died Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007.

Final rites will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15, at Central Baptist Church in Whiteville with the Rev. David Flowers officiating. Burial will follow in the Campground Cemetery in Whiteville. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include two daughters, Carolyn Parker of Greensboro and Cynthia Grimes of Whiteville; four sons, Carl Cutler and Terry Cutler, both of Whiteville, Kenneth Lee of Raleigh, and Derrick Lee of New York; four sisters, Lucinda Gilot of Baltimore, Md., Dorothy Lee and Juanita Johnson, both of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Frances Patricia Brown of Whiteville; three brothers, Thurman Lee of Bladenboro, Larry Lee of Atlanta, Ga., and Harold Lee of Winter Haven, Fla.

Viewing will be at the funeral home on Tuesday, Aug. 14 from noon until 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 9-11 a.m. Viewing will be at the church Wednesday from noon until 1 p.m., and there will be no viewing after the service.

NAKOMA GRAHAM CRAWFORD

WHITESBORO, N.J. -- Nakoma Graham Crawford, 59, died Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on Aug. 27, 1948 in Philadelphia, Pa. to Mary Graham and the late Stedman Worth Graham.

Crawford was educated in the Vineland School District. For 15 years, she worked for the Wildwood Linen Company. She enjoyed working in the community and was a member of St. Stephens A.M.E. Church and was a member of the choir.

Final rites were held Sunday, Aug. 12, at Christ Gospel Church, Whitesboro, N.J. with the Rev. Ronald Campbell officiating. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14, at St. James Cemetery, Lake Waccamaw, with the Rev. Graylen Mitchell officiating. Worthington Funeral Home of Chadbourn is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include her mother, Mary Graham; four brothers, Irving Graham (deceased), Stedman Graham, James Graham, and Darry Graham; and a sister, Anita Graham-Shelton.

Memorials may be made to the Concerned Citizens of Whitesboro, P.O. Box 412, Whitesboro, N.J. 08252.

JETHRO MACK

CHADBOURN -- Jethro Mack, 95, died Friday, Aug. 10, 2007, at Premier Living, Lake Waccamaw.

Final rites will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Chadbourn with the Rev. Dr. Jerry S. Ganus officiating. Burial will follow in the Belvue Cemetery, Chadbourn. S&L Funeral Home of Fair Bluff is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include two daughters, Azalee Mack of the home, and Minnie M. Graham of Chadbourn; four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren.

Viewing will be from 1-8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15 at the funeral home.

Family will receive friends at 210 Grist Road, Chadbourn.

EVELYN BASS DAIL

MT. OLIVE -- Evelyn Bass Dail, 84, died Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007, at Duplin General Hospital. She was born Oct. 22, 1922 in Columbus County to the late Willie James and Bertha Buffkin Bass.

A graveside service will be held at 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13, in the Dail Cemetery. All visitation will be at the home. Community Funeral Home, Inc. of Warsaw is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband, Elmore Bill Dail of the home; two sons, Winston Carroll Dail Sr., Terry Allen Dail; a daughter, Angela Dail; four brothers, Adley Bass, Slade Bass, Audrey Bass, and Edward Bass; two sisters, Susie Bass Davis and Annie Malcom; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

HOYT MACK MARTIN

TABOR CITY -- Hoyt Mack Martin, 55, died Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007 at his residence.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday (today), Aug. 13, at Westside Funeral Home Chapel. Westside Funeral Home of Tabor City is handling the arrangements.

EDWARDS ANDREWS

WHITEVILLE -- Evelyn Edwards Andrews died Sunday, Aug. 12, 2007, at her residence.

Arrangements will be announced by Smith Funeral Home of Whiteville.

VERA LEE HORNE BLANKS

BLADENBORO -- Vera Lee Horne Blanks, 89, died Saturday, Aug. 4, 2007, at Bladen County Hospital, Elizabethtown.

Final rites were held Wednesday, Aug. 8, at St. Luke A.M.E. Zion Church, Bladenboro with the Reverends Ivan Morton and Samuel Corey Blanks officiating. Burial followed in Brooklyn Memorial Gardens. Smith Funeral Home of Whiteville handled the arrangements.

Survivors include four sons, Clarence Leonard Blanks, James Albert Blanks, Ezra A. Blanks, and Johnny LaRue Jones, all of Bladenboro; a sister, Margaret Horne of Bladenboro.

HEADRICK WILLIAMS

DURHAM-- Minister Headrick Williams, Jr., formerly of the Mt. Moriah community of Chadbourn, died Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007, at Duke University Medical Center.

Final rites were held Saturday, Aug. 11, at First Missionary Baptist Church, Chadbourn with the Reverends Lionel Cartwright and Wesley Elam Sr. officiating. Burial followed in the Belvue Cemetery, Chadbourn. Smith Funeral Home of Whiteville handled the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Genora Nance Williams of the home; five sons, Reginald of Suitland, Md., Rodney of Brooklyn, N.Y., Jerry of Durham, Terry of Garner, and Lashante of Birmingham, Ala.; three sisters, Earnestine of Cerro Gordo, Bettye of Chadbourn, and Vonnie Rae of Bronx, N.Y.; four brothers, Billy of the Bronx, N.Y., Johnnie of North Las Vegas, Nev., Jimmy of Tulsa, Okla., and Clarence of New York City, N.Y.; 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

HARRY McLEAN STEPHENS

TABOR CITY -- Harry McLean Stephens, 82, died Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007, at his residence. He was born in Columbus County, the son of the late William Hampton Stephens and Retha Fowler Stephens.

Stephens was a veteran of World War II having served in the United States Navy. He was a retired tobacco grader with the United States Department of Agriculture.

Final rites were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, at New Life Baptist Church with the Reverends Mike Watford and Johnny Jenerette officiating. Burial followed in the Spivey Cemetery, Tabor City. Inman Funeral Home of Tabor City is handled the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Violet Watts Stephens of the home; a son, Michael H. Stephens of Whiteville; a daughter, Sharon Blalock of Summerville, S.C.; a sister, Marie Buffkin of Tabor City; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Friday, Aug. 10 from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home.

REVEREND GARLAND P. SUGGS

WHITEVILLE -- The Reverend Garland P. Suggs, 70, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Aug. 6, 2007. He was born on Sept. 9, 1936, the son of the late Gaston and Lizzie Suggs.

Rev. Suggs was a pastor in the Pee Dee Association of Original Free Will Baptist Churches for 28 years. He had served as pastor for the following Original Free Will Baptist churches: Ash, Little Bethel, Pine Level, Trinity, Whiteville Mission, and Mount Olive. He was serving as the pastor for Mount Calvary, where he had been for the past 15 years. He also served on the Ordaining Council for the Pee Dee Association. Rev. Suggs served in several capacities for the North Carolina State Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. These include 12 years on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Children’s Home, the Board of Directors for the Freewill Baptist Press Foundation, the Executive Board for the State Convention, as well as the Christian Education Committee for Mount Olive College.
Rev. Suggs was also a retired highway inspector with the North Carolina Department of Transportation. He served the citizens of North Carolina for 31 years in this capacity, inspecting projects over most of southeastern North Carolina. Rev. Suggs was a charter member of the Old Dock-Cypress Creek V.F.D., serving for 4 years as a volunteer firefighter, and was serving on the Board of Directors.

He is survived by his wife, Bernice Evans Suggs; three daughters, Julia Rich, and husband, Terry, Beverly Greene and husband, Billy, Sylvia Cox and husband, Drew all of Whiteville; a son, Steven Suggs; brother, Bernie Suggs of Whiteville; sisters, Ella Mae Register of Whiteville, Lucille Inman of Tabor City, Clara Watts of Whiteville, and Alma Carroll of Brunswick; and nine grandchildren, A. J. Greene, Brandon Rich, Joshua Rich, Amber Patrick, Clarissa Suggs, Kimberly Suggs, Halley Cox, Andrew Cox and Ethan Cox.

Final rites were held on Thursday, Aug. 9, at Beaverdam Original Freewill Baptist Church, with the Reverends Jackie Godwin and Bobby Carden officiating. Burial followed near his home at Register Cemetery, with Rev. Henry Ward officiating. Worthington Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Pallbearers were Billy Greene, Terry Rich, Drew Cox, A.J. Greene, Brandon Rich and Joshua Rich.

Rev. Suggs loved the Lord Jesus Christ and he loved his family. You were just as likely to find him sharing Christ with someone dealing with an illness in the hospital as you were to find him fishing with friends or riding his four-wheeler with his grandchildren. While his passing leaves a tremendous void for his family, he has left a godly legacy that will continue to point both family and friends to the cross. His greatest desire for anyone would be that they would know the same saving grace of Jesus Christ that he knew. It is a comfort to know that he is finally home.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation for all of the prayers and other expressions of love so greatly shared. It has been a comfort and a joy to see and hear from people who were impacted by his life.

Gifts may be made to the Rev. Garland Suggs Memorial Fund at Mount Olive College, Gift Records, 634 Henderson Street, Mount Olive, N.C. 28365.

WILLIAM COLEY FOWLER

LORIS, S.C. -- William Coley Fowler, 65, died Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007, at his home following an illness. He was born in Horry County, S.C., the son of the late Poley and Mary Hayes Fowler.

Final rites will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10, at Inman Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Ray Lundy officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Tabor City. Inman Funeral Home of Tabor City is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include a daughter, Deborah Blanton of Loris, S.C.; a son, Ray Fowler of Fair Bluff; a brother, Dewey Fowler of Loris, S.C.; four sisters, Maggie McCullum of White Oak, Lucille Clemmons of Wilmington, Mary Ruth Wilkins of Winnabow, Ruby Lee Cox of Asheboro; and two grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Mercy Hospice Palliative Care, P.O. Box 50640, Myrtle Beach, S.C. 29578.

Visitation will be held Thursday, Aug. 9, from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home.

JESSIE MAE SMITH

CHADBOURN -- Jessie Mae Smith, 72, died Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007, at Liberty Commons in Whiteville.

Final rites will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, at Zion Wall Freewill Baptist Church with Elder Wendell Gore officiating. Burial will follow in the Belvue Cemetery. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include a daughter, Vivian Odom of Chadbourn; two sons, Jerry Holland and Johnny Lynn Holland, both of Chadbourn.

Viewing will be at the funeral home on Friday, Aug. 10 from noon until 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon. Viewing will be at the church Saturday from 1-2 p.m. and again following the service.

MAXAMILLO ‘MAX’ WILFRED MENDEZ

NAKINA -- Maxamillo “Max” Wilfred Mendez, 83, died Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007, in Columbus Regional Healthcare. He was born in Italy, Texas, the son of the late Doneingo and Isabel Mendez. He was a veteran of the United States Army serving in World War II.

Final rites will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 10, at the Inman Chapel with interment in the Bethel Cemetery, Clarendon. Inman Funeral Home of Tabor City is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Emma S. Mendez of the home; three daughters, Joan Hill and husband, Carl of Nakina, Flossie King and husband, Robert of Hampstead, Sheila King and husband, Timmy of Nakina; a son, George Porter and wife, Cathy of Nakina; a brother, Jesse Mendez of Gardenia, Calif.; 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Jesse Mendez of Houston, Texas.

Visitation will be Friday morning from 10-10:30 a.m. at the funeral home.

WILMA DEANE STRICKLIN

WHITEVILLE -- Wilma Deane Stricklin, 81, died Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007, at her home following an illness. She was born Sept. 14, 1925 in Tribbey, Ky. a daughter of the late S.F. Stricklin Sr. and Cora Jane Williams Stricklin.

Stricklin was a veteran of the United States Navy serving during the Korean War. She had worked at Northern Illinois University and the University of Southern California as a professor and an administrator. She also had a scholarship and an award named in her honor at those universities. She was instrumental in the establishment of the Desert House of Prayer in Sedona, Ariz.

Memorial services will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12, at New Horizon Baptist Church with the Rev. Tom Ward officiating. Ward Funeral Home of Loris, S.C. is handling the arrangements.

RUBY POPE LANIER

WHITEVILLE -- Ruby Pope Lanier, 84, died Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. She was the daughter of the late Empie Franklin Pope and Lettie Inman Pope and was preceded in death by her husband, Woodrow W. Lanier.

Lanier was a member of Smyrna Baptist Church. She was a seamstress for the Blue Jeans Corporation in Whiteville.

Final rites will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, at McKenzie Mortuary with the Rev. Ed Vogt officiating. Burial will follow in the Union Valley Church Cemetery. McKenzie Mortuary of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include a son, Jerry Woodrow Lanier of Whiteville; two brothers, Tildon Pope of Whiteville and Franklin (Frank) Pope of Hallsboro; a sister, Rosalie P. Griffin of Wilmington; a grandson, Kevin S. Lanier of Fort Mill, S.C.; and a great-granddaughter, Ellis Lanier.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Aug. 8 from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home.

GENEVIEVE EDMUNDS MURRAY

LUMBERTON -- Genevieve Edmunds Murray, 85, formerly of Chadbourn, died Monday, Aug. 6, 2007, at Southeastern Hospice House in Lumberton. She was the widow of Joseph Paul Murray and the daughter of the late Emory and Nettie Sealey Edmunds.

Final rites were held Wednesday, Aug. 8. at Worthington Funeral Home with the Rev. Billy Rose officiating. Interment followed in the Chadbourn Memorial Cemetery. Worthington Funeral Home of Chadbourn is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include three daughters, Margaret M. Walters of North Myrtle Beach, S.C., Paula Jo Murray of Surf Side Beach, S.C., and Jeanie M. Eissens of Chadbourn; a brother, Barney Stephens of Maryland; and four grandchildren.

RODNEY LINELL SIMS

LAKE WACCAMAW -- Rodney Linell Sims, 19, died Sunday, Aug. 5, 2007, at Columbus Regional Healthcare.

Final rites will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 10, at Townsend Temple First Born Church in Bolton. Cremation will follow. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include his mother, Cynthia Sims of the home; his father and stepmother, Rodney Linell and Ginger Williamson of Bolton; a sister, Katrina Sims of the home; paternal grandmother, Gladys M. Williamson of Lake Waccamaw; maternal grandmother, Lorene Stevens of New York; paternal grandfather, James Williamson of Wilmington; paternal step-grandfather, Prentiss Taylor of Lake Waccamaw.

Viewing will be at the funeral home Thursday Aug. 9 from noon until 8 p.m. Viewing will be held at the church Friday from 10-11 a.m. and again following the service.

BETTY JANE WARD

CLARENDON -- Betty Jane Ward, 71, died Friday, Aug. 3, 2007, in a Wilmington Hospital.

She was the daughter of the late Herman Grice and Lola Canady Grice and the wife of the late Henry Calvin Ward.

Final rites were held Monday, Aug. 6, at Inman Funeral Home Chapel in Tabor City with interment in the Bethel Memorial Cemetery.

Inman Funeral Home Chapel of Tabor City handled the arrangements.

Survivors include her sons, Tony Ward of Wilmington, George and Mark Ward of Whiteville, Bobby and Phillip Ward of Clarendon; one daughter, Debra Suggs of Tabor City; brothers, Herman Grice Jr. of Trinity, Vernon Grice of Effingham, S.C., Mitchell Grice and Dale Grice both of High Point; three sisters, Mildred Scott of Thomasville, Barbara Searcy of High Point, Joyce Cagle of Effingham, S.C.; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

JERRY STANLEY GURGANUS

SHALLOTTE -- Jerry Stanley Gurganus, 60, died Friday, Aug. 3, 2007 at his home.

Jerry was born on July 16, 1947 in Brunswick County. He was the son of the late William and Odell Stanley Gurganus. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by one brother, Perry Gurganus.

He was a member of the Shallotte Masonic Lodge 727 AF & AM, South Brunswick Islands Shrine Club, Sudan Temple, Eastern Star Brunswick Chapter #341 and a member of the South Brunswick Islands Dare Devils Motor Unit.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 7, in the Jennies Branch Baptist Church, where he was a member, by the Rev. Robbie Stephens. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Masonic Rites. Brunswick Funeral Service & Crematory of Shallotte is handling the arrangements.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 6, at the funeral home.

He is survived by wife, Sarah Hickman Gurganus; one son, Stan Gurganus, and wife, Lori, of Shallotte; two daughters, Shannon Ward, and husband, Randy, of Ocean Isle Beach, Shelley Smith, and husband, Kevin, of Ash; two brothers, Doug Gurganus, of Bricklanding and Terry Scott Gurganus, of Shallotte, one sister, Norma Jean Powell, of Bricklanding, seven grandchildren, John Ingram, Colby Ingram, Gaston Ward, Karah Ward, Kirby Smith, Kamryn Smith, and Fisher Gurganus.

In lieu of flowers memorial may be directed to the Sudan Shriner’s Children Hospital Fund, P.O. Box 490, New Bern, NC 28563-0490 or the American Cancer Society, 6000 Fairview Road, Suite, 200, Charlotte, NC 28210.
Casketbearers will be Randy Ward, Kevin Smith, Billy Hickman, Freddie Hickman, Donald Stanley, Kim Long, and Larry Andrews.

Honorary casketbearers will be Calvin Stanley, Charles Gause, Jerry Bell, Keith Gurganus, Matt Abbott, and members of the Sudan Daredevils Motor Unit.

WILLIAM D. PIERCE

HALLSBORO -- William D. Pierce, 95, died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007, at Columbus County Regional Healthcare.

Final rites will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8, at Mt. Hebron AME Zion Church with burial in the Hallsboro Memorial Park.

Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include two daughters, Janie I. Floyd of the home and Clarkie P. Fuller of Randallstown, Md.; two sons, Dennis N. Pierce of Bethel, Conn. and Aaron Pierce of Fayetteville.

Viewing will be at the church Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m. and there will be no viewing after the service. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m. and at church Wednesday from 10:30 to 11 a.m.

JOHN EARL LEE

WHITEVILLE -- John Earl Lee, 73, died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007, at Southeastern Regional Hospital in Lumberton.

He was born December 15, 1933 in Columbus County, the son of the late Roland and Shelly Ludlum Lee. He was the widower of the late Helen Inman Lee. Lee was a brick mason in the area for many years.

Final rites were held Saturday, Aug. 4, graveside at Shiloh United Methodist Church by Rev. Eugene Evans. Peacock’s Funeral Home of Whiteville handled the arrangements.

Survivors include a sister, Mary Jane Stocks of Nakina; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by four brothers Kelly, Clarence, Robert and Albert Lee; six sisters, Anne Lou Capps, Lillian Swallow, Frances Strickland, Carrie Mae Jones, Ruby Lee and Allie Marie Ward.

JANIE C. MOORE

WHITEVILLE -- Janie Mae Moore, 60, died Thursday, Aug. 3, 2007, at Duke University Medical Center.

Final rites will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7, at Diamond Branch Baptist Church with burial in the Campground Cemetery.

Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband, William H. Moore; five daughters, Bernita Green of Brunswick, Sylvia Bingham, Robbin Harris and Cassandra Cunningham of Georgia, and Shayla Moore of Whiteville; five sons, Robert Cunningham and Pierre Moore of Winston-Salem, Aaron Cunningham of Whiteville, George Moore of Elizabethtown, and DeAndre Moore of Fayetteville; a brother, Arthur J. Rouse of Whiteville.

JAMES COVEL GORE

WHITEVILLE -- James Covel Gore, 64, died Saturday, Aug. 4, 2007, at his home.

He was born May 26, 1943 in Columbus County, the son of the late Shelton Covel Gore and Doris Long Gore.

Covel owned and operated Ellis Meares Hardware for many years. He also owned and operated a paint contracting business. He was a member of Trinity Baptist Church.

Final rites will be conducted Tuesday, Aug. 7, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Baptist Church with the Rev. Stephen Bailey officiating. Interment will be in the Whiteville Memorial Cemetery. Peacock’s Funeral Home of Whitevile is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Sandra Hayes Gore; three sons, James Gore of Clarkton, Jeremy Gore and wife, Cathy of Nakina, Heath Gore of Raleigh; four grandchildren, Meghan, Hanna, Tucker and Colton Gore; two brothers, Ronald Gore and Jerry Gore of Nakina.

Serving as pallbearers will be Roger Chestnut, Tommy Goins, and his nephews, Gene, Kevin, Justin and Garrett Gore.

The family will receive friends from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6, at Peacock’s Chapel In The Pines.

MARY CURRIE SEARS

CHAPEL HILL -- Mary Currie Sears, 90, formerly of  Whiteville,  died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007 at the N.C. Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill.

She was the daughter of the late  Dr. Daniel Currie and Mabel Johnson Currie and was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Bion Sears. Sears was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church in Whiteville where she directed  and sang in the church choir and was active in many other church activities.

For many years she directed the community choir in presentations  of the Messiah and was instrumental  in bringing performances of the North  Carolina Symphony to Whiteville.

Her love of Gardening and flowers and her care for wildlife  was well known in the community and  continued   following   the family’s move to Chapel Hill in 1973.

She was a graduate of   Flora  McDonald  College.

A memorial service will  be  Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007 at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Whiteville with Rev. Josh Bower officiating. McKenzie Mortuary of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include  two sons, Charles Sears of Atlanta, Ga., and Daniel “Dan” Sears  of Chapel Hill; grandsons, Charlie and Joseph Sears both of Atlanta, Ga. The family will receive friends in the fellowship building following the service.

Memorials  may be made to the First Presbyterian Church at 511 N. Thompson St. Whiteville, N.C. 28472.

WALTER CAIN BULLINER

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- Walter Cain Bulliner, 65, formerly of Elizabeth City, died Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007 at his home, after a brief illness surrounded by his family.

He was born on November 21, 1941 in Memphis, Tenn. and is the son of the late Robert Cain and Evelyn Oxena Wilson Bulliner of Elizabeth City, NC.

He was employed with Elizabeth City News Company for 25 years and after moving to North Myrtle Beach in 1985 was the owner of B & B Cleaning Company.

He was a former member of Ducks Unlimited, Elizabeth City Jaycees, and Pine Lakes Country Club. In his younger years he enjoyed playing golf, boating and most recently enjoyed spending time with his beloved dog and grandchildren.

The family will receive friends at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007 at Twiford’s Funeral Home with a graveside service at 11 a.m. at West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery with The Reverend Edwin Bishop officiating. Twiford Funeral Homes, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, N.C., is handling the arrangements.

He is survived by his wife, Rachel Buffkin Bulliner of North Myrtle Beach, S.C.; his daughters, Lisa Bulliner Godwin of Rocky Mount, Wendy Harris White of Chadbourn, and Christy Harris Moore of Florence, S.C.; his sons, Glenn Robert Bulliner of Sandston, Va., and Shawn Gordon Bulliner of Florence, S.C.; a sister, Deborah Lee Bulliner of Kitty Hawk and six grandchildren.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 1332 North Halsted Street, Suite 201, Chicago, Illinois 60622.

MILDRED E. PITTMAN

LUMBERTON -- Mildred Ellen Pittman, 64, died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007, at Southeastern Hospital in Lumberton.

She was born in Columbus County, the daughter of the late Liston and Ruth Ward McPherson.

Final rites were held Saturday, Aug. 4, at Beaverdam Freewill Baptist Church with the Rev. Leroy Burke, Dr. Lynn Bullock and Rev. Jackie Godwin officiating. Burial was in the Forest Lawn Cemetery, Tabor City. Inman Funeral Home of Tabor City handled the arrangements.
Survivors include her husband, Roger Pittman of Lumberton, four daughters, Robin and husband Dan Olah of Sanford, Tammy and husband Jimmy Blackburn of Clarendon, Michelle Cartrette of Chadbourn and Kelly and husband Shane Cartrette of Chadbourn; one step-son, Roger Pittman Jr. of Lumberton; three brothers, F.L. McPherson, Bill McPherson and Jackie McPherson, all of Chadbourn; four sisters, Reba Beck, Maxine McPherson, Myrtle Walker and Carolyn McPherson, all of Chadbourn. Grandchildren are Tristyn Cartrette of Chadbourn, Stephanie Blackburn and Hilary Blackburn, both of Clarendon.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William “Slick” Cartrette.

WILLIAM ‘W.C.’ ELLIS JR.

FAIR BLUFF -- William Collie “W.C.” Ellis Jr., died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington.

Ellis was born in Columbus County and was a member of Fair Bluff Baptist Church where he also served as a Deacon. He was an avid fisherman and gardener and was active with the “Ramps and Rails” builders. He was the retired co-owner of Tri-County Auto Parts.

Final rites were held Saturday, Aug. 4, at Fair Bluff Baptist Church with the Rev. Ray Lundy and Rev. Neill Smith officiation. Burial was in the Powell Cemetery. Meares Funeral Home of Fair Bluff handled the arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Hilda Brown Ellis of the home; three sons, Terrell Ellis and his wife Shelia of Fair Bluff, Mark Ellis and his wife Connie of Chadbourn and Jerry Ellis and his wife Lori of Fair Bluff; his mother, Bertice Ellis Stanley of Fair Bluff; a sister, Margaret Herring and her husband Simon of Fair Bluff; a sister-in-law Phyllis Ellis of Fair Bluff; six grandchildren, Nicholas Ellis, Madison Ellis, Tim Berry, Erica Berry McKeithan and her husband Patrick, Drake Ellis and Tucker Ellis.

Memorials may be made to Fair Bluff Baptist Church’s Van Fund, P.O. Box 217, Fair Bluff, N.C. 28439.

FRED F. ATKINSON

CLARKTON -- Fred Flowers Atkinson, 80, died Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007, at New Hanover Regional Hospital.

Final rites were held Sunday, Aug. 5, at Savannah Temple AME Zion Church, Clarkton with Pastor Valentine Sutton delivering the eulogy. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Union Funeral Home of Whiteville handled the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife of the home, Everlean Atkinson and nine children, Deloris, Alfred, Evelyn, Earl, Joyce, Marzell, Brenda, Patricia, and Fredericka.

JUDY GAYLE LONG

NAKINA -- Judy Gayle Long, 60, died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007, at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill. She was born in Columbus County, the daughter of the late Henry Arthur Long and Estelle Barefoot Long.

Final rites were held Sunday, Aug. 5 at the Abundant Life Assembly of God with interment in the Cribb Cemetery in Nakina. Rev. Jerry Spivey and Rev. Velma Hilburn officiated. Inman Funeral Home of Tabor City handled the arrangements.

She is survived by her husband, Lloyd Morris Long of Nakina; four daughters, Melissa Long and Angela Cribb, both of Nakina, Karen Duncan of Charlotte and Daphne Rogers of Nakina; one son, Chris Long of Nakina; four sisters, Hazel Nance, Peggy Fowler and Velma Hilburn, all of Whiteville and Janice Davis of Nakina; and eight grandchildren.

EVANGELINE HARRIS

BOLTON -- Evangeline Harris, 64, died Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007, at Columbus Regional Healthcare.

Final rites will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6, at Walter's Chapel AME Zion Church. Burial will be in the Restwell Cemetery #1. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include a daughter, Erica Harris of Bolton; a son, Dale Harris of Collieville, Tenn.; a sister, Pearline Corbin of Philadelphia, Pa.; a brother, Raylon Harris of Bolton.

Viewing will be at the funeral home on Sunday, Aug. 5 from 3-8 p.m. and Monday from 9-11 a.m. Viewing will be at the church Monday from noon until 1 p.m.

BAILEY L. BLACKBURN

CHADBOURN -- Bailey L. Blackburn, 66, died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007, at his residence. He was the son of the late Elvin and Essie Mae Nealy Blackburn.

Final rites will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at Worthington Funeral Home with the Rev. Willard McPherson officiating. Burial will follow in the Flynn Cemetery, Whiteville. Worthington Funeral Home of Chadbourn is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Frances Melton Blackburn of the home; two sons, Carl Jones of Statesboro, Ga. and Joel Jones of Whiteville; daughters, Ann Becker of Chadbourn, Sandra Thompson of the home, and Janice Cribbs of Lake City, Fla.; a sister, Sue Itell of Isle of Palms, S.C.; 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 7-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3 at the funeral home.

INELL HOBBS TAYLOR

BRONX, N.Y. -- Inell Hobbs Taylor, formerly of Clarkton, died Thursday, June 14, 2007. She was the daughter of the late Badger and Ida Kelly Hobbs of Clarkton.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Clarkton with the Rev. Grant Martin officiating. A courtesy of Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville.

Survivors include a daughter, Melvenia Morrow Wise of Killeen, Texas.

TARQ SHAMAR CLARIDA

RALEIGH -- Tarq Shamar Clarida, 26, formerly of Nakina, died Sunday, July 29, 2007.

Final rites will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5, at Central Baptist Church, Whiteville. Burial will follow in the Clarida Family Cemetery, Nakina. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Brittany Clarida; two daughters, Makayla Keyoona Alexis Clarida and Tyasia Shamiya Clarida, both of Raleigh; a son, Kayshawn Tariq Clarida of Raleigh; his parents, Willie and Dianne Clarida of Nakina; five sisters, Katrina D. Clarida of Raleigh, Tamica A. Shepherd of Japan, Amanda M. Clarida of Whiteville, Sharron V. Clarida and Kimberly D. Clarida, both of Nakina; a brother, Willie L. Clarida Jr. of Raleigh; paternal grandmother, Allane Smith Clarida of Nakina.

Viewing will be at the funeral home on Saturday, Aug. 4 from noon until 8 p.m. Viewing will be at the church Sunday following the service. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 5-6 p.m.
Friends may visit the family at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Willie Clarida, 10915 Seven Creeks Highway, Nakina.

JAMES OSCAR GRAHAM

TABOR CITY -- James Oscar Graham, 84, of the Green Acres community, died Friday, July 27, 2007, at his residence. He was the son of the late Eddie and Daisy Graham.

Final rites will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at High Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Nichols, S.C. with the Rev. Dr. B. Hercules Davis officiating. Burial will follow in the High Hill Cemetery. Westside Funeral Home of Tabor City is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include his son, Wayne A. Graham of Columbia, S.C.; four brothers, Eddie Lee Graham of Bronx, N.Y., Willie, Winford and Jessie Graham, all of Tabor City; two sisters, Doretha Davis and Earie Moore of Hemingway, S.C.

Family visitation will be lheld from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3 at the funeral home.

LAVON RUSS

WHITEVILLE -- Leon Lavon Russ, 68, died Tuesday, July 31, 2007, at Loris Healthcare, Loris, S.C. He was born in Columbus County, the son of the late Levi and Georgia Lanier Russ.

Final rites will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 3, at the Inman Chapel with the Rev. Brooks Sykes officiating. Burial will