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SEPTEMBER 2007
OBITUARIES
as of
September 27, 2007
KEITH BRIGHT
WHITEVILLE -- William Keith Bright, 65, died Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007. He was born April 16, 1942 in Columbus County, the son of Miriam Hasty Bright of Whiteville and the late DeWitt Bright. His wife, Ann Wood Bright preceded him in death on June 2, 2006 and his brother, Warren Bright on May 23, 2007.
Bright was a 1960 graduate of Whiteville High School after which he served in the United States Navy for five years. After his naval service he received an associate degree from Southeastern Community College. He was employed with his father in the family business, Bright’s Jewelers and later with First Citizens Bank. He was a member of First Baptist Church and a member of the John The Baptist Sunday School Class.
Final rites will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at First Baptist Church in Whiteville with Reverends Kendell Cameron and Kerry Peeler will officiate. Burial will follow in the Whiteville Memorial Cemetery. Peacock’s Chapel In The Pines is handling the arrangements.
Survivors include a daughter, Traci Maria Bright of the home; his mother, Miriam Bright of Whiteville; niece, Mary Warren Barnette and husband, Rick of Wilmington; nephews, Steven DeWitt Bright and wife, Dana of Whiteville; great nephew, Josh Bright of Whiteville; sister-in-law, Bobbie McKinney and husband, Jon of Dallas, Texas and Myrtle S. Bright of Whiteville.
Pallbearers will be Andy Strickland, Emory Worley, Tom Ray, Pete Huggins, and Carlton Prince.
Honorary pallbearers are members of the John The Baptist Sunday School Class.
Visitation will be held Friday, Sept. 28 (tonight) from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
LAURA BEATRICE SMITH
BOLTON -- Laura Beatrice Smith, 93, died Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007, at Premier Living in Lake Waccamaw.
Final rites will be held at noon Sunday, Sept. 30, at Townsend Temple First Born Church with the Elder Jessie F. Graham officiating. Burial will follow in the Townsend Temple Memorial Gardens. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.
Viewing will be at the funeral home Saturday from noon until 8 p.m. Viewing will be at the church Sunday from 11 a.m. until time of the service and again following the service.
Friends may visit the family at 16911 Sam Potts Highway, Bolton.
MARGUERITE W. BUMGARNER
WHITEVILLE -- Marguerite “Margaret” Wilkins Bumgarner, 59, formerly of Fayetteville, died Monday, Sept. 24, 2007, at her residence. She was the daughter of the late Erie Lawson and Sadie Ray Branch Wilkins.
Final rites were held Tuesday, Sept. 25, at Worthington Funeral Home with Rev. David Watts officiating. A service was also held on Wednesday at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home in Fayetteville with the Rev. Dwight Jackson officiating. Burial followed at Cumberland Memorial Gardens in Fayetteville. Worthington Funeral Home of Chadbourn handled the arrangements.
Survivors include her husband, Marvin Bumgarner of the home; two sons, Ricky Wilkins and Darryl Alexander, both of the home; a daughter, Tammy A. Crawford of Southport; four sisters, Geraldine McKeithan of Fayetteville, Martha Shatley of Fayetteville, Brenda Evans and Mary Louise Rogers, both of Whiteville; three brothers, Franklin Wilkins of Whiteville, Jackie Wilkins and J.R. Wilkins, both of Fayetteville; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
HAZEL PACKER HOOD
CLARKTON -- Hazel Packer Hood, 79, died Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007, at her residence. She was predeceased by a son, Roland Bobby Ezzell; a daughter, Grace Ann; two brothers, Thurman Packer and James Packer; and two sisters, Hattie Baydson and Mary Starnes.
Final rites will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28 at Bladen Funeral Home with the Rev. Larry Hayes officiating. Bladen Funeral Home of Elizabethtown is handling the arrangements.
Survivors include a son, Curry “Wig” Wiggins of Clarkton; two daughters, Lucille Hood of Chadbourn and Catherine Edwards of Clarkton; a brother, Haywood Packer of Clarkton; a sister, Eva Mae Packer Price of Bladenboro; four grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and eight step-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Thursday, Sept. 27 from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home.
MICHAEL 'MIKE' SIMMONS
ELIZABETHTOWN – Michael "Mike" Simmons, formerly of the White Marsh community of Whiteville, died Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007. He was the son of Margaret Hunt Hicks of Whiteville and the late Carlie Simmons.
Simmons began his journalism career in 1966 at The News Reporter in Whiteville, served as editor of The News Times in Chadbourn in the mid to late 1960s, and then became editor of the Southeastern Times in Elizabethtown where he worked for 16 years. Later, Simmons was hired as editor and general manager of the Bladen Journal in Elizabethtown. He retired from the Journal in 2006 due to health reasons. He served in the North Carolina National Guard.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, at Wesley’s Chapel United Methodist Church with the Reverends Eckie Lancaster and Rusty Willis officiating. Bladen Funeral Home of Elizabethtown is handling the arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Crystal Simmons of the home; his mother, Margaret Hunt Hicks of Whiteville; a son, Jacob Ross Simmons of Monroe; two daughters, Tracey Martin of Willow Springs, and Jodie Lynn Simmons of Tampa, Fla.; a brother, Lynn Simmons of Winston-Salem; and four grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at the funeral home Tuesday, Sept. 25 from 6-8:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Bladen We Care or Wesley’s Chapel Memorial Fund.
FRANCES L. BATTEN
HALLSBORO -- Frances L. Batten, 73, died Monday, Sept. 24, 2007, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington. She was born Aug. 31, 1934 in New Hanover County.
Batten was formerly a laboratory technician with Roche Laboratories in Burlington and with Brunswick County Hospital.
A private memorial service will be planned by her family.
Survivors include a daughter, Sue Norris of Hallsboro; two sons, Michael A. Batten of Sante Fe, Texas, and Terry Wayne Simmons of Whiteville; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
RASHAD LEVAR BELLAMY
GREENSBORO -- Rashad Lévar Bellamy, 28, formerly of Chadbourn, died Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007.
Final rites will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at West Columbus High School Auditorium in Cerro Gordo with the Bishop Larry Williamson officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Tabor Memorial Gardens in Cerro Gordo. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.
Survivors include a daughter, Kamiah Bell of Whiteville; two sons, Déron Bellamy and Matthew McCollum of Whiteville; his mother and stepfather, Effie and Joseph Flowers of Chadbourn; his father, Fred Smith of Whiteville; a brother, Brian Bellamy of Georgia; paternal grandmother, Jessie Flowers of Chadbourn; paternal grandfather, James A. Bellamy of Chadbourn.
Viewing will be at the funeral home on Friday, Sept. 28 from noon until 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10-11 a.m. Viewing will be at the school Saturday following the service.
Friends may visit the family at the home of Joseph and Effie Flowers, 108 Hammond Drive in Chadbourn.
LAURA BEATRICE SMITH
BOLTON -- Laura Beatrice Smith, 93, died Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007, at Premier Living at Lake Waccamaw.
Arrangements will be announced by Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville.
BUCK WILLIAMSON
HALLSBORO -- James “Buck” Williamson, 58, died Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007, at Waccamaw Village Assisted Living. He was born in Columbus County Jan. 25, 1949, the son of the late Malon and Eunice Anderson Williamson.
Graveside funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, at Flynn Cemetery. Peacock’s Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Survivors include two sisters, Marie Ward of Lake Waccamaw and Ruby Cox of Whiteville.
DARNELL FRINK
CHADBOURN -- Darnell Frink, 22,died Friday, Sept. 21, 2007, at Columbus Regional Healthcare.
Final rites will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, at Brunswick-Waccamaw Association Building in Whiteville. Burial will follow in Belvue Cemetery, Chadbourn. D&A Funeral Home of Chadbourn is handling the arrangements.
Survivors include his mother, Wilhemina “Sue” Frink; a brother, James Green of Whiteville; two sisters, Shawanda Green and Crystal Frink, both of Chadbourn.
CARL WILLIAMS JR.
CHADBOURN -- Carl Williams Jr., 52, died Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington.
Final rites will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, at Cherokee Chapel Baptist Church with the Rev. Lockie Carter officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Linda L. Williams; two daughters, Angela Wheeler of Lake View, S.C. and Akeenya Frink of the home; three sons, Jerome Carmichael of Lake View, S.C., Dominique Williams of Atlanta, Ga., and Shannon Spaulding of Chadbourn; and a brother, Shack Johnson of Lake View, S.C.
Viewing will be at the funeral home on Wednesday, Sept. 26 from noon until 8 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Viewing will be at the church Thursday following the service.
ETHEL MAE SMITH WELLS
DELCO -- Ethel Mae Smith Wells, 88, died Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007, at Columbus Regional Healthcare. She was born Jan. 20, 1919 in Onslow County daughter of the late Gaston and Lula Kellum Smith.
Wells was a dedicated teacher in the Delco area for more than 20 years. She was a longtime member of Livingston Baptist Church, and a dedicated and loving wife and mother.
Final rites will be held at noon Wednesday, Sept. 26, at Livingston Baptist Church in Delco with the Reverends Brian Beaver and Bill Altman officiating. Burial will follow in the Wells Family Cemetery. Harrell’s Funeral Home of Burgaw is handling the arrangements
.
Survivors include a son, Alfred Wells and wife Pat of Delco; two daughters, Loretta Johnson and fiancée Billy Johnson of Delco, and Barbara Morgan and husband Monty of Anderson, S.C.; five grandchildren, John Wells, David Johnson, Alyssa Johnson, Adam Johnson, William Clark; and two great-grandchildren, Jessica and Dawson.
Pallbearers will be Timmy Hartsfield, Chuck Sheldon, Gus Gatlin, Joe Lewis, Joey Lewis, and Allen Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Smith, Larry Smith, Chester Hartsfield, and Robert Hartsfield.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service (11 a.m.) at the church.
The family would like to thank a special niece Melanie Sheldon and husband Chuck for their thoughtful and kind treatment of their mother.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Boys & Girls Home of North Carolina, P.O. Box 127, Lake Waccamaw, N.C. 28450.
AMIE LOU BELLAMY
WHITEVILLE -- Amie Lou Bellamy, 95, died Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007, at Liberty Commons.
Final rites will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, at Central Baptist Church with the Rev. David Flowers officiating. Burial will follow in the Campground Cemetery. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.
Survivors include two daughters, Doris Bellamy Hill and Patsy Maultsby of Whiteville
.
Viewing will be at the funeral home Wednesday, Sept. 27 from noon unil 8 p.m. Viewing will be at the church Thursday following the service.
Friends may visit the family at the home of Patsy Maultsby and Doris Hill on Baldwin Circle in Whiteville.
DAVY PHILLIP FLOYD
TUCKER, Ga. -- Davy Phillip Floyd, 52, died Friday, Sept. 21, 2007, at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Ga.
Final rites will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, at Floyd Funeral Services Chapel in Fairmont. Burial will follow in the Fairmont Cemetery. Floyd Funeral Services of Fairmont is handling the arrangements.
Survivors include three sisters, Ann F. Ray of Fairmont, Apsie Murray of Lumberton, and Melinda F. Brisson of Dublin; and a brother, Grayling Floyd of Lumberton.
Visitation will be held Monday, Sept. 24 at the funeral home from 7-9 p.m. and at other times at the home of Grayling Floyd, 3610 Hillcrest Drive, Lumberton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to His Little Ones Pregnancy Support Center, Lumberton, N.C.
CAPTAIN SIMEON TESS ENZOR
FAIR BLUFF -- Captain Simeon Tess Enzor, U.S. Air Force retired, (known as T.S. to most of us) passed away Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007. “TS” was born in Columbus County, the son of the late James Perry and Nancy Caroline Thompson Enzor.
“TS” joined the U.S. Army Air Corps at age 20, he became a pilot flying B-26 bombers on 65 missions during World War II, he received 11 Air Medals, six Battle Stars, a Purple Heart and a Presidential Citation for a total of 19 decorations. After leaving active duty he became a captain in the National Guard.
“TS” was predeceased by his wife, Harriett Causey Enzor who passed away Nov. 24, 1996. He was a farmer, insurance agent and former building inspector.
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, at Spring Branch Baptist Church Cemetery with Dr. Ray Lundy, Dr. Floyd Enzor and Rev. Walt Cooper officiating. Meares Funeral Home of Fair Bluff is handling the arrangements.
Survivors include two sons, Randy Enzor of Fair Bluff and Jim Enzor of Raleigh and Fair Bluff; a daughter, Rosaland Enzor of Fair Bluff; two grandchildren, Courtney of Cary, and Ben of Boston, Mass.
Serving as pallbearers will be Larry Enzor, Jerry Enzor, Henry Enzor, Munroe “PeBo” Enzor, Bill Enzor, Procter Grainger, Maxie Dozier and Randy Britt.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday (tonight) at the funeral home and at other times they will be at the home of Jim Enzor, 6080 Hinson’s Crossroads Road, Fair Bluff.
Memorials may be made to Fair Bluff Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 645, Fair Bluff, N.C. 28439 or Spring Branch Baptist Church, 6710 Church Loop Road, Nichols, S.C. 29581.
“TS” will be greatly missed by all of his many friends and especially by his family to whom he was so dedicated.
You may sign the guest book online at www.mearesfuneralhome.com.
BOBBY GERALD BROWN
WHITEVILLE -- Bobby Gerald Brown, 72, formerly of Chadbourn, died Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007, at Columbus Regional Healthcare. He was the son of the late Rossie and Effie Mable Hammond Brown, and the husband of the late Edith Strickland Brown.
Brown was owner and operator of Cindy’s Paint and Wallpaper in Whiteville for many years.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, at Chadbourn Memorial Cemetery with the Rev. Kendall Cameron officiating. Worthington Funeral Home of Chadbourn.
Survivors include his wife, Miriam N. Brown of the home; two daughters, Linda Brown Strickland of Chadbourn and Cynthia Brown Ross of Evergreen; a son, B. Dale Brown of Wilmington; a brother, Troy Wayne Brown of Ocean Isle Beach; a sister, Mary Evelyn Williamson of Cerro Gordo; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Tuesday.
HARLEY WELTON NOBLES
CERRO GORDO -- Harley Welton Nobles, 70, died Friday, Sept. 21, 2007, at McLeod Medical Center in Florence, S.C. He was the son of the late Joseph and Luzzie Ann Nobles.
Final rites will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24, at China Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Thomas Fairfax officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Worthington Funeral Home of Chadbourn is handling the arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Josephine Fairfax Nobles of the home; a daughter, Wendy J. Nobles of the home; two sisters, Mary Alice Grainger of Wilmington and Annette Nobles of Cerro Gordo; and two brothers, Horace R. Nobles of Chadbourn and Junior Nobles of Cerro Gordo.
Visitation will be held from 7-9 Sunday, Sept. 23 at the funeral home.
BARBARA BROWN FAULK
EVERGREEN -- Barbara Brown Faulk, 76, died Friday, Sept. 21, 2007, at Columbus Regional Healthcare. She was the daughter of the late Henry Keyo and Vera Thomas Lawson Brown and the widow of Ralph Burney Faulk.
Final rites were held Sunday, Sept. 23, at Evergreen Baptist Church with the Reverends Elmore Strickland and Kendall Cameron officiating. Burial followed in the Evergreen Cemetery. Worthington Funeral Home of Chadbourn handled the arrangements.
Survivors include two sons, Danny R. Faulk of Clarendon and Jerry A. Faulk of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
JOHN McCOY
WHITEVILLE -- John McCoy died Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007, at his home.
Funeral arrangements will be announced later by Smith Funeral Home of Whiteville.
BEN DAVID GREENE
HALLSBORO -- Ben David Greene, 57, died Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007, at Premier Living at Lake Waccamaw. He was the son of Lucille Council Greene of Hallsboro and the late Ben Coles Greene.
Greene was a retired carpenter and was a member of Hallsboro Baptist Church.
Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, at Pierce Cemetery with the Reverends Willie Allen and Ed Vogt officiating. McKenzie Mortuary is handling the arrangements.
Survivors other than his mother include a son, Benjamin Greene of Whiteville; a daughter, Alison G. Farrar of Virginia Beach, Va.; and a grandchild.
Visitation will be held Monday, Sept. 24 at the funeral home from 7-8:30 p.m.
Memorials may be made to the family.
ROSSIE O’BERRY SAUNDERS
WHITEVILLE -- Rossie O’Berry Saunders, 53, died Friday, Sept. 21, 2007, at Columbus Regional Healthcare. He was a member of Whiteville United Methodist Church.
A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, Evergreen Methodist Church Cemetery at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Hope Vickers officiating. McKenzie Mortuary of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.
Survivors include his parents, Alex D. and Jane O’Berry Saunders of Whiteville; a sister, Mitchell S. Brown of Whiteville; and a brother, Walter A. Saunders of Columbia, S.C.
