Willie T. Powell

ST. JOHN – Willie Tom Powell, 81, a native of Bertie County, died October 18, 2003, at his residence.

A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at The Greater Harvest Fellowship Church. Burial will be in Wilder-Cherry Family Cemetery. Wilder’s Funeral Home, Aulander, is in charge.

Powell was a retired mechanic from Easco Aluminum Co.

Survivors include two sons, Michael Powell of Florida and Louis Stewart of Newport News, Va.; three daughters, Vera Powell, Annette Powell and Sandra Powell, all of Florida; two sisters, Blanche Powell of Kelford and Lucille Gatling of Ahoskie; several grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.

Aaron D. Kinsey

PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Aaron David Kinsey, 26, a native of Portsmouth, died October 18, 2003.

A funeral was conducted Wednesday at Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel, by the Rev. John O. McCloud. Cremation followed the service.

Kinsey was currently employed as a sheetmetal mechanic for Tharrington and Hogge Heating and Cooling and was also the co-owner of Va.Customs.coms customizing vehicles.

Survivors include his wife, Jennifer L. Kinsey; parents, H. Dave Kinsey and Treva E. Kinsey of Gates; a daughter, Codie Taylor Kinsey of Portsmouth; and a sister, Christina E. Brock of Elizabeth City.

Genia M. Lawrence

WOODLAND – Genia Mae Lawrence, died October 20, 2003, at Brian Center, Windsor.

A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at Jerusalem Baptist Church, Woodland, by the Rev. John Grant. Reynolds Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie, is in charge.

Mrs. Lawrence was a member of Jerusalem Baptist Church.

Survivors include five sons, Robert Lawrence of Murfreesboro, William and Willie Lawrence, both of Woodland, Calvin B. Lawrence of Sanford and Oneil Lawrence of Raleigh; three daughters, Edith Granison of Chesapeake, Va., S. Maxine Banks of Newport News and Sharon Lawrence of Knightdale; 21 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Nora S. Cooper

WINDSOR – Nora S. Cooper, 85, died October 18, 2003.

A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday at Cedar Landing Baptist Church, Windsor. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Windsor. Gilliam Funeral Home is in charge.

Mildred A. Tyner

MURFREESBORO – Mildred Artis Tyner, 79, a native of Northampton County, died October 19, 2003, at her residence.

A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at Nebo Baptist Church by the Rev. Robert Holloman. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Hertford County Undertakers, Winton, is in charge.

Survivors include Donna Daye of Murfreesboro and Millicent Porter of Franklin, Va.; and one grandchild.

June F. Cofield

CONWAY – June Flythe Cofield, 70, a native of Northampton County, died October 22, 2003 at her home. She was the widow of Ted Cofield Jr.

A graveside service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at the Flythe family cemetery on Zion Church Road by the Rev. Lee Pittard. The family will be receiving friends at her home and have requested that in lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to share a memorial gift may do so to Zion United Methodist Church. Bridgers Funeral Home, Conway, is in charge.

Mrs. Cofield was a retired Licensed Nurse Practitioner and Certified Respiratory Therapist having graduated from Conway High School, Roanoke Chowan Technical College and California College of Sciences. She was a member of Zion United Methodist Church.

Survivors include two daughters, Beth C. Beatty of Murfreesboro and Kristine Cofield of the home; one brother, Joseph Flythe of Woodland; one sister, Marjorie Whitley of Franklin, Va.; and a granddaughter.

Oleywise Boone

GATES – Oleywise Boone, 89, died October 21, 2003, at Guardian Care Nursing Home.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete. Hunter’s Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie, is in charge.

Gracie L. Liverman

GATES – Gracie Lee Liverman, 75, died October 18, 2003, at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital.

A funeral will be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church Roduco. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Hunter’s Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie, is in charge.

Survivors include three brothers, Robert Parker and Willie Parker, both of Gates and Fred Parker of Suffolk, Va.; three sisters, Dorothy White of Corapeake, Julia Parker of Eure and Nancy Cross of San Antonio, Texas; two grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Bradford Thompson

AHOSKIE – Bradford Thompson, 74, a native of Hertford County, died October 19, 2003, at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital.

A funeral will be conducted at 12 noon Saturday at Zion Hill Baptist Church by the Rev. Nathaniel Thompson. Burial will be in the Thompson family cemetery. Hunter’s Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie, is in charge.

Survivors include two sons, Willie Outlaw and Bradford Thompson Jr., both of Powellsville; five daughters, Barbara Cooper of Windsor, Gladys Thompson of Hartford, Conn., Lynn and Teresa Thompson, both of Waterbury and Lillian Freeman of Colerain; 13 grandchildren; and a host of great-grandchildren.

Isla M. Kindred

SEVERN – Isla Mae Kindred, died October 22, 2003, at her residence.

A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness, Woodland, by Brother Roy Futrell. Burial will be in First Baptist Church Severn Cemetery. Reynolds Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie, is in charge.

Survivors include two sons, Jonathan Kindred Jr. of New York, N.Y., and James L. Kindred of Raleigh; five daughters, Lillian B. Kindred of Severn, Margaret Hunt of Hazlett, N.J., Elsie Kindred of Atlantic City, Dorothy Davis of Raleigh and Annie Ruth Branch of Bronx; two sisters, Reola Lee and Anna Weaver, both of Ahoskie; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Clarence S. Newsome

AHOSKIE – Clarence Shaw Newsome, born May 17, 1923 in Ahoskie, son of the late Irene Viola

Jenkins and Geno Newsome, passed away October 15, 2003 at his home.

From start to finish, his remarkable life spanned 80 years during which he compiled an enviable record of accomplishments.

Clarence Shaw or Shaw, as he was known, was named after an uncle who died just days before his birth. The uncle, William Clarence Jenkins, passed away shortly before graduating from the Shaw University Medical School. The &uot;name connection&uot;, (Clarence and Shaw) associated with birth would prove to be an uncanny one. He lived to see one of his sons, Clarence Geno, appointed president of Shaw University during February of 2003.

Clarence Shaw as a product of the Hertford County Public School system. He began his schooling at historic Waters Normal Training School in Winton. He then transferred to the new Robert L. Vann High School in Ahoskie. He distinguished himself through participation in a national award winning singing group under the direction of Mr. Sherman Green. He further distinguished himself by graduating with high honors as a member of one of the early graduating classes. Subsequently, he graduated from what was then known as North Carolina College for Negroes located in Durham (currently North Carolina Central University.) While in college he gained notable attention as a baritone singer in and president of the college choir. He also became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. After graduation in June of 1945, he married his high school sweetheart, Annie Butler Lewis.

A lifetime career educator, the path led initially through Princess Ann, MD and then led to Edenton, for six years where he taught and served as head football coach at D.F. Walker High School During this period the family grew when sons, Kenneth Warren and Clarence Geno, came on board. In 1954, Clarence Shaw and Annie B. returned to their native Ahoskie where they spent the rest of their lives. There the family unit was made complete with the addition of the youngest son, Curtis Wayne.

Clarence Shaw taught math and science at his Alma Mater, Robert L. Vann. Afterward, he took on the duties of Title IV Director for Hertford County Schools. Later, he played a key role as Assistant Principal at Ahoskie High School during a critical time when North Carolina implemented federally mandated, forced school integration. Then, he returned to Robert L. Vann where he served as principal until retirement. About his career, it can truly be said that his 35 years of service were exemplary.

As a gifted member of one of Ahoskie’s founding families, Clarence Shaw lent himself to an impressive set of civic, church, and other community based activities. He was an integral part and lifetime member of New Ahoskie Baptist Church where he served on the Deacon Board, many of them as Chairman. He sang side by side with his brothers, Hawley and Earl in the acclaimed new Ahoskie Baptist Senior Choir directed by his sisters, Eliza Y. Jenkins. For years, he taught in the Sunday School. When there was a church service or funeral in need of a rich baritone soloist, his towering voice was heard and enjoyed. When there was a joyous occasion in search of a gifted pianist, he was there tickling the ivory as part of several area jazz bands. The money he earned was secondary to the enjoyment he got from sharing his musical gifts.

He also found time to be an active member of the historic Atlantic District Fair Association, serving as a president for a number of years until declining health slowed him down. He was very actively involved as a leader for the Jenkins Family and the Lassiter Tyner Family reunions. He also was an avid hunter. Thanksgivings often found him and brothers Hawley, Earl, and Carter in the woods chasing local game. Clarence Shaw Newsome was a man for many seasons.

There was also a public service side to Clarence Shaw’s life. He served several terms as Ahoskie city councilman and was a representative to the North Carolina MidEast Regional Commission.

Clarence Shaw Newsome was a member in good standing in the Fraternal Order of Freemasons. Additionally, he was affiliated with many professional organizations. He was cited several times as &uot;Citizen of the Week&uot;. Clarence Shaw was a man who was loved and respected. He was a man like few others. He will be missed by never forgotten.

Clarence Shaw Newsome passed peacefully away to be rejoined with his beloved wife, Annie B., during the morning of October 15, 2003.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Geno and Irene Newsome-Yeates; brothers, Hawley Newsome, Ray Yeates, Sr. and Charles S. Yeates, Jr. and sisters, Eliza Yeates-Jenkins, and an unnamed Newsome infant who died soon after birth.

He leaves behind many family members and countless devoted friends to cherish and celebrate his life and times. These include three sons, Kenneth W. Newsome (Christine J. Newsome) of Houston, TX, Dr. Clarence G. Newsome (Lynne P. Newsome) of Raleigh, NC, and Dr. Curtis W. Newsome (Barbara P. Newsome) of Charlotte, NC; eight grandchildren, Brian Newsome of Houston, TX, Rebecca Dulin of Indianapolis, IN, Kimberly Newsome of Cary, NC, Blair Jones of Houston, TX, Gina Newsome Duncan (Michael B. Duncan of Chapel Hill, NC, Brittany Newsome of Raleigh, Rachel Newsome and Payton Newsome of Charlotte; two brothers, Louis E. Newsome, (Dimple M. Newsome) of Ahoskie, Carter W. Newsome, (Mercedes J. Newsome) of Wilmington; two sisters, Carol N. Hollins of Buffalo, NY and Juanita Yeates-Moore of Norfolk, VA, along with a veritable host of loving and loved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and many relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted Tuesday at New Ahoskie Baptist Church by the Rev. Patrick Young. Burial will be in the family cemetery. Reynolds Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie, was in charge.