John W. Adkins

PORTSMOUTH, Va. – John Watson &uot;Grandad&uot; Adkins, 71, a native of Ahoskie, died January 1, 2008 in a Suffolk hospital.

Adkins retired from the U.S. Navy in 1972, then furthered his adventures in life by forming A.P.E. Inc. in 1973. He valiantly served in the U.S. Navy through the Korean War, Bay of Pigs and the Vietnam War. He served on the USS Ranger and USS Forrestal and received certification in atomic, biological and chemical warfare defense as well as arctic survival. He also was a Fae Tu Lant Electronics instructor.

Survivors include his wife, Lora H. Adkins; a daughter, Debbie Y. Smith; a sister, Joan Anderson; a brother, Dr. William Adkins; six grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. A graveside service was conducted Friday in Olive Branch Cemetery by the Rev. Steve Hassell. Sturtevant Funeral Home, was in charge. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters.

Reginald E. Spencer Sr.

SUFFOLK, Va. – Reginald Edward Spencer Sr., 71, a native of Middleton, died January 1, 2008, in a Suffolk hospital.

Spencer was a retired salesman for Lance Inc. He was a member of Point Harbor Community Church.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley A. Spencer; and two sons, Reginald E. Spencer Jr. of Suffolk and Brian Lee Spencer of Corapeake.

A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday in Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel, by the Rev. Lynn Hardaway. Burial will be in Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens.

Anne R. Pennywell

WINDSOR -Anne R. Pennywell, 93, a native of Gates County, died January 1, 2008, at the Tandem Health Care Center in Windsor. She was the widow of Beryl W. Pennywell.

Survivors include her stepdaughters, Judith B. Moseley and Lynne D. McColoskey, both of Wofford Heights, Calif.

Mrs. Pennywell was a member of Thalia Methodist Church.

A funeral service to celebrate Anne’s life was held Friday at the Woodlawn Funeral Home, 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., with Pastor Arthur Wulz. Entombment followed in the mausoleum in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Online condolences and Anne’s guest book may be signed at www.woodlawngroup.com.

Joseph Brown

LITTLETON n Joseph Brown, 77, formerly of Philadelphia, PA and Petersburg, VA, died December 30, 2007 at his residence.

A funeral will be conducted at 12 noon Saturday at the chapel of

H.D. Pope Funeral Home, Roanoke Rapids, by Apostle Dr. Mae B. Parker.

James L. Gallagher

CONWAY – James Leo Gallagher, 79, of the 600 block of Buck Boone Road, died January 1, 2008 in his home.

Mr. Gallagher was a native Summit Hill, PA, a member of St. Charles Catholic Church; a retired Supervisor for Hercules, Inc. Parlin, NJ., and was an Army Veteran of WWII and the Korean Conflict. He was the son of the late John B. and Gertrude Kelly Gallagher.

A Funeral Mass was said at St. Charles Catholic Church Friday, January 4, 2008 at 11:00 AM with Rev. Thomas J. McGee, O.S.F.S. officiating. Burial followed in Conway Cemetery, Conway, NC.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Helen Tucholski Gallagher; two step daughters, Jean Deacon; Murfreesboro, NC. Carol Kraszewski, Pemberton, NJ. Two step sons, David Burdynski, Jackson, NJ. Michael Burdynski, Roanoke Rapids, NC. Thirteen Grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. Mr. Gallagher was predeceased by several brothers and sisters.

The family received friends at the church from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Friday prior to services.

Garrett Funeral Home, Ashley Chapel, 205 NC. Highway 42 West, Ahoskie, NC served the Gallagher family.  

Walter F. Hunter

GATESVILLE n Walter Frederick Hunter, 76, formerly of Berlin, NJ and Virginia Beach, VA, died December 20, 2007 in his home. He was the widower of Margaret Young Hunter.

Hunter retired from Forrest Exterminating Service.

A memorial service was held Saturday at his residence. Miller Funeral Home, Gatesville, was in charge.

Survivors include his children, Margaret “Peggy” Erwin of Gatesville, Veronica Kay “Ronnie” Lane of Virginia Beach, Linda M. Firth of Eure, Wesley J. Hunter of Clementon, NJ and Joseph E. Hunter of Morristown, TN; a brother, William Hunter of Manning, SC; 12 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Richard Roberts

GASTON n Richard Roberts, 39, Gaston, died January 3, 2008 at Southern Virginia Regional Medical Hospital, Emporia.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete. H.D. Pope Funeral Home, Roanoke Rapids, is in charge.

Stevie L. Cherry

RALEIGH n Stevie Lovis Cherry, died January 2, 2008 at his residence.

A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at Eveninglight Church of God in Christ Jesus, Windsor, by Dr. William H. Amos. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Reynolds Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie, is in charge.

Cherry was a member of Eveninglight Church of God in Christ Jesus.

Survivors include his mother, Emma T. Cherry of Windsor; four brothers, Jimmie Cherry Jr. of Windsor, Royal Cherry of Middletown, CT, Charlie Cherry of Chesapeake, Va., and Luther Cherry of Morrisville; and two sisters, Josephine Gatling of Ahoskie and Alice F. Cherry of Portsmouth.