Gilbert W. Ronco

PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Gilbert William Ronco, 87, a native of Masontown, Pa., died January 30, 2008, at the Naval Medical Center. He was the widower of Florence Ronco.

Ron was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He was a member of Bethany Baptist Church.

Survivors include his son, Gilbert Victor Ronco of Greensboro; and a granddaughter.

A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday at Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel, by the Rev. Gene Primm. Burial will be in Roxobel Kelford Cemetery at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bethany Baptist Church, Portsmouth.

Vernice M. Walston

SUFFOLK, Va. – Mrs. Vernice Myrick Walston, died January 29, 2008.

She worked as an educator in the Hertford County school system and retired after 47 years in education from the City of Suffolk Public School system. After retirement, she was an adjunct professor at Paul D. Camp Community College, Suffolk. She received her undergraduate degree from North Carolina Central University and her graduate degree from the University of Virginia. She was a member of the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.

Survivors include her husband, Syvalius Walston; one daughter, Deborah Stephens-Williams of Suffolk; four sisters, Anna Barnes of Como, Willie Mae Deloatch and Alice MacDonald, both of Suffolk and Hannah Ward of San Bernadino, Calif.; one brother, Heber Donald Myrick Jr. of Como; and two grandchildren.

The funeral was conducted Friday at First Baptist Church, Mahan Street, Suffolk, by the Rev. Steven Blunt. Burial was in Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens. Harris Funeral Home, Suffolk, was in charge.

John W. Cooper

COMO n John Williams Cooper, 66, a native of Hertford County, died January 26, 2008 at McGuire Va. Hospital.

A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at Mill Neck Baptist Church, Como, by the Rev. Melvin Wilson. Burial will be in Mt. Sinai Baptist Church Cemetery. Hertford County Undertakers, Winton, is in charge.

Survivors include two sons, Dewayne Cooper and John Cooper, both of New Jersey; one stepson, Ronnie Cooper, also of New Jersey; one daughter, Pamela Bowman of Suffolk; one brother, William Jordan of Maryland; three sisters, Eva Newsman of Suitland, Md., Eddie M. Porter of Washington, D.C., and Gladys Cooper of Washington; 12 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Annie Powell

CONWAY n Mrs. Annie Margaret Rawls Powell, 89, died January 31, 2008. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Charlie S. Powell of Aulander. Mrs. Powell was the daughter of the late Wheeler and Rebecca Rawls of Rich Square. Her brothers, Edward, Reginald and Holden Rawls, and a sister, Louise R. Vick also preceded her in death.

She lived near Aulander, NC where she was a member of Horton’s Baptist Church, teaching Sunday School for 55 years and serving as church Treasurer and WMU president for many years.

After her husband’s death, she moved to Conway, NC and was a faithful member of Conway Baptist Church. Her later years spent at Pine Forest Rest Home in Potecasi. She enjoyed family and friends, especially, her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughter, Annie Powell White, and her husband, Jennings of Conway; grandchildren, Jentry White and his wife, Winnie, of Pendleton, Benjamin White and his wife, Cheryl, of Roanoke Rapids, Meg White Hall and her husband, Grady of Rocky Mount, Joanna White Wensell and her husband, Mark of Oilville, VA; and great-grandchildren, R.J. Jordan, Rachel, James, and Rebecca White, Garrett Hall, and Evie, Georgia Kate, and Noah Wensell; a brother, Dewey Rawls of Raleigh; and a sister-in-law, Lou Rawls of Conway.

The family received friends at Bridgers Funeral Home, Inc. in Conway on Friday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and other times at her daughter’s home in Conway. Funeral services will be held Saturday, 2:00 P.M. in Conway Baptist Church with Rev. Willie McLawhorn and Rev. James Hester presiding. Burial will follow in the Town of Conway Cemetery.

The family has stated that flowers are welcome or memorial donations may be made to Conway Baptist Church Organ Fund or to Pine Forest Rest Home in Potecasi, NC.

Edith A. Harper

SUNBURY n Edith Ann Harper, 67, a native of Knoxville, died January 29, 2008. She was the widow of Bud Harper.

Mrs. Harper was a registered nurse with Obici Hospital. She was a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Sunbury.

A memorial service was conducted Friday at Peter’s Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the church at P.O. Box 153, Sunbury, NC 27979. Parr Funeral Home & Crematory was in charge. Condolences may be registered at www.parrfuneralhome.com.

Survivors include a daughter, Sandy Leigh Harper of Suffolk, Va.; a son, Dennis Harper of Windsor, Va.; a sister, Lillian Tolliver of Knoxville; two granddaughters; and one great-granddaughter.

Beatrice Ward

ROANOKE RAPIDS n Beatrice V. Ward, 65, died January 30, 2008 at her residence.

A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday in the Roanoke Rapids Chapel of H.D. Pope Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Roanoke Salem Baptist Church, Garysburg, by the Rev. Robert Sessoms. Interment will be in Roanoke Salem Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mary Vaughan

SUFFOLK, Va. n Mary Layne Vaughan, 65, a native of Hampton, died January 30, 2008 at home. She was the widow of Robert L. Vaughan.

Mrs. Vaughan retired from A & P Tea Company. She was a member of Whaleyville United Methodist Church where she taught a children’s Sunday School class. Through the years, she served on numerous committees as well as being a member and President of the Whaleyville United Methodist Women. She was also a devoted member of the Whaleyville Volunteer Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary.

Survivors include a sister, Gay Pierce of Sunbury; and a brother, Billy Mitchell of Suffolk.

A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at Whaleyville United Methodist Church by the Rev. George Griffin. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may visit the family at other times at 529 Kilby Shores Drive. Memorials may be given to the Whaleyville United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 8056, Suffolk, VA 23438 or to the Whaleyville Volunteer Fire Department, Attn: Chuck Brothers, 6235 Whaleyville Boulevard, Suffolk, VA 23438. Parr Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge. Condolences may also be registered at www.parrfuneralhome.com.