A. James Early III

A.  James Early III,  69, Charlotte- Jim died peacefully at home with family and friends at his side on  August 16 , 2008  after battling a series of  prolonged illnesses. True to his spirit and the way he chose to live his life, Jim fought the good fight to the end.

Born on April 1, 1939, Jim was a proud native of Ahoskie, North Carolina and the son of Janie Railey Early and the late A. J. Early Jr.  

As a high school student, Jim was awarded the honor of Eagle Scout and was chosen to attend the Scout World Jamboree in 1955. That same year, he was voted “Most Valuable Player” of the Ahoskie High School Football team and was selected to play on the All Conference Team.  Considered to be a star athlete, Jim also played basketball and baseball. Tragically, Jim’s life was forever changed in November 1955.  As a result of a jeep accident, he was paralyzed from the waist down and never had the use of his legs again.  After a lengthy recovery in the hospital, Jim used his skills and understanding of sports to become a sports writer for a local newspaper.  He also maintained a straight A average in school.

In 1957, the year he graduated from Ahoskie High, Jim was voted “Most Popular,” “Best Personality,” and Senior Class President.  At the time of his graduation, the school newspaper described Jim as “A true sportsman, a friend to everyone, and an all around good guy whose activities in school have been varied and numerous.”

Jim  was a true blue Tarheel. While attending his beloved UNC Chapel Hill, he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. He graduated from Carolina in 1961 with a B.S. in Business Administration.  Jim began his career in Raleigh with Peat, Marwick,  Mitchell & Co. and later with Cameron Brown Company.  While living in Raleigh, Jim was initiated as a Freemason in 1966 and was eventually raised as Master Mason of Lodge No. 500 AF&AM. The family moved to Charlotte  in 1977 when Jim transferred to First Union Corporation. He retired in 1991 as Senior Vice President and Corporate Tax Director.

Besides watching his beloved Tarheels play, the great passions of Jim’s life were playing bridge, boating, fishing, piloting his plane, auto racing, volunteerism, family and church.   Jim served on various church committees, UNC’s Educational Foundation’s Board of Directors, the United Way of Central Carolinas Allocation Board, was appointed by the Governor to the NC State Bar Grievance Committee, and founded and was head coach of the Charlotte Strider’s track club.

Jim always showed a strong sense of family.  He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Suzannah  Parker Early, his mother, Janie Railey Early, a sister, Jane Early Chanon, all of Charlotte; daughters, Andrea Early Owens, Chapel Hill and Lyn Turner Hardway, Greensboro; a son,  William Herbert Turner Jr., Apex;  grandchildren, J.P. Barwick, Greensboro, Nina Early, Chapel Hill, and Will Turner and Caroline Turner, Apex.

A memorial service will be held August 19, 2208 at 2 PM at Sharon United Methodist Church,  4411 Sharon Road, Charlotte, 28211 where Jim and Suzannah have been active members since the late 1970s. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, P.O. Box 14608, Greensboro, NC 27415 or to the charity or school of the donor’s choice.

Heritage Funeral Home, Indian Trail Chapel is assisting the family.  Online condolences may be left at www.heritagefuneral.net

Mildred A. DeCosi

SOUTHERN SHORES – Mildred A. DeCosi, 84, a native of Conway, died August 13, 2008, at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. She was the widow of Joseph F. DeCosi.

Survivors include her sisters, Annette Turner of Elizabeth City and Vivian Davis of Eastern Shores.

A graveside service will be conducted at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at Rosewood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Road Chapel.

Sarah B. Stallings

HOBBSVILLE – Sarah Berryman Stallings, 85, a native of Chowan County, died August 17, 2008, in the Skilled Nursing Facility of Chowan Hospital, Edenton. She was the widow of James Edward Stallings Sr.

Mrs. Stallings was a homemaker and a member of Sandy Cross Baptist Church.

Survivors include daughter, Marilyn S. Noble; her son, J.E. Stallings Jr., both of Hobbsville; two sisters, Lavenia Andleton of Portsmouth and Dorothy Wells of Norfolk; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A funeral will b econducted

at 3 p.m. Tuesday in Sandy Cross Baptist Church by the Rev. E. Vernon Gilmer Jr. and the Rev. Hugh Mizelle. Burial will be in Stallings Family Cemetery with Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main St., Gatesville, in charge. Friends may join the family at the residence. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gates County Rescue Squad, Gatesville, NC 27938.

Joseph L. Price

WELDON n Joseph Lee Price, 44, died August 15, 2008 at Halifax Regional Medical Center, Roanoke Rapids.

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

Kristopher Norman

AULANDER n Kristopher Leonard Norman, 30, a native of Charleston, SC, died August 14, 2008 at his home.

Norman was currently employed as a compter technician for Tec Team, Ahoskie. He also previously owned his own computer business.

Friends may call on Wednesday, August 20 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Northville Funeral Home where funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 21 at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Northville. A memorial service will be conducted at 7 p.m. Friday, August 20 at 7 p.m. at Woodland First Full Gospel Church (Hwy. 34 N. Woodland) by the Rev. Marie Jones. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fulton County, SPCA, 486 Stevers Mills Rd., Broadalbin, NY 12025. Condolences may be made to the family online at www.northvillefuneralservice.com.

Survivors include his wife, Sharon Pearce Norman of Aulander; his parents, Leonard and Sirka Norman of Maple Shade; and his sister, Kelly Lawrence of Gloversville.

Harold W. White

COLERAIN n Mr. Harold Windell White, 79, died August 18, 2008 at Pitt Memorial Hospital.

Mr. White was born in Bertie County on March 29, 1929 to the late Joseph Ruffin and Sallie Castellow White, and was predeceased by his wife, Lovie Lee White. Mr. White was a farmer and a member of Capeharts Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, August 20, 2008 at Capeharts Baptist Church with Reverend Jake Dunlow and Reverend Bruce Dayton officiating. Burial will follow at Capeharts Baptist Church cemetery with the following serving as pallbearers, Brian White, Scott White, Brad White, Chris Grimes, Neil Baker and Whit Perry.

Survivors include: sons, Danny W. White and wife Melinda of Windsor, Lee Ruffin White, and Bob Ivan White and wife Catherine of Colerain; one brother, Joseph Gatlin White of Windsor; three grandchildren, Brian White of Winterville, Brad White of Greenville and Scott White of Clayton; and two great-grandchildren, Gavin White of Winterville and Daniel White of Clayton.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, August 19, 2008, from 7-8:30 PM at Walker Funeral Home of Windsor and other times at the home of Danny White, 642 Pine Ridge Road, Colerain.

Memorial contributions may be made to University Home Care, Hospice, P.O. Box 272, Ahoskie, NC 27910 or Capeharts Baptist Church, 101 Capehart Church Road, Merry Hill, NC 27957. Online condolences may be directed to www.walkerfh.net. Walker Funeral Home of Windsor is assisting the White family.