The R-C News-Herald Obituaries for March 15, 2007
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, March 14, 2007
James A. Douglas
WELDON n James A. Douglas, 45, died March 10, 2007 at Halifax Regional Medical Center, Roanoke Rapids.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete. H.D. Pope Funeral Home, Roanoke Rapids, is in charge. Condolences may be sent to: www.hdpopefuneralhome.com.
Janice Davis
WINDSOR n Janice Hughes Davis, 81, a native of Bertie County, died March 12, 2007 at Three Rivers Nursing Home. She was the widow of James Thomas Davis.
Mrs. Davis was a homemaker and a member of Cashie Baptist Church.
A graveside funeral was conducted Wednesday at Edgewood Cemetery by the Rev. Jack Byrd and the Rev. Wint Hale Jr. Walker Funeral Home was in charge. Memorial gifts may be made to the Bertie Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 74, Windsor, NC 27983.
Survivors include a daughter, Karen Davis Fuller of Windsor; a son, Tommy Davis of Edenton; two sisters, Mildred Hughes Castelloe of Ahoskie and Annie Gray Perry of Colerain; one grandchild; and one great-grandchild.
Brenda Harrell
HARRELLSVILLE n Brenda Harrell, a native of Hertford County, died March 9, 2007 at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Ahoskie.
Mrs. Harrell was employed by Victory of Faith Home Health as a Health Aide. She was also a member of Harrellsville Chapel Baptist Church in Harrellsville.
A funeral will be conducted Saturday at Harrellsville Chapel Baptist Church by the Rev. Michael Hardy. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Hunter’s Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie, is in charge.
Survivors include her husband, George Harrell of Harrellsville; four sons, Brent Harrell of Raleigh, Derrick Lewis of Washington, D.C., Tracey Lewis of Harrellsville and Jamel Lewis of Raleigh; one daughter, Vanessa Lewis of Harrellsville; four brothers, James Lewis and Cecil Lewis, both of Harrellsville, Horace Lewis of Philadelphia, Pa., and William Lewis of Wilson; four sisters, Carolyn Lewis-Privott, Wanda Leary and Mollie Collins, all of Harrellsville, and Viola Lewis of Wilson; and five grandchildren.
Percell Nowell
HOBBSVILLE n Percell Nowell, died March 10, 2007 at Brian Center, Hertford.
A funeral service was conducted Friday at Joppa Missionary Baptist Church by the Rev. William Wiggins.
Burial was in the Eason Cemetery. Rivers Community Funeral Home, Elizabeth City, was in charge. You may sign the guest book at www.riverscommunityfuneralhome.com.
Margaret Brett Honn
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – Margaret Brett Honn, age 88, passed away on Monday, March 12, 2007, at Patriots Colony in Williamsburg, VA.
She was a native of Murfreesboro, North Carolina and a resident of Williamsburg for 10 years.
She graduated Phi Beta Kappa at 19 years old from William and Mary College in Williamsburg. She worked in her life as a school teacher, a manager for Field Enterprises of Chicago, and a Real Estate Broker, from which she retired in 1997 after 25 years in Charlottesville, VA. She was a member of the Old Guard of William and Mary, the Murfreesboro Historic Society, the Pi Phi Sorority, and the Toano Women’s Club. She served on the Vestry of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Williamsburg and previously at Our Savior Episcopal Church in Charlottesville.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Graham Evans, Sr., her father and mother, Edgar and Sallie Brett all of Murfreesboro, NC.
She is survived by her husband, Reese Martin Honn; sons, W. Graham Evans, Jr. and his wife, Donna, and John Edgar Evans; daughter, Sarah Evans Huddleston and her husband, Thomas B.; grandchildren, William Graham Evans, III, Jonathan Brett Evans and his wife, Kelly, Thomas Byrne Huddleston, Jr., Katherine Huddleston Hotze and her husband, Ed, and Michael Patrick Huddleston.
A funeral service was held at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, March 14th, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 1333 Jamestown Rd., Williamsburg, VA.
The family received friends following the service.
Interment followed at 3:30 P.M. at the Riverside Cemetery in Murfreesboro, NC.
Nelsen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be registered at www.nelsenfh.com
Z.L. Davenport, Jr.
Mr. Z.L. Davenport, Jr., 84, of Garysburg, died Sunday, March 11, 2007 at Halifax Regional Medical Center after a long period of declining health.
A native of Gumberry, Z.L. was the son of the late Zeno Lafayette Davenport, Sr. and Lillian Boone Davenport.
As a boy, Z.L. was fascinated with trains. In 1942, he was employed by the Seaboard Airline Railroad. After two years of working with the railroad he joined the U.S. Army, serving two years during World War II. After completing his tour of duty, he came back to Gumberry and again went to work for the railroad for the next twenty years. He retired from the railroad to pursue his dream of owning and working his own farm.
On Christmas Day, 1949 Elam Baptist Church burned and he was instrumental in rebuilding the Church where he served as a Trustee, Chairman of the Board of Deacons, Sunday School Superintendent, President of the Brotherhood and Sunday school teacher.
In the early 1960’s he and other Farmers formed Bi-County Gas in Weldon, NC, now known as Daughtridge Gas Co. Later in the 1960’s he and other Businessman built Kirby Peanut Warehouse in Conway, NC. He was one of the Founders of Northeast Academy in Lasker, NC and he helped found Valley Pine County Club.
Along with other farmers he founded the Gaston Cooperative Peanut Warehouse and Cotton Gin in Gaston, NC, where he served as President and member of the Board of Directors. He also served as a board member of the Peanut Growers Cooperative Marketing Assoc. (PGCMA) and he served as a board member of the Northampton County Farm Bureau.
He was a member of Seaboard Masonic Lodge #378, a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies, Enfield, NC, the Scottish Rite Bodies, New Bern, NC , and the Shriners of the Sudan Temple, New Bern, NC.
He retired from active farming in 1986 but spent as much time as possible watching others working in the fields for as long as his health allowed.
He is survived by his wife of over 57 years Vernie Edwards Davenport; daughter, Verlene D. Stephenson of Seaboard; two sons, James L. Davenport and Charles W. Davenport, both of the home and one sister, Kathryn D. Clark of Littleton.
Funeral services were held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Elam Baptist Church in Gumberry with Rev. Billy Hardwick and Rev. Hugh Mizelle officiating. Interment followed in the Seaboard cemetery.
The family received friends Tuesday from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Church Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requested that memorial contributions may be made to the Elam Baptist Church Building Fund, 146 Gumberry Street, Garysburg, NC, or the charity of one’s choice.
Askew Funeral and Cremation Services in Roanoke Rapids, handled the arrangements.
The flag in front of the Funeral Home flew at half staff in honor of Mr. Davenports service to his country.
Lessie V. Deanes
Lessie Vick Deanes, 83, of 423 Harrell Street, Murfreesboro, died Monday, March 12, 2007, in her home, surrounded by her loving family.
A native of Northampton County, she was a longtime resident of Murfreesboro where she worked as a floral designer for more than 60 years, beginning her career at Nell’s Florist and later operating her own business, Lessie’s Florist. She also taught floral design and upholstery through Roanoke-Chowan Community College.
Mr. Deanes was a member of Murfreesboro United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School, sang in the church choir, and directed the children’s choir.
Mrs. Deanes was devoted to her community where she was an active member of the Murfreesboro Woman’s Club and Murfreesboro Exchangette Club until recent years when her failing health limited her participation. She served in various leadership positions throughout her many years with these civic organizations and received the Exchangette of the year Award on several occasions. During her lifetime, she was a den mother for the Cub Scouts, Girl Scout leader, a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Murfreesboro Fire Department, and served for six years on the Murfreesboro Rescue Squad. She was also the first female to serve on the Murfreesboro Town Council. She was listed in Who’s Who of American Women and named Woman of the Century. She received numerous awards for her volunteer work, including the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service, the Chamber of Commerce Award for Outstanding Service, the WWDR Certificate of Achievement for Outstanding Leadership, and awards from the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association.
Left to cherish her memory are a loving husband of 66 years, B.F. “Ted” Deanes of Murfreesboro, NC; nine children, Joyce D. Langston and husband, Bill of Murfreesboro, NC, Vickie D. Hunnings and husband, Mike of Suffolk, VA, Barbara D. Benton and husband, Wayne of Union, NC, Tommy L. Deanes and wife, Gayle of Aulander, NC, Joseph W. Deanes and wife, Katherine of Clarksville, GA, Nancy D. Brittenham and husband, Cumin of Aulander, NC, Billy F. Deanes and wife, Penny of Murfreesboro, NC, Connie D. Parker and husband, Tommy, of Aulander, and Sandra Nabinger and husband, Rick, of Union, NC; 25 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; her brother, Rueben P. Vick and wife, Della of Corapeake, NC; two sisters, Frances V. Jones of Suffolk, VA and Mary Katherine Andrews and husband, Gene of Lanexa, VA; and a very special “adopted” son, Wayne Jones of Virginia Beach, VA.
Mrs. Deanes was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Stella Vick; her brothers, Raymond Vick, Kelly Vick, and Lloyd Vick; her sisters, Jeanette Nurney and Elizabeth Hinkerty; two sons, infant Jeffery Lynn Deanes and B.F. “Freddie” Deanes, Jr.
A celebration of Mrs. Deanes’ wonderful life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 17, 2007, at Murfreesboro United Methodist Church, High Street, Murfreesboro, NC, with the Rev. Cameron Currin and Rev. Arthur Warren officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Murfreesboro, NC. The family will receive friends at Murfreesboro United Methodist Church from 7 until 8:30 p.m. on Friday, March 16, 2007 and other times at the home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society; American Heart Association; Murfreesboro United Methodist Church; or University Health Systems Hospice Care, P.O. Box 272, Ahoskie, NC 27910.
The family wishes to express their profound gratitude to her many caregivers from Home Life Care and University Health Systems Hospice Care for their care and compassion.
Bridgers Funeral Home of Conway, NC, is serving the Deanes family.
Barbara Godwin
JACKSON n Barbara “Betty” Schuller Godwin, 81, a native of Koln, Germany, died March 12, 2007 at Hampton Woods. She was the widow of Albert Ray Godwin.
A graveside service will be conducted at 3 p.m. Thursday at the Williams family cemetery, near Powellsville, with the Rev. Steve Kirkland. Massey Funeral Home, Jackson, is in charge.
Survivors include her daughters, Gertrude Catenaccio of Corella and Annie Rae Godwin Small of Jackson; a sister, Elizabeth Roth of Florida; and two granddaughters.
Vivian Hill
ROCKY MOUNT n Vivian Taylor Hill, 78, died March 13, 2007.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete. H.D. Pope Funeral Home, Rocky Mount, is in charge.
Mabel Freeland
ROCKY MOUNT n Mabel Freeland, 77, died March 13, 2007.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete. H.D. Pope Funeral Home, Rocky Mount, is in charge.
Cassandra Harper
GREENVILLE n Cassandra Harper, 49, died March 11, 2007.
A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, Rocky Mount. Burial will be in Gardens of Gethsemane. A visitation will be conducted from 5-7 p.m. Friday at H.D. Pope Funeral Home.
Arthur Rose
SALVO – Arthur &uot;Sugar Bear&uot; Rose, 67, died March, 6, 2007.
Rose retired after 25 years of service with the Lipton Tea Co.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Rose; three sons, Thomas Rose of Salvo, William Rose of Charles City, Va., and Kevin Rose of Virginia Beach; one sister, Phyllis Provencil of Sunbury; and three grandchildren.
A memorial service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Sunday in the RWS Community Building, Hwy. 12, Rodanthe, N.C., at 1 p.m. Altmeyer Funeral Home, 5792 Greenwich Road, Virginia Beach, is in charge.
Mary D. Liverman
AULANDER – Mary Dunning Liverman, 82, of the 800 Block of N.C. Highway 561 West died March 13, 2007 at Pitt Memorial Hospital.
Mrs. Liverman was a native of Hertford County, the daughter of the late Alex and Mollie Beale Dunning. She was a member of St. John Baptist Church, a charter member of the St. John Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, a homemaker, and the widow of Johnnie William Liverman.
Surviving is her son; Charles Wesley Liverman and wife Cindy, Aulander, N.C., a grandson; Travis Liverman and wife Clydiene, York, Pa., a great-grandson; Case Lincoln Liverman, York, Pa., three step grandchildren; Anelle Joyner and Candace Terry both of Aulander, N.C., Patrick Terry, Murfreesboro, N.C., a step great-grandson; Cole Francis, York Pa.
A celebration service of Mrs. Liverman’s life will be 3:00 P.M. Friday, March 16, 2007 at St. John Baptist Church with Rev. Woody R. Copeland and Rev. Earl Whitmore officiating. Burial will be in Ahoskie Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Garrett Funeral Home 205 N. C. Highway 42 West, Ahoskie, N.C. from 7-8:30 P.M Thursday, March 15, 2007 and other times at the home of Jerry and Pat Baker, 901 N.C. 11 Kelford, N.C.
Garrett Funeral Home is serving the Liverman Family.
Bessie Bridgett
WINDSOR – Bessie Bridgett, 74, a native of Bertie County, died March 10, 2007 at Pitt Memorial Hospital, Greenville.
She was a retired nurses aide.
Survivors include two sons, Dwight Bridgett of Hampton, Va. and Vernon L. Bridgett of Lewiston; two daughters, Beverly Bridgett of Trenton, NJ and Lisa Bridgett of Windsor;
two brothers, Walter Wilkins of Roxobel and William Wilkins of Aulander; 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday at Hunter’s Funeral Home Chapel, Ahoskie by Rev. Danny Speller.
Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Ahoskie.
Pininiah Mills
GATES – Pininiah Mills, 91, a native of Gates County, died March 13, 2007 at her daughters home in Greenville. She was the widow of John Thomas Mills.
Mrs. Mills was a member of First Baptist Church Gates.
Survivors include one son, Herman Mills of Suffolk, VA; one daughter, Bernice Mills Eason of Greenville; two brothers, Elijah Rodgers of Corapeake and French Rodgers of Emporia; one sister, Ella Howell of Gatesville;
eight grandchildren; and 21 great- grandchildren.
A funeral will be conducted at 12 noon Saturday at Holy Trinity Church in Suffolk, VA.
Burial will be at First Baptist Church Gates Cemetery, Gates. Hunter’s Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie is in charge.
Evelyn S. Moore
AHOSKIE n Evelyn S. Moore, died March 9, 2007 at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital.
A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at New Bethany Baptist Church, Harrellsville, by the Rev. William Clark. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. Reynolds Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie, is in charge.
Survivors include two sons, James Brown of Ahoskie and Melvin Jones of Southfield, Michigan; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.