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SEPTEMBER 2007
OBITUARIES
as of
September 6, 2007
GLENDA KAY WATTS HAYES
WHITEVILLE -- Glenda Kay Watts Hayes, 45, died Sunday, Sept. 2, 2007, at Premier Living, Lake Waccamaw. She was the daughter of the late Blanche Ward and Homer Watts.
Final rites were held Wednesday, Sept. 5, at Worthington Funeral Home with the Rev. Jerry Spivey officiating. Burial followed in Whiteville Memorial Cemetery. Worthington Funeral Home of Chadbourn handled the arrangements.
Survivors include a daughter, Heather H. Hamilton of Whiteville; a son, Jeremy Lynn Hayes of Lumberton; her mother, Gladys Moore Watts of Whiteville; a sister, Velvet W. Hinson of Whiteville; a brother, Michael Watts of Whiteville; and six grandchildren.
OTTIE MAE COLEMAN SMITH
RALEIGH -- Ottie Mae Coleman Smith, 89, died Friday, Aug. 31, 2007. She was born Nov. 20, 1918 in Brunswick County to Mary Tina Stanley Coleman and James Garfield Coleman. Later the Coleman family moved to Whiteville, where she attended St. Stevens Holiness Church.
She attended First St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. She served in the following positions: Sunday school, kitchen committee, senior choir, and president of the pastor’s aide committee. She was an active member of the Campground Program, We Will Help You Club, Sewing Club, Community Prayer Band and Missionary Circle, and more.
Final rites were held Sunday, Sept. 2, at Carlton L. Gray Funeral Home with Elder Frank Beard officiating. Burial followed in Montlawn Cemetery, Raleigh. Carlton L. Gray Funeral Home of Raleigh handled the arrangements.
Survivors include her children, Ottie Louise Beard, Lottie Mae Robertson and Seth Samuel Smith; a sister, Dorothy Coleman Oliver of Hartford, Conn.; nine grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren.
GERTRUDE WARD HATHWAY
WHITEVILLE -- Gertrude Ward Hathway, 85, died Sunday, Sept. 2, 2007, at Columbus Regional Healthcare. She was the daughter of the late Simon Ward and Mary Eliza Ward Ward and was preceded in death by a daughter, Carolyn Caison and two sons, Robert James Hathway and John Wayne Hathway.
Final rites were held Wednesday, Sept. 5, at McKenzie Mortuary Chapel. Burial followed in Hosea-Simmons Cemetery. McKenzie Mortuary of Whiteville handled the arrangements.
Survivors include her husband, Albert Hathway of the home; three daughters, Doretha Thompson and Joyce Long, both of Whiteville, and Mildred Benton of Wilmington; a brother, Corbett Ward of Whiteville; two sisters, Lillian S. Cribb of Whiteville, and Altie Singletary of Pembroke; 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.
ADDIE VAN GANUS BELLAMY
WHITEVILLE -- Addie Van Ganus Bellamy, 76, formerly of Nakina, died Friday, Aug. 31, 2007, at Shoreland Healthcare. She was the daughter of the late William Ganus and Mary Pauline Evans Ganus. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edgar Bellamy; a son, John Craig Bellamy, and a daughter, Ethlend Bellamy.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at Flynn Cemetery, Whiteville. McKenzie Mortuary of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.
Survivors include a daughter, Gayle B. Faulk and husband, Larry C. Faulk Sr. of Tabor City; a daughter-in-law, Nellie Bellamy Helton and husband, Mike Helton of Chadbourn; a brother, Edwin Ganus and wife, Helen of Wisconsin; seven grandchildren, Karen Faulk, Bonnie Jenrette, Larry Faulk Jr. and wife, Michelle, Samantha Faulk, John Bellamy Jr., Linda McCormack and husband Colon Joseph Bellamy; seven great-grandchildren, Courtney Barnhill, Harley Barnhill, T.J. Barnhill, Lindsey Jenrette, Kelly Jenrette, Nicholas McCormick, and Rebecca McCormick.
GLADYS ANTOINE
FAIR BLUFF -- Gladys Antoine died Friday, Aug. 31, 2007, at Columbus Regional Healthcare.
Final rites will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at Sandy Grove Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Thomas Register and Bishop Raymond Faison Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Butler Branch Cemetery, Fair Bluff. Smith Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.
Survivors include her husband, John Antoine of Brooklyn, N.Y.; a son, George Robert Freeman of Brooklyn, N.Y.; her mother, Piercie Johnson of Fair Bluff; a brother, Boise Hardy of Whiteville; a stepdaughter, Mary Ann Gibson of Fairmont; step-sisters, Elizabeth Davis, Carolyn Davis, Diane Davis, Gracie Lee Wright, Mary Frances Gore and Bernice Lasane; step-brothers, Elliott Pittman, Matthew Johnson, Louis Johnson, Billy Johnson and James Johnson.
There will be a wake on Wednesday, Sept. 5 from 7-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Visitation will be at the church from noon until time of the service.
Friends may visit the family at the home of Piercie Johnson, 203 River Bluff Apts., Fair Bluff.
ETHEL LEE HODGE
GREEN SEA, S.C. -- Ethel Lee Hodge, 79, died Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007, at her residence. She was the daughter of the late Roy and Alice Ward Harper and the widow of Johnnie B. Hodge.
Final rites will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, at the Inman Chapel. Burial will follow in the Forest Lawn Cemetery, Tabor City. Inman Funeral Home of Tabor City is handling the arrangements.
Survivors include two sons, Kenneth Hodge of Green Sea, S.C., and Doug Hodge of Tabor City; a sister, Geraldine Roberts of Lexington, S.C.; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Thursday, Sept. 6 from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home.
MARSHALL WELDON GORE
OCEAN ISLE BEACH -- Marshall Weldon Gore, 71, passed away on Monday, Sept. 3, 2007, at his home at Gause Landing, following a four year battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marshall Weldon Gore Sr. and Mazie Dutton Gore and his brother, Hugh Thomas Gore.
Weldon was born in Whiteville and grew up in the Pireway community. He was a graduate of Tabor City High School and North Carolina State University with a degree in forestry. He served in the United States Navy for two years at Little Creek, Va.
Weldon and his brother, Hugh Thomas, were foresters and owned Gore Brothers Inc. in Chadbourn. He was a member and elder of the Tabor City Presbyterian Church.
His hobbies include listening to jazz music, reading, and spending time with family and friends. After retiring to Gause Landing, he enjoyed shrimping from the pier.
Weldon will be remembered for his positive attitude, dry wit, and winning smile.
The family will greet friends and relatives one hour prior to and one hour following a 2 p.m. celebration of life service, honoring Weldon. The service will be held on Thursday, Sept. 6, at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Tabor City. Inman Funeral Home of Tabor City is handling the arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Janelle White Gore and their four children, Marshall Gore, Michael Gore and wife Kellie, Matthew Gore and wife Jodi, Allyson Gore Carrington and husband Ken; his sister, Sylvia Gore Hughes and his nine beautiful grandchildren, Brystol, Morgan, Holly, Bailey, Charlotte, Miller, Rivers, Tripp, and Weldon; several nieces and nephews, and his devoted friend, Harry Galifinakas.
MINNIE TREADWELL
GREEN SEA, S.C. -- Minnie Treadwell died Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007, at the Loris Community Hospital.
Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Westside Funeral Home of Tabor City.
ALICE ROSE GIBSON
LUMBERTON -- Alice Rose Gibson died Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007, at her residence. She was born May 7, 1916 in Apalachicola, Fla. the daughter of the late Harry Bryan Gibson and Maude West Perkins Gibson. She married M. Carr Gibson on Feb. 16, 1946 in Apalachicola.
Gibson was a member of Chestnut Street United Methodist Church where she was a Sunday school teacher. She was involved with the Lumberton Christian Care Center and helped to organize the “Soup Kitchen” in 1985 and was also involved with Gibson Cancer Center. She was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker.
Graveside services were held Sunday, Sept. 2, at Gardens of Faith Cemetery with Rev. Jimmie Tatum officiating. Floyd Mortuary and Crematory Inc. handled the arrangements.
Survivors include her husband, M. Carr Gibson; a son, Thomas Carr Gibson and his wife, Jerri; three daughters, Alice Rebekah Gibson Merritt and husband, Gary, Lilli Anne Gibson-Phillips and husband, Al and Gwen Gibson Eckerson and husband, Todd; a sister Gwen Field; 11 grandchildren, Janet Gibson Canter and husband, Jeff, Trey Gibson, Bryant Williamson, Jordan Williamson, Paula Anne Merritt, Paula Anne Merritt, Thomas Merritt, J. Carr Gibson, Jeff Gibson, Hutch Eckerson and Garrett Eckerson; five great-grandchildren, Amelia Wrenne Canter, Carson Rose Canter, Jeffrey Hutchison Canter, Hill Gibson Canter and Holt Gibson Canter; and Jim Gibson, who was husband of Jane Gibson.
She was preceded in death by her oldest son, Harry Hutchison Gibson who died in the Vietnam War while in the Army as a 1st Lieutenant; a grandson, Justin Gibson Merritt who died in an accident on May 8, 2000; a brother, Harry Bryant Gibson and a daughter-in-law, Jane Gibson.
Memorials may be made to Lumberton Christian Care Center, P.O. Box 1712, Lumberton, N.C. 28359; Chestnut Street United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1464, Lumberton, N.C. 28359; Gibson Cancer Center, c/o SRMC Foundation, P.O. Box 1408, Lumberton, N.C. 28359 or to Boys and Girls Club of Lumberton, Seneca Street, Lumberton, N.C. 28358.
JACK BRIGHT
LAKE WACCAMAW -- Jack Bright Sr., 78, died Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007, at Bladen County Hospital, Elizabethtown.
Bright owned and operated Bright Brothers Roofing.
Final rites will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4, at Bladen Funeral Home, Elizabethtown. Burial will follow in Elizabethtown Cemetery. Bladen Funeral Home of Elizabethtown is handling the arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Martha Jane Bright; five sons, Tony Bright and Sammy Bright, both of Bladenboro; Zack Bright Jr. of Clarkton, Woody Bright and William “Boss” Bright, both of Lake Waccamaw; two daughters, Deborah Park and Donna Hunt of Georgia; three sisters, Lucille Butler of Elizabethtown, Jimmie Bright of Shallotte, and Frances Bright of Fayetteville; 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Monday, Sept. 3 from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to: The Jack Bright Funeral Fund, c/o Bladen Funeral Home, P.O. Box 3150, Elizabethtown, N.C. 28337.
FORREST THOMPSON
WHITEVILLE -- Forrest Thompson, 97, died Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007. She was born Feb. 5, 1910 in Columbus County, the daughter of the late Kenneth and Amanda Stephens. She was the widow of William Harris Thompson.
Thompson was an employee of Cato’s Department Store for 33 years.
Final rites will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4, at Peacock’s Chapel In The Pines with the Rev. Roy Walker officiating. Burial will follow in Peacock’s Columbus Memorial Park. Peacock’s Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.
Survivors include a son, Legrande Thompson of Whiteville; three daughters, Mae Thompson Williamson of Whiteville, Peggy Thompson Rich of Charleston, S.C., and Jo Ann Thompson Carroll of Bolton; and eight grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son, Daniel Thompson; a daughter, Annie Thompson; a grandson, David Rich; three brothers, Marion Stephens, Admin Stephens, and Walter Stephens; and three sisters, Ellen Hinson, Blanche Inman, and Annie Stephens.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3.
Memorials may be made to New Hope Baptist Church Elevator Fund, 252 Rough and Ready Road, Whiteville, N.C. 28472.
BARBARA WEIR PARRISH
WILSON’S MILLS -- Barbara Weir Parrish, 73, died Thursday, Aug. 29, 2007. Born in Columbus County on Sept. 9, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Alexander and Helen Geyer Weir. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Carl K. Parrish Jr.
Parrish was an active member of the Wilson’s Mills Christian Disciples Church serving as church organist for more than 40 years. She retired from the Johnston County School System after teaching for more than 30 years.
Final rites will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5, at Wilson’s Mills Christian Disciples Church with the Rev. Lea Salton officiating. Burial will follow in the Wilson’s Mills Cemetery. Parrish Funeral Home of Selma is handling the arrangements.
Survivors include her husband, Luther C. Davis; a son, Carl K. Parrish III of Silver Springs, Md.; daughters, Helen Braswell and husband Vance of Wilson’s Mills and Kay Parrish of Pine Level; a sister, Sandra Baldwin and husband Jim of Missouri; grandchildren, Alexander Strother, Blake Strother, Lauren Parrish, Nicholas Davis, and Katilin Davis; and great-grandchildren, Aiden Strother, Nathan Strother, and Lona Parrish.
Pallbearers will be Billy Creech, Pete Holian, Steve Johnson, Kent Edwards, Robert Ormond, and Robert Peedin. Honorary pallbearers will be Clifford Uzzle, Rep. Billy Creech, Kenny Jones, and Jim Uzzle.
The family will receive friends at the residence located at 608 Main Street, Wilson’s Mills Tuesday, Sept. 4 from 6-8 p.m.
Flowers are acceptable or memorial contributions may be made to the Wilson’s Mills Christian Church, P.O. Box 247, Wilson’s Mills, N.C. 27593.
Condolences may be sent to the family at parrishfh.com.
NETTIE VASSIE HAYES BLACKMON
WHITEVILLE -- Nettie Vassie Hayes Blackmon, 93, of the Old Dock community, died Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007. She was the daughter of the late Willie Hayes and Nettie Westbrook Hayes. She was preceded in death by her husband, Windell Blackmon and a son, Charles Blackmon; and a granddaughter, Susan Renee Blackmon.
Blackmon was a member of Palmyra Baptist Church.
Final rites will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, at Palmyra Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. McKenzie Mortuary is handling the arrangements.
Survivors include her daughter, Janice B. Ray and husband, Tony of Whiteville; a sister, Eunice Nobles of Hallsboro; a daughter-in-law, Margie Blackmon of Whiteville; five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Saturday, Sept. 1 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
ADDIE GANUS BELLAMY
WHITEVILLE -- Addie Ganus Bellamy, 76, formerly of Nakina, died Friday, Aug. 31, 2007, at Shoreland Healthcare. She was the daughter of the late William Ganus and Mary Pauline Evans Ganus. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edgar Bellamy; her son, John Craig Bellamy and her daughter, Ethlend Bellamy.
A private funeral service will be held by the family at a later date. McKenzie Mortuary is announcing for the family.
Survivors include her daughter, Gayle B. Faulk and husband, Larry C. Faulk Sr. of Tabor City; a daughter-in-law, Nellie Helton Bellamy and husband, Mike Helton of Chadbourn; a brother, Edwin Ganus and wife, Helen of Wisconsin; seven grandchildren, Karen Faulk, Bonnie Jenrette, Larry Faulk Jr. and wife, Michelle, Samantha Faulk, John Bellamy Jr., Linda McCormick, and Joseph Bellamy; seven great-grandchildren, Courtney Barnhill, Harley Barnhill, T.J. Barnhill, Lindsey Jenrette, Kelly Jenrette, Nicholas McCormick, and Rebecca McCormick.
WILLIE EARL STANLEY
LORIS, S.C. -- Willie Earl Stanley, 62, died Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007, at his residence.
Final rites will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4, at Ocean View Baptist Association Building in Shallotte with the Rev. M.C. Herring officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery, Longwood. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Selena Bryant Stanley; a daughter, Mary Frances Frink of Supply; sons, Willie Earl Stanley Jr. and Kevin Ronette Stanley, both of the home, and Marcus Dewayne Stanley of Fairfax, S.C.; sisters, Sally Gore of Shallotte, Alma R. Stanley, Rachel Gore, and Myrtle Bellamy, all of Calabash, Hazel Herriott and Betty Herriott, both of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; brothers, Ray Stanley, Sammy J. Stanley, and Kenneth Stanley, all of Calabash.
Viewing will be at the funeral home Monday, Sept. 3 from 1-5 p.m. There will be a wake Monday from 6-8 p.m. at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Longwood.
ROBERT LEWIS JR.
CLARKTON -- Robert Lewis Jr., 82, died Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007, at Columbus Regional Healthcare. He was a veteran of the United States Army.
Final rites will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, at Lennon Chapel Church with the Rev. Emmanuel Evans officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Olive AME Zion Church Cemetery. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Mildred White Lewis of Ewing, N.J.; daughters, Mattie Spann of Lawrenceville, N.J. and Eula Lewis of Ewing, N.J.; sons, Marshall Lewis of Willingboro, N.J., Robert James Lewis of Camden, N.J., Odell Lewis of Elizabethtown, Jimmy Lewis of Indiana, Edward Lewis of Trenton, N.J., and Carl Lewis of Richmond, Va.
Viewing will be at the funeral home Saturday, Sept. 1 from 3-8 p.m. Viewing will be at the church Sunday following the service. There will be a wake Saturday from 7-8 p.m. at the funeral home chapel.
Friends may visit the family at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Odell Lewis, 21 Blue Moon Drive in Elizabethtown.
VERNEDA H. HICKMAN
BOLTON -- Verneda H. Hickman, 88, died Monday, Aug. 27, 2007, at Columbus Regional Healthcare.
Final rites will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at Friendship AME Church with the Rev. Jerry Pearson officiating. Burial will follow at the Restwell Cemetery #1. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.
Survivors include two daughters, Ruby Mae Jones and Flossie I. Hickman, both of Bolton.
Viewing will be at the funeral home Friday from noon until 8 p.m. Viewing will be at the church saturday from 10 a.m. until time for the service and again following the service.
JERRY WAYNE GREEN
FAIR BLUFF -- Jerry Wayne Green, 63, died Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington. He was the son of the late Rev. Aubrey and Pensie Strickland Green.
Final rites will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, at China Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Thomas Fairfax officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Worthington Funeral Home of Chadbourn is handling the arrangements.
Survivors include his daughters, Pamela Corr of Fayetteville, Christy G. Hammel of Weaverville, and Heather Green of Hallsboro; sisters, Frankie Atkins of Cerro Gordo, Theresa Pridgen of Chadbourn, Alice McDonald of Rome, Ga.; brothers, Larry Green and Horace Green, both of Cerro Gordo; and two grandchildren.
KATHLEEN CARROLL WEISHAAR
SEATTLE, Wash. -- Kathleen Carroll Weisharr, 74, died Monday, Aug. 20, 2007. She was born Nov. 5, 1932 and was the middle child of Frank and Bessie Carroll of Dublin.
Weishaar attended Tar Heel High School in Bladen County and later spent most of her adult life in Seattle.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8, at Bethel Baptist Church, Dublin. Burial will follow a short graveside service at the Allen Cemetery. Butler Funeral Home of Roseboro is handling the arrangements.
Survivors include her sisters, Rosa Lee Parrish of Salisbury, and Alta Baldwin of Whiteville; three daughters, Harriet Agee of Phoenix, Ariz., Carol Gunderson and Jane Norby, both of Seattle, Wash.; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, all of Seattle, Wash.
JOSEPH ‘CAREY’ GASKINS
SHALLOTTE POINT -- Joseph “Carey” Gaskins, 55, died unexpectedly Saturday, Aug. 25. Born Aug. 24, 1952, in Loris, S.C., he was the oldest son of J.C. and Pecolia Wood Gaskins of Tabor City.
Gaskins began his career in law enforcement in the 1970’s, and served for a short period of time in Columbus County. After moving to Shallotte, he was an officer for the Town of Shallotte’s Police Department for 20 years, serving as a lieutenant and currently it’s most senior member. He was a member of the Shallotte Masonic Lodge #727, A.F. & A.M.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, at the Supply Chapel of Coble Ward-Smith Funeral Home. Coble Ward-Smith Funeral and Cremation Service of Supply is handling the arrangements.
Survivors in addition to his parents are his two brothers, Jeffrey W. Gaskins of Ocean Isle Beach and Dr. Mark E. Gaskins of Sanford; a sister, Deborah “Sue” Gaskins of Tabor City; five children, Joseph “Cole” Gaskins and Megan Janelle Gaskins of Monroe, Joseph “Christopher” Gaskins of Nichols, S.C., Devan Grimes of Shallotte Point, and Georgina Williams of North Myrtle Beach, S.C.; and seven grandchildren.
The family will receive friends immediately following the services.
In lieu of flowers a memorial donation in Lt. Gaskin’s memory may be made to Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38195.
JIMMY LAVON STEPHENS
TAMPA, Fla. -- Jimmy Lavon Stephens, 52, formerly of Tabor City, died Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007, at Tampa General Hospital. He was the son of the late James and Gladys Stephens of Tabor City.
Final rites will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31, at Little Iron Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Tabor City. Burial will follow in the Stephens-Wright Cemetery in Tabor City. Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements.
Survivors include two sisters, Joyce Bellamy of Flag Patch, S.C. and Sylvia Stephens of New Haven, Conn.; four brothers, James Stephens of Whiteville, Minister Freddie Stephens of Tabor City, Milton Stephens of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Kenneth Stephens of New Haven, Conn.
Viewing will be at the funeral home on Thursday, Aug. 30 from noon until 8 p.m. and Friday from 9-11 a.m. Viewing will be at the church Friday following the service.
Friends may visit the family at the home of Joyce Bellamy, 1650 Auburn Drive, Loris, S.C. and Mr. and Mrs. James Stephens, 4514 Chadbourn Highway, Whiteville.
DON HARLEY JR.
CERRO GORDO -- Don Harley Jr., 57, died Monday, Aug. 27, 2007, at Columbus Regional Healthcare.
Arrangements will be announced by S&L Funeral Home of Fair Bluff.
Family will receive friends at the home of Barbara Harley, 52 Oscar Wilson Road, Fair Bluff.
