BOBBIE LAMBERT
CLARKTON – Bobbie Lambert, 60, died Sunday, Jan. 26, 2003 at Bladen County Hospital.
Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Gaskins Funeral Home.
SADIE R. WILLIAMS
Homemaker
ROCK HILL, S.C. – Sadie Russ Williams, 94, died Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003 in Lakeview Living Center of Pineville, N.C.
She was a native of Ash, the daughter of the late John and Ruther Hughes Russ and the widow of Ossie Norris and Elbert Williams.
Graveside services will be conducted Thursday, Feb. 6 at 2 p.m. in the Sandy Plain Cemetery by the Rev. David Coleman. Inman Funeral Home of Tabor City is handling the arrangements.
She is survived by four daughters: Annie Strickland Prince of Rock Hill, S.C., Doris Lanell Branch and Carol Lee Norris, both of Miami, Fla. and Elnita Owens of Austin, Texas; a brother: Jessie Russ of Tabor City; a sister: Pearline Norris of Tabor City; 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Catawba Baptist Church, SBC Missions, 2639 Catawba Church Road, Rock Hill, S.C. 29730.
Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. Thursday at Inman Funeral Home.
EVATOR M. NEALY
Retired school custodian
CLARENDON – Evator M. Nealy, 75, died Monday, Feb. 3, 2003 in Premier Living, Lake Waccamaw.
Final rites will be conducted Saturday, Feb. 8 at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Clarendon. Interment will be in Todd Cemetery #2, Clarendon. Peoples Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
She is survived by her husband, Robert Lee Nealy; four daughters: Selma Nealy and Hilda Nealy, both of Clarendon, Wonda Rogers of Raleigh and Shirlene N. Stanley of Nakina; five sons: Timothy Nealy of Clarendon, Glenn Nealy of Whiteville, Robin Nealy of Bolton, Lenward Nealy of Pennsylvania and Anthony Nealy of Texas.
JAMES MCCOY
FAIR BLUFF – James McCoy, 71, died Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2003 in Southeastern Regional Medical Center, Lumberton.
Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Peoples Funeral Home.
GEORGE “DOSSIE” BROWN
Veteran, factory worker
RIEGELWOOD – George “Dossie” Brown, 77, died Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003 at his residence.
He worked in a fertilizer plant and was a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Final rites will be conducted Saturday, Feb. 8 at 2 p.m. at Graham Chapel AME Zion Church of Riegelwood by the Rev. Ricky Graham. Interment will be in Graham Chapel Church Cemetery. Peoples Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
He is survived by four daughters: Patricia Ann Brown of the home, Birleane Smith of Wilmington, Donna B. Andrews of Springfield, Mass. and Delphine Bethea of Riegelwood; two sons: Roger D. Brown of Riegelwood and Milton G. Brown of Ivanhoe.
MARY D. NICHOLS
Homemaker
HALLSBORO – Mary D. Nichols, 85, died Friday, Jan. 31, 2003 at Columbus County Hospital.
Final rites were conducted Wednesday, Feb. 5 at New Light Missionary Baptist Church, Hallsboro, by the Rev. Christopher Nixon. Interment will be in Hallsboro Memorial Park. Peoples Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
She is survived by her husband, Forman Nichols.
BERTHA W. THOMPSON
Former clerk with Kramer’s Style Shop
WHITEVILLE – Bertha White Thompson, 89, died Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2003 at Columbus County Hospital.
She was preceded in death by her husband, M. Bogue Thompson and brothers, Azure and Gaston White. She was a member of the New Hope Baptist Church where she had served as a Sunday School teacher for 50 years and had worked as a retail clerk with Kramer’s Style Shop for 21 years.
Final rites will be Friday, Feb. 7 at 3 p.m. at New Hope Baptist Church by the Reverends Roy Walker and Maurice Gilliam. Interment will be in the church cemetery. McKenzie Mortuary is handling the arrangements.
She is survived by a daughter: Doris T. Edwards and husband Freddie of Whiteville; half-brothers: Jessie Leonard of Edenton and Billy Leonard of Chadbourn; half-sisters: Ruth Duncan of Chadbourn and Janice Patterson of Wallace; two grandchildren: Dr. Patrick Edwards and wife Dr. Kim Edwards of Danville, Pa. and Matthew Edwards of Whiteville.
Pallbearers will be Legrande Thompson, Shelby Hinson, Gaaron Patterson, Ricky Edge, Bobby Stewart and Howard McLam.
Memorials may be made to New Hope Baptist Church Choir Fund, 252 Rough & Ready Road, Whiteville, N.C. 28472.
Visitation will be Thursday from 7-9 p.m. at McKenzie Mortuary.
LEO V. SMITH
Automobile mechanic
BOLTON – Leo Vandyke Smith died Monday, Feb. 3, 2003 at Columbus County Hospital.
Final rites will be conducted Saturday, Feb. 8 at 1 p.m. at Townsend Temple Church by Pastor Lula Webb. Interment will be in Smith Cemetery, Bolton. Smith Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
He worked as an automobile mechanic.
He is survived by three sons: William V. Smith and Harry M. Smith, both of Baltimore, Md. and Allen J. Smith of Bolton; a daughter: Karen G. Brown of Bolton; five sisters: Mary Carpentar and Ada Mott, both of Wilmington, Catherine Brown of Bolton, Edna Lane of Durham and Louise Moore.
CARRIE REGISTER
WHITEVILLE – Carrie Register, 88, formerly of Delco died Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2003 in Shoreland Retirement Center.
She was born in South Carolina, the daughter of the late Jesse and Lillie Crawford and the widow of Russell Register.
Final rites will be conducted Friday, Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. at Peacock’s Chapel In The Pines. Interment will be in Flynn Cemetery. Peacock Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral at Peacock’s Chapel In The Pines.
SUE W. JAMES
TABOR CITY – Sue Williams James, 72, died Monday, Feb. 3, 2003 at Regional Hospital of Florence, S.C. from an illness.
She was the wife of the late minister Jackson “Shine” James and the daughter of the late Carl and Leatha Godbolt Williams.
Final rites will be conducted Saturday, Feb. 8 at 1 p.m. at Sweet Gum Missionary Baptist Church of Loris, S.C. by the Rev. Dennis Chestnut. Interment will be in Columbus County Singing Union Cemetery, Tabor City. Westside Funeral Home of Tabor City is handling the arrangements.
She is survived by four sons: Jackson James Jr., Howard James, Wendell James and Lionel James, all of Tabor City; and a daughter: Elizabeth Gross of Miami, Fla.
Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 7 from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
WILLIE L. JACKSON
CHADBOURN – Willie Lee Jackson, 69, died Wednesday, March 19, 2003 at Duke University Medical Center, Durham.
Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by D & A Funeral Service of Chadbourn.
RALPH G. GORE
Veteran, farmer and tobacco warehouse floor manager
WHITEVILLE – Ralph George Gore, 81, died Friday, March 28, 2003 in Columbus County Hospital.
He was born June 10, 1921 in Columbus County, the son of the late William Miller Gore and Exie Dora Housand Gore. He was the widower of Velma Smith Gore. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served in WWII from 1942-1945 as Boatswain Mate First Class. He served a tour of duty on the destroyer USS Ellyson, which encountered military action from off the coast of Iceland to the Mediterranean, Normandy, England and in the Pacific. The Ellyson was the first U.S. ship to enter Tokyo Bay on Aug. 28, 1945, sweeping for mines just ahead of the USS Missouri where the papers were signed to end the war. Mr. Gore conducted the mine sweep operation to clear the harbor for safe passage. He was a farmer and floor manager for Farmer’s, Crutchfield’s and Columbus County Warehouses and was a member of Gore’s Chapel Baptist Church.
Final rites were conducted Sunday, March 30 at Gore’s Chapel Baptist Church, Nakina, by the Rev. Ralph S. Gore and the Rev. Al Morris. Interment was in the church cemetery. Peacock Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
He is survived by two daughters: Rose M. Gore and Martha Gore Faulk, both of Nakina; three sisters: Gladys Jones of Whiteville, Margaret Carter and Dorothy Carter, both of Longs, S.C.; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Preceding him in death was a son: David R. Gore; six sisters: Elnita Hughes, Bessie Gore, Ella Gore, Lee Benton, Ruby Gore and Vasti Gore; four brothers: Homer Gore, Ernest R. Gore, Clayton Gore and Ed Gore.
Serving as pallbearers were Craig Canady, Howard Gore, Roscoe Gore, Brooks Gore, J.D. Gore, Harry Carter, Phil Gore and Harold Gore.
ESTELITA ALONSO
Homemaker
CHADBOURN – Estelita Alonso, 49, died Saturday, March 29, 2003 at her home.
She was born in Rosedale, Miss., the daughter of the late Gilbert P. and Manuela Salas Cantu.
Graveside services were conducted Tuesday, April 1 in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Tabor City. Inman Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
She is survived by three sons: Marcus J. Pineda of Chadbourn, Christopher Pineda and Reuben Pineda, both of Montique, Mich.; a daughter: Tonya Martinez of Chadbourn; eight brothers: Paul Cantu, Rabul Cantu, Daniel Cantu, David Cantu and Fred Cantu, all of Plant City, Fla., Gilbert Cantu Jr. of San Antonio, Texas, Luis Cantu of New Era, Mich. and Richard Cantu of Lakeland, Fla.; five sisters: Donna Cantu of Omaha, Neb., Gloria Marquez of San Angelo, Texas, Annie Lopez of New Era, Mich., Lottie Vela of Shelby, Mich. and Raquel Morrill of Plant City, Fla.
MADIE “GRANNY” KINLAW
BLADENBORO – “Granny” Madie Kinlaw, 83, died Tuesday, April 1, 2003 at her home.
Graveside services will be conducted Thursday, April 3 at 2 p.m. at Bladen Memorial Gardens by the Rev. Sidney Britt. Lewis Funeral Home of Bladenboro is handling the arrangements.
She is survived by six daughters: Ola Grace Solomon of Hope Mills, Frances Brown of the home, Kay Prevatte of Evergreen, Judy Morse of Rockingham, Pat Kinlaw of Elizabethtown and Ella Faye Kinlaw of Bladenboro; a son: Clifton “Mailman” Kinlaw; three sisters: Ruby Henry of Bladenboro, Beulah Pait of Elizabethtown and Nona Robeson of Dublin; two brothers: Houston Hester and Graham Hester, both of Bladenboro; 16 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
LORENA H. RHODES
Formerly employed with Whiteville Apparel, homemaker
LAKE WACCAMAW – Lorena Hardee Rhodes, 80, died Tuesday, April 1, 2003 in Columbus County Hospital.
She was born in Columbus County, the daughter of the late Melvin and Effie Vause Hardee. She was the widow of K.L. Rhodes. She was a member of Union Chapel Baptist Church. She was a homemaker and was formerly employed with Whiteville Apparel.
Final rites will be conducted Friday, April 4 at 3 p.m. at Peacock’s Chapel In The Pines by the Reverends Ed Vogt and Larry Nobles. Interment will be in Lake Waccamaw Hillcrest Cemetery. Peacock Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
She is survived by two sons: Vernon Rhodes of Hallsboro and Donnie Rhodes of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two sisters: Alene Osborne of Turbeville, S.C. and Magalene Holden of Fayetteville; eight grandchildren: John Rhodes, Michael Rhodes, Tony Rhodes, Justin Rhodes, Dennis Rhodes, Avyn Rhodes, Katie Rhodes and Alan Dew; four great-grandchildren: Andrew Rhodes, Joshua Arp, Logan and Jordan Hooks. She was preceded in death by a son, Ray Rhodes and two brothers: Kenneth and Belton Hardee.
The family will receive friends Thursday, April 3 from 6:30-8 p.m. at Peacock’s Chapel In The Pines.
OPHELIA VAUGHT
FAIR BLUFF – Ophelia Vaught, 74, died Tuesday, April 1, 2003 at her home.
Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by S & L Funeral Home of Fair Bluff.
SHEPPARD L. COATES
Formerly employed with Loris Manufacturing
LORIS, S.C. – Sheppard Lee Coates, 83, died Monday, March 31, 2003 at his home.
He was a native of Horry County, S.C., the son of the late John C. and Cora Adams Coates. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was formerly employed with Loris Manufacturing.
Final rites will be conducted Thursday, April 3 at 3 p.m. in the Inman Chapel by the Rev. Mark Hughes. Interment will be in Twin City Memorial Gardens, Loris, S.C. Inman Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
He is survived by his wife, Rosa Lee Coates of Loris, S.C.; five daughters: Elizabeth Charping, Patricia Usry and Linda L. Pawlowski, all of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Diane Fisher of Nichols, S.C. and Judith Norton of West Columbia, S.C.; a son: David K. Coates of Green Sea, S.C.; two sisters: Julie Smith of Aynor, S.C. and Velma McClellan of Wampee, S.C.; 17 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Kenneth Wayne Coates Sr.
REUBEN “GIB” STOCKS
Retired farmer
TABOR CITY – Reuben Gibson “Gib” Stocks, 98, died Monday, March 31, 2003 at his home.
He was a native of Columbus County, the son of the late Reuben Joseph and Alice Almar Jenrette Stocks. He was a retired farmer.
Final rites were conducted Thursday, April 3 in the Dulah Baptist Church by the Rev. Ragsdale Allsbrook. Interment was in the Dulah Cemetery, Tabor City. Inman Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn W. Stocks of the home; a son: Darrell Stocks of Tabor City; a daughter: Ann Todd of Hampstead; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Grandsons served as pallbearers.
INEZ V. JACKSON
CHADBOURN – Inez V. Jackson, 82, died Monday, March 31, 2003 at her residence.
Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Peoples Funeral Home.
MARY R. CARTER
Homemaker
RIEGELWOOD – Mary Ruth Carter died Monday, March 31, 2003 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington.
Final rites will be conducted Friday, April 4 at 2 p.m. at Graham Chapel AME Zion Church by Pastor David McDowell. Interment will be in Graham Chapel Cemetery. Smith Funeral Home of Whiteville is handling the arrangements. The body may be viewed one hour prior to the service.
She is survived by her husband, Carlee Carter of the home; two daughters: Carla Carter and Rachel Carter, both of Riegelwood; two sons: Berry Carter of Maryland and Oscar Carter of Riegelwood; six sisters: Alma Lacewell, Shirley Allen, Jackie Carter, Sadie Daniels, Margaret Johnson and Minister Olivia Allen; two brothers: Wilbert Allen and Eddie Allen.
Visitation will be at the home of Carla Carter, 180 Barpit Road, Riegelwood.
LAURENCE RANDOLPH
BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Laurence Randolph, 64, died Friday, May 23, 2003 in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Final rites will be conducted Saturday, May 31 at 11 a.m. at Carver’s Creek AME Zion Church, Council, by the Rev. Charles T. King III. Interment will be in Carver’s Creek Cemetery. Peoples Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
He is survived by his wife, Burmadeen Brown Randolph, formerly of the Carver’s Creek Communty; a son: Laurence Randolph Jr. of Seattle, Wash.; two daughters: June L. Randolph and Lynelle Brown, both of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and his mother: Estelle Randolph of Brooklyn, N.Y.
Friends may visit the family at the home of Rhunetta Brown, 18548 N.C. 87 east, Riegelwood.
DELANO W. BOBBETT
Veteran
BLADENBORO – Delano William Bobbett, 63, formerly of Brooklyn, New York, died Friday, May 23, 2003 in Elizabethtown.
Final rites were conducted Thursday,
May 29 from Spring Hill Missionary Baptist Church by the Rev. Thomas Nelson. Interment was in Brooklyn Memorial Gardens, Bladenboro. Smith Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra Clarida Bobbett; his children: Rashad Singletary, Muhammad Nur and Kenyetta Caffee, all of Brooklyn, N.Y., Loretta B. Aikens of Wilmington, Audrey Bobbett and Richard Singletary, both of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; three step-children: Sarah Clarida, Lazella Clarida and Charles Clarida, all of Whiteville.
KENNETH C. LENNON
CLARKTON – Kenneth Charles Lennon, 48, died Sunday, May 25, 2003 at Columbus County Hospital.
He was a graduate of Clarkton High School, UNC-Pembroke and Southeastern Theological Seminary. He was preceded in death by his father, Swindell Lennon.
Final rites will be conducted Friday, May 30 at 3 p.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church by the Rev. M.L. Boone. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Kinlaw Funeral Home of Elizabethtown is handling the arrangements.
He is survived by his wife, Dr. Susan E. Aycock of the home; three sons: Noah, Jacob and Solomon Lennon of the home; his mother: Beatrice Lennon of Clarkton; and a sister: Faye Lennon of Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bladen County Hospital Foundation Fund, P.O. Box 3098, Elizabethtown, N.C. 28337 or to Mt. Zion Baptist Church Building Fund, 9494 Red Hill Road, Whiteville, N.C. 28472.
ELLEN W. MCGINNIS
Sales, buyer with Belk, church worker
GASTONIA – Ellen Bumgardner Wilson McGinnis, 89, died Sunday, May 25, 2003 at Carillon Assisted Living of Cramer Mountain.
A native of Gastonia, she was the daughter of the late William Audie and Ruth Blackwood Bumgardner. She retired from sales and as a buyer for Matthews Belk. She was an active member of Maylo United Methodist Church where she served as Sunday School teacher, chaplain for the Seniors-In-Action and program chairperson for Trinity Circle. She also had a special interest in missions and served as chairperson of missions. She received a life membership pin and a special recognition pin from the United Methodist Women.
She was the widow of James Seth Wilson and Jake Allen McGinnis Sr. and was also preceded in death by a grandson, Joshua Wallace Flake; son-in-law: Charles O. Allen; brothers: James Bumgardner, Willie Ray Bumgardner and John Bumgardner; and sisters: Edith B. Rogers and Pauline B. Morrow.
Final rites were conducted Wednesday, May 28 at Maylo United Methodist Church by the Rev. Harrison Hinson. Interment will be in Gaston Memorial Park. McLean Funeral Homes handled the arrangements.
She is survived by three daughters and spouses: Frances W. and L.C. Lathan of Gastonia, Patricia W. and Royce Ray of Whiteville and Dr. Susan W. Allen of Denton; grandchildren and spouses: Melanie L. and Jim Farlow, Laurie and Tim Knight, Angie and Buddy Flake, Jay and Beverly Ray, Amy Ray and Adam Schnitzer, Jeremy Allen and Jennifer Allen; nine great-grandchildren; two sisters: Thelma B. Pearson and Ruth B. Yancey, both of Gastonia; step-children and spouses: Jake Allen McGinnis Jr. and Betty of Bamburg, S.C., Janet Forte of Fort Mill, S.C. and the Rev. Eddie McGinnis and Cecilia of Stanley.
Honorary pallbearers were members of The Susanna Wesley Sunday School Class.
Memorials may be made to Maylo United Methodist Church, 1900 Spencer Mountain Road, Ranlo, N.C. 28054.
SARA D. VEREEN
Student
WHITEVILLE – Sara Denise Vereen, 17, died Monday, May 26, 2003 in Columbus County Hospital.
She was a rising senior at Whiteville High School.
Final rites will be conducted Sunday, June 1 at 2 p.m. at Brunswick-Waccamaw Baptist Association Building, Whiteville, by Pastor Howard Blakeney. Peoples Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
She is survived by her parents: Dewey and Hattie Vereen of the home; and two sisters: Anita V. Obiefoka of Seoul, Korea and Angela V. Godwin of Lake Waccamaw.
The body may be viewed at the Association Building one hour prior to the service and will not be viewed after the service.
RICHARD T. COX
CLARKTON – Richard T. Cox, 81, died Sunday, May 25, 2003 in New Hanover Regional Medical Center.
Graveside services will be conducted Thursday, May 29 at 1 p.m. at Clarkton Cemetery by the Rev. Edward Connette. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. at the Clarkton Presbyterian Church. Gaskins Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
He is survived by Florence Cox of Clarkton; two sons: Richard Thomas Cox II of Clarkton and David Cox of Winston-Salem; a daughter: Maria Edwards of Clarkton; and two grandchildren.
