deaths and funerals

Funeral services were held Wednesday, November 7 at 7 p.m. in the chapel of Shackleford-Howell Funeral Home in Fremont. The Rev. DeWayne Eakes officiated. A graveside service will be held today (Thursday) at 10 a.m. at Aycock Family Cemetery in Fremont.

Mrs. Elmore was born in Wayne County on June 16, 1911, to the late Simon and Jennie Aycock. She was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

She is survived by one son, Dwain "Buster" Elmore and his wife, Rebecca, of Lucama; two daughters, Georgia Gardner and her husband, Homer, of Wilson and Brenda Blalock and her husband, Jimmy, of Lucama; one brother, Roy Aycock of Fremont; two sisters, Rachel Mooring of Fremont and Geneva Jones of Pikeville; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, George Elmore, and parents, Mrs. Elmore was preceded in death by three brothers; two sisters; and two brothers-in-law, Ray Mooring and Milton Jones.

Condolences may be posted at www.shackleford-howell.com.

L. WAYNE GURLEY

L. Wayne Gurley, 59, of Goldsboro, died Monday, November 5 at his home.

Born August 1, 1948 in Wayne County, Mr. Gurley was a son of Victoria Lynch Gurley and the late Eugene Gurley. He was a driver with Pope Transport.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, November 7 at Free Chapel Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church, with the Revs. Kelvin Gurley and Mike Williams officiating. Burial followed in the Overbee family cemetery.

Surviving in addition to his mother are his wife of 25 years, Charlene Howell Gurley; a son, the Rev. Kelvin Wayne Gurley of Grantham; a daughter, Katrina Kornegay of Rosewood; three sisters, Peggy Warrick of Fremont, Shirley Burgette of La Grange, and Faye Jackson of Goldsboro; two brothers, Ray Gurley of Princeton and Eugene Gurley Jr. of Dudley; and five grandchildren.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, Relay For Life, in care of Sharon Howell, 3122 N.C. 111 North, Goldsboro, NC 27534.

ELVA L. HALFACRE

Elva Lancaster Halfacre, 89, of Pikeville, died Thursday morning, November 1, at the Brian Center.

Elva was born in Wayne County on June 21, 1918 to the late Deems Addie Lancaster and Effie Senora Smith Lancaster. She was a member of Oak Forest Church of Christ. Elva was preceded in death by her husband, James Q. Halfacre; her brothers, Sidney, Lemley, Wyatt, Arnold, Norman and Wilbert Lancaster; and her sisters, Gertrude L. Dees and Lois L. Fetterley.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Inez Lancaster of Goldsboro; numerous nieces, nephews and many special friends.

Graveside services were held Sunday, November 4 at 3 p.m. at Wayne Memorial Park. Pastor Robert Goff officiated.

Arrangements are with Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service.

CHARLIE B. JONES

Charlie Bee Jones, 73, of Quartz Hill, California, died October 25.

Charlie was born March 24, 1934, in Wayne County to the late Mark and Pearl Pearsall Jones. He graduated from Nahunta High School in Wayne County in 1952 and attended N.C. State University. He served his country for five years with the U.S. Army. He was an electrical engineer with Lockheed Martin and lived in Germany for 17 years. His career also carried him to Canada, England, Thailand and Greenland.

Funeral services were scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 6 at Howard Carter Funeral Home, with the Rev. Rick Vernon officiating. Burial followed the service at Pinelawn Memorial Park.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Edward K. Jones.
Survivors include his wife, Matilde M. Jones, of the home; daughter, Christine Jones of California; sons, Mark Jones and Greg Jones, both of California; grandson, Jessie Jones of California; and sister, Rosella Jones Wetherington of Kinston.

Arrangements by Howard Carter Funeral Home.

Azile Thomas Sites

Azile Thomas Sites, age 83, of Pikeville and formerly of Raleigh passed on to live with her Heavenly Father on November 3, 2007. The daughter of the late John Ray and Leone Watson Thomas. Azile was born on November 27, 1923. She was preceded in death by a brother Mac Thomas.

Azile showed her love for her family by assuring that they were always well cared for, and lacking for nothing. She always had delicious, home-cooked meals and desserts prepared to perfection. She delighted in cooking vegetables from the garden, going shopping, decorating for the Christmas season, watching the birds in her backyard, and especially spending time with her husband, family, and friends.

She was a charter member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church and a charter member of North Raleigh United Methodist Church in Raleigh, N.C. and attended St. Joseph United Methodist Church in Pikeville, N.C.

Azile is survived by her husband, Noah with whom she shared 62 precious years of marriage. She is also survived a son Mike Sites and his wife Barbara, a daughter Peggy VanDevender and her husband Danny, two granddaughters, Devon Johnson and her husband Matt, and Katie Sites. Also surviving are her brothers John William Thomas and wife Delma, Joe Thomas and wife Barbara, Jack Thomas and wife Grace.

Visitation was held at St. Joseph United Methodist Church in Pikeville, NC on Wednesday November 7, 2007 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.

A memorial service will be held at North Raleigh UMC on Friday November 9th at 6:00 pm. Reverend David Clift and Reverend Bill Creech will officiate.

The family request that memorial donations be made to North Raleigh United Methodist Church, 8501 Honeycutt Road Raleigh, NC 27615, or St Joseph UMC PO Box 43 Pikeville, N.C. 27863.

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