deaths and funerals - Wayne-Wilson News Leader, Fremont, NC

Funeral services were held Thursday, December 27 at 7 p.m. from the chapel of Shackleford-Howell Funeral Home in Fremont. The Rev. Wayne Goff officiated. Graveside services were held Friday, December 28 at 2 p.m. at Pikeville Cemetery.

She is survived by her husband, Preston Blackwell; three sons, Melvin Wright and his wife, Kaye, of Goldsboro, John William Wright Jr. and his wife, Linda, of Black Creek, Robin G. Crumpler and his wife, Debbie, of Lucama; seven grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.

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

PAULINE DAVIS

Hattie Pauline Lancaster Davis, 90, of Fremont, died Thursday, December 27 at Clapp's Nursing Home in Asheboro.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, December 29 at 11 a.m. from the chapel of Shackleford-Howell Funeral Home in Fremont. Burial followed at Elmwood Cemetery in Fremont.

Mrs. Davis was born in Wayne County on Oct. 16, 1917, to the late Mack D. Lancaster Sr. and Elma Pate Lancaster. She was a member of Fremont United Methodist Church in Fremont.

She is survived by one daughter, Faye Pritchard and her husband, L.D., of Asheboro; one son, Eddie Davis and his wife, Anne, of Jamestown; three sisters, Evelyn Lancaster of Pikeville, Hilda Peele and her husband, Donald, of Pikeville, Iva West of New Bern; one brother, Mack Lancaster Jr. and his wife, Connie, of Pikeville; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Davis was preceded in death by her husband, Carl E. Davis; and three brothers.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Fremont United Methodist Church, 106 N. Sycamore Road, Fremont, N.C. 27830 and or to a charity of one's choice.

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

CHRISTOPHER DUNPHY

Christopher Martin Dunphy, 31, of Concord, died Sunday, December 30 at Presbyterian Hospital, Charlotte.

The Lakenheath, England native was born April 23, 1976, the son of John and Consuelo "Connie" Dunphy of Pikeville.

Survivors in addition to his parents include a longtime companion and fiancee, Tonya Holland of the home; and a sister, Sharon Denise Dunphy of Raleigh.

Visitation was 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, January 2 at Hartsell Funeral Home in Concord.

Funeral services will be held today (Thursday) at 10 a.m. at Hartsell Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Dollie Davis officiating.

Memorials may be made to the Autism Society of North Carolina, 505 Oberlin Road, Suite 230, Raleigh, N.C. 27606-1345.

HESTER B. GURLEY

Hester Elizabeth Bailey Gurley, 87, of Delmar, Maryland, formerly of Pikeville, died Saturday, December 29.

She was born in Johnston County on July 4, 1920 to the late Cicero Veran Bailey and Hatti Deleona Parrish Bailey.

Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday morning, January 2, at the chapel of Casey Funeral Home in Princeton with Reverend Andy Stoval officiating. Burial followed in the Creech Family Cemetery.

She is survived by her husband, Thomas Raeford Gurley; two sons, Thomas R. Gurley Jr. of West Virginia and Phillip Wayne Gurley of Tennessee; two daughters, Barbara Miller of Maryland and Rita Sue Wing of Georgia; a sister, Estelle Bailey Ciolkosz of Hampton, Virginia; seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

ROBERTA E. HAMILTON

Roberta Evans Hamilton, 64, of Fort Washington, Maryland, formerly of Pikeville, died Sunday, December 23.

She was the daughter of the late Deacon Sam and Mary Lewis Evans.

Arrangements are by Kalas Funeral Home of Oxon Hill, Md.

RALPH E. LOFTIN

Ralph E. Loftin, 65, of Fremont, died Sunday, December 23 at home.

Ralph was born on November 30, 1942 to the late Ananis and Eliza Virginia Forte Loftin. He attended and graduated from Norwayne High School in 1960, and attended and graduated from Wayne Community College with an associate degree in accounting. He joined the U.S. Army and received an honorable discharge. Ralph was one of the founders of the Norwayne Alumni and Friends, Inc. and a lifetime member.

Funeral services were conducted on Saturday, December 29 at 11 a.m. from the Saint Mark Church of Christ, Faro Community, 893 Lanetown Road, Stantonsburg, with Dr. Robert D. Hood officiating. Burial followed the service at the Coley Cemetery, Pikeville.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 34 years, Lillie Uzzell Loftin; six daughters, Linda and Teresa Loftin of Atlantic City, N.J., Eluonda Shanks of Pleasantville, N.J.; Regina Jones and Tonya Artis of Goldsboro, Bridget Uzzell Royster of Raleigh; two sons, Anthony Eugene Loftin of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Ronnie Blount of Atlantic, N.J.; a host of other relatives and friends.

Cards, love-grams and condolences may be faxed to Hamilton Funeral Chapel at 919-735-4725 or e-mailed to hamiltonfc@bellsouth.net. Flowers and other gifts may be sent to Hamilton Funeral Chapel, 423 S. James St., Goldsboro, N.C.

BRENDA R. MERVIN

Minister Brenda R. Mervin, 49, of Goldsboro, died Wednesday, December 26 at Wayne Memorial Hospital.

The homegoing celebration was held Monday, December 31 at 11 a.m. at the Bear Creek Missionary Baptist Headquarters. Dr. Patrick L. Wooden of the Upper Room Church of God In Christ, Raleigh, officiated. Burial followed the repast in the Rhodes Cemetery, Mount Olive.

She was preceded in death by her father, Rosell Robinson Sr.; and siblings, Mary Taylor and Denise Robinson.

She is survived by a son, Jamaal Mervin of Greensboro; mother, Luevonia Broadhurst Robinson of Goldsboro; sisters, Priscilla Best, Carolyn Cox, and Chris Johnson, all of Goldsboro, and Gloristeen Isler of Dudley; brothers, Rosell Robinson Jr. of Tacoma, Wash., Jackie Robinson of Phillipsburg, N.J., Donald Robinson of Pikeville, Lynwood Robinson of Mount Olive, Michael Robinson of Greensboro, and James Robinson of Charlotte.

BONNIE FAY SASSER

Bonnie Fay Sasser, 63, of Belfast, died Saturday, December 29 at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Goldsboro.

Miss Sasser was born in Wayne County on January 11, 1944, to the late Preston David and Lena Sasser. Bonnie was a member of The First Baptist Church of Pikeville, where she was the church pianist and organist.

Funeral services were held Monday, December 31 at 3 p.m. at The First Baptist Church of Pikeville. The Rev. Jimmy Millard officiated. Interment followed at Pike Cemetery.

The family is being served by Shackleford-Howell Funeral Home, 102 N. Pine St. in Fremont, where condolences may be posted at www.shackleford-howell.com.

OSCAR STRICKLAND

Oscar Gordon Strickland, 77, of Pikeville, died Saturday, December 29 at Wayne Memorial Hospital.

A native of Wayne County, he was the son of the late Oscar and Mildred Ellis Strickland and the widower of Judy McCandless Strickland.

Gordon graduated from New Hope High School and was a lifetime employee of W.P. Rose Supply Co. and part owner of the original W.P. Rose Supply Co. He was a member of St. Joseph United Methodist Church and was a volunteer with Meals on Wheels and the Charles B. Aycock Birthplace.

Services by the graveside were held Monday morning, December 31, at Pikeville Cemetery, with the Rev. William Creech officiating.

Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Wendell Gordon and Laura Strickland of Bartlett, Tenn.; and one granddaughter, Sabrina Strickland of Tenn. He is also survived by sisters and brothers-in-law, Katie S. Harrelson of Sneads Ferry, Marjorie S. Britt and Faye S. and Bill Franklin of Saulston and Joan S. and Dick Jones of Roanoke, Va.; one brother, Merrill Strickland and wife, Dorothy of Saulston; and sisters-in-law, Bonnie and Earline Strickland of Saulston.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Sabrina Strickland; stepson, Richard Hinnant; and two brothers, Melvin and Ray Strickland.

The family requests memorials be made to St. Joseph United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 43, Pikeville, N.C. 27863.

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Issue of 3 January 2008

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