Obituaries

Bobby Blair Lewis, Sr.

Bobby Blair Lewis, Sr.

Nov 12, 2025

Bobby Blair Lewis, 88, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend passed away on November 12, 2025. Bobby was born on June 29, 1937 in Lowland, NC, the son of Charlie and Celia Lewis. In 1959 he married his sweetheart Brenda Watson, raised four children, and together they spent the next sixty years at their home in Lowland.Bobby spent his working...

Mildred "Duckie" Lupton Carawan

Mildred "Duckie" Lupton Carawan

Nov 10, 2025

Mildred "Duckie" Lupton Carawan went peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior on November 10, 2025.

She is survived by her son, Shawn Carawan; daughter-in-law, Tamara; and three grandsons, Ethan, Luke and Levi, whom she loved very much.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George F. Carawan; parents, William and Guyneth Lupton; sisters Marlene Baker and Madoline Bennett; and...

Bette German Smith

Bette German Smith

Nov 6, 2025

In loving memory of Bette German Smith, born September 11th, 1933, and passed away at the home of her daughter in Oriental, North Carolina, November 6th, 2025, at 92 years of age from natural causes while on hospice care. She was born in New Windsor, New York to Theodore German and Robena MacArthur and was the youngest of three children....

Wanda Kay Barker Buck

Wanda Kay Barker Buck

Nov 6, 2025

Wanda Kay Barker Buck, 70, of Grantsboro, passed away at her home on Thursday, November 6, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

A devoted member of Reelsboro Pentecostal Holiness Church, Wanda’s faith was evident in all that she did. She was instrumental in initiating and leading the Rainbows youth group at the church that she nurtured with love, creativity, and devotion....

Roy James Wetherington

Roy James Wetherington

Nov 5, 2025

Roy James Wetherington, 80, of New Bern, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, November 5th.

He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and uncle, as well as a great friend to so many that loved him dearly. Roy James was born in New Bern, NC on September 16, 1945, and lived in the Clarks...

Sylvia Lee Norman

Sylvia Lee Norman

Nov 4, 2025

Sylvia Lee Boyd Norman, 87, of Oriental, went home to be with her Lord on Tuesday, November 4th.

She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother as well as a great friend to so many that loved her dearly. Sylvia was born in Arapahoe, NC on November 3, 1938, to Sultan and Ruby Boyd. During her High...

George Dixon Baxter Jr.

George Dixon Baxter Jr.

Nov 4, 2025

George Dixon Baxter, Jr., 64, of Oriental passed away on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the Gardens of Pamlico.

George was a man who loved life’s simple joys – spending time with his family, casting a line while fishing, collecting coins and comic books, and enjoying a good round of golf. He was a member of Bayboro Baptist Church and a...

Mark Frank Zettl

Mark Frank Zettl

Nov 1, 2025

Mark Frank Zettl, 65, of Vandemere, passed away Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Duke University Hospital.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Elisabeth Zettl and his wife, Deborah Zettl.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his children, Jessica Finn (Steven) and Crystal Petersen (Erik); sister, Elise Zettl; and grandchildren, Mikayla and Mackenzie Finn and Maverick Petersen.

Lynn Paige Lilly

Lynn Paige Lilly

Oct 27, 2025

Lynn Paige Ewing Lilly, 59, of Reelsboro, NC, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family on October 27, 2025.

Lynn was a fun-loving and free-spirited soul who lived life on her own terms. Strong-willed and unapologetically herself, she had a way of letting you know exactly where you stood with her – and those who truly knew her loved...

Willard David Varley Jr.

Willard David Varley Jr.

Oct 26, 2025

Willard David Varley, Jr. 78, of Merritt passed away Sunday, October 26, 2025, at home surrounded by his family.

David’s life was defined by a sense of duty, honor, and service. Born March 4, 1947, in Sewickley, PA, he served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War after graduating high school.

A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, he enjoyed...

Paul Caraway Brady

Paul Caraway Brady

Oct 26, 2025

Paul Caraway Brady, 96, of Pamlico, NC died peacefully on October 26, 2025, at his home on Broad Creek with his family by his side.

Paul was the son of John and Susan Brady and grew up in the small town of Pamlico. At that time, Pamlico was a bustling town that supported two stores, had two saw mills, and most...

Barbara Alice Phillips Cahoon

Barbara Alice Phillips Cahoon

Oct 23, 2025

Barbara Alice Phillips Cahoon, 82, of Kinston, NC, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, October 23, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Barbara was born to the late, Clarence “Jack” Phillips Sr. and Vera Pearl Potter. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend whose kindness and gentle spirit touched the lives of many.

She is survived...

Kathy Renee Nichols Swift

Kathy Renee Nichols Swift

Oct 19, 2025

Kathy Renee Nichols Swift, 55, of Reelsboro, passed away Sunday, October 19, 2025, at CarolinaEast Medical Center, after a long battle with medical problems.

Kathy attended Grantsboro Church of God, where she found great joy in serving others. She loved helping to plan church events, especially those involving the children, and was always willing to lend a hand wherever she was...

Anita Fusari Willis

Anita Fusari Willis

Oct 13, 2025

Anita Fusari Willis, 82, of Grantsboro, passed away Monday, October 13, 2025, at CarolinaEast Medical Center.

A resident of the Goose Creek community, Anita was a faithful member of Goose Creek Pentecostal Holiness Church, where she loved worshiping with her church family. She retired from Grantsbrook Nursing & Rehabilitation Center after 18 years of dedicated service.

Anita found great joy in tending...

James Rudolph Wood Sr.

James Rudolph Wood Sr.

Oct 7, 2025

James Rudolph Wood, Sr., 79, of Matthews Rd., Bayboro passed away Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at home.

Raised in the Asbury/Cove City area, Rudolph was a member of Asbury Methodist Church. He was well known in the community as the owner and operator of Wood’s Grocery in Spring Garden, where he worked faithfully until his retirement. After many years of hard...

Barbara Kramer Strobl

Barbara Kramer Strobl

Oct 5, 2025

Barbara Kramer Strobl, 78, of Arapahoe, passed away on October 5, 2025, at CarolinaEast Medical Center.

Barbara’s life was defined by love, kindness, and thoughtfulness. A devoted dog mom, her home was always a safe haven for countless rescue dogs who found comfort and care in her gentle presence. She had a remarkable gift for remembering the important moments in the...

Ronald Rudolph Brunnen

Ronald Rudolph Brunnen

Sep 29, 2025

Ronald Brunnen passed away at home after a short illness on September 29, 2025, with his wife, daughter, and son-in-law by his side. He was 93 years old.

Born May 2, 1932, on Long Island, New York, he served with the Army in Korea.

He married his high school sweetheart, Edna, and followed in his Dad's footsteps into the second-generation carpentry business.

A...

Kathleen Anne Fives Wilkinson

Kathleen Anne Fives Wilkinson

Sep 27, 2025

Kathleen Anne Fives Wilkinson, 76, of Merritt, NC, passed away peacefully surrounded by love on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at CarolinaEast Medical Center. She was born in Mount Vernon, New York, to the late Lieutenant Colonel William Fives and Harriett Wilson Fives, and was raised in the Roman Catholic faith.

Kathleen lived a full and purposeful life dedicated to education, family,...

Janice Marie Nobles Smith

Janice Marie Nobles Smith

Sep 20, 2025

Janice Nobles Smith, 63, of Grantsboro passed away Saturday, September 20, 2025, at CarolinaEast Medical Center.

Janice loved spending time with her family and her greatest joy in life was her children and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ruby “Marie” Nobles and James Nobles, as well as by her daughter, Amber Golden.

Those left behind to cherish her memory...

Freddie Rudolph Lewis, Sr.

Freddie Rudolph Lewis, Sr.

Sep 18, 2025

Freddie Rudolph Lewis, Sr., 88, of Hobucken, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, September 18, 2025, surrounded by his loving wife and son.

Born and raised in Hobucken, Feddie proudly served his country in the United States Coast Guard, where he dedicated 22 years before retiring. After returning home, he became a true jack-of-all-trades, willing to take on any...