Obituaries

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...

Clifton Earl Williams, Jr.

Clifton Earl Williams, Jr.

Sep 15, 2025

Mayor Clifton Earl Williams Jr, 70, of Aurora, passed away on September 15, leaving behind a legacy of devoted public service and heartfelt commitment to his community.

Born on December 19, 1954, in Little Washington, Clif grew up with strong values of hard work, integrity, and service to others. After studying at Chowan University, he joined Aurora Industrial Supply, the family...

Jules Hugo Woodard

Jules Hugo Woodard

Sep 15, 2025

Jules “Jay” Hugo Woodard, 76, of Grantsboro, passed away on September 15, 2025, at CarolinaEast Medical Center.

He graduated from Pamlico County High School in 1967. Jay was a man who lived life on his own terms and carried himself with great confidence. He was a lifelong hunter and fisherman who found joy and peace in the outdoors. He was also...

Raymond Howard Nickla

Raymond Howard Nickla

Sep 13, 2025

Raymond Howard Nickla, 83, of Oriental, NC passed away Saturday, September 13, 2025, at CarolinaEast Medical Center.

Mr. Nickla will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Garvin Charles Wells, Jr.

Garvin Charles Wells, Jr.

Sep 12, 2025

Garvin Wells, Jr., a devoted father, husband, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully at his home in New Bern, North Carolina, on Friday, September 12, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 71.

Born on June 28, 1954, in Hyde Park, New York, Garvin grew up with a deep love for the outdoors and an enduring passion for...

Richard Payne Willis

Richard Payne Willis

Sep 10, 2025

Richard Payne Willis, 78 of Grantsboro passed away September 10, 2025. He was born on October 1, 1946, in Morehead City, to the late Ned and Estelle Willis.

A veteran of the United States Army, Richard served his country with honor and was proud of his service before being honorably discharged.

He is survived by his first wife and mother of his...

William Michael Gates

William Michael Gates

Sep 10, 2025

William “Bill” Michael Gates, 77, of Oriental, passed away Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at home.

Bill was a faithful member of Oriental First Baptist Church. He lived a full and active life, enjoying boating, fishing, riding motorcycles, and cooking. He had a special talent for baking bread, which he loved to share with family and friends. A graduate of the University...

Roland Johnny Ward

Roland Johnny Ward

Sep 9, 2025

Roland Johnny Ward Jr., 76, of Oriental, NC, passed away at home on September 9, 2025, surrounded by his family.

Born on November 15, 1948, in Charleston, S.C. to Roland Ward Sr. and Norine D. Ward, Johnny went to work at an early age to help his mother provide for his six younger siblings. He became the man of the house...

Debra Jo Thomas

Debra Jo Thomas

Sep 9, 2025

Debra Jo Thomas, 67, of Lowland, passed away September 9, 2025, at Grantsbrook Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

Debra was a devoted and loving mother who faced life’s challenges with strength and grace. She raised her children on her own, doing everything within her power to provide for them and surround them with love. Over the past year at Grantsbrook, she became...

Racinda Mary Snyder Whitworth

Racinda Mary Snyder Whitworth

Sep 7, 2025

Racinda Mary Snyder Whitworth was born August 20, 1963 in Akron, OH to the late Geneva Jarvis McKee of WV and late James Preston Snyder of OH. She was the youngest of four children to Geneva. She is survived by her siblings, Pamela Yeager of Plainview, David Harold of Missouri, and Charlene Ross of Carlinville, as well as many nieces...

Debra "Debbie" Lynn Watson

Debra "Debbie" Lynn Watson

Sep 7, 2025

Debbie Watson, 66, of Reelsboro passed away on September 7, 2025 peacefully at home surrounded by her family.

Debbie was married to her loving husband for 46 beautiful years. Their marriage was a true testament to unconditional love, commitment, and companionship. Known as Grammy to those she loved the most, Debbie cherished every moment with her family. Throughout her life she...

Vicky Scott Rogers

Vicky Scott Rogers

Sep 5, 2025

Vicky Scott Rogers, 63, of Grantsboro passed away at PAM Hospital in Rocky Mount on Friday, September 5, 2025.

Vicky was a devoted wife, sister, and friend whose life was filled with love and kindness. As long as her health allowed, she attended Silver Hill Christian Church, where her spirit of compassion and gentle heart touched those around her.

For 32 years,...

Henry "Hank" William Spieler

Henry "Hank" William Spieler

Sep 4, 2025

Henry William Spieler, 78, of Arapahoe, passed away on September 4, 2025, at CarolinaEast Medical Center.

Hank was a member of Bayboro Missionary Baptist Church. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force. He retired from the Department of Defense as well as the Air Force, after many years of dedicated service.

Hank’s greatest joy in life was his family....

Lisa Ann Fleming Lachman

Lisa Ann Fleming Lachman

Sep 3, 2025

Lisa Ann Lachman (nee Fleming)

January 31, 1962 – September 3, 2025

Lisa was born in Fleming, Kentucky to Fred and Georgia Fleming. She was raised in Lorain, Ohio. Lisa graduated from Clearview High School and went on to achieve a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Akron. She worked for two years at Lorain Community Hospital. Lisa...

Mary Alice Spain

Mary Alice Spain

Sep 1, 2025

Mary Alice Spain, 93, of Palm Bay, Florida passed away Monday, September 1, 2025, at Orlando Health. She was born on August 22, 1931, in Hobucken, NC where she was also raised and lived her life with deep love for her family and her community.

A devoted and God-fearing woman, Mary dedicated her life to raising her children and serving the...

Michelle McKee Fodrey

Michelle McKee Fodrey

Aug 26, 2025

Michelle McKee Fodrey, 71, of Oriental, passed away Tuesday, August 26, 2025, with her daughters by her side.

Michelle was born in Selma, Alabama, November 17, 1953, the daughter of the late Herman and Winona McKee. In her early twenties, she moved to Oriental, where she fell in love with the beauty of the Neuse River and the charm of small-town...

Randy Loyd Simpson

Randy Loyd Simpson

Aug 26, 2025

Randy Loyd Simpson, 71, of Grantsboro passed away on August 26, 2025, at CarolinaEast Medical Center.

Randy attended Word Fellowship Church, where he loved the Lord and found joy in worship and fellowship. A devoted father and grandfather, nothing brought him more happiness than spending time with his children and grandchildren. His family was truly the center of his world, and...

William Harry Baker

William Harry Baker

Aug 25, 2025

William Harry Baker, 94, of Grantsboro, passed away surrounded by the love of his family. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, Harry lived a life of faith, service, and music that touched countless lives.

Harry faithfully attended church his entire life and was a member of Rock of Zion Original Free Will Baptist Church for the past 35 years....

Lois "Suzy" Suzanne McCormack

Lois "Suzy" Suzanne McCormack

Aug 22, 2025

McCormack, Suzy (Lois Suzanne), nee Benson (62) of Aurora, North Carolina, passed away on Friday August 22, 2025 at CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern NC, from complications of recent health issues. Suzy was born August 28, 1962 in Roanoke VA. Suzy graduated from Christiansburg High School, Christiansburg VA in 1980 as an honor student and recognized by the National...