Obituaries

Jan 19, 2021

Martha M. Heffelfinger, 87, of Sterling, Illinois passed away on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at her home.

Martha was born on May 4, 1933 in New Bern, NC, the daughter of Mayhugh and Hollon (Caton) Scott. Martha loved plants, and with her “green thumb”, she could grow anything. She also enjoyed crafting, crocheting, and cooking. Martha never...

Jan 19, 2021

Laron Norris Johnson, 79, of Merritt passed away Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at home.

He is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran; and retired from U.S. Civil Service Cherry Point after 30+ years.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Chester Johnson of Louisville, KY and Len “Inky” Johnson of Morgantown, KY.

He...

Jan 17, 2021

Edward Lee Cowell, 65, of Stonewall, passed away Sunday, January 17, 2021, at home.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Holland Cowell.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Lupton Cowell; stepson, Tommy Rice; brothers, Nathan (Raye) Cowell and Dewitt (Judy) Cowell; sisters, Nora (Herbert) Willis and Callaree Hoffman; sister-in-law, Susan Van Wycke;...

Jan 16, 2021

Richard A. Pakkala of Arapahoe, NC passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at age 80. Known affectionately as “Dick” to his friends, “Coach” to his students, and “Papa Dickie” to his grandchildren – he passed after a 17 year battle with inclusion body myositis.

Born June 18, 1940, Dick was preceded in death by his...

Jan 15, 2021

Ramona Ireland Willis, 88, of Grantsboro passed away Friday, January 15, 2021, at home.

She was a member of Wardens Grove FWB Church and attended Amity Christian Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, George P. Willis; her parents, Freeman & Catherine Iola Ireland; sister, Iola Ireland Leary; and brothers,...

Jan 14, 2021

David William Rea, 64, of Arapahoe, moved to heaven peacefully at home surrounded by family on January 14, 2021.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Angela Brinson Rea, two loving daughters, Laura Rea Doxey and Rebecca Rea Myers, and two sons-in-law, Ryan Doxey and Taylor Myers, loved by David as sons.  His precious grandchildren...

Jan 6, 2021

Ralph Benton Jr., 82, of Grantsboro, passed away Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at home.

Ralph played college baseball as a pitcher. He taught school in Pamlico County and was also coach. After retirement he worked as a commercial fisherman. He loved playing golf and was a true people person that always had a smile and a carefree/easygoing...

Dec 29, 2020

Gregory Robert Paul, 43, of Alliance passed away Tuesday, December 29, 2020, at home.

He was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Rev. Garland R. and Thelma Walker and paternal grandparents, Dudley A. and Phoebe Paul.

He is survived by his parents, Dudley A. Paul Jr. and Bonnie Paul; sons, Hunter Blake Paul and Bentley...

Dec 22, 2020

Richard “Dick” Dale Lilley, formerly of Hartville and Randolph, Ohio, passed away at his home in Oriental, NC Tuesday, December 22, 2020.

Dick was the beloved husband of Beatrice Joan Vlasak Lilley and father of Thomas Eli Lilley and Andrea Jean Lilley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis Ethel Meurman, Dale Eli...

Dec 22, 2020

New Bern- Cordelia Smithwick Willis “Dee”, 76, of New Bern went home to be with her Lord on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 after a long courageous battle with Pancreatic Cancer.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She enjoyed spending time with friends and family. She also loved shopping, gardening and learning about others....

Dec 21, 2020

Martha Jeanette Gregory Miske, 87, of Pamlico passed away Dec. 21, 2020 at Carolina East Medical Center. She was born Oct. 28, 1933.

Jeanette was preceded in death by her mother, Ida Woodard Gregory; father, Julian Gregory; brother, Louis Gregory; and nephew, Eugene Secord.

She is survived by her sister, Aileen Gregory Nuth; brother, Russel...

Dec 19, 2020

JERRY THEODORE BROTHERS, SR.

February 1, 1940 – December 19, 2020

Greenville, NC

Jerry Theodore (Tommy) Brothers was born February 1, 1940, in Aurora, NC, to Sarah Edna Mayo and Harvey Atlee Brothers, Sr.

Jerry/Tommy joined the United States Air Force (USAF) immediately after graduating from Aurora High School. He earned...

Dec 18, 2020

Clara Smith Boyd Welch, 90, of Grantsboro passed away Friday, December 18, 2020, at home.

She is a member of Faith FWB Church.

She is survived by sons, Dwayne Boyd and wife, Beth, and Donald Boyd and wife, Laurie; four grandchildren, Amanda Griffin, Jeremy, Nathan and Samuel Boyd; and five great grandchildren.

Her...

Dec 17, 2020

Martha Gray Moore Meskauskas Nov 7, 1944 - Dec 17, 2020

Martha Moore Meskauskas of Oriental, NC passed away Thursday December 17. 2020. She was the wife of John A. Meskauskas with whom she shared 33 years of marriage.

Born in Hagerstown, Maryland, she was the second daughter to the late Marguerite Van Buren Albert...

Dec 12, 2020

Charlie Gordon Cummings, 95, resident of Bayboro, passed away on Sunday, December 12, 2021, at Grantsbrook Nursing and Rehab Center. He was born on August 2, 1926 in Roanoke, Alabama to Wiley and Annie Cummings. He was a member of Stonewall United Methodist Church.

He served as a Seaman 1 st Class in the Navy enlisting in...

Dec 7, 2020

Grady M. O’Neal, age 93, longtime resident of Oriental, NC, died on December 7, 2020 at the Crystal Coast Hospice House in Newport, NC.

A private Graveside Service will be held in Hickory, NC. A public Memorial Service will be held at a later date in Oriental.

Grady Max O’Neal was born July 14, 1927,...

Dec 6, 2020

Melinda Sue Rains, 48, resident of Craven County passed away in the early morning hours on Sunday, December 6, 2020 after a long and hard battle with congestive heart failure.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date by her close friends and family. Melinda was born on May 17, 1972 in Beaufort South...

Dec 5, 2020

James Earl Cavanaugh

November 12, 1932 – December 5, 2020

James Earl Cavanaugh, 88, formerly of Hobucken, NC, passed away on Saturday, December 5, 2020, at Grantsbrook Nursing Home after contracting COVID-19 in November.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Effie Sadler, and his brother, Lennis Cavanaugh.

He is...

Dec 4, 2020

Letha Wells Forrest formerly of Vandemere, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2020 at Carolina East Medical Center. Letha was born in Wallace, NC, and lived much of her adult life in New Bern. Letha earned her RN Nursing Degree from Rex Hospital School of Nursing in Raleigh, where she met John Watts. They later married and settled in...

Nov 30, 2020

Peggy Jo Taylor Dunn, 78, of Bridgeton, passed away peacefully, Monday, November 30, 2020, at home.

She is a member of Faith FWB Church. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She was preceded in death by a great grandson, Zayn Ayala.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years,...