Obituaries

Feb 7, 2021

Roy Hughes Buck, Jr., 65, of Grantsboro passed away Sunday, February 7, 2021, at CarolinaEast Medical Center.

He is a member of Reelsboro Pentecostal Holiness Church. He retired from PCS Phosphate after 42 years of service. Roy Jr. combined his love of food with his love of travel and would center their family trips around places to...

Feb 4, 2021

Peggy Marie Roberts Lee, 73, of Arapahoe passed away peacefully Thursday, February 4, 2021, at home surrounded by her husband and children. She is a member of New Bern Church of God as well as being an active member of Arapahoe AFWBC Church where she served many roles to include church pianist and organist. She was preceded in death...

Feb 1, 2021

William Thomas (Bill) Cullipher passed away peacefully in his sleep on February  1st , 2021, at home surrounded by his loving family.

Bill was a veteran of the Korean War, was active in community organizations , including The Ruritan Club,  Boy & Cub Scouts, Masons, school PTA’s, Coast Guard Auxiliary  and his church, where he was an...

Jan 28, 2021

William Donald Eastwood, age 74, of New Bern, NC died at his home on January 28, 2021.

He is survived by his wife, Pamela R. Eastwood; his sister Mary Ellen Babcock, of Alexandria, VA; niece Vickie O’Toole, of Woodbridge, VA; nephew, Phillip H. Babcock, of Alexandria, VA; and great niece, Kelly O’Toole, of Englewood, CO. Donald was...

Jan 27, 2021

Charlie Harrison Cooke, 84, of Virginia Beach, Va. passed away Wednesday, January 27, 2021.

He is a member of Lynnhaven United Methodist Church and a veteran of the U.S. Navy.  He was a Full Professor at Old Dominion University for 40 years. He enjoyed the outdoors, specifically the mountains, and was an avid tennis player. He also...

Jan 26, 2021

Brenda Sue Barnette Van Winkle, 74, of New Bern passed away Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at home.

She is a member of Spring Hope FWB Church. She loved being outside and working with her flowers.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Vance and Phoebe Barnette and brothers, Jack and Roy Barnette.

...

Jan 25, 2021

Larry Earl Smith, 69, of Aurora, passed away Monday, January 25, 2021, at Carolina East Medical Center.

A man of Godly character, he was a member of Meeting Place Church where he served as a senior council member. He retired from PCS Phosphate after 38 years of service. He more recently owned and operated Larry Smith Stump...

Jan 23, 2021

Annie Eleanor Thompson Girton, 93, of Grantsboro passed away Saturday, January 23, 2021, at Grantsbrook Nursing & Rehab.

She was preceded in death by husbands, Edgar E. Phillips Jr. and Kenneth Allen Girton; parents, James and Annie Thompson; sons, Patrick, William “Bill” H. and Reuben N. Phillips; brothers, James H. Thompson Jr. and William H. Thompson; daughter-in-law,...

Jan 22, 2021

Keith Martens, 1964-2021

Keith Martens, 56, left this earthly shore for more peaceful and plentiful waters on January 22, 2021.

Born in New Haven, CT, to Maryellen Quinlan Martens and Harry Charles Martens, Keith graduated from Lee Summit High School, Lee Summit, MO, where he was a member of the wrestling team. He...

Jan 21, 2021

Velma Jean Lee, 50, of Grantsboro passed away Thursday, January 21, 2021, at Carolina East Medical Center.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Douglas & Bettie Lee.

She is survived by her husband, Albert E. “Buddy” Martin, Jr.; sons, Dougie Sodoma & wife, Carley, and John Sodoma; sisters, Anita Pipkin and Sissy Lee...

Jan 20, 2021

Charles Douglas Haley, Jr. (Chuck) of Pamlico County, died on Wednesday, January 20 th at Carolina East Medical Center after a brief illness.

Chuck was born September 19, 1943 in Durham, NC to the late, Charles Douglas and Lucille Burnette Haley. He was also predeceased by his sister, Judy.

Chuck was educated at Riverside Academy,...

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...