OBITUARIES

May 20, 2023

Thelma Ann Saunders Dickens, 88, of Gaston died on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at her home with her family by her side.

She was the daughter of the late Nimrod Herring Saunders and Eloise Knighton Saunders. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Allen Augustus Dickens their two sons, Steven...

May 13, 2023

Debra "Debbie" (Carter) Edwards was a caring matriarch, mother, wife, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. She left this world peacefully with her loved ones by her side on May 13th, 2023 at the age of 68.

She will be lovingly remembered by her children Charles Edward Davis II (Wendy Davis), Christopher Lee Davis, Gregory Edwards (Lisa...

May 9, 2023

Louise Rightmyer Shipley, 88 of Roanoke Rapids, N.C. passed away on Wednesday May 9th, 2023 surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Halifax County, N.C. she was the daughter of the late Frank Martin Rightmyer, Sr. and Mattie Louise Threewitts Rightmyer. Louise was preceded in death by her husband, Lyman Charles Shipley, Sr.; her brothers, Frank Rightmyer,...

May 5, 2023

Virginia Taylor Stephenson Wilkinson, 98, of Garysburg, NC, passed away on Friday, May 5, 2023.

She was born in 1924 to the late Turner Taylor and Virginia Taylor Stephenson and was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Howard M. Wilkinson, her sister, Mildred Stephenson Edwards, and her brother, Bennett Stephenson.

Virginia was a longtime...

May 3, 2023

Carlton "Carl" Lewis Brantley, II, 53, of Kill Devil Hills, NC died on Tuesday May 2, 2023 at his home.

He was born in Williamston to Sylvia Wynne Brantley and the late Carlton Lewis Brantley. He was also preceded in death by his half-brother, Mark Lewis Brantley.

Carl is survived by his...

May 2, 2023

Melvin Lee Gilliam, 70, of Roanoke Rapids, passed away on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at his home.

He was born in Halifax County on July 13, 1952 to the late Robert Eugene and Nellie Carrol Gilliam and was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Rose Gilliam.

He is survived by his son, Ricky Gilliam...

Apr 30, 2023

Shelby Wheeler Massey, 82 passed away on Sunday, April 30, 2023 at her home surrounded by family.

Shelby was born in Halifax County on July 28, 1940 to Burley and Edna Wheeler and was proceeded in death by her mother, father, one daughter, Carla Ann Massey and her only son, Eugene McCoy Massey Jr., her sister Alean...

Apr 26, 2023

Adrianne Jean Mullis, 70 of Roanoke Rapids, NC passed away at home on April 26, 2023, surrounded by many family members.

She was born on August 20, 1952 to the late Adrian John Williams and Frances Rightmyer Dobbins. Adrianne graduated in 1970 from Roanoke Rapids High School and was a lifelong resident of the city. She retired...

Apr 21, 2023

John Calvin Quarles was a good man. He worked hard for his family and Loved his wife and all six of his children.

He was born in Sandy Level, Virginia on April 11th, 1941 and was raised in Lynchburg, Virginia. He spent his later years living in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina and retired from Georgia-Pacific in Emporia,...

Apr 20, 2023

Kevin Wayne Harris, 47 years old and a former Roanoke Rapids native, passed away on Thursday, April 20th, 2023 at home in Leland, NC.

Kevin was born on July 31st, 1975 in Richmond, Virginia and was preceded in death by his father, Willie Thomas Harris, and his step-father, Randy Lee Taylor.

Kevin loved the outdoors,...

Apr 20, 2023

David Lee Landes, 80, of Roanoke Rapids, NC died on April 20, 2023 in Greenville, NC.  He was born on January 3, 1943 in Indianapolis, IN to Virgil and Mary Spears Landes.  David was preceded in death by his parents and only sibling, Brenda (Steve) Custis.

David married Nancy Montgomery Landes in 1961.  Their daughters are Lisa...

Apr 19, 2023

Kenneth Earl "Hoot" Gibson, 73, of Roanoke Rapids, died peacefully on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, with his family by his side.

He was a native of Halifax County and was the son of the late Raymond Earl Gibson and Carolyn Chambliss Gibson. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Sheila Gibson and his step grandson,...

Apr 13, 2023

Frances Allen Whitby, 81, died Thursday, April 13, 2023 surrounded by her loving family.

A native of Halifax County, she was the daughter of the late Jesse Roberson Allen and Addie Mae Connell Allen. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Linwood Earl Whitby.

She was a graduate of Roanoke...

Apr 2, 2023

Melvin Joseph Doyle, 84, of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, passed away at home on Sunday, April 2, 2023.

Melvin was born on August 3, 1938, to the late Peter and Essie Williams Doyle.

After graduation from Roanoke Rapids High School, he enlisted in the Army for 2 years. Melvin returned to Roanoke Rapids, NC and...

Apr 1, 2023

Virginia "Ginnie" Roper Aylor, 87 of Roanoke Rapids, NC passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2023.

She was born in Oconee, South Carolina on March 20, 1936 to the late Hal William Roper and Hazel Louise Owens Roper and was preceded in death by her husband, Delmar Ross Aylor.

"Ginnie" was a member of Calvary...

Mar 28, 2023

James Reaford Medlin passed away in the late evening of March 28, 2023 at the age of 90 at ECU Health North Hospital in Roanoke Rapids, NC. He was a native of Halifax County, born on January 6, 1933 and grew up farming land and attended Weldon High School. James worked for Western Union Telegraph as a lineman, was...

Mar 21, 2023

Georgia "Peggy" Matthews Howell Beickert, 95 of Margarettsville, NC passed away on Tuesday, March 21, 2023.

She was born in Northampton County on March 14, 1928 to the late George Washington Matthews and Eva Isabell Johnson Matthews and was preceded in death by her first husband, Rufus Butler Howell, Jr., her second husband, Marty Beickert; her sons,...

Mar 5, 2023

Herbert LeRoy Stallings, 84, passed away on March 5, 2023. He was born on October 5, 1938 in Halifax County to the late Lavern and Florine Williams Stallings and was preceded in death by his daughter, Amy Elizabeth Stallings, brother, Edwin Stallings, sister, Lydia Hale, and brother in law, Winfield Thomas "WT" Rose.

Herbert's memory will be...

Feb 20, 2023

Candace Laray Nichols-Driver, 55 of Conway, North Carolina passed away on February 20, 2023.

She was born in Hollywood, Florida on January 26, 1968 to the late William and Maybelle Nichols and was preceded in death by her step-father, Johnny Shingleton, Sr. and her brothers, Clifton Nichols and Norwood Nichols.

Candace is survived by her...

Feb 19, 2023

Sarah Frances Martin, age 70, of Conway, NC passed away on Sunday, February 19, 2023.

She was born in Hertford County, NC to the late Grady Lewis and Virginia Barnes Martin.

Ms. Martin was an avid Duke fan and loved her family and friends as well as her cats.

She is survived by...