Melissa S. Savage

AHOSKIE n Melissa S. Savage, 28, a native of Hertford County, died February 10, 2005 at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Ahoskie.

A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church by Pastor Larry Nichols. Burial will be in Nichols cemetery. Hunter's Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie, is in charge.

Miss Savage was a teacher assistant at Better Child Care. She was a member of Faith Temple.

Survivors include her parents, Melinda Savage and William Savage, both of Colerain; two brothers, Derrick Savage and William Savage Jr., both of Colerain; two sisters, Jessica Savage of Colerain and Katrina Savage of Winton; and her maternal grandmother, Hattie Nichols.

Velma Wiggins

AULANDER n Velma Jones Cherry Wiggins, 61, a native of Bertie County, died February 11, 2005 at Bertie Memorial Hospital.

A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Luella Baptist Church, Kelford by the Rev. Vernon Lassiter. Burial will be in Mt. Herman Baptist Church Cemetery, Aulander. Wilder's Funeral Home, Inc., Aulander, is in charge.

Mrs. Wiggins was a school bus driver. She was a member of Luella Baptist Church, Aulander.

Survivors include daughters, Shirley Holloman of Aulander, Theresa Williams of Roxobel and Jacqueline Dickens of Aulander; a son, Randy Cherry of Fayetteville; sisters, Katie Cherry of Aulander, Zoe Freeman of Aulander, Chavuletta Sexton and Gail Jones, both of Aulander; brothers, Donald Jones of Aulander, Oscar Jones of Aulander, Curly Jones of Petersburg, Va., William "Jimmy Jones of Gatesville, Franklin Jones of Aulander, Delno Jones of Kelford and Anthony Jones of Pennsylvania, Pa.; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Mary E. Givens

SMITHFIELD n Mary Ellen Givens, 66, a native of Hertford County, died February 11, 2005 at Britthaven Nursing Home, Smithfield.

Survivors include a daughter, Margaret Boadu of Rougemont; one son, James Givens of Durham; one sister, Etta Ward of Winton; one grandchild; and one great-grandchild.

A funeral will be conducted at Tuesday at Jordan Grove Baptist Church by the Rev. Shirley Johnson. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Hertford County Undertakers, Winton, is in charge.

Jean Smithwick

MERRY HILL n Jean Hoggard Smithwick, 79, a native of Windsor, died February 11, 2005.

A funeral was conducted Monday at Cashie Baptist Church, Windsor, by the Rev. Dennis Conner. Interment was in Edgewood Cemetery. Walker Funeral Home was in charge.

Mrs. Smithwick was a member of Cashie Baptist Church, where she was a Sunday school teacher and past president of WMU. She was also employed with the Bank of Windsor.

Survivors include her husband, Thomas Myers Smithwick; three sons, Thomas Smithwick Jr. of Chesapeake, Va., Jimmy Smithwick of Windsor and Donald Smithwick of Windsor; one daughter, Nancy Rumbley of Crozet; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Jessie Horne

PENDLETON n Jessie Mae Horne, 80, died Saturday, February 12, at Southampton Memorial Hospital in Franklin, VA. Born August 3, 1924 to Jesse Norman Horne and Johnnie Sue Horne in Pendleton, she graduated from Severn High School where she was so-valedictorian and best all-around student.

In 1941, she attended Chowan College, and became an honor student. Her further studies were at East Carolina University with an A.B. degree and later a masters degree Post Graduate studies were at Wake Forest University, Old Dominion University, Va. Tech, Virginia State, and University of Virginia.

Her position as a teacher was 22 years teaching in North Carolina in the towns of Colerain, Enfield, Severn, Sunbury, Wilmington, and Roanoke Rapids.

She returned to East Carolina University and received certification in Library Science. In 1967, she became a Librarian and Media Specialist in the Norfolk school system. Her stay of 24 years with Azalea Garden Middle School ended in retirement in 1991. Her teaching ended with 46 years of service.

She was a member of Roberts Chapel Baptist Church in Pendleton, NC. In Norfolk she attended Azalea Baptist Church for 34 years where she was a choir member, pianist, member of Philathea class, Smile Club and Azalea Adventures.

After retirement, she played the piano for the 60+ club, McKedree Club, and other clubs.

For community service, she belonged to the Little Creek Civic League, AARP, N.C. Retired State Employees, Va. Retired Ed. Assoc., and an at-large member of the teachers' sorority, Alpha Delta Kappa, an international organization of teachers.

Her survivors are one brother, Joe Alex Horne and his wife, Joan of Pendleton; two sisters, Margaret Lane and her husband, Bill of Norfolk, Va., and Inez Porter of Courtland, Va.

Six nieces and nephews, Jeffery Lane of Houston, Texas; David Lane and his wife Brenda of Norfolk, Va.; Steven Porter and his wife, Gail of Roanoke Rapids; Gayle Porter Lowdermilk and her husband, Dean of Courtland, Va.; Phillip Horne and his wife Grace of Greenville; Charlotte Horne Bohn and her husband, Michael of Sanford.

Nine great nieces and nephews, Ian Bohn, Jared Bohn, Alexander Horne, Harrison Horne, Kimberly Lane, Julie Lane, Sarah Lane, Timmy Lane and Daniel Lowdermilk.

Funeral services were conducted Monday, 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Bridgers Funeral Home, Inc. in Conway by the Rev. James Hester. Burial followed in the Roberts Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery in Pendleton.

The family received friends at the funeral home, Sunday 7 to 8 p.m. and have requested that anyone wishing to share a memorial gift, please do so to Azalea Baptist Church.

Frank Hamson Jr.

LEWISTON n Mr. Frank Bernard Hamson, Jr., age 86, died Feb. 12, 2005 at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital in Ahoskie, NC.

Mr. Hamson was born September 21, 1918, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bernard Hamson Sr. He was retired from W.J. Dickie Mills after 21 years of service, and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lewiston, where he was involved with the Men's Ministries.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Feeser Hamson of the home, daughter, Myra L. Strumolo of Woodbury, Conn.; two sons, Kevin J. Hamson of Myrtle Beach, SC and Duane S. Hamson of Aulander, NC; sister, Frances Becker of Baltimore, Md.; and four grandchildren; Kaitlyn Hamson, Antonio Strumolo, Marissa Strumolo and Tyler N. Perry.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2005 at 11 a.m. from the First Baptist Church of Lewiston with the Rev. James Baughn officiating. Interment will follow at Hoggard Memorial Cemetery.

The family received friends at Massey Funeral Home in Aulander, NC, Monday, Feb. 14, 2005 from 7 until 8:30 p.m.

William Shores

AHOSKIE n Mr. William "Arnold" Shores, age 47, died Saturday, Feb. 12, 2005 at his home. Arnold was born April 15, 1957. He is preceded in death by his mother, Nettie Jane Shores.

Arnold graduated from Ahoskie High School in 1975. Arnold lived life to the fullest. He loved to water ski, hunt, fish, ride horses and motorcycles, play drums and be with his family. He was employed with EASCO Aluminum for 17 years, before beginning a 5 year battle with cancer, through these years his Lord and church became more important to him. He never lost his smile, his sense of humor, nor his desire to live. Arnold never wanted anyone to go through this dreadful disease, therefore those desiring may make contributions to the American Cancer Society.

Survivors include his wife Christy Lauzon Shores and daughters; Ashley S. Jernigan and husband, Dail of Edenton, NC, and Megan Shores of Mary Hill, NC; father, Jesse A. Shores of Aulander, NC; sister, Pat S. Ouellette and husband Ron of Greenville, NC; and niece Melissa Mitchell, also of Greenville.

Funeral service will be Tuesday, February 15, 2005 at 2 p.m. from the Oak Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Bob Skeens officiating. Burial will follow in Job Cemetery.

The family received friends at Massey Funeral Home in Aulander, NC, Monday, February 14, 2005 from 7 until 8:30 p.m., and at other times at 815 St. Johns Millennium Rd.

Bernice B. Lowe

COLERAIN – Bernice Brinkley Lowe, 84, of 1340 N. C. Highway 42, died at her home February 12, 2005.

Mrs. Lowe was a native of Bertie County, N.C., a member of Colerain Baptist Church, had worked for the Wake County Department of Social Services, was very active in the West Chowan Baptist Association, W.M.U., and the daughter of the late Charles Ruffin and Annie White Brinkley.

Surviving are her husband, Cecil C. Lowe.

A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, February 15, 2005, at Colerain Baptist Church, with the Rev. Gary Cline officiating, with burial to follow in Hillcrest cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Colerain Baptist Church, Colerain Rescue Squad, the Colerain Fired Department, or University Health Care Hospice, P.O. Box 272, Ahoskie, NC 27910.

Garrett Funeral Home Ahoskie, is in charge.

Annie V. Brown

TABOR CITY – Annie Elizabeth Vinson Brown, 90, of 703 Elizabeth St., formerly of Winton, N.C., died February 12, 2005 at Guardian Care of Ahoskie.

Mrs. Brown was a native of Hertford County, N.C., a member of Winton Baptist Church, a homemaker, and the daughter of the late Gamma Vinson and Myrtice Mitchell Vinson.

Surviving is a son; John E. Hobbs, Jr.,

and wife Barbara, La Vista, NE.; one brother Elliott Vinson, Murfreesboro, N.C.; six grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and three great-great- grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Raymond Pollack Brown, two daughters, Dora Elizabeth &uot;Libby&uot; Forti, Diana Raye Reese, two brothers, Woodrow Vinson and Elton Vinson; and a grandson, Kenneth Tucker.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 16, 2005, at Garrett Funeral Home, Ahoskie, N.C. with the Rev. Robert May officiating, burial will follow in Ahoskie Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 7-9 p.m., Tuesday, February 15, 2005, and other times at the home of Gail Liverman, 229 Wiccacon Rd. Cofield, N.C.

Garrett Funeral Home Ahoskie, N.C. is serving the Brown Family.

William C. Pierce

AHOSKIE – William Chadwick &uot;Chad&uot; Pierce, 83, of S. Lloyd St., died Feb. 12, 2005, in Roanoke-Chowan Hospital. Mr. Pierce was born in Colerain, N.C., the son of the late Annie Lyon and the Rev. Loy Vann Pierce.

Mr. Pierce retired from Belk’s after 34 years of service, having begun his career as a sales clerk in the Ahoskie store. He then assumed the manager position of the Belk Tyler Store in Murfreesboro. From there he moved to the Belk Tyler offices as a division buyer for the 15 Belk stores in Northeastern North Carolina. Following his retirement, he began a second career in the rest home industry as co-owner/administrator of Willowbrook Center of Care, Wilson, N.C., and as owner/operator of Carolina Rest Home in Roanoke Rapids, N.C.

Following his retirement from the rest home industry, he and his wife returned to their home in Ahoskie.

Mr. Pierce was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during World War II in the Pacific Theater. During his military service he received several awards including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, and an Honorable Service Lapel Button World War II.

After returning from service, Mr. Pierce became active in many community service organizations. He was a past president of the Ahoskie Jaycees, past president of the Ahoskie Chamber of Commerce, and was charter president of the Ahoskie Lions Club. He also served the North Carolina Lions of District 31-J as secretary and Deputy District Governor.

Mr. Pierce was a member of First Baptist Church of Ahoskie and its Radio Bible Class. He is survived by his wife of 61 1/2 years, Garnette Barnes Pierce; one daughter, Judy Gray Pierce of the home; three sisters, Ola P. Barbour of Elon College, Llewella P. Kelly (Rod) of Roanoke Rapids, and Rose P. Stone (Reginald) of Wayne, N.J.; two brothers, Walter Raleigh Pierce of Benson and A. Steven Pierce (Mary Lou) of Kernersville, N.C.; two sisters-in-law, Emily Miller and Frances Barnes of Ahoskie; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation was Monday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Garrett Funeral Home, Ahoskie. A memorial service will be held Tuesday at First Baptist Church of Ahoskie at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Dr. Jesse Croom officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Ahoskie, P.O. Box 649, Ahoskie, NC 27910 or to the Ahoskie Cancer Foundation, c/o Ahoskie Cancer Center, 301 S. Academy St., Ahoskie, NC 27910.

Garrett Funeral Home, Ahoskie, is serving the Pierce family.

Ruby G. Mullen

EURE – Ruby Greene &uot;Ma Ruby&uot; Mullen, 87, a native of Gates County, died February 10, 2005, in her home. She was the widow of Emmett Eugene "Pa Gene" Mullen.

Mrs. Mullen was a homemaker and she was a member of Eure Baptist Church.

Survivors include two daughters, Joyce M. Eure of Eure and Clara M. Darden of Ahoskie; a son, Vernon E. Mullen of Portsmouth; a sister, Daisy Taylor of Eure; two brothers, Truman Greene of Eure and Roland Greene of Suffolk; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

A funeral was conducted Sunday at Eure Baptist Church by the Rev. Wayne Proctor and the Rev. Wayne Gardner. Burial was in the church cemetery and was officiated by the Rev. Joe Buck. in Miller Funeral Home, Gatesville, was in charge.

Maurice L. Brown Sr.

AHOSKIE n Maurice Lenor Brown Sr., 59, a native of Portsmouth, Va., died February 13, 2005 at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Ahoskie.

Survivors include his wife, Mildred Peele Brown of Ahoskie; a son, Maurice L. Brown Jr.; his parents, Raymond and Geraldine Brown of Winton; a brother, Michael J. Brown of Portsmouth, Va.; a sister, Barbara J. Hines of Chesapeake; and two grandchildren.

A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Pleasant Plains Baptist Church by the Rev. Robert Ashe. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Hertford County Undertakers, Winton, is in charge.

Doris H. Morris

EDENTON n Doris Holley Morris, 77, died February 11, 2005 at Heritage Hospital, Tarboro.

A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church Colerain by the Rev. Willie Best. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Gilliam Funeral Home, Windsor, is in charge.

Minnie Craig

WINDSOR n Minnie Craig, died February 10, 2005 at her home.

A funeral will be conducted at 12 noon Wednesday at Free Temple Ministries Church by Apostle T.L. Baylor. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Windsor. Gilliam Funeral Home is in charge.

Willie R. Wilson

COLERAIN n Willie R. Wilson, 59, died February 12, 2005 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital, Greenville.

A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at Zion Hill Baptist Church by the Rev. Nathaniel Thompson. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Gilliam Funeral Home is in charge.