Frances Jilcott Benson

BATTLEBORO – Frances Jilcott Benson, 89, a native of Bertie County, died September 18, 2005. She was the widow of Thomas Paul Benson.

She graduated from Roxobel- Kelford High School and earned her baccalaureate degree from Chowan College. She coached women's basketball at Whitakers High School and taught school for 31 years primarily in Edgecombe County. She was a member of the Battleboro United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, the Worthwhile Club, the Nash-Edgecombe Retired Teachers Association and the Nash County Senior Citizens Group.

Survivors include two daughters, Patricia Watson Benson Brogden of Wilmington and Mary Ellen Benson of Lakewood, Colo.; one son, Thomas &uot;Tommy&uot; Paul Benson Jr. of Battleboro; one granddaughter; and one great- grandson.

A funeral was conducted Wednesday at Battleboro United Methodist Church with the Rev. C. Renee Edwards and the Rev. David Rimel. Burial followed at Battleboro Cemetery. Bowling Funeral Home & Crematory, was in charge.

James F. Brown

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – James &uot;Jimmy&uot; Frank Brown, 80, a native of Dante, Va., died September 20, 2005 at his home.

Brown was a Navy veteran of World War II and a Marine veteran of the Korean Conflict. Jimmy retired as a management analyst with civil service. He was a member of Community Methodist Church and was active in the Navy Veterans DE-440 reunions.

Survivors include his wife, Katherine W. Brown; three children, Tim Brown of Westmoreland, Kan., John Brown of Alexandria, Va., and Mary Ellen Doyle, currently of Annapolis, Md.; a sister, Edith Dellinger; and five grandchildren.

A graveside service was conducted Friday in Hillcrest Cemetery in Colerain by the Rev. Robert Carpenter. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Heartland Home Health Care & Hospice, 5040 Corporate Woods Drive No. 150, Virginia Beach, VA 23462. Altmeyer Funeral Home was in charge.

Ruth W. Burgess

CONWAY n Ruth Warren Burgess, 83, a native of Northampton County, died September 20, 2005 at her daughter in Suffolk, Va.

A graveside service was conducted Friday in the Town of Conway Cemetery by Dr. Ector Hamrick. Bridgers Funeral Home, Inc., Conway, was in charge. The family has requested that anyone wishing to share a memorial gift, please do so to the Ashley's Grove Baptist Church Library Fund or to a special charity of their choice.

Mrs. Burgess was a homemaker. She was a member of Ashley's Grove Baptist Church, participating in various service organizations in the church.

Survivors include her husband, Grover H. Burgess of the home; one daughter, Kathleen B. Taylor of Suffolk, Va.; one son, Ronald J. Burgess of Suffolk; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Claretha W. Lee

GARYSBURG n Claretha Williams Lee, 65, died September 18, 2005 at her home.

A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at Roanoke Chapel Baptist Church in Jackson by Dr. Franklin D. Williams Jr. Interment will be in Oak Grove Church Cemetery, Garysburg. H.D. Pope Funeral Home, Roanoke Rapids, is in charge.

Polly M. Evans

HARRELLSVILLE n Polly Mason Evans, 83, died Wednesday, September 21, 2005, in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

Mrs. Evans was born in Hertford County, the daughter of the late Ralph Cecil and Sadie Cullens Mason.

She was a member of Harrellsville Baptist Church, a homemaker, and the widow of Harry Kenzy Evans.

Survivors include two daughters, Joan E. Davidson of Ahoskie, Edith E. Taylor of Como; a son, Ken K. Evans of Winston-Salem; and grandchildren, Wood, Amy and Paul Davidson and Mason and Cameron Evans.

She was predeceased by her brother, Ralph C. Mason.

A funeral service will be conducted on Saturday, September 24, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. at Harrellsville Baptist Church, with the Rev. Jimmy Jarrell, officiating.

Burial will follow in Harrellsville Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at her home in Harrellsville.

The family request that flowers be omitted and that memorial donations be made to a favorite charity.

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