Mattie L. Blowe

AHOSKIE n Mattie Lassiter Blowe, 89, of the 200 block of S. Early Station Road, died Friday, December 23, 2005, in her home.

Mrs. Blowe was born in Emporia, VA, a daughter of the late Bob and Nellie Bradshaw Lassiter and was the widow of William Franklin Blowe. She was a homemaker and a longtime member of Early’s Baptist Church and W.M.U., holding the longest membership on the church records.

Survivors include her daughters, Rachel Young and husband, Carroll of Ahoskie, NC Geraldine Bryant and husband, William of Colerain, NC; a sister, Helen Proctor Rawls of Aulander, NC; grandchildren, Donna Pittman and husband, John of Courtland, VA, Becky Cale and husband, Doug of Winterville, NC, Lisa Outlaw and husband, Scott of Ahoskie, NC; great grandchildren, Brent Doughtie of U.S. Air Force, Germany, and step great granddaughter, Mary Frances Pittman of Courtland, VA, Jason Cale and Lauren Cale of Winterville, NC, and Brian, Blake, and Kathryn Outlaw of Ahoskie, NC.

She was predeceased by a sister, Annie Mae Ausley and a brother, Robert Lassiter.

A funeral service was conducted on Monday, December 26, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. at Garrett Funeral Home, Ahoskie, with the Rev. Ronald McSwain, officiating.

Burial will follow in Ahoskie Cemetery.

The family received friends at the funeral home from 10 until 11:00 a.m. prior to services on Monday and other times at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Rachel and Carroll Young.

Benjamin E. Griffith

COMO n Benjamin Earl Griffith, 80, of the 100 block of Ebo Road, died Monday, December 26, 2005, in Roanoke Chowan Hospital, Ahoskie.

Earl Griffith, affectionately known as “Duke” was born in Hertford County, a son of the late Nat and Geneva Hayes Griffith.

He was a member of Buckhorn Baptist Church and a retired farmer.

“Duke” was known for his love of playing music.

He had a God given talent for playing the fiddle and guitar.

During most of his adult life, he played with groups, on the radio and entertained at nursing homes for the elderly.

Survivors include his sister, Bertha Marie Perry of San Angelo, TX; half sisters, Annie Vann of Milwaukee, NC, Joyce Casper of Conway, NC, Mildred Gardner of Hartsville, SC; half brothers, Billy Griffith of Seaboard, NC, Bobby Griffith and Dennis Griffith, both of Murfreesboro, NC; special nieces, Barbara Moss of Zebulon, NC, Delores Griffith of Plymouth, NC, Nancy Revelle of Murfreesboro, NC; and special sister-in-law, Annie L. Griffith of Como, NC.

A funeral service was conducted on Wednesday, December 28, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. at Buckhorn Baptist Church, with the Rev. Thomas Caulkins, officiating.

Burial followed in the Church Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Buckhorn Baptist Church, Como, NC, 27818.

Garrett Funeral Home, Murfreesboro, served the Griffith family.

Dorothy C. Alston

AHOSKIE n Dorothy Copeland Alston, 76, of the 100 block of NC 561 West, died Friday, December 23, 2005, in her home.

Mrs. Alston was born in Hertford County, a daughter of the late William Joseph and Sallie Mizelle Copeland.

Dorothy, affectionately known as “Dot”, was a loving wife, sister, mother, & grandmother.

She celebrated her 56th wedding anniversary on December 22nd.

She became an active member of Early’s Baptist Church at the time of her marriage and served faithfully as Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, and choir member until her death.

She was a member of the Ahoskie Women’s Club and a volunteer with the Roanoke Chowan Hospital Ladies Auxiliary and the Ahoskie Food Pantry.

She was retired from the Hertford County Department of Social Services.

Dot’s favorite pastimes were watching the Atlanta Braves, gardening, and baking, but most of all spending time with her friends and family, especially her three granddaughters whom she loved dearly.

Survivors include her husband, Jesse Curtis Alston; a daughter, Beth A. Baggett of Ahoskie; a son, Dr. Michael Alston and wife, Susan of Murfreesboro; sisters, Clarine Dilday and Hattie Rae Wiggins of Ahoskie, Grace Willis of Chesapeake, VA; a brother, Billy Copeland and special friend, Mary Alice Hardison of Chesapeake, VA; and grandchildren, Angela Alston , Erin Alston and Bobbi Jo Baggett and her fianc\u00E9, Gary Slaughter.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by a son-in-law, Bobby Baggett; sisters, Catherine Stoneman and Thelma Dilday and a brother, Bobby Copeland.

A funeral service was held on Tuesday, December 27, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. at Garrett Funeral Home, Ahoskie, with the Rev. Ronald McSwain, officiating.

Burial followed in Highland Memorial Gardens.

The family received friends at the home.

Memorial donations may be made to Early’s Baptist Church, c/o Robert Earl Brinkley, 310 S. Early Station Rd., Ahoskie, NC, 27910.

Dot’s sweet spirit will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Virginia Mitchell

HAMPTON, Va. n Virginia Mitchell, died December 25, 2005 at Riverside Regional Medical Center, Newport News.

A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at

Reynolds Funeral Home Chapel, Ahoskie, by Elder Charles Richardson. Burial will be in First Baptist Church, Winton.

Survivors include one son, Jay Mitchell Jr. of Hampton; three daughters, Margie Mitchell of Hampton, Pamela Miller of Newport News and Tina Harrell of Portsmouth; and six grandchildren.

Avis Powell

AHOSKIE n Avis Powell, died December 26, 2005 at Guardian Care Nursing Home, Ahoskie.

A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. on January 1at Zion Grove Baptist Church by the Rev. Elbert Lee. Burial will be in the Daughtry family cemetery. Reynolds Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie, is in charge.

She is survived a son, Alvin Powell of Mays Landing, NJ.

Garrett Freeman Jr.

AHOSKIE n Garretet Hobert Freeman Jr., died December 25, 2005 at his residence.

A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness, Ahoskie by Minister George Stevenson. Reynolds Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie, is in charge.

Freeman was a member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witness, Ahoskie.

Survivors include his wife, Agnes Brown Freeman of Ahoskie; two sons, Garrett Gaylord Freeman of Roswell, Ga., and Joe Kent Freeman of Georgetown, Md.; three sisters, Ida Everett of Aulander, Mollie James of Ahoskie and Laura Dean Lassiter of Ocean City; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Eva W. Ward

GATESVILLE – Eva White Ward, 82, a native of Gates County, died December 27, 2005, in her home.

Mrs. Ward worked as a clerk at County Market at Eason’s Crossroads section of Gates County and later worked as an inspector with Rollie Inc., a children’s clothing manufacturer in Murfreesboro. She was a member of Ballard’s Bridge Baptist Church in Tyner.

Survivors include her husband, William A. &uot;Bill&uot; Ward Sr. of the home; one daughter, Eva Ward Williams of Elizabeth City; two sons, William A. &uot;Billy&uot; Ward Jr. of Eure and Randolph S. &uot;Randy&uot; Ward of Gates; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday in Ballard’s Bridge Baptist Church by the Rev. Ron Parr and the Rev. Ralph Knight. Burial will be in Hobbsville Baptist Church Cemetery. Miller Funeral Home of Gatesville in charge.

Beulah A. Riggs

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. –

Beulah Alleen “Channie” Riggs, 89, died December

27, 2005.

Survivors include her husband, Marvin Walter Riggs, two daughters, Dorothy Callahan McDonald of Chesapeake and Shirley Spence of Gatesville; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday in Nimmo Church Cemetery, 2200 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach. Ruby Fields. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Maestas and Bailey Funeral Home, Oceanfront Chapel, 1801 Baltic Ave., Virginia Beach. To offer words of comfort to the family or to share memories, please register at www.maestasandbaileyfuneralhome.com.

Lonnie Grimes

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Lonnie Grimes, 91, a native of Johnston, died December

23, 2005, in Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital.

Grimes was a member of Virginia Beach Free Will Baptist Church and the Oceana Coffee Club. He was the 30-year owner of Grimes Cabinet Shop.

Survivors include his three daughters, Betty Stephens of Winton, Peggy Bradshaw of Everett, Wash., and Patsy Hicks of Virginia Beach; seven grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.

A funeral was conducted Wednesday in Virginia Beach Free Will Baptist Church by Dr. J.D. Norris. Interment was in Colonial Grove Memorial Park, Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach. Flowers are welcome or memorial donations may be made to the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad, 740 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23451-9886. To offer words of comfort to the family or to share memories, please register at www.maestasandbaileyfuneralhome.com. Maestas & Bailey Funeral Home, Oceanfront Chapel, 1801 Baltic Ave., Virginia Beach, was in charge.

Frank Speller Jr.

WINDSOR n Frank Speller Jr., 60, died December 22, 2005 at Chowan Hospital.

A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at Gilliam Funeral Home Chapel, Windsor. A wake will be conducted from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery.

Karen Worthington

SMITHFIELD n Karen Worthington, 50, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., died December 26, 2005 at Johnston County Memorial Hospital.

A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday First Baptist Murfreesboro, Murfreesboro by the Rev. Joseph Whitley. Hertford County Undertakers, Winton, is in charge.

Survivors include her husband, Melvin Worthington of Murfreesboro; four sons, Richard James, Cedric Worthington, Corey Worthington and Marquis Cooley, both of Brooklyn; one daughter, Carin Worthington-Taylor of Bronx; one brother, Micheal Delancey of Bronx; one sister, Beverly Plummer of Simi Valley, Calif.; and three grandchildren.