Martha B. Merritt

NORFOLK, Va. – Martha B. Merritt, 91, a native of Roduco, died July 21, 2006, in a local nursing home. She was the widow of Frank W. Merritt Sr.

She worked as a clerk for Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Norfolk Public Schools and Norfolk Public Health Department. She was also an agent for North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company. She was a member of St. John AME Church, Norfolk.

Survivors include a daughter, Frances E. Merritt; a son, Frank W. Merritt Jr.; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be conducted at 12 noon Saturday in St. John AME Church, Bute Street, by the Rev. John Burton. Burial will be in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, Norfolk. Graves Funeral Home is in charge.

Emma Edwards

RALEIGH n Emma F. Baker Edwards, a native of New York City, died July 25, 2006.

Mrs. Edwards completed nursing school and practiced nursing during World War II.

A funeral was conducted Friday at Sacred Heart Cathedral Church, Raleigh. Burial was in Montlawn Memorial Park. Haywood Funeral Home was in charge. In lieu of flowers, the Edwards family would appreciate contributions to Reading is Fundamental, Inc. (RIF), the nation’s largest children’s literacy organization. Information on memorial donations to RIF is available at http://www.rif.org/.

Survivors include her husband, Joseph L. Edwards Sr.; seven children, Joseph Edwards Jr. of Lawrence MA, Theresa Edwards of Raleigh, Beverly Edwards of Ahoskie, George Edwards of Indianapolis, IN, David Edwards of Garner, Lorraine Edwards Mortis of Winston-Salem, Paul Edwards of Huntington WV; one sister, Charlotte Baker Hodge of Ahoskie; and 15 grandchildren.

Mamie E. Dixon

ROCKY MOUNT n Mamie E. Dixon, 36, died July 20, 2006 at Nash General Hospital.

H.D. Pope Funeral Home is in charge.

Victor Davis Jr.

COLERAIN -Victor &uot;Vic&uot; Davis Jr., a native of Portsmouth, died July 26, 2006. He was the widower of Jackie C. Davis.

Davis managed and worked in the automotive and truck parts businesses throughout the Virginia/Carolina area for many years. He was owner and operator of Vic’s Pool Service of the Outer Banks.

Survivors include three children, Victor L. Davis III of Wanchese, Robin Davis of Durham, and Jill Szalaj of Garner; brothers, Robert Davis and Jeff Davis, both of Virginia Beach; seven grandchildren.

A service of remembrance will be held at Twiford Colony Chapel, Manteo, Sunday at 2 p.m. Visit www.twifordfh.com to sign the online guest register.

Leno Hall Sr.

GATESVILLE -Leno Hall Sr., 86, died July 25, 2006.

A funeral will be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday in Sycamore Missionary Baptist Church. Stallings Funeral Home is in charge.

Faye O. Drewry

BOYKINS, Va. n Faye O. Drewry, 81, formerly of Severn, died July 25, 2006

Arrangements by Wright Funeral Home, Boykins, Va.

Grace O. Epps

WINDSOR n Grace Odell Epps, 82, died July 27, 2006 at Martin General Hospital, Williamston.

A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Sunday at Gilliam Funeral Home Chapel, Windsor. A visitation will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery.

Rufus Richardson

ROANOKE RAPIDS n Rufus Richardson, 70, died July 26, 2006 at his residence.

A funeral will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday at the chapel of H.D. Pope Funeral Home, Roanoke Rapids. A visitation will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday with the funeral following immediately. Interment will be in White Rock Church Cemetery, Hollister.

Shakima M. Perry

ROCKY MOUNT n Shakima Monique Perry, 25, died July 26, 2006 at Pitt Memorial Hospital, Greenville.

A funeral will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Word Tabernacle Church, Rocky Mount. Interment will be in Gardens of Gethsemane. A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at H.D. Pope Funeral Home, Rocky Mount. Condolences may be sent to www.hdpopefuneralhome.com.