Michelle R. Rankins

POWELLSVILLE n Michelle Rene\u00E9 Rankins, 38, a native of Middletown, Conn., died September 18, 2006 at her residence.

Miss Rankins was a member of Providence Baptist Church, Raleigh, graduate of Vinal Regional Vocational School, Army Reserve for eight years, and was an RN in Raleigh.

Survivors include a daughter, Jailyn Sarai Weaver of Powellsville; her parents, Willie J. Rankins and Beatrice Watford Rankins of Powellsville; and a sister, Camilla D. Rankins of Powellsville.

A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church of Powellsville by the Rev. John W. White. Burial will be in the Leroy and Bessie Watford

Cemetery, Powellsville. Wilder’s Funeral Home Inc., Aulander, is in charge.

Mary Butler

WINDSOR n Mary Louise Scott Palmer Butler, 56, died September 16, 2006 at Bertie Memorial Hospital.

A memorial service was conducted Monday at Massey Funeral Home, Aulander.

Survivors include her children, Carol Jones of Aulander, Bettie Cooper of Askewville, Mark Palmer of Aulander and James David Palmer of Maryland.

Melvin P. Riddick

GATESVILLE – Melvin Pilston Riddick, 61, died September 16, 2006.

A funeral was conducted Wednesday at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Stallings Funeral Chapel was in charge.

Mabel R. Gregory

HOBBSVILLE n Mabel R. Gregory, 95, died September 17, 2006.

A graveside service was conducted Wednesday at the family cemetery, Sandy Cross. Miller Funeral Home, Gatesville, was in charge.

Martha Vann

COFIELD – Martha Vann, 61, a native of Bertie County, died September 17, 2006 at Pitt Memorial Hospital, Greenville.

She was a member of New Harrellsville Chapel Baptist Church, Harrellsville. She was a retired farmer.

She is survived by one brother, John Douglas Vann Sr. of Chesapeake, VA.

A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at New Harrellsville Chapel Baptist Church by the Rev. James Sharpe.

Burial will be in the church cemetery. Hunter’s Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie is in charge.

Ethel G. Smith

WINDSOR n Ethel G. Smith, 86, died September 17, 2006 at the Brian Center, Windsor.

A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Sandy Point Missionary Baptist Church. A visitation will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday at Gilliam Funeral Home. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

David Guest

GATES – William David Guest, 67, a native of Guntersville, Ala., died September 18, 2006, in his home.

Guest was a retired service manager with Kline Chevrolet, he had served in the U.S. Air Force for seven years.

Survivors include his wife, Linda Joyce Jordan Guest; four children, William Edward Guest, Sondra Lynn Guest and William David Guest Jr.; a sister, Virginia Elaine Brown; a brother, Harold Ray Crosson; and two grandchildren.

A private family memorial service will be held. Miller Funeral Home, Gatesville, is in charge.

Ruben Goode

ROCKY MOUNT n Mr. Ruben McCoy Goode, 76, died September 17, 2006 at Nash General Hospital.

A funeral will be conducted at 3 p.m. Friday at Foster Memorial Baptist Church, Rocky Mount. Burial will be in Bake’s Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday at H.D. Pope Funeral Home, Rocky Mount.

Hallie Mitchell

JAMAICA, NY n Hallie G. Mitchell, a native of Bertie County, died September 18, 2006 at Mary Immaculate Hospital.

A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at Reynolds Funeral Home Chapel, Ahoskie. Burial will be in the Askew family cemetery, Ahoskie.

Survivors include one son, Edward Earl Byrd of Ahoskie; one daughter, Barbara Stanford of Jamaica; three brothers, L.T. Askew of Ahoskie, John Askew of Minnesota and James C. Askew of Glen Falls; one sister, Gladys Grandy of Jamaica; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.