Norma Y. Hatchell

CORAPEAKE – Norma Young Hatchell, 78, a native of Rocky Mount, died Monday, October 23, 2006, in a Suffolk hospital. She was the widow of Tyler L. Hatchell Jr.

Survivors include a daughter, Tonya G. Gibson of Spotsylvania, Va.; two sons, Barry M. Goddard of Paducah, Ky. and G. Ward Goddard of Corapeake; a stepdaughter, Tylette Westnedge of Suffolk; 21 grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday in Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel, by Capt. Michael Satterlee. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.

Delsie H. Holland

EDENTON – Delsie Hare Holland, 81, died October 22, 2006, in Britthaven Nursing Home.

Mrs. Holland was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church, the Advance Home Extension Club and the Eastern Star.

Survivors include her husband, Robert Clifford Holland; three sons, Brady &uot;Cliff&uot; Clifford Holland of Edenton, Randy Wayne Holland of Merry Hill and Ronnie Wynn Holland of Edenton; her brother, Worth Hare Sr. of Edenton; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Friends may sign the online register by visiting www.evansfuneralsandcremations.com. A celebration of Mrs. Holland’s was conducted Wednesday in Macedonia Baptist Church with the Rev. Bob Young officiating. Burial followed in Beaver Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Macedonia Baptist Church Building Fund, 1004 Macedonia Road, Edenton, NC 27932. Evans Funerals and Cremations of Edenton was in charge.

Martha Britton S. Peele

AHOSKIE n Martha Britton Slaughter Peele, 95, of N C Highway 461, died Monday, October 23, 2006 in Roanoke Chowan Hospital..

Mrs. Peele was born in Hertford County, a daughter of the late Joseph William and Ada Elizabeth Thomas Slaughter.

She was a member of Union Baptist Church and the Church Women’s Missionary Union.

Survivors include her granddaughters, Mary Britton Peele of Arlington, VA and Brianna Lynn Peele of Centreville, VA; and grandsons, Dean Thomas Peele and Brandon Thomas Peele of Centreville, VA.

She was predeceased by her husband of over 60 years, Linwood Peele and a son, Douglas Thomas Peele.

A celebration service of Mrs. Peele’s life was conducted at10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 25, 2006, at Union Baptist Church by the Rev. G. Cameron Currin, Jr. and Pastor Curtis Pixler.

Burial followed in Ahoskie Cemetery.

The family received friends at Garrett Funeral Home, from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Memorial donations may be made to Union Baptist Church, 431 Boone Farm Road, Ahoskie, NC, 27910.

Garrett Funeral Home served the Peele family.

John Spencer Jr.

JACKSON n John Paul “J.P.” Spencer Jr., 88, died October 24, 2006 at Pitt Memorial Hospital, Greenville.

A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at Seaboard United Methodist Church, Seaboard, by the Rev. Carol Taylor, the Rev. Leon Spencer Jr. and the Rev. Jonathan Spencer Barnes. Burial will be in Seaboard Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Massey Funeral Home, Jackson, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday. Memorial contributions may be made to Seaboard United Methodist Church, Seaboard, NC 27870.

George Stephens

COMO – George Stephens, 74, a native of Hertford County, died October 23, 2006 at Sentara Obici Hospital, Suffolk, VA.

Stephens was a member of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in Como. He was a US Army veteran, serving his country in the Korean War.

He was also a Mason.

Survivors include his wife, Maggie Stephens of the home; three sons, Williams Stephens of Murfreesboro, Chad Stephens of Ahoskie and George Stephens Jr. of Aulander; five daughters, Stacy Chamblee of Gates, Lavonia Mitchell of Murfreesboro, Deborah Williams of Suffolk, Carolyn Bonds and Janice Wade; one brother, Herman Lee Stephens of Como; one sister, Evora Crowell of Como; 17 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, Como, by the Rev. Elliott Hill. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Hunter’s Funeral Home, Inc., Murfreesboro is in charge.

Wilmer Cooper

NEW YORK, NY- Wilmer Cooper, departed this life October 21, 2006 at Saint Luke Hospital in New York City at the age of 97. He came to Harlem, New York at an early age. While in New York he was drafted into the Army and served during WWII. After his tour of service he returned to New York and worked numerous years for New York’s Essex House Hotel, where he had many responsibilities in the area of environmental services and Customer service.

He was born in Como, North Carolina to the late Ben and Lizzie Cooper. Wilmer was the brother to the late Julian Cooper, Luke Cooper, Alex Cooper, Margaret Wynn, Mary Lizzie Scott, and Mollie Drayton, all of which preceded him in death. Although Wilmer did not marry be had a devoted friend, Ruth Harris, who also preceded him in death.

He leaves behind one brother, Roger Everett (Mary) of Pendleton, NC, (Mary), one sister-in-law, Margaret Cooper of Como, N.C., three devoted god children; Ennice Austin, Charlie Harris, Phyllis Channey all of NYC, NY a host of nieces and nephews and a devoted nephew of over 40 years, George Lee Cooper of New York City.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, October 28, 2006 at 1:00 pm. at Mill Neck Baptist Church, Como, NC, by Rev. Melvin Wilson. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Crocker Funeral Home, Suffolk, is handling arrangements. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.crockerfuneralhome.com.

Eugene Parks

RICHMOND, Va. n Eugene Sparks, 76, died October 19, 2006 at McGuire Veterans Hospital, Richmond. He was the widower of Marie Cooke Sparks.

A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at Massey Funeral Home, Aulander, by the Rev. Paul Edwards. Burial will be in Aulander Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12 noon until 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home prior to services.

Survivors include his children, Juanishia Jordaans of Chester, Darlene Revelle of Richmond, Danny Sparks of Richmond and Larry Sparks of Elkton, MD.; and eight grandchildren.

Detron Williams

ROCKY MOUNT n Detron Montray Williams, 20, died October 21, 2006 at his residence.

A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at Word Tabernacle Church, Rocky Mount. Interment will be in Baker’s Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at H.D. Pope Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to: www.hdpopefuneralhome.com.