Martha Perry

HARRELLSVILLE n Martha J. Rankins Perry, 57, a native of Hertford County, died February 6, 2007 at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Ahoskie. She was the widow of Lonnie West Perry.

A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at Ashland Baptist Church, Merry Hill, by the Rev. W.J. Best Jr. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Wilder’s Funeral Home, Inc., Aulander, is in charge.

She worked as a seamstress at Worker’s Owned Sewing Co. She was a member of Ashland Baptist Church and a choir member, pastor’s aide, and Camp Can Do Club.

Survivors include her children, Shelton Rankins of Harrellsville, Lonnie Ray Perry of Harrellsville, Stephen Earl Perry of Hampton, Va., Areatha Williams of Ahoskie, and Shenondoah Perry and Deandre Wiggins, both of Harrellsville; her father, Leroy Rankins of Colerain; brothers, Leroy Rankins Jr. of Philadelphia, Pa., Cecil Rankins of Colerain, Marvin Rankins of Aulander, and James Rankins of Greenville; sisters, Rhodine Perry of Ahoskie, Mary Sue Perry and Joyce Askew, both of Philadelphia and Janet Freeman of Colerain; 17 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Bessie H. Rountree

EDENTON n Bessie Leigh Hollowell Rountree, 87, a native of Chowan County, died February 5, 2007 at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Norfolk, Va. She was the widow of Hallett L. Rountree.

A funeral was conducted Thursday at First Assembly of God Church, Edenton, by the Rev. Randy Pierce. Burial was in Beaver Hill Cemetery. Miller Funeral Home & Crematory was in charge.

Mrs. Rountree was a homemaker and the oldest member of First Assembly of God Church, Edenton.

Survivors include a daughter, Treena R. Riddick of Hertford; a son, Ronald L. Rountree of Edenton; a sister, Talmadge Hassell of Chesapeake; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Catherine Sumerell

JACKSON n Catherine E. “Nana” Sumerell, 84, a native of Northampton County, died February 5, 2007 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital, Greenville.

Homegoing services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, Jackson, by the Rev. Harold D. Sidbury. Interment will be in the Edwards family cemetery, Jackson. Faison’s Funeral Home, Inc., Seaboard, is in charge.

Survivors include one daughter, Loraine Knapper of the home; a sister, Pearl Holloway of Washington, D.C.; one granddaughter; and four great-grandchildren.

Joshua M. Mercer

KANSAS CITY, MO n Joshua M. Mercer, infant, died February 1, 2007 at Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City.

A funeral was conducted Friday at First Baptist Church of Battleboro. Interment was in Gardens of Gethsemane, Rocky Mount. H.D. Pope Funeral Home, Rocky Mount, was in charge.

Alexander Watson

CHESAPEAKE, Va. – Alexander Watson, a native of Windsor, died February 2, 2007. Watson attended Bertie County Public Schools and graduated from W.S. Etheridge High School. He attended Norfolk State University and later served in the Marine Corps. Upon his discharge from the Marines, Alexander relocated to New York City and attended New York University on West 4th Street. He was employed by the city of New York for 40 years as a food service supervisor.

Survivors include his wife, Ruby; daughter, Angela Housely; son, Derrick Watson; two stepdaughters; three stepsons; two grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; one stepgreat-grandchild; stepmother, Lilly Mae Watson; and a sister, Marie Hall.

A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday in New Hope Church of God In Christ, 3232 Breast Ave., Norfolk. Interment will be at Roosevelt Cemetery in Chesapeake. T.E. Cooke-Overton Funeral Home was in charge.

Mary M. Mitchell

LEWISTON n Mary M. Mitchell, 87, a native of Bertie County, died February 5, 2007 at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Ahoskie.

A funeral will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Woodville Plains Baptist Church, Lewiston, by the Rev. Dr. Leroy Gilliard Jr. Burial will be in the Veale family cemetery. Wilder’s Funeral Home, Inc., Aulander, is in charge.

She was a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, Baltimore and Woodville Plains Baptist Church, Lewiston.

Survivors include her sons, Curtis Mitchell Sr. and Willie H. Mitchell Jr., both of Lewiston; a daughter, Verna M. Bazemore of Lewiston; 22 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren.

Essie Wilson

WINDSOR n Essie Wilson, died February 8, 2007 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital, Greenville.

A funeral will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, Windsor, by the Rev. Roy Sharpe. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. Reynolds Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie, is in charge.

Survivors include her husband, Elijah Wilson of Windsor; two sons, Milton and Micheal Wilson, both of Windsor; four daughters, Alma W. Outlaw and Larruel Wilson Cotman, both of New York City, Jackie Mitchell of Williamston and Alice Wilson of Windsor; one sister, Mary Cooper Wilson of Windsor; 11 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Bernice D. Burgess

CONWAY n Bernice Dunning Burgess, 93, died February 9, 2007, at Britthaven of Washington, Washington, NC.

A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday at Bridgers Funeral Home, Inc., Conway, by the Rev. Bob Deacon. Burial will be in the Burgess family cemetery on Highway 158 East of Conway.

Mrs. Burgess was a homemaker and a member of St. Johns Baptist Church in Union.

Survivors include two daughters, Mary Louise Doebler of Carlisle, PA and Clara Lynn Lee of Williamston; three sons, William Patrick Burgess of Fredericksburg, Va., Leon Carlton Burgess of Conway and Troy Wilber Burgess of Murfreesboro; and many grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.

Keevin Morris

COLERAIN n Keevin Morris, died February 9, 2007 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital, Greenville.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete. Reynolds Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie, is in charge.

Timothy Pretty Sr.

ENFIELD – Timothy Pretty Sr., 84, died February 9, 2007 at Halifax Regional Medical Center, Roanoke Rapids.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete. H.D. Pope Funeral Home, Roanoke Rapids, is in charge.

Walter Yellordy

ROANOKE RAPIDS— Walter Yellordy, 54, died February 9, 2007 at Halifax Regional Medi-cal Center, Roanoke Rapids.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

H.D. Pope Funral Home, Roanoke Rapids, is in charge.