Larry L. Hodges

KINSTON – Larry Latham Hodges, 83, of Kinston died Friday February 23, 2007 at Lenoir Memorial Hospital.

Larry was a decorated Army veteran of WWII, serving as an infantryman in the 409th infantry.

He was a member of the American Legion, a member of Richard Caswell Masonic Lodge #705, a Shriner and a member of the First Baptist Church in Kinston.

He was a graduate of N.C. State University and during his lifetime he was an agricultural teacher, cooperative extension agent in Martin County, cooperative extension chairman in Hertford County and retired from Uniroyal Chemical where he was a field research chemist.

Funeral services were held on Monday, Feb. 26 at Edwards Funeral Home in Kinston with Dr. Chuck Towery officiating. A Masonic graveside service followed at Pinelawn Memorial Park.

Larry was preceded in death by his wife Doris Franck Hodges.

Mr. Hodges is survived by his daughters, Barbara H. Early and husband James Michael Early of Cofield, Carole Hodges and husband Theodore Neufang of Bear, DE, and Jane Hodges Suggs and husband Jeffrey Haywood Suggs of Seven Springs; three sisters, Marie Ray of Ayden, Edna E. Bettis of Washington, DC and Juanita Huggett of Grifton; and six grandchildren, Katherine Hodges Early, Jacqueline Hodges Early, Alex Hodges Neufang, Trevor Hodges Neufang, Jeffrey Allen Suggs and Carole Ann Suggs.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 950 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605-4277

Mary A. Roberts

AHOSKIE n Mary “Jane” Ambrose Roberts, 75, of Ahoskie died Friday, February 23, 2007.

Survivors include her daughter, Ginger R. Creech and her husband, Robert, of Eure; sons Zane Roberts and his wife, Diane, of Ahoskie and Phill Roberts and his wife, Terry, of Ahoskie. She is also survived by two brothers, Bobby Ambrose of Murfreesboro and Jimmy Ambrose and his wife, Linda, of Murfreesboro; four grandchildren, Jeremy Shawn Roberts and his wife, Heather, Josh Dane Roberts, Heath Creech and Courtnie Creech; and her very special caregivers, William, Brenda and Angie Cullipher.

Graveside services were held Feb. 26 at Highland Memorial Gardens with Rev. Tommy Hayes and Rev Robert May officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Ronald McDonald House, Greenville, NC.

Massey Funeral Home in Aulander handled the arrangements.

William C. Vann

CONWAY n William Clifton Vann, 74, died Saturday, February 24, 2007 at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Ahoskie.

A native of Northampton County, Vann had been a salesman with Davis and Company in Conway.

Vann served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.

He was a member of Conway Baptist Church.

Survivors include a daughter, Melissa Vann Bassett of Franklin, Va.; a son, Jamie Vann of Jackson; several grandchildren; two sisters, Flora Mae V. Sebeck of Wilmington and Angeline V. Howell of Eure; and two brothers, Archie Vann of Conway and Roy Vann of Courtland, Va.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at Bridgers Funeral Home in Conway with the Rev. Willie McLawhorn presiding. Burial will follow in the Town of Conway Cemetery.

Prior to the service, the family will receive friends at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Conway Baptist Church will host a time of fellowship for family and friends after the burial service.

The family has requested that anyone wishing to share a memorial gift, please do so to the charity of their choice.

Frank E. Costen

HOBBSVILLE n Frank E. Costen, 83, of Hobbsville departed this life on Thursday, February 22, 2007 at Down East Nursing Home, Gatesville.

He was born Jan. 12, 1924 to the late William T. and Minnie Goodman Costen.

Costen was a member of St. John AME Zion Church in Sunbury. He was a retired plumber and electrician with Rountree & Riddick.

A veteran of the United States Navy, Costen was a member of the Masonic Pride of Sunbury Lodge #401.

Survivors include his spouse, Odessie Costen of Gatesville; two brothers, McKeel Costen of Elizabeth City and Gene Costen of Portsmouth, Va.; and one sister, Sissy Riddick of Elizabeth City.

Funeral services are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at St. John AME Zion Church by Rev. Samuel L. Buck Jr. Burial was to follow in the church cemetery.

Hunter’s Funeral Home of Ahoskie is handling the services.

Joan Watford

COFIELD n Joan Watford died Thursday, February 22, 2007 at her residence in Cofield.

She is survived by two daughters, Kenita Watford Mitchell of Cary and Rakendria D. Watford of Cofield; her father, George Earley of Cofield; two brothers, Reginald Earley of Newport News, Va. and Torrance Faison of Murfreesboro; three sisters, Lorraine Brooks of Durham, Linda Eley of Aulander and Prenicous Faison of Murfreesboro; and two grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at Phillipi Baptist Church in Kelford with Rev. Jerome Vann presiding. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Reynolds Funeral Home of Ahoskie is in charge of the arrangements.

William P. Wilkins

AULANDER n William “Willie” Percy Wilkins, 95, died February 22, 2007 at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Ahoskie.

A native of Bertie County, Wilkins was a retired farmer.

He was a member of Mill Branch Baptist Church of Aulander.

Survivors include three daughters, Roiner Barnes of Aulander, Judith Clark of Ahoskie and Bettie Watkins of Paterson, N.J.; one son, William Peele of Paterson, N.J.; and two sisters, Mable Johnson of Kelford and Ethel Mills of Camden, N.J.

The funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at Mill Branch Baptist Church with Rev. Ronald Dolberry officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Wilder’s Funeral Home of Aulander is in charge of the services.

Jeanette B. Warren

MURFREESBORO n Jeanette Burgess Warren, 78, of Murfreesboro died February 19, 2007 at her home.

A native of Northampton County, Warren was a retired bank teller, having started at Farmers Bank of Murfreesboro and then at Pioneer Bank before retiring from Southern Bank.

Warren was a member of Meherrin Baptist Church.

Survivors include her daughter, Linda West Howell of Como; sons Clark B. West of Murfreesboro and Darren G. Bridgers of Woodland; sisters Libby B. Jernigan of Walters, Va. and Elizabeth B. Parker of Como; and five grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on Feb. 22 at Meherrin Baptist Church where Rev. Gerald Riggs officiated. Burial followed at the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Meherrin Baptist Church or OES Pendleton Chapter 13, c/o Bonnie Hunsicker, 109 Pecan Drive, Murfreesboro, NC, 27855.

Charles Richardson

HOLLISTER n Charles Richardson, 61, of Hollister died Saturday, February 24, 2007 at Halifax Regional Medical Center in Roanoke Rapids.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27 in the Roanoke Rapids Chapel of H.D. Pope Funeral Home with Rev. William Evans officiating.

Interment will take place after the service in the Richardson Family Cemetery in Hollister.

H.D. Pope Funeral Home of Roanoke Rapids is handling the arrangements.