The R-C News-Herald Obituaries for February 17, 2007

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Velma Smith

RICH SQUARE n Velma Marie Boone Smith, 57, a native of Northampton County, died February 13, 2007 at Virginia Commonwealth University Hospital, Virginia.

Mrs. Smith was a member of Allen Chapel AME Church, Jackson. She worked as a nurse assistant with Kindheart Home Health Agency, Rich Square.

A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at New Community Church of God, Rich Square, by the Rev. Tony Flood. Burial will be in the Boone family cemetery, Jackson. Wilder’s Funeral Home Inc., Aulander, is in charge.

Survivors include her husband, Willie Lee Smith of the home; daughters, Sandi Cerrato of Rich Square, Princess Smith and Valerie Smith, both of Raleigh and Cassandra Smith of Rich Square; brothers, Larry Boone and Chester Boone, both of Rich Square, Lenwood Boone and Johnnie Boone, both of Woodland; William Boone of Williamsburg, Va., Roland Boone of Richmond and Jackie Boone of Kenly; sister, Delores Futrell of Columbus, GA; and four grandchildren.

Stephen Saunders

WINDSOR n Stephen Saunders, 59, a native of New Jersey, died February 13, 2007 at his residence.

Saunders was a printer.

A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday at Cherry’s Funeral Chapel, Windsor. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery.

Lula Mae Jones

PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Lula Mae Jones, 74, a native of Murfreesboro, died February 9, 2007, in Maryview Medical Center.

Mrs. Jones was a member of Garden of Prayer No. 4, 1409 Marshall Ave., Portsmouth, where she was an usher and missionary.

Survivors include her husband, Peter Jones; two sons, Alfred &uot;Stingle&uot; Britt of Portsmouth and Wilbert &uot;June Bug&uot; Cotton of Chesapeake; a sister, Mary Ann Porter of Murfreesboro; two brothers, Thomas Britt of California and Baron Britt of Herndon, Va.; six grandchildren; a host of great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

A funeral was conducted Friday in Garden of Prayer No. 4, Portsmouth, by Elder Samuel Moore. Burial was in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Chesapeake. Corprew Funeral Home, Portsmouth, was in charge.

Thomas E. Whitefield

WINDSOR -Thomas E. Whitfield, 79, died February 13, 2007.

Whitefield was a U.S. Army Veteran and a member of Windsor Baptist Church. He was part owner of Whitfield Mobile Home Park and the owner/operator of Whitfield Pumping Service.

Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Ambrose Whitfield; one daughter, Joyce Riddick of Hobbsville; two sons, Alan Harrell of Windsor and Gary Salmon of Suffolk; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Sidney F. Harrell Chapel of Harrell & Hill Funeral Home with the Rev. Mike Harrington. Burial will be in Windsor Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 2730 Ellsmere Ave., Norfolk, VA 23513.

Wardell Knight

GATES n Wardell Knight, a native of Gates County, died February 13, 2007.

A celebration of life will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at New Hope Baptist Church, Gates. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Stallings Funeral Chapel, Gatesville, is in charge. The body will lie in state from 12 noon until time of service.

Knight was a deacon at New Hope Baptist Church. He was a veteran of the military.

Survivors include his wife, Ethlene Knight; his children, Carolyn Gordon of Hampton, Va., Earlene Hayes of Roduco, Lloyd Knight and William Harney, both of Gatesville; one brother, Robert Knight of Gates; 11 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

Betty J. Lewis

AHOSKIE – Betty Jane Lewis, 72, a native of Franklin County, died February 15, 2007 at Guardian Care of Ahoskie. She was the widow of James Edward Lewis.

Mrs. Lewis was a homemaker and a Baptist by faith.

Survivors include two brothers, Clarence N. Greene of Hertford and William E. Greene of Ahoskie.

A graveside funeral service was conducted Friday at Highland Memorial Gardens by the

Rev. Robert M. May. Garrett Funeral Home Ahoskie was in charge.

William White

ASKEWVILLE n William Raleigh White, 73, of 148 West Askewville Street, died Wednesday, February 14, 2007 at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital. Raleigh was born in Bertie County on July 22, 1933 to the late Raleigh Gilbert and Viola Mizelle White. He was a member and Deacon of Askewville Baptist Church. He was the owner of R.W. White, Inc. Mr.

White was retired from the Askewville Fire and Rescue, a former Town Commissioner, former police officer and charter member of the Askewville Lion’s Club. He was a member of the NC Forestry Association, the NC Baptist Men’s Disaster Team and a Pro Logger. He served in the US Army during the Korean War.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 17, 2007 at Askewville Baptist Church by the Rev. Tony Warren and the Rev. R.O. Denton, Sr. Burial will follow in Edgewood Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Johnson White of Askewville, NC; two sons, Stevie Nelson White and Bill White, both of Askewville, NC; a daughter, Sue and husband, Lanny Cowan of Askewville, NC; a brother, Dancy White of Askewville, N.C.; sisters, Elmarie W. Johnson of Windsor, NC and Christine W. Cobb of Askewville, NC; grandchildren, Stephen White, Jessica Cowan, Megan Cowan, Kelsey White and Curtis White; granddaughter-in-law, Jennifer White and great-granddaughter, Amy White.

The family received friends from 7-3:30 p.m. on Friday at Walker Funeral Home, Windsor. Memorial gifts may be made to either the Askewville EMS, P.O. Box 74, Windsor, NC 27983 or to Askewville Fire Department, c/o Mike Baker, 117 W. Askewville St, Windsor, NC 27983.

Robert E. Birdsong

SEABOARD n Robert E. “Bobby’ Birdsong, 58, a native of Halifax County, died February 14, 2007 at his home. He was the widower of Vickie Ricks Birdsong.

A graveside service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Ricks family cemetery, Hwy. 158, Seaboard, by the Rev. David Foster. Massey Funeral Home, Jackson, is in charge.

Birdsong was a US Army veteran having served in Vietnam with Special Forces as a Green Beret.

Survivors include his three children, Robert E. Birdsong Jr. of Murfreesboro; Richard “Chubby” Birdsong of Seaboard and Mary Beth Birdsong of Port St. Luci, Fla.; his mother, Rose Mumford of Rich Square; his brother, Steve Spangler of Hurt, Va.; his sisters, Linda Gibson of Alta Vista, Nita Birdsong of Roanoke Rapids, Rose Huff of Coronada, Calif., Loretta Bailess of Hurt and Delores Pulliam of Roanoke Rapids; and a grandson.

Hazel P. Evans

Hazel Parker Evans, 77, of Suffolk, VA, passed away February 14, 2007.

She was born in Nansemond County the daughter of the late Sarah Sue Goodman Parker and Seth Parker.

She was also predeceased by her sisters, Marjorie Cook and Joyce Patty; and brother, Louis Parker.

Hazel retired after 23 years of service as a Senior Lab Technician for Planters Peanut Company.

She was a member of Bethlehem Christian Church and treasurer of Sinai #18, Order of the Eastern Star.

Hazel is survived by her husband of 59 years, Leslie C. Evans; son and daughter-in-law, Thomas C. and Joan G. Evans all of Suffolk; step granddaughter, Carla Speer of Mt. Olive, NC; sisters, Virginia P. Williams of Suffolk, VA, Elizabeth Parker of Como, NC, Ola P. Drewry of Courtland, VA; and brothers, John T. Parker, and Harold G. Parker both of Suffolk, VA and special friend, Carolyn

Flovick.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, February 17, 2007 at 11 a.m. at Bethlehem Christian Church with Eastern Star Rites.

Rev. Jonathan D. Palmer will be officiating.

Burial will be in Holly Lawn Cemetery.

Friends joined the family Friday night at Parr Funeral Home from 7-8:30 p.m. and other times at the residence of Thomas and Joan Evans, 4868 Godwin Blvd., Suffolk, VA 23434.

Contributions may be made to Sinai #18, OES c/o Mary Sue Goodwin, 1821 King’s Fork Road, Suffolk, VA 23434 or Gates County High School Social Studies Department at 088 U. S. Hwy. 158, Gatesville, NC 27938.

Ronnetta Moses

JAMESVILLE n Ronnetta “Netta” Nicole Moses, 34, a native of Northampton County, died February 14, 2007 at Bertie Memorial Hospital, Windsor.

A funeral will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday at Jerusalem Baptist Church by the Rev. Eddie Vinson. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Wilder’s Funeral Home, Inc., Aulander, is in charge.

She was a member of Jerusalem Baptist Church and graduated from Northampton County High School in 1990. She also attended Roanoke-Chowan Community College.

Survivors include his father, Johnny R. Moses of Woodland; her mother, Renee Moses Armond of Jamesville; a son, Johntrell Moses of Jamesville; daughter, Alexius Moses of Jamesville; sisters, Tarsula Jones of Beltsville, Md., and Keidra Moses of Jamesville; her grandmother, Maless Moses of Rich Square; her stepfather, Ray C. Armond of Jamesville; stepsister, Taneisha Armond and Teresa A. Hemsley; and a godsister, Kayla V. Taylor.

Velma Smith

RICH SQUARE n Velma Marie Boone Smith, 57, a native of Northampton County, died February 13, 2007 at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center.

A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at New Community Church of God, Rich Square, by the Rev. Tony Flood. Burial will be in the Boone family cemetery, Jackson. Wilder’s Funeral Home, Inc., Aulander, is in charge.

Mrs. Smith worked as a nurse’s assistant with Kindheart Home Health Agency in Rich Square.

Survivors include her husband, Willie Lee Smith of the home; daughters, Sandi Smioth Cerrato of Rich Square, Princess Smith and Valerie Smith, both of Raleigh, Cassandra Smith of Rich Square; brothers, Larry Boone and Chester Boone, both of Rich Square, Lenwood Boone and Johnny Boone, both of Woodland, William Boone of Williamsburg, Va., Roland Boone of Richmond and Jackie Boone of Kenly; sisters, Delores Futrell of Columbus, Ga.; and four grandchildren.

Donna Flagg

KITTY HAWK n Donna Lynn Farmer Flagg, 44, a native of Columbia, PA,

died February 13, 2007 at her residence.

A visitation will be held on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Twiford’s Colony Chapel, Manteo. A graveside service will follow at Southern Shores Cemetery at 2 p.m. Visit www.twifordfh.com to sign the online register.

Survivors include her husband, Gordon Michael Flagg of the residence; a daughter, Jessica Hall of Ahoskie; two sons, Jason Pierce of Kitty Hawk and David Bracy of Powells Point; her mother and father, Linda and Douglas Howell of Ahoskie; three sisters, Barbara Basnight of Pettie Shores, Tina Pennington of Ahoskie and Wendy Davenport of Waxhaw; four brothers, Wayne Daveport of Waxhaw, Scott Farmer of Williamston, Donnie Farmer Jr. of Waxhaw and Michael Farmer of Kitty Hawk; and two grandchildren.

James Starboard

CONWAY n James Marshall Starboard, 75, a native of Prince Ann County, Va., died February 15, 2007 at his home.

A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at Creeksville Baptist Church by Dr. Charles Harris. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at Massey Funeral Home, Jackson, Saturday from 7 until 8:30 p.m. and other times at the home.

Starboard retired from Norfolk Shipyard and was a member of Creeksville Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Bessie Jean Sawyer Starboard; his sons, James Lee Starboard and Glenn Starboard and Donnie Starboard of Tampa, Fla.; his brother, George Starboard of South Mills; his sisters, Della Luck of Midway, Alabama and Margaret :”Ruthie” Ralph of Elizabeth City; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Collin Boone

LITHONIA, GA — Collin Boone, 66, a native of Murfreesboro, died February 6, 2007 at DeKalb Medical Center.

A viewing will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday at Hertford County Undertakers Chapel, Winton. A graveside service will be conducted at 12 noon in Carvers Park, Mur-freesboro.

Survivors include three daughters, Pamela Bebthea of Georgia, Janice Diles and Torey McGraw, both of New York; five sons, Collin Boone Jr. of LA, Andre Boone of Virginia, Glen Boone, David Diles and Micheal Diles, all of New York; sisters, Janie Boone-Deloatch and Barbara Jackson, both of New York; two brothers, Richard Boone and William Hinton Jr., both of Murfreesboro; a host of grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.

Matilde M. Rice

Greensboro, NC – Matilde M. Rice was reunited with the one true love of her life on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 2007.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 17, 11:00 a.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church. Interment will be held on Sunday, Feb 18, 1:00 p.m. at the Aulander Cemetery.

She received her nursing diploma at Massachusetts Memorial Hospital, her BSN at Boston University, her master’s degree at UNC-Greensboro, and her nurse practitioner training at Medical College of Virginia.

With nursing as her calling. Tillie has cared for people all over the world. As a First Lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corp., she served in WW II in the Philippines, the Dutch West Indies and other Pacific Theatre locations.

After the war, she and Dr. Rice made their first home in Key West, FL.

Dr. Rice’s career led them to Medical College of Virginia for a research appointment, to South Carolina for a private practice, and finally, to Greensboro, where Dr. Rice was director of the student health center at UNC-G. Her professional career has included teaching nursing in Boston, Mass., at the University of Sough Carolina, the Medical College of Virginia, GTCC, UNC Greensboro, and in Gaza, Israel.

For the last 20 years she has worked with special populations; older adults and special-needs children and adolescents.

Tillie is a member of Immanuel Baptist Church.

She is devoted to her profession, to caring for others, her church and the Lord.

Tillie is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. M. Edward Rice Jr., her parents, David J. and Beatrice A. McLaughlin; her younger brother, Walter McLaughlin.

The joys of her life are reflected in her love for her family, including four children, David and his wife, Kathy of Smithfield, John Rice of the home, James Rice, and Mary Bea Harman of Myrtle Beach, SC; four grandchildren, Aaron and Sarah Kathryn Rice, Kori Cunningham, and Laura Harman; and four great grandchildren, Tyler and Justin Cummingham, Alex Rice, and Adrian Harman.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her memory to the Dr. Moses E. Rice Town Student Scholarship Fund, c/o UNC-G Advancement Services, P.O. Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27420