The R-C News-Herald Obituaries for Aug. 11, 2007

Published 12:00 am Monday, August 20, 2007

Robert Grant

DURHAM – Robert “Peache” Grant, 83, died Friday, August 3, 2007 at the Brian Center of Durham, NC.

A native of Northampton County, Grant was the son of Junius and Patsy Grant of George, NC.

He is survived by one sister, Nellie Kastwood of New York, New York; and a special niece, Jackie Futrell of Durham.

After completing four years in the Army, Grant served in the Merchant Marines and retired after thirty years of service.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, August 12, 2007 at Holloway Funeral Home.

Visitation will precede the service from 12-1 p.m. at Holloway Funeral Home.

Interment will be at the Veterans Administration Cemetery, Salisbury N.C.

Ms. Futrell and the family would like to send their deepest thanks to the Brian Center of Durham for their support and care.

Arrangements are by Holloway Funeral Home.

William D. Harrell

COLERAIN – William David Harrell, 69, of the 300 Block of Bud Taylor Road, died Saturday, August 4, 2007 in his home.

Harrell was a native of Norfolk, Va. a son of the late Riddick David and Annie Love Evans Harrell, a member of Powellsville Baptist Church and the owner and operator of R.D. Harrell and Son General Merchandise Store.

Harrell also was a member of the Trap Volunteer Fire Department and served in the North Carolina National Guard.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Danise Taylor Harrell; one daughter, Joan Bundy and husband Willie of Gatesville, NC; two sons, Stacy Harrell and wife Lisa of Windsor, NC and Mike Harrell and wife Lisa of Colerain; one sister, Rose Marie Asbell and husband Thomas of Powellsville, NC ; and four grandchildren; Taylor Bundy, Jenna Bundy, Dylan Harrell and Matt Harrell.

A Celebration Service of Mr. Harrell’s life was held 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at Mars Hill Baptist Church at Trap.

The Rev. Billy Presley officiated.

Burial followed at Highland Memorial Gardens.

The family received friends at the residence.

Memorial donations may be made to the Trap Volunteer Fire Department, Meadow Road, Colerain, N.C. 27924.

Alice Diane Simmons

COFIELD – Alice Diane Simmons died Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at her residence.

Survivors include one son, Julius Simmons of Cofield; one daughter, Joyce Ann Stewart of Oklahoma City, OK, three brothers, Joe Lee Pope of Hampton, Va., Richard Pope of Ahoskie and Neihmiah Pope, Jr.; six sisters, Freda Carter, Linda Pope, Doris Simmons all of Cofield, Sandra Bright and Carolyn Jackson, both of Detroit, Michigan, Deborah Simmons of Ahoskie and one grandchild.

A funeral will be conducted at Phillipi Baptist Church, Cofield on Sunday, August 12, 2007 at 2 p.m.

The Rev. Elton Hall will be officiating.

Interment will be at the Pope Family Cemetery in Hertford.

Reynolds Funeral Home, INC. is in charge of arrangements.

Lena A. Latham

NEW BERN – Lena Askew Latham, 84, passed away Aug. 8, 2007, at her home.

Latham was born in Colerain.

She attended Mars Hill College and Key Business College in Norfolk and worked for the U.S. government and retired from Weyco Credit Union.

Survivors include her husband, Hallet Thomas Latham; one son, H. Keith Latham of Brighton, Mich.; two daughters, Kim Latham Moseley of Charlotte, and Karla Gwaltney of New Bern; six grandchildren; and one sister, Retha Mizzelle of Colerain.

The family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, August 9 at the Pollock-Best Funeral Home.

A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, August 10 at Temple Baptist Church with Dr. Steve Cobb and the Rev. Steve Simpson officiating.

Interment will immediately follow the service at Greenleaf Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Temple Baptist Church Building Fund, the Twin Rivers Lions Club or the charity of one’s choice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.pollockbest.com.

Susie Etta Martin Whitaker

ROANOKE RAPIDS – Susie “Sue” Etta Martin Whitaker, died on Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems in Richmond, Va.

A visitation will be held in the Roanoke Rapids Chapel of H.D Pope Funeral Home.

A funeral will be conducted at 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 12, 2007 at Springfield Baptist Church in Littleton.

The Rev. John R. Rooks will be officiating and the Rev. G. E. Battle will be eulogizing.

The interment will take place immediately following the service in the Springfield Baptist Church Cemetery.

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

Brian Keith Harmon

TUCSON, ARIZONA – Brian Keith Harmon, 22, died Tuesday, August 7, 2007.

Harmon was born in Hertford County.

He was a member of Miracle Temple Church of Deliverance, Ahoskie and he attended Hertford County High School.

Harmon was employed at Fredman Recycling Company, Tucson.

Survivors include, mother, Becky Dunning Smith of Scotland Neck; father, William Walter Harmon Jr. of Newport News, Va. ; son, Jordan Williams of Tucson; brothers, William W. Harmon III of Murfreesboro and William T. Harmon of Aulander;

sisters,

LaDonya N. Boone of Scotland Neck and Lashauna Boone of Greenville; grandparents, Alice Harmon of Windsor and Carroll and Dorothy Dunning of Ahoskie.

A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Monday, August 13, 2007 at Mill Branch Baptist Church, Aulander.

The Rev. Ronald Dolberry will be officiating.

The burial will take place at Wilder’s-Cherry Family Cemetery, Aulander.

Wilder’s Funeral Home, Inc. in Aulander is in charge of the arrangements.

Virdie H. Merritt

Portsmouth, Va. – The Rev. Dr. Virdie Harris Merritt, 71, died Aug. 8, 2007.

She was born in Murfreesboro and was the assistant pastor of St. Mark RZUA Church, Norfolk.

She was a member of the church’s Sweet Hour of Prayer Ministry and Senior Citizen Fellowship.

Survivors include her husband, William H. Merritt; two daughters, Colleen M. White of Portsmouth and Francine A. Bright of Chesapeake; three sons, William Ronald Merritt Sr. of Townsend, Del., Calvin Jonathan Merritt of Haynesville, Va., and Owen Eugene Merritt of Portsmouth; three sisters, Catherine Clay, Barbara A. Mitchell and Vernice Harris; 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be conducted Saturday at 11 a.m. in St. Mark RZUA Church, Norfolk, by the Rev. Dr. Alvin B. Thomas.

Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Chesapeake.

Viewing was Friday at noon and the body will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Fisher Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Gladys Taylor Baines

Suffolk, Va. – Gladys Taylor Baines died Aug. 3, 2007.

She was born in Gates County.

Mrs. Baines had retired as an office bookkeeper with Peanut City Metal & Scrapyard.

She was a lifelong member of Liberty Spring Christian Church and a member of the Women’s Fellowship. She is survived by Mike and Debbie (Mathews) Brinkley of Chesapeake, Ray and Judy Swyndle of Maryland and George K. Mathews of Newport News. A graveside service will be held Friday at 2 p.m. in Liberty Spring Christian Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Liberty Spring Christian Church, Building Fund, 4213 Whaleyville Blvd., Suffolk, VA 23434.

Michael D. Parker

ZEBULON – Michael Douglas &uot;Mike&uot; Parker, 60, died Aug. 8, 2007.

He recently retired from the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

Survivors include one daughter DeAnna P Truesdell of Hubert, N.C.; mother, Ruth H. Parker of Winton; and two sisters, Linda Bross of Suffolk and Pamela Hagerty of Virginia Beach.

The family received friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday in Strickland Funeral Home, Louisburg.

A private service will be held at a later date.

Stanley Pugh

RALEIGH – Stanley Pugh, 45, died Wednesday, August 8, 2007.

A funeral will be conducted Sunday, August 12, 2007 at 2 p.m. at Cedar Landing Missionary Baptist Church, Windsor.

Visitation is Saturday, August 11, 2007 at 7-8 p.m. at Gilliam Funeral Home Chapel, Windsor.

Burial is at Hillcrest Cemetery, Windsor.

Gilliam Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Georgia Mae Thompson

WILLINGBORO, NJ – Georgia Mae Thompson died Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at her residence.

Survivors include husband, James E. Thompson Sr. of Willingboro; son, James Earl Thompson of Willingboro; daughter, Pamela Thompson of Willingboro; four sisters, Mildred L. Lee, Marie Cherry and Gloria Jean Charles all of Kelford, Lucy Cherry Parham of Willingboro; one grandchild, and two brothers, Nimrod H. Cherry and Clarence E. Cherry Sr., of Kelford.

A funeral will be conducted at Sandy Branch Baptist Church, Roxobel on Monday, August 13, 2007 at 1 p.m.

The Rev. Lycurgus Harrell will be officiating.

Burial will be at the Cherry Family Cemetery in Windsor.

Reynolds Funeral Home, INC. is in charge of arrangements.