John T. James Jr.

CHESAPEAKE, Va. – John T. James Jr., 81, a native of Bertie County, died September 7, 2007, in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. He was the widower of his first wife, Alberta James.

James received his education in the Bertie County public schools. He entered the U.S. Army and served in Germany during World War II. John retired after 29 years of service from The Virginian-Pilot as a delivery driver and also after 31 years of service from Sears as a battery operator. He was a faithful member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church for more than 60 years.

Survivors include his wife, Helen T. James of the home; two daughters, Diane C. Sharp of Chicago and Sherry A. Lewis of Tampa, Fla.; three sons, John M. James of Chesapeake, Kenneth W. James of Fort Myers, Fla., and Ervin D. James of Chesapeake; two sisters, Piccola Knowles and Rachel Stokes, both of Ossiling, N.Y.; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday in Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 525 Dinwiddie St. by Dr. J.B. Williams. Interment will be in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, Norfolk. Family and friends will assemble at 328 Fernwood Farms Road one hour prior to the service for the procession to the church. Metropolitan Funeral Service, Granby St. Chapel, is in charge. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.metropolitanfuneralservice.com.

Michelle Wilson

CHESAPEAKE, Va. – Michelle &uot;Shell&uot; or &uot;Shelly Gal&uot; Wilson, 47, a native of Norfolk, died September 9, 2007.

She was a graduate of Great Bridge High School and Tidewater Community College, Chesapeake. Michelle was a member of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, Chesapeake. She was employed at Beth Sholom Village for 20 years as a housekeeper.

Survivors include her husband, Grady Wilson; one daughter, Tiffany Wilson; one son, Brandon Wilson; her mother, Mary Blount Mercer; her father, Lewis Mercer, all of Chesapeake; and five sisters, Rhodia Mercer and Christe Harmon, both of Chesapeake, Turisa Mercer of Portsmouth, Lillian Rascoe of Jackson, and Gail Hines of Jasper, Ala.

A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday in the chapel of Metropolitan Funeral Service, 7246 Granby St. Minister Marcus Etheridge. Interment will be in Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk. Family and friends will assemble at the chapel for the service. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.metropolitanfuneralservice.com.

W. David Johnston

SUNBURY – William David Johnston, 72, a native of Gates County, died September 12, 2007, in Sentara Obici Hospital, Suffolk.

Johnston retired from Newport News Shipyard after 32 years of employment, he was a lifelong member of Beulah Baptist Church, a member of the VFW, the American Legion, Woodmen of the World, The Roundtable Investment Club, was currently serving as president of the Gates County Lions Club and had served in the Special Forces Division of the U.S. Army.

Survivors include his wife, Mili McClenny Johnston; a son, Kirk Johnston of Virginia Beach; two sisters, Mary Belle Riddick and Doris Jean Riddick, both of Sunbury; two stepchildren, Linda Plevyak Stan of Chesapeake and William R. White of Powhatan; five grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

A funeral was conducted Friday at Beulah Baptist Church by the Rev. Joe Cockrell. Burial with military honors followed in Damascus Christian Church Cemetery, Sunbury. Miller Funeral Home, Gatesville, was in charge.

Rebecca A. Parker

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Rebecca A. Parker, 84, a native of Bertie County, died September 8, 2007, in Sentara Bayside Hospital. She was the widow of George B. Parker.

Mrs. Parker was a former member of St. Paul Baptist Church, Sunbury, and was most recently a member of St. Paul Baptist Church of Suffolk where she was formerly an usher and member of the choir.

Survivors include three daughters, Annie P. Gilmer of Virginia Beach, Rebecca G. Parker of Concord, Ga., and Glendolyn Swindell of Chambersburg, Pa.; and four sons, Jackie R. Parker of Sunbury, John C. Parker of Portsmouth, Roy C. Parker and William Parker of Suffolk;

A service to celebrate her life will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday in St. Paul Baptist Church, 806 Lincoln Ave., Suffolk, by Bishop C.V. Russell III. Interment will be in Carver Memorial Cemetery. The family will assemble at Crocker Funeral Home by 10 a.m. Saturday for the procession to the church.

Vera M. Futrell

CONWAY n Vera Martin Futrell, 89, died Wednesday, September 12, 2007, at her home near Conway. She had been preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Norfleet Franklin Futrell, her parents, Paul and Norma Martin, and one brother, John D. Martin.

A native of Northampton County, she was a loving homemaker and was a dedicated member of Ashley’s Grove Baptist Church where she was, first, pianist then organist for over 60 years. She taught Sunday School, taught and directed many annual Bible Schools, was involved in WMU and the Young Womens Auxiliary as well as other church activities and would, frequently, take children and adults, who had no transportation, to church.

Survivors include two children, Katherine Futrell Allen and her husband, E. Daryl Allen of Ahoskie and Melvin King Futrell and his wife, Frances, of Conway; five grandchildren, Donna Allen, E. Daryl Allen, Jr., Kathy Allen, Frank J. Futrell, and Stacy K. Futrell; ten great-grandchildren; and one great, great grandchild.

Following a private family interment at 10 a.m., Friday, a Memorial Service was held at 11 a.m. in Ashley’s Grove Baptist Church with Rev. David Ross presiding.

The family received friends at Bridgers Funeral Home, Inc. in Conway, Thursday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and have requested that anyone wishing to share a memorial gift, please do so to Ashley’s Grove Baptist Church, 2275 Ashley’s Grove Road, Conway, NC 27820 or to Roanoke Chowan Hospice, 521 Myers St., Ahoskie, NC 27910.

Thomas L. Moore

WATERBURY, CT n Thomas Lee “Pete” Moore, 66, died September 10, 2007 at Waterbury Hospital.

A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday at Stallings Funeral Chapel, Gatesville. Burial will be in the Moore family cemetery. A viewing will be held from 6-8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Survivors include one daughter, Thomasine Moore of Wilmington, DE; two sons, Kevin T. Moore of Wilmington and Christopher Jordan of Providence, RI; five sisters, Bessie M. Hunter of Hopewell, Va., Pearlie Freeman and Mary Moore, both of Gates, Dorothy M. Harper and Della Moore, both of Waterbury; three brothers, Lloyd V. Moore and Claude E. Moore, both of Gates and Otis O. Moore of Waterbury; and 10 grandchildren.

Judith P. Harris

MURFREESBORO n Judith Perry Harris, 62, a native of Hertford County, died September 12, 2007.

A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at Meherrin Baptist Church by the Rev. James Hester. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association. Massey Funeral Home, Jackson, is in charge.

Mrs. Harris was a member of Meherrin Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband, Elwood Harris of the home; a daughter, Wanda Greene of Aulander; a son, Joey Harris Sr. of Courtland, Va.; three sisters, Elsie Harrison of Ahoskie, Erlene Davis of Pendleton and Edith Perry of Gambrills, Md.; a brother, Earl Perry of Rockville; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Annie M. Baker

BELVIDERE – Annie Mae Matthews Baker, 87, a native of Perquimans County, died September 13, 2007, in Winslow Memorial Home, Elizabeth City.

Mrs. Baker and her husband, the late Russell C. Baker, were for many years the owners and operators of the former Baker Oil Company. An active member of Bethany United Methodist Church, she had taught Sunday school for more than 60 years, was a leader in the Methodist Youth Fellowship, and had held offices on both the local and district levels of the United Methodist Women. Active in the Perquimans County Democratic Party, she had worked with the Board of Elections, had served on the Perquimans County Nursing Home Advisory Board, and for many years was active in the Whiteston Home Demonstration Club.

Survivors include a daughter, Ann Baker Stallings of Hobbsville; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday in Bethany United Methodist Church by the Rev. Ed Rutenkroger and the Rev. Ralph Epps. Burial will be in Cedarwood Cemetery, Hertford. Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main St., Gatesville, is in charge. Friends may join the family at the home of her daughter, 025 Horace Stallings Lane, Hobbsville. Memorial contributions may be made to Bethany United Methodist Church, in care of Douglas Baker, Acorn Hill Road, Hobbsville, NC 27946 or to the Hydrocephalus Association, 870 Market St., Suite 705, San Francisco, CA 94102.

Rebecca A. Parker

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. –

Rebecca A. Parker, 84, a native of Bertie County, died September 8, 2007, in Sentara Bayside Hospital. She was the widow of George B. Parker.

Mrs. Parker was a former member of St. Paul Baptist Church, Sunbury, and was most recently a member of St. Paul Baptist Church of Suffolk where she was formerly an usher and member of the choir.

Survivors include three daughters, Annie P. Gilmer of Virginia Beach, Rebecca G. Parker of Concord, Ga., and Glendolyn Swindell of Chambersburg, Pa.; four sons, Jackie R. Parker of Sunbury, John C. Parker of Portsmouth, Roy C. Parker and William Parker of Suffolk; 20 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.

A service to celebrate her life will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday in St. Paul Baptist Church, 806 Lincoln Ave., Suffolk, by Bishop C.V. Russell III. Interment will be in Carver Memorial Cemetery. The family will assemble at Crocker Funeral Home by 10 a.m. Saturday for the procession to the church.

Bobby S. Jones

AHOSKIE n Bobby Sanford Jones, 68, of the 500 block of Godwin Town Road, died Wednesday, September 12, 2007, in his home, surrounded by his family as he looked up to his new home.

Bobby had fought a brave and courageous battle with cancer for six years and now his tremendous trials and struggles are over.

Mr. Jones was born in Beaufort County, NC, a son of Larry Wendell and the late Beatrice Fleming Jones and was a member of Brantley’s Grove Baptist Church.

He was retired as a meat and grocery retailer.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Geraldine Godwin Jones; two sons, Dale E. Jones and wife, Trudy, and Keith W. Jones and wife, Ellen all of Cofield; a daughter, Angela J. Blowe of Richmond, VA; his father, Larry Wendell Jones and his wife, Shirley of Greenville, NC; a sister, Beverly J. Vick of Chocowinity, NC; two brothers, Kenny F. Jones and Jimmy L. Jones both of Chocowinity, NC; and grandchildren, Ashley, April and Brian Jones, and Elizabeth and Amanda Blowe, all of whom are still at home with their parents, attending high school, college, and working.

Preceding him in death were two brothers, Kirk Jones and Wendell Jones.

A celebration of life service will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 15, 2007, at Garrett Funeral Home, 205 NC Highway 42 West, Ahoskie, with the Rev. Jimmy Ward and the Rev. J. N. Baggett officiating.

Burial will follow in Aulander Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. on Friday and other times at the home.

Garrett Funeral Home is serving the Jones family

Bob S. Jones

AULANDER n Bob Steele Jones, 63, of Ray Farmer Road, went to his heavenly home on Wednesday, September 12, 2007.

Bob was born in Hertford County, a son of the late Alice Jones Morris and the late Dewey Minton. He was a member of Woodland Full Gospel Church and the Roanoke Chowan Wildlife Club and had retired as a painting contractor.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 42 years, Judy White Jones; and his six children, Wayne Jones, his wife, Patricia, and their children, Melinda and Bruce and great grandson, Memphis, all of Chester, VA; his daughter, Karen Jones and her friend Donald Kirkland and children, Travis and Angela Stanley and Kimberly Kirkland, all of Ahoskie; daughter, Christine Freeman and husband, Rusty and their children, Samantha, Paul and Sabrina, all of Sunbury; daughter, Denise Terry and husband, Jack and their son Jacob of Aulander; and sons, James “Scooter” and Michael Jones of the home.

He is also survived by three brothers, Richard Jones and Jim Jones of Aulander and Herman Scott, a sister, Marie of Wilmington and several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Bob was predeceased by a sister, Betty Hall.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 15, 2007, at Garrett Funeral Home, 205 NC highway 42 West Ahoskie, with the Rev. Evelyn Marie Jones and Oscar Jones officiating. Burial will follow in Job Cemetery.

The family received friends at the funeral home from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. on Friday and other times at the home.

Garrett Funeral Home is serving the Jones family.

Delma Moore

AHOSKIE n Delma “DJ” Moore, 68, a native of Hertford County, died September 13, 2007 at her residence.

A funeral will be conducted at 12 noon Tuesday at New Bethany Baptist Church by the Rev. William C. Clark. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A viewing will be held on Monday. Hertford County Undertakers, Winton, is in charge.

Survivors include two brothers, William Moore of Tampa, Fla., and Calvin Moore of Newport News, Va.; and two sisters, Annie Hall of Cofield and Malinda Washington of Ahoskie.

Agnes Thomas

MURFREESBORO n Agnes Thomas, died September 13, 2007 at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete. Hunter’s Funeral Home, Inc., Murfreesboro, is in charge. Condolences may be sent to www.huntersfuneralhome.com.

Ardee Morris

AHOSKIE n Ardee Morris, 73, a native of Bertie County, died September 12, 2007 at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital.

A funeral will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church, Powellsville, by the Rev. John White. Burial will be in Highland Memorial Gardens, Ahoskie. Hunter’s Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie, is in charge. Condolences may be sent to: www.huntersfuneralhome.com.

She was a member of First Baptist Church Powellsville, where she was active in the usher board, pastor’s aide Club and kitchen committee. She also attended Roundtree Temple of Praise.

Survivors include two sons, Charles Moore of Jacksonville and Elerod Morris of Knightdale; one sister, Maggie Owens of Suffolk, Va.; one brother, Earl Morris of Brooklyn, NY; and five grandchildren.

Margaline F. Blunt

SEVERN n Margaline F. Blunt, 67, a native of Northampton County, died September 11, 2007 at Halifax Regional Medical Center.

A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Zoar Missionary Baptist Church by the Rev. Dr. William F. Denson Jr. Burial will be in the Flythe family cemetery, Galatia. Hunter’s Funeral Home, Inc., Murfreesboro, is in charge. Condolences may be sent to www.huntersfuneralhome.com.

Mrs. Blunt was a member of Zoar Missionary Baptist Church. She was president of the Senior Choir, on the Missionary Circle, Sunday School and Women’s Ministry.

Survivors include two sisters, Sylvia Jordan of Severn and Emily Sharpe of Conway.

Martha Faulcon

ROANOKE RAPIDS n Martha Faulcon, 75, died September 13, 2007 at her residence.

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