Kenneth R. Truman

EURE – Kenneth Robert Truman, 76, a native of Akron, Ohio, died September 1, 2007, in his home.

Truman was a retired maintenance mechanic in the automotive manufacturing industry, he was a veteran having served in the U.S. Army.

Survivors include his daughter, Jenice Beatty of Lake Wylie, S.C.; his son, Keith Truman of Eure; his sister, Jeannette Johnson of Akron, Ohio; the mother of his children, JoAnn Saylor of Eure; and five grandchildren.

A funeral will be conducted at 7 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main St., Gatesville, and will be officiated by family friend Jack Owens and by his grandson, Kyle Truman. Friends may join the family in the funeral home following services or all other times at the home of his son, 342 Turner Road, Eure.

Eleanor B. Tomlin

MURFREESBORO n Eleanor Bishop Tomlin, 81, of the 400 block of Carolina Drive and longtime resident of Murfreesboro, passed away Monday, September 3, 2007, at Roanoke Chowan Hospital.

Mrs. Tomlin was born in Bertie County, the daughter of the late Hugh and Nannie Bishop of Roxobel, NC.

She was homemaker, and was known for her love of animals.

She is survived by a daughter, Helen T. Rose of Murfreesboro; and a grandson, Michael D. Rose, also of Murfreesboro.

She was predeceased by her husband, Williams E. Tomlin.

Eleanor will be greatly missed by family and friends.

A private memorial service will be held for the family.

Garrett Funeral home is handling arrangements.

Dorothy Jakeman

AHOSKIE n Dorothy Cleo Jakeman, 88, died Monday, September 3, at Ahoskie House in Ahoskie where she had resided for several years.

Widow of Robert A. Jakeman, she was a native of Hertford County and was retired after working for 33 years as a Machine Operator with Gatling Business Forms in Virginia Beach, VA. Her memberships included Knox Presbyterian Church for 25 years, Phythian Sisters Virginia Dare Temple No. 33, and Fox Hill Civic League.

Survivors include one sister, Margaret Vinson Bridgers; nephews, David Bridgers, Richard Vinson, and Billy Vinson; a niece, Mary Lee Vinson Willoughby; great nephews, William Edward (Billy) Burgess and Robert Joseph (Joey) Burgess; great nieces, Carmen Bridgers Johnson and Paige Bridgers; and her loving caregiver for many years, Georgia Bernice Burgess.

Beside her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Dolly Jones Vinson, three brothers, Robert Vinson, William Vinson and Henry Vinson; two sisters, Anna Burgess and Jane Vinson, and a dear nephew, C.B. Burgess.

The family received friends at Bridgers Funeral Home, Inc. in Conway Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home with Rev. David Ross presiding followed by a private burial service at Rosewood Memorial Park in Virginia Beach, VA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be sent to Roanoke Chowan Hospice, 521 West Myers St., Ahoskie, NC 27910.

Mary Ann White Jeffreys

Mary White Jeffreys, 63, of Smithfield, NC, died Monday, September 3, 2007 in Britthaven of Smithfield, NC.

Mrs. Jeffreys was born August 5, 1944, and was the daughter of the late Ray Carter and Barbara Page White. Mrs. Jeffreys is originally from Winton, NC, but she lived at Cape Hatteras, NC, with her late husband, Brantley Jeffreys, for 25 years. She moved to Smithfield, NC, in August of 2006.

Surviving are two daughters and one son, Faynette Thomas and husband Preston of Hamersville, Ohio, Melissa Tapscott and husband Joel of Tunis, NC, Richard Prince and wife Diane of Selma, NC; and two grandchildren, Preston (PJ) Thomas of Springfield, Ohio, and Sheila Tapscott of Winton, NC; two nieces, Sheila White of Tennessee and Patty White of Ohio; and two nephews, Terry White and Jeremy White, both of Ohio. Other surviving family and friends include: Walter and Jerry Jeffreys of Buxton, NC, Dana Carlin of Buxton, NC and Marvin and Audrey Speiss of Frisco, NC.

Funeral services will be held Friday at 3 p.m. in Temple Baptist Church, where Mrs. Jeffreys was recently baptized. Rev. Rodney Pearce will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Temple Baptist Church, 1250 S. Pollock St., Selma, NC 27576 or to the Dare County SPCA, 1000 Driftwood Dr., Manteo, NC 27954.

Arrangements are being handled by Parrish Memorial Funeral Home in Smithfield, NC.

Linwood H. Overby

RALEIGH – Linwood Hugh Overby, 90, died September 3, 2007, in Raleigh.

Overby was a World War II veteran and served in the U.S. Army. He was a successful businessman and civic leader in Ahoskie. He owned and operated Ahoskie Tire Service.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Yolanda Leonard Overby; son, David Leonard Overby; son, Linwood Hugh Overby Jr.; and five grandchildren.

A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday in Trinity Baptist Church in Raleigh. The family will receive friends and family one hour prior to the service. Interment with military honors will follow in Raleigh Memorial Park Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Trinity Baptist Church, 4815 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27609 or to Hospice of Wake County, 1300 St. Mary’s St., 4th Floor, Raleigh, NC 27695. Arrangements with Mitchell Funeral Home at Raleigh Memorial Park. Condolences may be sent to www.MeM.com.

Willie R. Deans

SUFFOLK, Va. – Willie Raynor Deans, 74, a native of Colerain, died September

4, 2007.

Deans initially retired as a police officer for the Suffolk Police Department. He later went on to serve as City of Suffolk magistrate for the Commonwealth of Virginia. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in the Korean War.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Shirley Russell Deans of Suffolk; his daughter, Darlene Deans Brinkley of Suffolk; his sons, Kenneth R. Deans and, Frank Raynor Deans Sr., both of Windsor, Va., and Andrew Deans of Suffolk and Bill Ray of Valdosa, Ga.; a sister, Florence Pope of Winton; and four grandchildren.

A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at Parr Funeral Home and Crematory, 3515 Robs Drive, Suffolk, with Bishop James P. Council. Interment will be held at the Cypress Chapel Christian Church Cemetery with military honors. A visitation will be held at the funeral home Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m. and other times at the residence. Memorial donations may be made to the Nansemond-Suffolk Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1515, Suffolk, VA 23439. Condolences may also be registered at www.parrfuneralhome.com.

Richard Hardy

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. –

Richard &uot;Dick&uot; Hardy, 73, died September 1, 2007, in Portsmouth Naval Hospital. He was predeceased by his first wife, Isabel Hardy.

Hardy retired from the United States Navy as a senior chief after 28 years of service. Survivors include his wife, Valencia Hardy; daughters, Patricia Golding of Virginia Beach; Terri Hardy of Leesburg, Amber Hardy of Virginia Beach; Lynn Poltrok of Pennsylvania; Sandy Alshefski of Pennsylvania; sons, Alan Hardy of Virginia Beach; Rick Hardy of Washington, D.C.; Dale Hardy, Kenny Hardy and Mike Hardy of Pennsylvania; and stepdaughter, Vicki Amber; his three sisters, Charlotte of Delaware, Patricia of Tennessee and Hazel of Delaware; brother, Jack Hardy of Delaware; and grandchildren.

.A memorial service will be conducted at 3 p.m. Friday in the chapel of Altmeyer Funeral Home, Southside Chapel, with a visitation starting at 2 p.m., one hour prior to the service. Burial will be Saturday at 2 p.m. in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Delaware. Condolences may be made to the family at www.altmeyer.com. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society.

Randolph Howard

AULANDER n Randolph “Randy” Howard, 63, a native of Bertie County, died September 2, 2007 at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Ahoskie.

Howard was a member of Branches Chapel Baptist Church, Rich Square; and a self-employed truck driver.

Survivors include his wife, Sylvia F. Howard of Aulander; daughters, Brandi N. Howard of Aulander, Valerie Howard and Vickie Blakeney, both of Greensboro; one son, Randolph Dean Howard of Greensboro; sisters, Marie Younger and Grace Washington, both of Newport News, Va., Bernice Wilson, Doris Britt, and Peggy Lawrence, all of Ahoskie and Annie Tann of New Hill; brothers, Ernest Howard of Powellsville, Ray Charles Lane of Gatesville and Linwood Lane of Lewiston; and five grandchildren.

A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at Zion Grove Baptist Church, Aulander, by the Rev. James Mercer. Wilder’s Funeral Home, Inc., Aulander, is in charge.

Brenda P. Mikesell

Brenda Peele Mikesell went home to be with our Lord on September 1, 2007 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

She was born on October 15, 1944 in Smithfield, NC to Nelmar and Bessie Peele.

She grew up in Whitakers, NC and graduated from Whitakers High School in 1963.

After graduation, she attended and graduated from the Carolina School of Business.

She met her husband, Marshall Mikesell, Jr. when he was stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force base and they were married on April 17, 1966 at Lake Side Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, NC.

After Marshall was discharged from the service, they moved back to his hometown of Eau Claire, WI where they raised their family.

She was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother.

She touched countless lives through her work in her home, her church and her community.

She was happiest when cooking large family dinners and planning special times with the people she loved.

Her grandchildren will never forget the Easter egg hunts, birthday lunches, gingerbread houses, and red and green Christmas Eve suppers that grandma always enjoyed doing.

She was a devoted Packer fan and thoroughly enjoyed her trips to Lambeau Field to cheer on “her” Packers.

She is a very special lady who always had an encouraging word, a warm hug and a homemade pie when needed.

We will miss her tremendously, but take comfort in the fact that we will be reunited one day.

She is survived by her husband of 41 years, Marshall Mikesell Jr.; daughters Sandy Mikesell and Janet (Bill) Bauer; son, Brian Mikesell; 4 special grandchildren, Meghan (her ladybug), Samantha (her honeybee), Luke (her little moon beam) and Julia (her little ray of sunshine) all of Eau Claire; sister, Janice Parker of Murfreesboro, NC; brother, John (Elizabeth) Peele of Maitland, FL; mother-in-law Betty Mikesell of Eau Claire; sisters-in-law, Darlene Hinton of Eugene, OR, Maryann (John) Ellis of Eau Claire, and Shirley (Pete) Rockwell of Madison, WI; numerous nieces and nephews and many other loving family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Nelmar and Bessie Peele; father-in-law, Marshall Mikesell Sr.; brother-in-law Joseph Parker; and her very special grandson Christian William Bauer (her little butterfly).

You will always be in our hearts and you will live on forever in the legacy you left behind.

Until we meet again, enjoy spoiling Christian!

Funeral services for Brenda will be on Friday, September 7, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at Wesleyan Church, 2405 Keith Street, Eau Claire, WI with Pastor Dwayne Winterberg officiating.

Friends and family may call at Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire on Thursday, September 6, 2007 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and again on Friday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until time of service.

Burial will be at Rest Haven Cemetery in the Town of Washington.

Family and friends may send condolences online at www.fullerspeckien.com.

Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

James J. Mason Jr.

MARGARETTSVILLE n James Junior Mason II, 21, a native of Halifax County, died September 1, 2007 in Murfreesboro.

A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church by the Rev. Abraham I. Walton. Interment will be in the church cemetery, Margarettsville. Faison’s Funeral Home, Seaboard, is in charge. A viewing will be conducted from 1 to 7 p.m. Friday.

Survivors include his mother, Denise Kolo of Greensboro; his father, James Mason Sr. of Margarettsville; two brothers, Antonio White of Bowie, Md., and Jeffrey Mason of Margarettsville; grandmothers, Elaine Porter of Margarettsville and Dr. Patricia Love of Greenville; grandfather, George White of Winston Salem; and great-grandmothers, Martha Mason of Margarettsville and Lucille White of Seaboard.

Lendberg Eason

WOODLAND n 74, died September 4, 2007 at Guardian Care, Ahoskie

Funeral arrangements are incomplete. Hood Funeral Home, Conway, is in charge.

Verlie M. Smith

LITTLETON -Verlie Mae Smith, 60, a native of Southampton County, Va., died September 3, 2007 at her residence.

She was a member of Compassion and Worship Center, Weldon, and was a certified nurse’s aide.

Survivors include two sons, Calvin Smith Jr. of Newport News and Chris Smith of Pontiac, MI.; one brother, Elton Bynum of Pontiac; two sisters, Wanda Blanding of Roanoke Rapids and Anna Jefferson of Littleton; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at Robinson Funeral Home, Littleton, by the Rev. Wallace Cherry.

Viewing will be on Friday from 12-8 pm at Robinson Funeral Home. Burial will be held in the South Winton Cemetery, Winton. Hunter’s Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie is in charge.

Shirley M. White

AHOSKIE n Shirley Mae White, died September 4, 2007 at her residence.

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

Arlene M. Brown

WINTON n Arlene Melton Brown, 81, of the 100 block of Highway 45 South, died Tuesday, September 4, 2007, at Roanoke Chowan Hospital.

Mrs. Brown was born in Hertford County, a daughter of the late Clinton and Nollie Reid Melton.

She was the first Senior Princess of the Meherrin Indian Tribe after reorganization in 1975.

Mrs. Brown was a homemaker and the widow of Joseph M. Brown.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Patricia Reynolds, Patrina Brown and Sharron Skala, all of Ahoskie, Kitty Woldman of Richmond, VA, Sylvia Caudill of Whitakers, NC, and Denise McAuly of Hope Mills, NC; her sons, Joseph Brown, Donald Brown, Wayne Brown, and Kelly Brown, all of Winton, Marcus Brown, and Patrick Brown of Richmond, VA, Kelly Brown of Winston Salem, and Arnold Brown of Roanoke Rapids, NC.

She is also survived by two sisters, Mamie Mercado Franklin of Newport News, VA, and Yvonne Baker of Hampton, VA; three brothers, Clinton Melton of Georgia, Wayne Melton, and Eugene Melton both of Ahoskie; 34 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

A celebration of life service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 8, 2007, at the Meherrin Native American Church, Winton, with the Rev. Ken Brown and the Rev. William Reid officiating.

Entombment will follow in the Brown Family Cemetery, Blue Foot Road, Winton.

The family will receive friends at the home of her son, Wayne Brown,

107 South Main Street, Winton.

Garrett Funeral Home, 205 NC Highway 42 West, Ahoskie, is serving the Brown family.

Clinton Williams Sr.

LEWISTON n Clinton Williams Sr., 81, a native of Bertie County, died August 31, 2007 at his residence.

A funeral will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Weeping Mary Baptist Church, Lewiston, by the Rev. Johnnie Cofield. Wilder’s Funeral Home, Inc., Aulander, is in charge.

Survivors include his wife, Sarah Williams of Lewiston; daughter, Marguerite Williams of Lewiston; sisters, Margaret Atkinson of Wilson, Dorothy Cherry of Merry Hill, Willie Faye Smallwood of Lewiston and Sylvia Dozier of Georgia; and two grandchildren.