Sarah B. Alfred

COFIELD – Sarah Bonner Alfred, 49, a native of Northampton County, died January 2, 2008 at Pitt Memorial Hospital, Greenville.

Survivors include two sons, McRea Bonner and Rickie Alfred; brothers, Steve Riddick and Gregory Riddick, both of Brooklyn, NY, Wesley Riddick of Atlanta, Ga., Scott Riddick of New Jersey, Orlando Brown of Charlotte, Kelvin Bonner of Murfreesboro, Leon Bonner of Rocky Mount and William Bonner of Georgia; and sisters, Loretta Riddick of Vineland, Lisa Riddick Hall of El Paso, Texas, Renee Riddick of Atlanta, Jacqueline Brown of Charlotte, Sylvia Bonner of Murfreesboro, and Lisa Bonner of Washington, D.C.

A graveside service will be conducted at 12 noon Tuesday at Wilders-Cherry Family Cemetery, Aulander. Wilder’s Funeral Home Inc., Aulander, is in charge.

Linda Jackson

AHOSKIE n Linda Longsworth Sessoms Jackson, 60, a native of Hertford County, died January 4, 2008 at her residence.

Mrs. Jackson was a member of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, Ahoskie and a retired dispatcher at the Ahoskie Police Department.

Survivors include her husband, Gary Jackson of the home; a daughter, Kristen N. Outlaw of the home; a son, Garany A. Outlaw of the home; and two brothers, Daniel McCrae and Bobby McCrae, both of Charlotte.

A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Wilder’s Funeral Home Chapel, Rich Square, by the Rev. Robert Sessoms. Burial will be at a later date in Hillcrest Cemetery, Ahoskie. Wilder’s Funeral Home, Inc., Aulander, is in charge.

Clara L. Shores

AULANDER – Clara Lassiter Shores, 78, of the 300 block of St. John Millennium Road, died January 6, 2008 in her home.

Mrs. Shores was a native of Hertford County, a member of St. John Baptist Church, where she was a choir member, a member of the W.M.U and was a Quality Control Inspector for Sunbeam Corporation, and a farmer. She was the daughter of the late James Cameran and Rosa Slade Lassiter.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Melvin Emles Shores; a daughter, Rosa Shores Mizelle and husband Terry Carroll, Colerain, NC; one son, Johnny Ray Shores and wife Barbara Frazier, Point Harbor, NC; a sister, Irma Lassiter Hurdle, Aulander, NC; a brother, James Walter Lassiter, Aulander, NC; four grandchildren, Christopher Brent Mizelle, Stephanie Mizelle Capehart, Jonathan Ray Shores, and Stephen Michael Shores; and two great grandchildren.

A Celebration Service of Mrs. Shores Life will be held 1:00 PM Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at St. John Baptist Church, with Rev. John Eure and Rev. Bob L. Skeens officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens, Ahoskie, NC.

The family received friends at Garrett Funeral Home Ashley Chapel, 205 NC Highway 42 West, Ahoskie, NC, from 7-8:30 PM Monday, January 7, 2008 and other time at the residence.

Flowers are welcome, or anyone wishing may make donations to University Health Systems Hospice Care, P.O. Box 272, Ahoskie, NC. 27910

Garrett Funeral Home Ashley Chapel is serving the Shores family.

Larry T. Cobb

COLERAIN n Larry Thomas Cobb, 64, of 219 Elm Grove Road, died Friday, January 4, 2008 at Bertie Memorial Hospital. Larry was born in Bertie County on August 4, 1943 to the late Helen Castelloe and James Raleigh Cobb, Sr. He was a member of Ross Baptist Church and Jack Bass Hunting Club. Mr. Cobb owned a cookie distribution company.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, January 6, 2008 at 2 p.m. at Ross Baptist Church by the Rev. Roger Kiker and Rev. Brian Medlin. The family received friends from their home.

Survivors include his wife, Annette Copeland Cobb of Colerain, NC; sons, Larry Thomas Cobb, II and wife, Rhonda of Roper, NC and Will Sawyer Cobb and friend Dana Lee of Colerain, NC; a sister, Dorothy C. Highsmith of Colerain, NC; two brothers, James R. Cobb, Jr. of Williamston, NC and Ray Cobb of Windsor, NC; and a granddaughter, Emma Belle Cobb of Roper, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Brad Smithwick Children’s Fund, c/o Ross Baptist Church, 1022 Bull Hill Road, Windsor, NC 27983. Walker Funeral Home, Windsor, served the Cobb family.

Richard Roberts

GASTON n Richard Roberts, 38, died January 3, 2008 at Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center in Emporia, Va.

A funeral was conducted Sunday in Cool Spring Baptist Church, Gaston, by Bishop Wayne Welch. Interment was in the church cemetery. H.D. Pope Funeral Home, Roanoke Rapids, was in charge.

Carolyn Ransome

ROCKY MOUNT n Carolyn Deloris-Ann Whitehead Ransome, 55, died January 2, 2008.

A funeral was conducted Monday at Light of Peace Missionary Baptist Church by Bishop Lonnie Braswell. Interment was in Gardens of Gethsemane. H.D. Pope Funeral Home was in charge.

Elsie H. Lassiter

SUNBURY n Elsie Hobbs Lassiter, 92, of 482 Water Swamp Road, died Thursday, December 27, 2007 in Winslow Memorial Home, Elizabeth City.

Mrs. Lassiter was born in Gates County and was the daughter of the late George Ambrose and Anna Parks Hobbs. A homemaker, she was a member of Warwick Baptist Church. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Jackson Lassiter, and a son-in-law, Ernest “Pete” Spivey.

Surviving are two daughters, Norene L. Spivey of Sunbury and Patricia L. Casper and husband Wilbur of Gatesville; two brothers, Edison Hobbs of Chesapeake, VA and Wendell Hobbs of Hobbsville; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Sunday at 2 p.m. in Warwick Baptist Church by the Rev. Gene Asbill. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Friends joined the family Saturday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main Street, Gatesville, and all other times at her residence.

Memorial contributions may be made to the building fund of Warwick Baptist Church, 4314 Virginia Road, Hobbsville, NC 27946.

Hunter W. Blanchard

TYNER – Hunter Willard Blanchard, 79, a native of Chowan County, died January 6, 2008, in Albemarle Hospital, Elizabeth City.

Blanchard was a retired farmer and pork producer, he was a member of Warwick Baptist Church, attended Happy Home Pentecostal Holiness Church and was an Army veteran of the Korean War.

Survivors include his wife of more than 33 years, Vertie Copeland Blanchard; two daughters, Pam Perry of Edenton and Ruby Hollowell of Greenville; a son, Rube Blanchard of Hobbsville; two sisters, Homer Benton of Hobbsville and Virginia Lee Nixon of Gates; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Happy Home Pentecostal Holiness Church by the Rev. Chuck Davis, the Rev. Henry Pillow and the Rev. Billy Presley. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton, is in charge.

Bessie Mae Leggett

SUFFOLK, Va. – Bessie Mae “Momma Bessie” Leggett, 86, a native of Bertie County, died January 5, 2008. She was the widow of Kellie Troy Leggett.

Mrs. Leggett retired as a processor from A & P Peanut Company. She was a member of Wilroy Baptist Church and the Prime Time Singers.

Survivors include her sons, Jesse &uot;Boots&uot; Clyde Leggett of Suffolk and Bobby Randolph Leggett Sr. of Chesapeake; five grandchildren; and

nine great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Wilroy Baptist Church with Tim Rawls. Entombment will be in Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Friends may join the family Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m. at Parr Funeral Home & Crematory. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Suffolk Chapter, 604 Constance Woods Drive, Suffolk, VA 23434 or Wilroy Baptist Church, 306 Williams Road, Suffolk, VA 23434. Condolences may also be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.

Georgia Ruth Barnard

ROANOKE RAPIDS – Georgia Ruth Turner Barnard, 72, a native of Southampton County, died January 4, 2008, at East Pavilion. She was the widow of George Wilson Barnard.

She was a longtime Luzier Cosmetics representative and a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Survivors include a daughter, Cathy F. Grizzard of Drewryville, Va.; her son, Carl E. Ferguson Jr. of Franklin; one sister, Rose Edwards of Lake Gaston; three brothers, Rueben Turner of Jackson, Leslie Turner of Emporia, Bill Turner of Seaboard; and one granddaughter.

A graveside service was conducted Sunday in Beechwood Cemetery by Brother Jeff Haislip. Wright Funeral Home was in charge.

Faye W. Cutchin

FRANKLIN, Va. – Faye Wainscott Cutchin, 81, a native of Jennings County, Indiana, died January 4, 2008. She was the widow of Ernest L. Cutchin Jr.

Mrs. Cutchin was a member of South Quay Baptist Church.

Survivors include her daughter, Yvonne C. Raiford of Franklin; two sons, E. Linwood Cutchin III of Como and Wayne Cutchin of Pompano Beach, Fla.; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

A private burial was held in Poplar Spring Cemetery. Wright Funeral Home was in charge.

Martha S. Gurley

ROCKY MOUNT – Martha Spivey Gurley, 101, a native of Northampton County, long-time schoolteacher, died January 5, 2008 at her home. She was the widow of Clayton Monroe Gurley.

She was a long-time schoolteacher. She finished high school in Rich Square and attended East Carolina Teachers College in Greenville. Mrs. Gurley was the oldest member of First United Methodist Church of Rocky Mount.

Survivors include a son, Thomas Monroe Gurley of Rocky Mount; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Bob Bergland and Rev. Caswell Shaw. A committal service will follow at Pineview Cemetery. Flowers will be welcomed or memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 100 South Church Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.

Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 North Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, is in charge.

David C. Simmons

CONWAY n David Clyde Simmons, 72, died Sunday, January 6, at his home in Conway. He had been preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Lucy Simmons and by a sister, Margie Griffin.

A native of Northampton County, he was a retired Electrician working with Union Camp Corporation for 39 years and was a lifelong member of Conway Baptist Church where he served as Deacon, Treasurer, choir member, Sunday School teacher for many years, and all around church handyman. Also, he was a Master Mason in Pendleton Masonic Lodge No. 418 having served as Master of the Lodge for three separate terms as well as all the other offices. He and his wife, Thadys, were volunteers for Northampton County, serving where needed, helped start the Meals on Wheels program in Conway and he was an organ donor.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Thadys Garris Simmons of their home; a daughter, Mona Simmons Taylor and husband, Floyd, of Galatia and a son, David Brian Simmons and wife, Lou Ann, of Roanoke Rapids; six grandchildren, Kameron T. LaBate and husband, Michael, Kristin S. Herrold and husband, Gabriel, Austin Simmons, Ronnie Taylor, Kelli Simmons, and Kevin Taylor; two great-grandchildren, Matthew and Jessica Herrold; two brothers, J.D. Simmons and wife, Janet, and Willie Simmons; two sisters, Frances Buckner and Martha Rudell and husband, Rick; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 9, 2:00 PM in Conway Baptist Church with Rev. Willie McLawhorn and Michael LaBate presiding. Burial will follow in the Town of Conway Cemetery.

The family will be receiving friends at Bridgers Funeral Home, Inc., in Conway, Tuesday, from 7 to 8:30 PM and at other times at the family home. They have requested that anyone wishing to share a memorial gift, please do so to the Oxford Orphanage, in care of Pendleton Masonic Lodge No. 418, Phillip Williams, P.O. Box 141, Pendelton, NC 27862.

Mable P. Ricks

MURFREESBORO – Mable P. Ricks, 57, a native of Franklin, Va., died January 5, 2008 at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Ahoskie.

She was a member of Reaching Out Bible Baptist Church where she was a Pastors Aide.

Survivors include four sons, Michael Ricks, James Ricks, Marshall Banks and Chudney Banks, all of Murfreesboro; one daughter, Tomiko Parham of Franklin, Va.; three brothers, Harvey L. Ricks of Arlington, Jimmy L. Ricks of Far Rock Away, NY and Bernard Edwards of Newsom; two sisters, Hazel Hofoman of Franklin and Louise Bazemore of Norfolk; and 12 grandchildren.

A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday at Reaching Out Bible Baptist Church by Rev. Millard Newsome. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Hunter’s Funeral Home, Inc.,

Murfreesboro is in charge.

Monica Myrick

COMO – Monica Myrick, 45, a native of Hertford County, died January 4, 2008 at her residence.

Services are incomplete at this time.

Hunter’s Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie is in charge.

You may visit all obituaries on our website:

www.huntersfuneralhome.com

Arsenia White

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Arsenia White, 93, a native of Bertie County, died January 5, 2008 at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital, Upper Darby, PA.

Services are incomplete at this time.

Hunter’s Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie is in charge.

You may visit all obituaries on our website:

www.huntersfuneralhome.com

Magdelene Banks

COMO – Magdelene Banks, died January 7, 2008 at her residence

Services are incomplete at this time.

Hunter’s Funeral Home, Inc., Ahoskie is in charge. You may visit all obituaries on our website:

www.huntersfuneralhome.com

Virgie B. Perry

HARRELLSVILLE n Virgie Byrum Perry, 80, passed away Monday, January 7, 2008 at Guardian Care in Ahoskie. She was born January 16, 1927, a daughter of the late George Washington and Emma Evans Byrum. She was a homemaker.

Graveside services will be 2:00 PM Wednesday, January 9, 2008 at Harrellsville Cemetery with the Rev. Hugh Mizelle officiating. The family will receive friends at the home.

She is survived by her daughter, Emma Perry of Harrellsville; sons, Mike V. Perry of Roanoke, Va., Jerry Perry of Harrellsville, NC; sisters, Hilda Byrum of Windsor, N.C., Virginia Byrum Drewery of Florida; a brother, Elmer Byrum of Colerain, NC; and a grandson, Jason D. Perry of Greenville, NC.

She was predeceased by her husband, Charlie Perry and her parents.

Memorials may be made to University Hospice of Ahoskie, P.O. Box 272, Ahoskie, N.C., or to Christian Harbor Baptist Church, P.O. Box 12, Harrellsville, N.C. 27942.

Massey Funeral Home of Aulander is in charge of arrangements.

Raymond Jones Sr.

AHOSKIE n Raymond Jones Sr., 78, a native of New York, NY, died January 4, 2008 at Guardian Care Nursing Home.

A funeral will be conducted at 12 noon Wednesday at New Berean Baptist Church, Portsmouth, Va., by the Rev. Leroy Ricks Sr. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Ahoskie. Hertford County Undertakers, Winton, is in charge.

Survivors include four sons, John Allen of Suffolk, Va., Raymond Jones Jr. and Ronald Jones, both of New York, Ray Jones of Emporia; four daughters, Nancy Williams of Greenville, SC, Patricia Major of South Carolina, Paula Jones of Portsmouth and Debra Tirado of Newburgh; three brothers, Otis Richard, George Richards and James Richards, all of Suffolk; one sister, Ernestine Langston of Suffolk; 28 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.