John D. Martin

PORTSMOUTH, Va. – John Deane Martin, 86, a native of Conway, died May 11, 2007. He was the widower of his first wife, Elizabeth Martin and his second wife, Estelle R. Martin.

Martin was a member of Park View Baptist Church and a retired Postal Carrier and an Army Veteran.

A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, May 18, in Loving Funeral Home, Churchland Chapel. The family will receive friends in the funeral home Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Parkview Baptist Church. Condolences may be made at www.lovingfuneralhome.com.

William Shirley Jr.

NASHVILLE – William Henry &uot;Bill&uot; Shirley, Jr., age 73, died Friday, May 11, 2007.

He was a retired employee of The State of Virginia Agriculture Dept. Mr. Shirley was born December 7, 1933 in Edgecombe Co. to the late William Henry Sr. and Molly Joyner Shirley. He enjoyed camping and was a member of Englewood Presbyterian Church and Veteran of Korean Conflict, Army.

Mr. Shirley is survived by his wife, Christine Worrell Shirley of the home; sons and daughters-in- law, Will and Susan Shirley of Keller, TX, Ed and Linda Shirley of Apex, NC and Chris and Kerri Shirley of Mebane; grandchildren, Courtney, Meagan, Graysen, and Adam; sisters, Marie Moore of Richmond, VA and Joyce Ann Daughtry of Ahoskie, NC; favorite aunt, Lee Shirley of Roanoke, VA; and numerous cousins.

A gathering to celebrate his life will be Monday, May 14, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at the Englewood Presbyterian Church with Rev. Walt Griffin officiating.

Graveside services will be 3:00 p.m. Monday at Raleigh Memorial Park with Military Rite.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the American Heart Fund P. O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5216.

Condolences may be sent to www.johnsonfuneralsandcremation.com.

Evelyn H. Benbow

DURHAM n Evelyn H. Benbow, 87, died May 11, 2007.

A funeral will be conducted at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Howerton & Bryan Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. in Highland Memorial Gardens, Ahoskie.

Lula Davis

WINTON n Lula “Lady Elect Davis”, 74, a native of Warrenton, died May 11, 2007 at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital.

A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday at Soul Saving Station Evangelistic Center, Ahoskie, by Bishop Joseph G. Snead. Burial will be in Highland Memorial Gardens, Ahoskie. A service of tribute to the late Lady Elect Davis on Wednesday night, May 16 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Soul Saving Station Evangelistic Center. The body will lie in state from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. Wednesday night. Wilder’s Funeral Home Inc., Ahoskie, is in charge.

Mrs. Davis was minister of Miracle Temple Church of Deliverance, Ahoskie, for 33 years, gospel DJ for WRCS-Gospel 97 Radio Station in Ahoskie.

Survivors include one son, Robert M. Davis II of Atlanta, Ga.; a daughter, Deborah Morrison of Chattanooga, TN; brothers, Haywood Boyd of Cherry Hill, NJ and Marvin Albert of Philadelphia, PA; sisters, Dorothy Albert of Philadelphia and Mary Boyd of Warrenton; and two grandchildren.

Mildred Dempsey

ROCKY MOUNT n Mildred Josephine Dempsey, 76, died May 11, 2007.

A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. James Baptist Church. Burial will be in Pineview Cemetery. H.D. Pope Funeral Home, Rocky Mount, is in charge.

William T. Barnes

ROCKY MOUNT n William Thomas Barnes, 67, died May 10, 2007.

A funeral will be conducted at 12 noon Tuesday at Redd Budd Holy Church. Burial will be in the Gardens of Gethsemane. H.D. Pope Funeral Home, Rocky Mount, is in charge.

John Thomas

ROCKY MOUNT n John Thomas, 80, died May 12, 2007 at Nash Rehabilitation Nursing Center.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete. H.D. Pope Funeral Home, Rocky Mount, is in charge.

Johnny Dupree

ROCKY MOUNT n Johnny “Tweety Bird” Dupree, 55, died May 12, 2007 at Nash General Hospital.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete. H.D. Pope Funeral Home, Rocky Mount, is in charge.

Carolyn Rudd

NASHVILLE n Carolyn Jean Silver Rudd, 50, died May 10, 2007 at Wake Medical Center, Raleigh.

A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Hollister, by Bishop Kelly Richardson. Interment will be in the Evans family cemetery in Hollister. H.D. Pope Funeral Home, Rocky Mount, is in charge.

Sylvester Newsome

BALTIMORE, MD —Sylvester Newsome, died May 1, 2007.

Survivors include his wife, Mary B. Newsome; step-children and stepgrands, all of Baltimore, foster sister, Jacqueline Yvonne Newsome-Allen of Ahoskie, and foster brother, Lloyd Newsome of Hampton, VA.

A funeral was held at The Masonic Temple in Baltimore, Md., on May 8, 2007.

Connie E. Daniels

AHOSKIE – Connie Evelyn Daniels 79, died May 12, 2007 at Britthaven of Edenton.

Mrs. Daniels was a member of Colerain Baptist Church and a homemaker.

Private graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Highland Memorial Gardens by with Rev. Robert M. May. Garrett Funeral Home, Ahoskie, is in charge.

Survivors include a stepdaughter; Dianne Vasser, Franklin, Va.; a stepson; David L. Baker, Edenton; and one sister; Beulah Grizzard, Ahoskie.

Gerald Purvis

WILLIAMSTON n Gerald Tony Purvis, 50, died May 11, 2007 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital, Greenville.

A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Back Swamp Church of Christ Disciples of Christ, Williamston. Burial will be in Robersonville Memorial Garden, Robersonville. Gilliam Funeral Home, Windsor, is in charge.