Obituaries

Oct 10, 2022

Gaston, NC-

Donnie Ray Vaughan, 66, died in Rocky Mount, NC at UNC Health Hospital Monday, October 10, 2022, formerly Nash General Hospital.

He was born in Warren County, NC, son to the late Fred Holden Vaughan and Nellie Overby Vaughan.  In addition to his parents, Donnie Ray is preceded in death by, Nellie and...

Oct 3, 2022

Herman Lee Massey, 91, died Monday, October 3, 2022 in his Roanoke Rapids home.

The son of Paul Green Massey and Alice Elizabeth Harrison Massey, he was born on April 28, 1931 in Halifax County.

He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.  He loved his church, and enjoyed working outside.  Mr. Massey retired from...

Oct 2, 2022

Alton “Al” Wayne Haskins, 75, died Sunday October 2, 2022, at The Service League of Greenville Inpatient Hospice in Greenville, NC.

The son of Ovid James Haskins and Lila Keeter Haskins, he was born on July 3, 1947, in Halifax County.

Mr. Haskins was “The Voice of the Roanoke Valley” and was well known, across...

Oct 2, 2022

Holly Alicia Suggs, 43, of Roanoke Rapids passed away Sunday, October 2, 2022.

Holly was born July 4, 1979 in Halifax County to the late Donald Edward Suggs and Shelia Lynn Horrell Suggs Bennett. She was also preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Rev. B.C. Horrell and Margaret E. Horrell.

Holly was a loving...

Oct 1, 2022

Mr. Henry Webster Tompkins died October 1, 2022.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Tompkins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marion F. Tompkins, Sr. and Fannie Margaret Harrington Tompkins; and also by a brother, Marion F. Tompkins, Jr.

A memorial service for Mr. Tompkins will be held at 1:00...

Sep 28, 2022

Randy Lee Norwood, 68, died September 28, 2022 in his Roanoke Rapids home.

Randy was born September 26, 1954, in Halifax County, a son of Joseph W. and Irene Marshall Norwood. His parents, and a brother, Wallace Norwood, preceded him in death.

He enjoyed fishing and playing pool.  Randy was a retired automobile parts service...

Sep 22, 2022

Ethan Brian Spence, 59, of Roanoke Rapids, died Thursday, September 22, 2022 at ECU North Hospital in Roanoke Rapids.

Ethan was born in Pensacola, Florida on April 13, 1963, the son of Edward Beryl Spence, Sr. and Sylvia Jean Walker Spence Handley, both of whom preceded him in death.  He was also predeceased by his wife, Jeannie...

Sep 21, 2022

Benjamin "Benny"  Franklin Phillips, 79, of Roanoke Rapids, died September 21, 2022 at ECU North Hospital.

Benny was born February 23, 1943 in South Boston, VA, the son of Gilbert Phillips and Truly Thomas Phillips.

Benny was employed by Heilig Myers Furniture Store in South Boston, VA, and was the manager of Heilig Myers Furniture...

Sep 17, 2022

Brenda Coates Wilson, daughter of the late lvan Ray Coates and Dorothy Carlile Coates, was born November 30, 1948.  She was a resident of Roanoke Rapids for most of her life and passed away at home with family at the age of 73 on Saturday, September 17, 2022.

Brenda was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.  While...

Sep 16, 2022

Halifax-

Haywood Ray Nelson, 80, died Friday, September 16, 2022, in ECU North Hospital in Roanoke Rapids,

Haywood was born in Halifax County, NC, May 02, 1942, son to the late Frank and Gladys Elizabeth Nowell Nelson.  Haywood loved the outdoors, especially, coon hunting and squirrel hunting. In addition to his parents, Haywood was preceded...

Sep 16, 2022

Jane Marshall Bunn, 86, died Friday, September 16, 2022 in ECU Roanoke Chowan Hospital in Ahoskie.

Mrs. Bunn was born February 28, 1936, in Chatham, VA, a daughter of the late Franklin and Minnie Gamble Kelly.  In addition to her parents, Mrs. Bunn was preceded in death by her husbands, Clement “Moe” Marshall, and Ellis Bunn; one...

Sep 12, 2022

Frederick Murray “Freddie” Hill, 73, was called home by our Heavenly Father on September 12, 2022.

Fred was born June 11,1949 in Roanoke Rapids, NC, the son of Frank and Elizabeth Hill. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Robin Hill Carpenter; and brothers Mark and Stevie.

Fred was an active member of...

Sep 10, 2022

David Randall Conner, 59, of Roanoke Rapids died Saturday night, September 10, 2022 in Carolina Rest Home.

David was born July 27, 1963 in Halifax County, the son of Edward James and Sallie Ann Johnson Conner Lewis.  He was preceded in death by his parents; and by his step-father, Richard Lewis.

David is survived by...

Sep 4, 2022

Mr. William John Eleczko, 88, formerly of Toms River, NJ, died Sunday evening, September 4, 2022 at Carolina Rest Home in Roanoke Rapids.

He was born January 13, 1934 in Niagara County, New York, a son to John Eleczko and Harriet Nella Theal Eleczko.  Mr. Eleczko was a retired chemical production operator for Essex Chemical.  He was...

Aug 31, 2022

Dwight Bronson “Bob” Cummings, 71, died unexpectedly on Wednesday afternoon, August 31, 2022 in his Gaston home.

Bob was born in Preston County, WV on March 16,1951, the son of Virgil Dale and Gertrude Marie Sigley Cummings.

Bob was a retired construction superintendent.  He enjoyed his work and the cross country travel that came with...

Aug 27, 2022

Norman Leslie Brake, Jr., age 75, of Henrico, NC, died August 27, 2022 at ECU Health in Greenville, NC.

Norman was born in October of 1946 to Elsie Rhome and Norman Brake, Sr. in Halifax County, NC. A graduate of Roanoke Rapids High School, Mr. Brake went on to work as a plant supervisor in the textile...

Aug 25, 2022

Heather Dawn Howell Medlin, 51, of Roanoke Rapids died Thursday August 25, 2022 at ECU North Hospital.

Dawn was born on January 27, 1971 to Steve and Glenda Horne Howell of Halifax County, NC. She worked as a waitress at Logan’s Roadhouse. Dawn was a hard worker. She was a tough, independent person who loved her family,...

Aug 24, 2022

Mrs. Norma Jean Mason Edwards, 81, of Seaboard died Wednesday, August 24, 2022 in Signature Healthcare in Roanoke Rapids.

Norma Jean was the daughter of Jasper and Goldie Mason, and was born December 18, 1940 in Northampton County.

A homemaker, she was a member of the Greensboro Church of God; attended the Roanoke Rapids Church...

Aug 23, 2022

Alward Wade Fox, 57, of Wilmington passed away Tuesday, August 23, 2022, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

Wade was born October 27, 1964, in Halifax County to Cecil Alward Fox and Linda Smith Fox. He was preceded in death by his father, Cecil Alward Fox; his son, Alex Hayes Fox.

Wade graduated from Northwest...

Aug 22, 2022

Larry Troy Carter, 71, died Monday, August 22, 2022 in his Littleton home.

Troy was born in Halifax County on September 25, 1950, a son of George and Nettie Carter.

He worked for a number of years in the textiles industry, then later worked as a logger.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing. Troy was quite...