Obituaries

Apr 7, 2020

Mary Elizabeth Conner “Sissy” Clements, 46, of Roanoke Rapids, died Tuesday, April 7, 2020.

Mary was born in Brevard County, FL on June 8, 1973, the daughter of James Edward Conner and Eva Keeter Conner.  Her father, and a brother, Stephen Wayne “Bubba” Keeter, preceded her in death. She was the former manager of Ryan’s prior to...

Apr 6, 2020

Ruth Hurst Smith, 84, died Monday, April 6, 2020 at Vidant North Hospital, Halifax County.

A Halifax County native, Ruth was born September 10, 1935, a daughter of Reverend E. E. Hurst and Leithy Arwood Hurst. Her parents; husband, Billy Ray Smith, Sr.; son, Michael Lee Smith, and 4 sisters and 5 brothers all preceded her in...

Apr 2, 2020

Nora Harlow Shelton, 68, died Thursday, April 2, 2020 in her home in Halifax.

A Halifax County native, Nora was born Jan. 24, 1952, a daughter of Genie and Lois May Joyner Harlow.   Her parents; husband, Robert Shelton; 3 sisters and 1 brother all preceded her in death.

Nora received an Associates Degree from Halifax...

Mar 31, 2020

Mable Ann “Betsy” Johnston Harrell, 49, of Roanoke Rapids passed into the loving arms of Jesus Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at her home.

Mable was born December 12, 1970 in Halifax County to George and Mable Robinson Johnston. She was preceded in death by her father.

Mable graduated from Northwest High School and went on...

Mar 31, 2020

Edna Irene Dickens Weeks, 85, died March 31, 2020 in her Weldon home.

She was born April 16, 1934, to Charles Henry Dickens and Myrtle Crepe Richards Dickens.  In addition to her parents, Mrs. Weeks was predeceased by her husband, William Howell Weeks, Jr.; and four brothers, Ira Glenn (Dick) Dickens, William Raymond Dickens, Charles Dickens, and...

Mar 30, 2020

Today, March 30, 2020, we lost Paul Everette Holcomb, Sr, who was born the 20 th of July, 1956 in Ronceverte, West Virginia.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Holcomb, in 2013; his father, Clarence Holcomb, in 1987; and his brother, Sterling Holcomb, in 2017.

Paul is survived by his two sisters,...

Mar 30, 2020

Thomas Joseph Butler, Jr. 80, died Monday morning, March 30, 2020 in his Henrico home.

Mr. Butler was born in Newsome, VA on November 13, 1939, the son of Thomas J. Butler, Sr. and Marie Owens Butler, both of whom preceded him in death.  A step-grandson, Daniel Blake Dawes, also predeceased him.

He was a...

Mar 29, 2020

Mrs. Wilma Sadler Allen, 82, died Sunday afternoon, March 29, 2020 in her Roanoke Rapids home.

A West Virginia native, she was born February 2, 1938 to Woodrow W. and Dana Bish Sadler.  Her parents, and an infant son, preceded her in death. Mrs. Allen was a homemaker.

Survivors include her husband, Gilbert C. Allen;...

Mar 29, 2020

Jack Foister Lambert, 85, died March 29, 2020 at home.

He was born in Halifax County on July 15, 1934, the son of Martin F. and Mabel Glascow Lambert.  His parents; brother, Joe Lambert; sister, Lorraine Best; and beloved Dalmatian, Abigail, all preceded him in death.

Mr. Lambert was a faithful member of Tabernacle Baptist...

Mar 27, 2020

Clarice Joyner Pearce, 77, of Roanoke Rapids passed away Friday, March 27, 2020 at Liberty Commons Nursing Home.

Clarice was born May 1, 1942 in Franklin County to the late Kenneth Edward Joyner and Mary Charles Mitchell. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Peggy Wise and Rochelle Crowder; her brother-in-law Harold Crowder; her father-in-law,...

Mar 27, 2020

Mr. Walter Grey Crawley, 75, of Roanoke Rapids, died Friday morning, March 27, 2020 at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield.

Mr. Crawley was born in Halifax County on September 8, 1944, the son of H. Clifton and Mercer Dickens Crawley.

He was a graduate of Wilson Tech, and a retired machine operator, from Honeywell...

Mar 26, 2020

Pastor Margaret English Horrell, 89, went home to be with the Lord on March 26, 2020.

Born in Pender County on Aug. 19, 1930, she was a daughter of J. J. English and Leona Rivenbark English, both whom preceded her in death.  She was also predeceased by her husband, Dr. Benjamin C. Horrell; daughters, Rebecca Horrell and...

Mar 22, 2020

Silas McDonald “Don” Rowland. 80, of Halifax passed away Sunday, March 22, 2020 at Vidant Medical Center.

Don was born November 16, 1939 in Halifax County to the late Silas W. Rowland and Ruth Hux Rowland. He is also preceded in death by his sister, Linda Rowland Rhea.

Don was a member of Ebenezer United...

Mar 20, 2020

Julia Parrish Norris, 81, of Halifax passed away Friday, March 20, 2020.

Julia was born June 5, 1938 in Warren County to the late Johnny and Elva Lancaster Parrish. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Raeford C. Norris; her sister, Rebie Smith; her brother, Albert Parrish; her step-son, Danny Norris.

Julia was...

Mar 18, 2020

Leslie Ray Oliver, 75, went home to be with the Lord on March 18, 2020, after a long illness and surrounded by his family.  He was born on November 12, 1944 in Halifax County, the son of the late Leonard Nathan Oliver and Mildred Parrish Oliver.  He was the last of six children, Christine Oliver, 20 months old, Barbara...

Mar 17, 2020

Jeremiah (Jerry) P. O’Connor Jr., 65, passed away peacefully at home in Roanoke Rapids, NC on March 17, 2020 after a courageous fight with COPD and Cancer.

Jerry was born the son of Margaret and Jeremiah O’Connor and raised as the son of Ted Schmidt. He grew up in Peekskill, NY and attended Peekskill schools. Jerry was...

Mar 16, 2020

Charles Edward Isles, 86, of Roanoke Rapids passed away Monday, March 16, 2020 at Vidant North Hospital.

Charles was born July 19, 1933 in Halifax County to the late Robert Isles and Tempie Williams Isles. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Annie Laura Isles; his brother, Robert Palmer Isles; his sister, Ophelia Liles.

Mar 14, 2020

Betty Renn Torgeson, 81, formerly of Roanoke Rapids, died Saturday, March 14, 2020 at her home in Wallace.

Born July 10, 1938 in Halifax County, Betty was a daughter of John B. and Rosalyn Doyle Renn.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George; son, Mark Brantley; brother, John B. Renn;...

Mar 11, 2020

Mary Elizabeth Fisher McKinney, 89, died Wednesday, March 11, 2020 in her Roanoke Rapids home.

Mrs. McKinney was born in Hyde County on January 8, 1931 to Dan and Lizzie Ball Fisher, both of whom preceded her in death. She was also predeceased by her husband, Bill McKinney; a son, Dwight McKinney; brothers, Lattie, Wilbur and Lloyd...

Mar 10, 2020

Linda Dickens Wheeler joined her heavenly Father on March 10, 2020.  Linda was a kind-hearted person.  She loved music and was often heard humming or singing.  She had many friends and enjoyed spending time with them.  Linda grew up in Weldon and attended Weldon High School.  Linda spent several decades working for the Newport News Department of Social Services...