Obituaries

Nov 9, 2018

*** D u e to the cold and inclement weather, the service will now be held at Hockaday Chapel at 11 am Tuesday.** Samuel Thomas Dickens, 76, of Littleton, NC died November 9, 2018 at his home.

Sam was born in November of 1942 to Gordon and Florence Nethery Dickens of Weldon, NC....

Nov 8, 2018

Loyd Stanley “Steve” Hasty, Jr.,  69, of Roanoke Rapids died Thursday, November 8. 2018 at Rex Hospital.

Steve retired from the NC Dept of Corrections with 31 years of service at Caledonia Correctional Institution.   He was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 2008 by Gov. Michael Easley.  Steve also volunteered with the Roanoke Valley...

Nov 1, 2018

Ann Pepper Tidwell, 94, of Roanoke Rapids, died November 1, 2018 at Liberty Commons in Weldon, NC.

Ann was a very strong person who overcame cancer 5 times.  She was very loving  and caring person.  As a 50+ year member of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Ann served as a Sunday school teacher, sang in the choir, and was...

Nov 1, 2018

Kelly Louis Parrish, 50, of Rocky Mount died November 1, 2018 at South Village of Rocky Mount.

Kelly was born January 1968 to William Carlton Parrish and Sharon Brewster Parrish Wells in Richmond, VA.  He was an excellent electrician and worked in the construction industry.  Kelly was a loving and giving person who cared deeply for his...

Oct 31, 2018

Kevin Wagner O'Connell, 70, of Roanoke Rapids died October 31, 2018 in his home. Kevin was born April 2, 1948 in Washington, DC, the son of Frank and Louise Schutt O'Connell.  He was a retired automobile salesman. Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Kara and Brady Nolan; and three grandchildren. Mr. O'Connell will be cremated and services will be...

Oct 31, 2018

Glenda Case Harris, age 82 of Roanoke Rapids, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 31, 2018 in Raleigh.

She was born August 14, 1936 to Herbert and Christine Case.  She was a graduate of William R. Davie and East Carolina University.  Glenda touched many lives as a teacher in the Halifax County School system, she retired in...

Oct 31, 2018

Sonny Harris, former mail and newspaper carrier, passed away October 31, 2018.  He was born on the Harris family farm in Garysburg, NC, in December 1938, to Marvin C. Harris and Sarah (Sweet) Turner Harris.

Early in life, he moved to Weldon, NC where he attended school, worked, and retired.  After graduating from high school, Sonny enlisted...

Oct 31, 2018

Donald James Price, 56, of Nashville and formerly of Northampton County, died Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at his residence. Born in Columbus, MS on March 24, 1962, he was the son of Raymond Charles Price and Darlene Peggy Brown Price.   Donald was a retired carpenter. He is survived by his wife, Susan Johnson Price; sons, Jonathan Clark JC" Price...

Oct 29, 2018

Thomas Rugine Lewis, 82, and his loving wife Carole Landis Shearin Lewis, 77, both went home to be with our Lord.  Thomas passed on Monday afternoon, October 29, 2018 at his home in Roanoke Rapids, NC; Carole passed on Wednesday afternoon, October 31, 2018 at WakeMed in Raleigh, NC following an illness.

Thomas and Carole are survived...

Oct 28, 2018

David Wayne Hargrave, 36, of Rocky Mount (formerly of Roanoke Rapids) died October 28, 2018.

David was born in Halifax County on January 26, 1982, to Teresa Jean Walker and Cliff Hargrave.  He was a graduate of Durham Culinary Arts School.  He enjoyed food service and bartending.  At the time of his death, David was working at...

Oct 25, 2018

Brittany Nicole Matthews, 28, died on October 25, 2018.

She is survived by her son, Jayden McKenzie of Littleton; father, Bryant Matthews (Jettie) of Roanoke Rapids; mother, Tammy Carroll (Ken) of Littleton; a brother, Randy Davis of Roanoke Rapids; boyfriend, Josh Daniels of Littleton; and many extended family members and friends.

Brittany worked as a...

Oct 23, 2018

Alma Smith Williams, 79, passed away Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at Halifax Regional Medical C enter.

Alma Smith Williams was born October 01, 1939 in Dunn, NC. The daughter of the late James Robert and Agnes Strickland Smith. She attended Weldon High School. She was preceded in death by her late husband Robert Walter Williams (Retired USMC);...

Oct 14, 2018

Nathan Alexander Taylor, 14, died suddenly and unexpectedly on Sunday, October 14, 2018.

He was beloved by his entire family.  His mother, Patricia Melton Taylor, and father, Christopher Graham Taylor’s joy to raise.  He has two siblings, Elise and John, along with their father, John Folliard.  Nathan is also survived by his grandparents, Steve and Teresa Melton;...

Oct 12, 2018

Due to the possibility of inclement weather, service plans for Mr. and Mrs. Hudson have been revised as of today (Wednesday, October 17). A memorial service for Catherine Harris Hudson and Donald Eugene Hudson, former Weldon residents, will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday, October 20, 2018 in the chapel of Hockaday Funeral and Cremation Service. A...

Oct 9, 2018

Jean Eleanor Hastings Bessent, 94, of Roanoke Raipds died October 9, 2018 at her residence.

Jean was born in Washington, DC on September 19, 1924, the daughter of William Leonard and Mamie Florence Ritenour Hastings.   She was a retired pharmacy tech.  Jean moved to the area in 1980; she was a member of Freshfire Assembly of God....

Oct 8, 2018

Frederick Keith Banty, 73, passed away at his home on October 8, 2018.

Keith was born in Roanoke Rapids, NC on January 2, 1945 to the late Madeline Strickland Banty Poole and James Leroy Banty.  He was also predeceased by his brother, Ronald Banty.

Keith is survived by his wife of 51 years, Joy Johnson...

Oct 7, 2018

Horace Ray “Bill” Longmire, Jr., 85, died Sunday, October 7, 2018 at his residence.

Bill was born in Halifax County on October 24, 1932, the son of Horace Ray Longmire, Jr. and Ruth Longmire.  Bill served in the US Navy.  A chip station operator, Bill retired from Champion in 1998 after 40 years of service.   He was...

Oct 5, 2018

The family of Barbara Anne Cook of Roanoke Rapids regretfully must announce her passing after a short, painful, yet courageous battle against pancreatic cancer.

Barbara was born December 24, 1956 to Steve Butcherine and the late Anna F. Butcherine in Grove City, Pa and resided in Boyers, PA where she was also predeceased by her sister, Shirley....

Oct 3, 2018

Bettie Casper Harrison, 80, of Roanoke Rapids passed away Wednesday, October 3, 2018.

Bettie was born January 26, 1938 in Gates County, NC to the late Arthur Casper and Elizabeth Pierce Casper.

She was a former employee of J. P. Stevens, Wonder Bread, M & M Grocery in Gaston, Village Grocery, and a homemaker.

Oct 3, 2018

Robert Lee “Bobby” Powell, Jr. peacefully entered into eternal rest Wednesday, October 3, 2018, with his loving family by his side. Bobby was born May 1, 1936, in Halifax County to the late Robert Lee Powell and Jessie Harrell Powell. He graduated from William R. Davie High School, was an active member of Smith United Methodist Church and a...