Obituaries

May 18, 2020

Richard "Ricky" Forest Riggs, age 61, of Hampstead, NC passed away Monday, May 18, 2020.

He was born on July 6, 1958 in Wilmington, NC to the late Forest Lee Riggs and Lila Pauline (Sandlin) Riggs.

Richard, a U.S. Army veteran, was very humorous and always told jokes. He was a big fan of classic...

May 17, 2020

Jeffrey Allen Imel, 34, beloved son, brother, uncle, and loyal friend left this earth May 17, 2020, way too soon, leaving a big hole in our hearts.

He was born April 17, 1986 in Hamilton County, Indiana and was the son of Sandra Franklin Imel and the late John David Imel.

In addition to his...

May 12, 2020

Thomas "Tom" Franklin Duke, Jr., age 77, of Rocky Point, NC passed away Tuesday, May 12, 2020.

He was born on October 16, 1942 in Stanly County, NC to the late Thomas Franklin Duke, Sr. and Vesta Marie (Allen) Duke.

Thomas moved to Wilmington in 1978 with Bill Browning to open Browning Tire. He got...

May 12, 2020

Haylee Grace Watson, age 7 years, of Burgaw beloved daughter of Brian and Brittany Watson and big sister to Kinlee Marie and Brayden Matthew left her earthly life on wings of angels Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at her home.

She was born August 16, 2012 in Wilmington and was currently in the 2nd grade at Penderlea Christian...

May 10, 2020

Caleb Levi Smith, 19, beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, and friend left this earth way too soon on Sunday, May 10, 2020, leaving a big hole in our hearts.

He was born March 7, 2001in Wilmington and was the loving son of Darren Brady and Melissa Huffman Smith.

In addition to his parents Caleb is...

May 9, 2020

James "Jimmy" F. Norris, 92, of Wilmington, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, May 9, 2020, at home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on December 10, 1927, in Brunswick County the youngest son of the late Frank and Delta (Long) Norris.

Jimmy, a WWII Army veteran, was a...

May 8, 2020

Judith Cavenaugh Turner, age 79, of Wallace passed from this life to her eternal rest on Friday, May 8, 2020 from New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

She was born on November 27, 1940 in Duplin County; the daughter of the late Thomas Allen and Marguerite Teachey Cavenaugh.  She was also predeceased by her son Randall Lee Turner;...

May 7, 2020

Moses Clayton Jones, age 91, of Willard passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2020 from his residence.

He was born on October 11, 1928 in Pender County; the son of the late John William and Katie Walker Jones.  He was predeceased by the love of his life and wife of 70 years, Mary Cavenaugh Jones; grandson Bradley...

May 6, 2020

Reverend Carlyle Timothy Norris, age 93, of Wilmington, passed from his earthly life to his heavenly home on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, surrounded by his family. He was a member of the Pine Valley Church of God.

He was born on August 16, 1926 in Pender County, the son of the late Benjamin Curtis and Janie Wells...

May 3, 2020

Nancy White Kelley, age 77, of Wallace, left this earthly life for her eternal rest on Sunday, May 3, 2020.

She was born on January 5, 1943 in Columbus County, NC; the daughter of the late Henry Brownie and Lorine Talbott White.  Nancy was predeceased by her loving husband of 52 years, James Floyd Kelley, Sr. and...

May 2, 2020

Rachel Baker Jones of Niceville, Florida, passed away on Saturday May 2, 2020 at the age of 95.

She was born in Pageland, South Carolina, on August 19, 1924, to Thomas Lee and Alma Smith Baker. She grew up in Pageland and graduated from Meredith College, Raleigh, NC, in 1945, majoring in Business Administration.

She...

Apr 30, 2020

Dorothy Kimball Miller, age 90, of Wilmington, NC passed away on Thursday, April 30, 2020.

She was born on January 16, 1930 in Forsyth County to the late Harry Kimball and Iva Lloyd Kimball.

Dorothy was a lifetime member and church worker at the Sea Gate Baptist Church in the Sea Gate Community. She was...

Apr 29, 2020

A kind and gentle soul, a gracious and loving lady, Martha Mitchell Potter, entered eternal rest on Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at the age of 86. She was born January 13, 1934 to Charles Gaston Mitchell, Sr. and Evelyn Hite Mitchell, living all of her wonderful life in the small community of Kelly.

Martha is preceded in...

Apr 29, 2020

Dorothy Teachey Rivenbark of Rose Hill, NC (Island Creek Community) passed away peacefully at Kitty Askins Hospice Center in Goldsboro, NC on April 29, 2020. Dorothy was 96 years old and was born on December 25, 1923. She was the daughter of the late Jerry and Ruby Drake Teachey of the Island Creek Community of Rose Hill. She was...

Apr 29, 2020

Anita Rae Watts, age 89, of Wilmington, NC passed away on Wednesday, April 29, 2020.

She was born on October 28, 1930 in Orrum, NC to the late Mack French Floyd and Ludie J. (McQueen) Floyd.

Anita was an athlete in high school and went on to college to become a nurse. She was a...

Apr 27, 2020

William John O'Connor, 38, was called to heaven on April 27, 2020 after a remarkable demonstration of personal strength and courage in his battle for life and against cancer. Will was born in Syracuse, N.Y. on December 16, 1981. He is predeceased by his hero and father, William "Bill" O'Connor, paternal grandparents, James and Marcella O'Connor (Syracuse, N.Y.) and...

Apr 26, 2020

Dorcas "Dot" Piner Hicks, 88, of Willard passed gently from her earthly life on wings of angels Sunday, April 26, 2020 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

She was born April 29, 1932 in Pender County, the daughter of the late Leslie and Gladys Wheeler Piner. Also lovingly remembered is her husband, James Wallace Hicks; daughter Emily...

Apr 25, 2020

Vicky Barnhill King, age 55, of Wilmington, NC passed away on Saturday, April 25, 2020.

She was born on February 25, 1965 in New Hanover County, NC to the late Tony Lee Barnhill and Margie Butler Barnhill.

Vicky worked as a night cook at Jimbo's restaurant for 30 years. She was friendly to all and...

Apr 22, 2020

Naomi Bowen James, age 94, of Wallace passed away Wednesday, April 22, 2020. She was born June 17, 1925, daughter of the late Robert Henry Bowen and Annie Blanton Bowen. She was preceded in death by sisters, Daisy Bowen Rivenbark and Lillie Mae Bowen Blanton and one brother, Robert Lee Bowen.

Naomi worked for Dee's, Rexall, and...

Apr 22, 2020

Ricky Lane Rooks, 68, of Kelly passed peacefully from his earthly life Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at his home surrounded with love by his family.

He was born January 25, 1952 in Wilmington, the son of the late James Ray and Lucille Barnhill Rooks.

Ricky is survived by his wife of 41 years, Sandy; daughters,...