Obituaries

Dec 30, 2019

Ronald Wayne Rich, 71, of St. Pauls, NC passed from his earthly life Monday, December 30, 2019 at his home surrounded with love by his family.

He was born April 1, 1948 in Wilmington, the son of the late Houston N. Rich and Maude Adams Rich Scott.

Ronald is survived by his wife of 24...

Dec 30, 2019

Mary Susan Craft Casteen, 84, of Willow Springs, NC passed from this earthly life to her eternal rest on Monday, December 30, 2019 at Johnston Health Medical.

She was born on March 7, 1935 in Lenoir County; the daughter of the late Joseph Leslie and Geneva "Eva" Braddy Craft.  She was also predeceased by her husband of...

Dec 28, 2019

Thomas Issac "Tommy" Johnson, I, age 72, of Delco passed away December 28, 2019.

He was born November 5, 1947 to the late Marvin Curtis and Martha Stancil Johnson. Tommy was the baby of seven kids. He was raised in Willow Springs but lived the last twenty years of his life in Delco, NC. He was a...

Dec 26, 2019

Arthur Lewis Webber, 90, of Willard left this earthly life for his eternal rest on Thursday, December 26, 2019 at his home with his family by his side.

He was born on October 11, 1929 and was one of 12 children born to William Franklin and Myrtle Hollowman Webber.  He was also predeceased by his best friend...

Dec 26, 2019

William "Bill" Dudley Robbins, Jr., 64, of Penderlea passed from his earthly life Thursday, December 26, 2019 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

He was born January 16, 1955 in Burgaw, the son of the late William Dudley Robbins, Sr. and Jacquelyne Gordon Robbins.

Bill is survived by his wife, Susan Sherman Robbins; sons, William...

Dec 26, 2019

Bryan Robert Wishon of Burgaw, NC, died on Thursday, December 26, 2019.  He was born the seventh child of the late James William Wishon, Sr and Anne Camp Wishon in Wake Forest, NC, on June 23, 1967.

He was employed in the building supply business for many years at Guy C. Lee Building Materials in Sneads Ferry,...

Dec 25, 2019

Pearlie Joseph (Joe) Lanier, 91, of Wilmington, passed gently from his earthly life Wednesday, December 25, 2019, at his home surrounded with love by his family.

He was born March 2, 1928, in Duplin County, the second of eight children of Admah and Ada Mae Everett Lanier.  In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his...

Dec 25, 2019

Jimmie Ray Willetts, 53, of Castle Hayne passed from his earthly life Wednesday, December 25, 2019.

He was born June 21, 1966 in Wilmington, the son of the late Jasper Lee Willetts, Sr. and Helen Sylvia Reaves Willetts. Jimmie was preceded in death by brother, Jasper Lee Willetts, Jr.

Jimmie is survived by his wife,...

Dec 23, 2019

Russell Lenwood Pierce died Monday, December 23, 2019 at home with his family at his side.

He was born August 17, 1924 in Pender County and was the youngest of 13 children born to the late James E. and Della H. Pierce.  He was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children, Patricia...

Dec 22, 2019

James (Jimmy, Jimmy G.) Pierce Gurganious, 81, of Orlando, FL died on Sunday, December 22, 2019.  Jimmy was born in Atkinson, NC on August 8, 1938 to Victoria and Rodney Gurganious.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his loving wife, Florence (Terri) Gurganious, mother Victoria, father Rodney, sister Rosa Lee Webster and brothers Thomas and Robert Herman...

Dec 21, 2019

James "Jim" Overton Craft III, 64 of Currie passed from his earthly life Saturday, December 21, 2019 at his home.

He was born October 10, 1955 in Trenton, New Jersey, the son of the late James Overton Craft, Jr. and Phyllis Kroschwitz Craft.

Jim is survived by his wife, Melinda Craft; children, Joshua Craft (Danielle)...

Dec 20, 2019

Melvin Kent Melvin, 88, of Wilmington passed gently form his earthly life Friday, December 20, 2019 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

He was born October 17, 1931 in Bladen County, the son of the late Bart Regan Melvin and Mary Nance Melvin. Also remembered is his wife, Betty Cox Melvin and step-son, Robert Gregory Wilson, both...

Dec 19, 2019

Sandra Smith Wheeler, age 72, of Harrells passed from this life to her eternal rest on Thursday, December 19, 2019 from Vidant Medical Center of Greenville.

Born on March 21, 1947, in Sampson  County, Sandra was the daughter of the late Wilbert Lee and Anita Joyce Blackburn Smith.  She was also preceded in death by her husband...

Dec 18, 2019

John "Buddy" Henry Johnson, Jr., 74, of Wilmington, passed away on Wednesday, December 18, 2019, at NHRMC in Wilmington.

John was born on December 25, 1944, in Wilmington to the late John Henry and Glenda (Rackley) Johnson

John was a U.S. Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam War. He retired from Corning after almost...

Dec 16, 2019

James Cornelius "Neal" Newton, Jr., age 82, of Burgaw passed gently into the glory of our Lord and Savior's care on Monday, December 16, 2019 at Lower Cape Fear Hospice and LifeCare Center.

He was born May 3, 1937 in Pender County, one of ten children born to James Cornelius Newton, Sr. and Katie Caison Newton. In...

Dec 16, 2019

Charles Malcolm Sullivan, 65, of Willard passed from his earthly life December 16, 2016 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington.

He was born February 19, 1954 in Perry County, Mississippi.

It was Charles request that no services be held. Family is honoring his wishes.

Shared memories and condolences may be sent...

Dec 15, 2019

Former Pender County resident, Katie Marie Harrell Gafford, passed away December 15, 2019, at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, at the age of 88.  Katie was born to Alton Cephus Harrell and Katie Inez Barnhill Harrell on July 15, 1931 in Caswell Township, Pender County, North Carolina.  She was the granddaughter of John Edward Harrell and Elizabeth "Lizzie"...

Dec 13, 2019

Cecil Rayvone Bland, Sr., 81, of Burgaw passed gently from his earthly life on Friday, December 13, 2019 at Vidant Duplin Hospital.

He was born July 5, 1938 in Craven County, the son of Jodie Abner and Annie Green Bland.

Cecil is survived by his wife of 56 years, Dorothy Bishop Bland; daughter, Vickie B....

Dec 10, 2019

Eddie Lynn Blizzard, 71, of Currie passed peacefully from his earthly life Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

He was born August 31, 1948 in Pender County, the son of the late Charles Adron and Louise Flynn Blizzard.

Lynn is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years, Tammy Staley Blizzard;...

Dec 7, 2019

Cecil Graham Capps, 83, of Wilmington passed away December 7, 2019, surrounded by his family.

A native of southeastern North Carolina, Cecil was born January 31, 1936 in Onslow county. He was a son of the late Linza Crate Capps and Ellen T. Capps. He leaves behind his loving wife of 65 years Barbara Brown Capps. Their...