Obituaries

May 10, 2023

Orville Earl Gurganus, age 79, of Rocky Point, left this earthly life for his eternal rest on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 after a lengthy illness.

He was born on April 22, 1944 in Onslow County; the son of the late Lloyd and Dorothy Gurganus.  He was also preceded in death by his son, Timothy Earl Gurganus in...

May 8, 2023

Mary Lucille Worthington, 98, of Wilmington, passed away from this life to her eternal rest on Monday, May 8th, 2023. She is now at peace in the presence of her Lord and savior, Jesus Christ.

She was born on May 30th, 1924, in Montague, Pender County, NC; the daughter of Zeb Vance Vernon and Myrtle Herring Vernon....

May 8, 2023

James Allen Branch, age 75 of Winnabow passed gently from his earthly life Monday, May 8, 2023 at Novant New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington.

He was born April 14, 1948, the son of James Eugene Branch and Margaret Harvel Branch, both of which preceded Allen in death.

Allen is survived by his daughter,...

May 7, 2023

Alfred Eugene Fields, age 47,  passed away peacefully surrounded by his friends and family whom he loved deeply. Alfred was born in Burgaw on January 25, 1976 and was the son of the late James Edward Fields and his loving mom, Polly Cain Fields. In addition to being proceeded in death by his dad, he was also preceded by...

May 4, 2023

Our precious gift from God, Caleb Jeremiah Williams, age 18 years, of Currie went on angel wings to his Heavenly home on Thursday, May 4, 2023.

He was born May 27, 2004 in Derby, Connecticut. Caleb is survived by his mom, Lora Lee Evers and her husband, Michael Evers; dad, Gilbert Lee Williams (Deanne Debrady); sister, Amanda...

May 4, 2023

Maryann Francis McCarthy Collins, age 66, of Warsaw, NC left this earthly life for her eternal rest on Thursday, May 4, 2023.

She was born on February 18, 1957, in Onslow County; the daughter of the late John Frances and Marilyn Kratz McCarthy.

Maryann proudly served her country in the United States Navy for two...

May 4, 2023

Edgardo Villela, age 71, of Wallace unexpectedly left this earthly life for his eternal rest on Thursday, May 4, 2023.

He was born on January 19, 1952, in Honduras; the son of the late Carlos Villela and Eloisa Torres. He was also predeceased by his brothers, Jorge H. Villela and Rony A. Villela.

Edgardo is...

May 3, 2023

Dallie Mobley Maready, age 98, of Willard passed from this life to her eternal rest on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. She now at peace in the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

She was born on February 25, 1925, in Duplin County, NC; the daughter of the late Perry and Nancy Lanier Mobley.  Dallie was...

May 2, 2023

Danny Lee Brown, age 76, of Teachey left this earthly life for his eternal rest on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.

He was born on August 25, 1946, in Duplin County and was the son of the late James Arnold and Edith Dixon Brown. He was also predeceased by his loving wife of 40 years, Gail Manley Brown;...

May 1, 2023

Eddie Conrad Adams, age 81, of Willard passed from this life to his eternal rest on Monday, May 1, 2023.

He was born on August 9, 1941 in Scotts Bluff, NE; the son of the late Eddie and Mary McMurtry Adams.  He was also predeceased by his daughter, Jennifer Adams.

Mr. Adams served proudly in...

May 1, 2023

Our loved Dominic Michael Hughes, age 16 years, of Wallace departed his earthly life much too soon on Monday, May 1, 2023.

He was born May 27, 2006 at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

Dominic is survived by his mother, Carin Gordon Wood; his fathers, Mark E. Hughes and Randy Wood; brothers,...

May 1, 2023

Ronald David Kelley, age 69, of Wilmington, NC passed away on Monday, May 1, 2023.

He was born on September 22, 1953 in Norfolk, VA to the late David Dietrich Kelley and Madge Lee Ball Kelley.

Ronald loved to work and had a successful career as a painter in the construction industry. He also loved...

Apr 28, 2023

Billie Dane Merritt Gore, age 93, of Hampstead, NC passed away on Thursday, April 28, 2023.

She was born on October 9, 1929 in Wilmington, NC to the late Ernest James Merritt and Lilly Ransom.

Billie is survived by her sons, Rick Gore and Jack Gore, Jr.; daughter, Marlene Craven; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren....

Apr 28, 2023

William "Billy" Johnston, age 85, passed away peacefully surrounded by the ones he loved on Friday, April 28, 2023. He grew up in Rocky Point and was the son of the late Albert and Claudia Johnston. Billy was a member of King Solomon Lodge #138 A.F. & A.M. in Burgaw where he served his lodge and community as a...

Apr 26, 2023

Gilberto Aponte, Sr. of Magnolia passed away on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at ECU Vidant Duplin Hospital.

He was born on October 29, 1936 in Las Marias Puerto Rico; the son of the late Tomas Aponte and Providencia Rodrique Rivera Aponte.

Mr. Aponte is survived by his devoted wife, Diane Resto Aponte; his four sons,...

Apr 26, 2023

Cynthia Futch Bullard, age 68, of Watha, NC passed away on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC.

She was born on October 22, 1954 in Wilmington, NC to the late J.D. Futch and Doris Marie Benson Beatty.

Cynthia enjoyed doing arts and crafts. She also loved...

Apr 24, 2023

Timothy "Tim" Samuel Johnson, age 63, of Hampstead, NC passed away on Monday, April 24, 2023.

He was born on December 17, 1959 in Wilmington, NC to Sara Joan Vaught Martin and the late Edward Willum Johnson.

Tim was a good son, husband, and father. He was a bright light to many people, and he...

Apr 23, 2023

James "Jay" Baxter Rivenbark, Jr., age 53, of Wilmington, NC passed away on Sunday, April 23, 2023, at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC. He was born on October 5, 1969, to James "Jim" B. Rivenbark and Elaine "Gayle" Newkirk Rivenbark.

Jay grew up in Greensboro, NC but his heart was always at...

Apr 23, 2023

George "Pete" William Hanchey, age 96, of Wallace passed from this earthly life to his eternal rest on Sunday, April 23, 2023.

He was born on July 4, 1926, in Duplin County and was the son of the late Tate William and Idawese Boney Hanchey.  Mr. Hanchey was also preceded in death by his loving wife, Evelyn...

Apr 22, 2023

Joseph Morgan Hesse, age 7 months, 4 days, of Burgaw peacefully departed his brief, but oh so significate life on earth Saturday, April 22, 2023 to ascend to his everlasting life in Heaven and is currently receiving the Grand Tour of Heaven by his great grandmother, Agnes Hesse.

Joseph was born to Jonathan Hesse and Jessie Jenness...