Obituaries

Jan 8, 2021

Ashleigh Reed Bowden, 22, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, January 8, 2021 at home. She was born in Sampson County on August 6, 1998 to Holly Smith Bowden-Cutler and the late Mark Allen Bowden.

In addition to her mother, Ashleigh is survived by her daughter, Kaydence Reed Merritt; sister, Elizabeth Johnson Boyette (Howard); brother, David Bowden; grandmother,...

Jan 8, 2021

Lora Mae Jones Henderson joined her beloved husband, Cecil D. Henderson, Sr., in eternal rest on Friday, January 8, 2021, at the age of 92.  She was born February 11, 1928, in Pender County to Isaac Hassell and Flossie Meadows Jones.

In addition to her parents and husband, she is also predeceased by her sister, Chellie Lear;...

Jan 6, 2021

William Gerald Hanchey, age 80, of the Northeast Community of Wallace passed away on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 from Vidant Duplin Hospital.

He was born on October 4, 1940 in Duplin County; the son of the late Elbert J. and Annie Mae Blake Hanchey.  Mr. Hanchey was also preceded in death by his siblings, Fannie...

Jan 6, 2021

Katherine Ann Raynor Huggins, 85, of Wilmington, passed away on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Katherine was born in New Hanover County on August 7, 1935 and was a daughter of the late James William Raynor and Sallie Naomi Peay Raynor.

Surviving to cherish her memory is her devoted husband of 66...

Jan 5, 2021

Betty Lou Moore Leary of Burgaw, beloved wife and mother, passed away on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, after an extended illness. She was 86 years old.

She was born on October 18, 1934, in Burgaw, the daughter of the late James and Daisy Moore. Also lovingly remembered are Ernie, her husband of 65 years and her daughter...

Jan 4, 2021

Joann Walker Meckley, age 78, of Watha, passed away on Monday, January 4, 2021 at The Laurels of Pender in Burgaw, N.C.

She was born October 27, 1942, in Pender County, the daughter of the late Hubert Phenix and Sarah Ellen Rivenbark Walker. She was also preceded in death by her son, James Alvin "Jimmy" Mackley, and...

Jan 4, 2021

Pamela Gail Barnes, joined her beloved husband, Jerry Barnes in eternal rest on Monday, January 4, 2021, at the age of 72. She was born August 19, 1948, in Sampson County to the late Charlie and Geneva Gautier Bass.

Pamela is survived by her daughter, Lynette Reaves and husband, Grant Haynes; son, Anthony Thornton and wife, Rebecca;...

Jan 3, 2021

Eric Cleveland Stallings, age 80, of Willard, NC left this earthly life for his eternal rest on Sunday, January 3, 2021 from Lower Cape Fear LifeCare.

He was born on February 25, 1940 in Pender County; the son of the late Marion Timothy and Marie Jones Stallings.  He was predeceased by his loving wife of 58 years,...

Jan 2, 2021

Robert "Bob" Clark Trout, age 73, of Wilmington, NC passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC.

He was born on November 21, 1947 in Columbus, OH to the late Robert Richard Trout and Betty Jane Walker Trout.

Bob proudly served his country in the U.S....

Dec 31, 2020

Arnold Frank Murray, Sr, 89, of Wallace left this earthly life to be forever with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, December 31, 2020 from the Gardens of Rose Hill.

He was born on June 23, 1931 in Duplin County; the son of the late Willie D. and Katie English Murray.  Frank was preceded in...

Dec 31, 2020

Hannah Jolynn Martin Sisson, age 72, of Rocky Point passed from her earthly life to her eternal rest on Thursday, December 31, 2020 at her home.

She was born December 16, 1948 in Pender County, the daughter of Edward T. and Mary Rose Lewis Martin. In addition to her parents, Jolynn was preceded in death by a...

Dec 29, 2020

Charles (Charlie) Richard Troy, age 72, of Wallace, NC, left this earthly life for his eternal rest on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 from New Hanover Regional Medical Center.  Charlie was born on March 1, 1948 in Berwick PA; the son of the late Charles and Geraldine Long Troy.

After completing high school, Charlie served his country proudly...

Dec 28, 2020

Martha Decker Soules went to her heavenly home on Monday, December 28, 2020, at the Laurels of Pender, Burgaw.

Martha was born on September 23, 1923 to Harold and Estana Lasher Decker in Beech Ridge, New York.  Martha attended and graduated in 1941 from Hunter-Tannersville Central High School.  After graduation, she worked as a postmaster in Lexington,...

Dec 24, 2020

Sandy Ray Gilchrist, 76, of Currie passed gently from his earthy life Thursday, December 24, 2020 at his home.

He was born December 27th 1943 in Harnett County, the son of Edgar James Gilchrist and Mary Hobby Gilchrist. In addition to his parents, Sandy was preceded in death by his wife Laura "Sis" Gilchrist; brothers, Alvin, Johnny,...

Dec 24, 2020

Floyd Merriam Mattoon, 76, of Wallace, beloved husband for 23 years of Linda Evans Wells-Mattoon, passed peacefully at New Hanover Regional Medical Center on Thursday, December 24, 2020 following a brain hemorrhage.

He was born March 2, 1944 in Plattsburgh, New York; the son of the late Irwin C. and Marjorie E. Vaughan Mattoon.  He was also...

Dec 23, 2020

Joseph Leroy Rhine, 83, of Castle Hayne, passed away on Wednesday, December 23, 2020, at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare in Wilmington.

He was born on March 27, 1937, in Altoona, PA, to the late Benjiman Franklin and Margaret Sarah (Hoffman) Rhine.

Joe retired from the US Air Force in 1975 after over 20 years of...

Dec 21, 2020

John Charles Schuellain, Jr., 84, of Wilmington, passed away on Monday, December 21, 2020, at NHRMC in Wilmington.

He was born on March 6, 1936, in Elmont, NY, to the late John Charles Schuellain Sr. and Frances (Biesterfeld) Schuellain.

John, an avid golfer, was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He loved spending...

Dec 20, 2020

Billy Pridgen, 86, passed from his earthly life December 20, 2020 at his home. He was born May 10, 1934 in Bladen County, the son of the late Fred Charles and Juanita Melvin Pridgen.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Kathleen Peterson Pridgen; grandson, William Ryan Burns; sisters, Doris Pridgen, Christine Bullard...

Dec 20, 2020

Connie Powell Hinkle, 65, of Burgaw passed away and entered her heavenly home Sunday, December 20, 2020.

She was born on August 23, 1955 in Charleston City, SC. Connie is preceded in death by her parents Homer Arnold Powell and Vada Ipock Powell.

She is survived by her husband, Keith Hinkle; children, Jamie Northcott (Samantha),...

Dec 17, 2020

Linda Diane Vollman Ogden, 76, of Watha departed from her earthly life Thursday, December 17, 2020 at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare in Wilmington.

Born at home in Freemansburg, PA on May 21, 1944, she is the daughter of the late Viola and Robert Vollman. She is also preceded in death by her son, Todd Richard Ogden and...