Recent Obituaries

Mar 3, 2025

James Lloyd Wilson, 76, of Rose Hill, NC, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2025. Born in Rose Hill on December 9, 1948, James lived a life marked by service, kindness, and deep devotion to his faith, family, and friends.

A proud veteran, James served his country as a sergeant in the U.S. Army, where he was...

Mar 2, 2025

Born in 1951, Errol Morton Blanchard, was the son of OC Blanchard, JR and Jean Morton Blanchard, youngest brother of Charlie and Susan. He grew up working in the family business, B&R Wholesale, and attended Wallace-Rose Hill high school where he played football. His family would frequently spend time at Topsail Beach, where OC passed on his love of...

Feb 26, 2025

Edwin Taylor Merritt entered his eternal home on February 26, 2025. Ed was born and raised in the Waycross community of Sampson County, NC. on October 18, 1928, to the late Herndon L. and Katie Merritt. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his childhood sweetheart and wife, Lettie Lou Davis Merritt, brothers- T.C., Dewey...

Feb 21, 2025

Nancy Marie Simmons passed from her earthly life on Friday, February 21, 2025, while a patient of Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center.  She was born on December 30, 1938, to Robert Lee and Juanita White Simmons.  Also preceding her in death are her son, Roger Glenn Bradham; sisters—Mary Ann Sasser and Mattie J. Simmons; brother--Roger Glenn Bradham;...

Feb 14, 2025

Denise Peterson Nichols of Harrells, NC, departed her earthly life on February 14, 2025, while in the care of Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center.  Born on April 4, 1954, she is the daughter of the late Elbert and Mary Lou Potts Peterson.  She is also preceded in death by a son—David Patrick Campbell.

Left to...

Feb 7, 2025

George Eli Carter of Rose Hill, NC, departed his earthly life for his heavenly home on Friday, February 7, 2025, while a patient at ECU Health of Duplin in Kenansville, NC. Born on April 12, 1946, he was the son of the late George William and Ella Gertrude Parker Carter. He was also preceded in death by his step-father,...

Feb 3, 2025

Jeffrey Lee Edwards of Rose Hill, passed from his earthly life on the morning of Monday, February 3, 2025, while at home.  Born on August 23, 1965, he is the son of Mary Elizabeth Edwards Bell and the late Thomas Bell.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife—Linda Kay Howe Edwards; children—Jeffrey Lee Edwards, Jr. of...

Jan 23, 2025

Betty Jean Jones Fleszar of Rose Hill, NC departed her earthly home enroute to her heavenly home on Thursday, January 23, 2025.  She had been a resident of Wallace Nursing & Rehabilitation for a short period.  Born on November 26, 1941, in Duplin County, she is the daughter of the late Dallas Frank and Carrie Elizabeth Maxwell Jones.  Also...

Jan 21, 2025

On January 21, 2025, by the righteousness of Jesus Christ, Caroline Murray McMahon peacefully entered Heaven with her family by her side.  Having navigated seven years with breast cancer and its impact, her effervescent joy, enthusiasm for the Gospel and determination to fully live became the trademarks of her journey.

Caroline was born on September 1, 1965, ...

Jan 11, 2025

Nathan Brown Barnes of 207 North Orange Street in Wallace, NC, died on Saturday, January 11, 2025, while at ECU Health Duplin Hospital.  He was born on May 10, 1934, in Robeson County, NC, son of Lewis Wiley Barnes and Burdeen Brown Barnes.  He was preceded in death by his sons, Nathan Brown Barnes, Jr. and Richard Roderick Barnes....

Jan 9, 2025

Judith Blake Wallace went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ during the early morning hours of Thursday, January 9, 2025, just five days shy of her 85th birthday. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family.

Judy was born January 14th, 1940, the eldest child of Thomas Posey and Clydia Callihan Blake in...

Jan 6, 2025

Ronald Allan Smith passed away on January 4, 2025, at Novant Health following a brief illness.  He was the beloved son of Judy H. Hartz, who survives him, and Jimmie W. Smith, deceased.  He was born on July 20, 1966, in Washington, DC.  He is also survived by his sister, Joni S. Sydes, brother, Richard L. Smith, nephew, Cavin...

Jan 6, 2025

Edward Earl "Pete" Padgett of Willard went home to be with his Lord on Monday, January 6, 2024, with his wife by his side at Lower Cape Fear Life Care Center in Wilmington, NC.  Born on March 23, 1946, he is the son of the late Earl Matrue and Gertrude Maready Padgett.  Also preceding him in death are sisters—Norma...

Jan 2, 2025

Annette Ennis Fountain of Willard, NC passed from her earthly life in the early morning of January 2, 2025 while in the care of Lower Cape Fear Life Care Center in Wilmington.  Born on March 29, 1941, she is the daughter of the late Colin and Gladys Estelle Blanton.  Also preceding her in death are a sister—Brenda Blanton James;...

Dec 12, 2024

Donald Parker Brooks of Wallace, NC, passed from his earthly life to eternal glory on Thursday, December 12, 2024, while at the Lower Cape Fear Life Care Center.  Born on Feb 20, 1944, he is the son of the late Kelly David Brooks, Sr. and Gladys Parker Brooks.  Also preceding him in death are siblings—Dorothy Brooks Driggers, Kelly David...

Dec 11, 2024

Margaret Delores Pierce Lanier of Pin Hook passed from her earthly life to her eternal rest in the early morning of Wednesday, December 11, 2024, while a resident of Lower Cape Fear Life Care Center in Wilmington, NC.  Born on December 23, 1939, she is the daughter of the late Jasper Quincy and Cornelia Viola Merritt Lanier.  Also preceding...

Dec 6, 2024

Terry Gene English, of Wallace, passed from his earthly life into his heavenly home on December 6, 2024. Terry was born on November 27, 1957, to the late James Edward English and Mary Mobley Hall and husband Ben Hall, Jr.    He was also preceded in death by a sister Janice Marie Caison. Surviving to cherish his memory are his...

Dec 4, 2024

Terry Allen "Bud" Hanchey, age 78, passed away on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. He was born March 30, 1946, in Duplin County, North Carolina; the son of the late Robert J. Hanchey, Sr. and Crodie Elizabeth Hanchey. Terry was preceded in death by brothers Robert J Hanchey, Jr. and Billy Hanchey. Surviving are his sisters Robbie English, Erlene Moore,...

Dec 4, 2024

A kind and gentle soul, a gracious and loving lady, Helen Mobley Southerland entered eternal rest on Monday, November 4, 2024, at the age of 94. She was born July 10, 1930, to Dennie Mobley and Ella Brown, living most of her wonderful life in Duplin and Pender Counties and most recently in Florida.

In addition to...

Nov 30, 2024

Rinda Kay Brinkley Willard passed from her earthly life during the early evening of July 19, 2025, while at home.  Born on August 6, 1949, she is the daughter of the late Buren Uriah Brinkley Sr. and Elene Carter Brinkley.  She was also preceded in death by her husband—Bruce Carroll Willard; sisters—Blenda Faye McLamb and Peggy Glenda Sholar; and...