Obituaries

Jan 21, 2026

Nashville –

Carolyn Jane Stancil, age 90, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at Bethel Villa of Nashville Retirement Center. She was born on January 5, 1936 in Nash County to Daucy and Deanie Barnes Stancil. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her sister, Jeanette Dove. Carolyn was a...

Jan 19, 2026

Wilson -

Janice Pridgen Jenkins, age 77, passed peacefully with family by her side on January 19, 2026 after a long health battle. She fought until the very end but now rests at the feet of her Lord Jesus. She was born in Fountain, NC to Charlotte Wooten and Wrenn Cleveland Abrams. In addition to her parents,...

Jan 16, 2026

Rocky Mount –

Enoch Lewis Joyner, known to many as "EL", passed away on Friday, January 16, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on August 20, 1946 to William Moses and Fannie Pearl Pittman Joyner.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two infant siblings, Frances and "Baby...

Jan 16, 2026

Tarboro -

Annette W. Mitchell, age 81, passed away unexpectedly Friday afternoon, January 16, 2026. She was born in Lenoir County on January 5, 1945 to Burl and Agnes Waller. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dallas Mitchell and daughter-in-law, Heather Mitchell.

Annette had a soft, quiet soul,...

Jan 11, 2026

Thomas "Tommy" Ray Trayer, age 66, of Nash County, North Carolina, transitioned peacefully on January 11, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Tommy was a beloved son, brother, father, husband, and friend whose laughter, warmth, and gentle spirit touched everyone who knew him. He had an incredible sense of humor and a heart made for kindness. Whether...

Jan 10, 2026

Rocky Mount –

Michael T. Walters, age 60, passed away Saturday, January 10, 2026. He was born on November 10, 1965 in Edgecombe County to Herbert Franklin "Frank" Walters and Wilma Nelms Walters. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Herbert Franklin "Frankie" Walters, Jr.

He is survived by...

Jan 9, 2026

Rocky Mount -

Ralph Hubert King, Jr, 74, passed peacefully in Tarboro, NC on January 9, 2026, following a long battle with Alzheimer's. Born in NC in 1951, Ralph had an illustrious career in the music industry, which took him all over the world. He had a deep passion for being on the water, boating, white water...

Jan 9, 2026

New Bern -

Joe Brooking, age 67, passed away Friday, January 9, 2026 at PAM Health Specialty Hospital in Rocky Mount, NC. He was born on September 7, 1958 in Marion County, Indiana to Francis and Betty Brooking. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Denise Crane; step-children, Jessica Rice and...

Jan 9, 2026

Rocky Mount -

Charles "Skip" Shafer, Jr., age 79, passed away peacefully Friday afternoon, January 9, 2026, at The Landings of Rocky Mount Mills. He was a proud veteran, having served his country honorably in the United States Army.

Skip was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Jean Cockrell Shafer, and is survived by...

Jan 9, 2026

Sharpsburg –

Pete Bennett, age 75, passed away Friday morning, January 9, 2026 at Nash UNC Hospital in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He was born on August 19, 1950 in Nash County to Dwight and Mavis Bennett. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Terry Bennett.

He is survived...

Jan 8, 2026

"Fare you well, fare you well, I love you more than words can tell. Listen to the river sing sweet songs to rock my soul" - Grateful Dead

Rocky Mount -

Michael Floyd Batts entered his eternal rest on Thursday, January 8th, 2026 due to complications from chronic respiratory illness.

He was preceded...

Jan 7, 2026

Sharpsburg –

Peggy A. Staton, age 81, passed away peacefully Wednesday, January 7, 2026 with her loving family by her side. Her journey began in Nash County on May 1, 1944, daughter of Oliver and Romanda Turner Parker, both of whom preceded her in death.

For those of you who knew Peggy, she was a...

Jan 3, 2026

Tarboro -

Sally Burnette, age 73, passed away early Saturday morning, January 3, 2026 at ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital in Tarboro, NC. Born in Edgecombe County on May 10, 1952, Sally was the oldest of three daughters blessed to Lewis and Vivian Morgan. She was a loyal and devoted hard worker who entered the working world as...

Jan 1, 2026

Rocky Mount -

Virginia Bostic Lell, age 94, passed away early Thursday morning, January 1, 2026. She was born on June 28, 1931, in Cliffside, NC to Clint and Eula Bostic. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Dorothy Lail and Frances Baldwin; and brother, Ted Bostic.

Virginia is...

Dec 29, 2025

Tarboro -

Aubree Nichole Casper, infant daughter of Rebecca Jenkins and Jonathan Casper, went to be with Jesus on December 29, 2025, in the comfort of the arms of her parents. She was born at only 25 weeks gestation on August 15, 2025, at 1lb 6oz and 12 inches long. Though she was small, she was mighty....

Dec 29, 2025

Battleboro -

Vickie Diane Warren Bone Sutherland, aged 72, passed away on Monday, December 29, 2025 at her home in Red Oak. She was born on December 13, 1953 to Charlie Jefferson (CJ) and Ruby Thompson Warren of Spring Hope. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Jerry Warren and prior...

Dec 28, 2025

Rocky Mount –

Wilma Nelms Walters, age 87, passed away Sunday, December 28, 2025 at her home in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Her journey began in Edgecombe County on June 17, 1938, daughter of Alexander and Olivia Walker Nelms.

In addition to her parents, Wilma was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Franklin "Frank"...

Dec 26, 2025

Elm City

With his devoted wife by his side, Andy 'Wayne' Smith, age 75, passed away peacefully at his home Friday evening, December 26, 2025.

Born in Wilson County on January 18, 1950, Wayne was one of six children born to Jack and Daisy P. Smith. A man of unwavering faith and a true servant...

Dec 21, 2025

Pinetops –

Billy Harrell, age 74, passed away Sunday, December 21, 2025 at ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital in Tarboro, North Carolina. He was born in Edgecombe County on April 28, 1951, one of six children of Exum and Margaret Walker Harrell. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Exum Marvin Harrell,...

Dec 18, 2025

Rocky Mount –

Gregory Darren "Greg" Lyons, age 58, passed away Thursday, December 18, 2025 at his home in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He was born in Wake County on February 11, 1967 and  was preceded in death by his mother, Rosa Lee Richardson.

Greg is survived by his daughter, Brittany Lyons of Tarboro; siblings,...