Obituaries
Mildred Ann Smith
Mar 14, 2025
Mildred Ann Smith, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2025, at Lower Cape Fear Life Care in Whiteville, North Carolina. Born on October 24, 1947, Mildred dedicated her life to her family and her work as a seamstress at the Garland Shirt Factory in Garland, North Carolina.
Mildred is survived by her devoted...
Hattie Merritt Velarde
Mar 2, 2025
Hattie Bell Velarde, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, joined her Lord and Savior on March 2, 2025, in Elizabethtown, North Carolina. She was born on August 20, 1946, to the late Murdock and Rosie Mae Merritt. In addition to her parents, Hattie is preceded in death by her beloved husband: Robert Velarde, two sons: Ricky Blackburn, and Robert Blackburn, and...
Willie Hue Lee, II
Feb 25, 2025
Willie Hue Lee, II (aka Quaman) departed his earthly life on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at Sampson Regional Medical Center in Clinton, NC. Willie was born on December 10, 1987, to Priscilla Kelly and the late Leroy Lee. Willie graduated from Union High School in 2007. Willie gave his life to the Lord at an early age and joined Keathern...
Stevie "Blue" Lacy Jernigan
Feb 19, 2025
Stevie Lacy Jernigan, affectionately known as "Blue," passed away on February 19, 2025, in Kelly, North Carolina, surrounded by family. Born on January 28, 1968, in Sampson County, NC, Stevie lived a life dedicated to hard work and family, making significant contributions as a logger in the logging industry.
Stevie is survived by his children: Cortney Jernigan of Elizabethtown, Brandon Blackwell...
Annie Lois Toraine
Feb 3, 2025
Annie Lois Toraine, a cherished soul whose impact imprinted itself upon the hearts of many, made her beautiful exit from this world on February 3, 2025, at the Hock Family Pavilion in Durham, North Carolina. Born on July 4, 1941, in the quaint town of Garland, North Carolina, Annie emanated a natural brilliance that endeared her to all who were...
Shannon Gardner
Jan 28, 2025
Shannon Carmella Gardner, beloved wife, mother, daughter, and sister, passed away on January 28, 2025, at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Born on July 12, 1971, in Sampson County, NC, Shannon was a person who embodied compassion and dedication throughout her life, particularly in her career as a Registered Nurse in the Health Care Industry.
Shannon's life was a...
Ethelene R. Barnes
Jan 23, 2025
Ethelene Russ Barnes, at the regal age of 88, was gently called to Heaven on January 23, 2025. She was born at White Lake, NC on December 12, 1936, to her loving parents, Edgar and Annie Lou Norris Russ.
Loved by all who knew her, Ethelene chose to live her life through acts of great sacrificial generosity of time, effort, and...
Betty Jean Melvin
Jan 21, 2025
Mrs. Betty Jean Norris Melvin, 87, of 1775 Lamb Road, Garland, NC, was called home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at her residence.
Betty was born September 22, 1937, in Bladen Co., the daughter of the late James Preston Norris and Katie Carter Norris. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul H. Melvin, and...
Geneva Highsmith Townsend
Jan 18, 2025
Geneva Highsmith Townsend, 89, of 89 Townsend Rd. Garland, passed away on Saturday, January 18, 2025.
Geneva was born on October 20, 1935, in Bladen Co. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bennie Townsend, sister, Annie Shaw, and grandson, Shawn Terrell Graham.
The Funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 12:00 P.M. (NOON) at The Church...
Carolyn Raye Dabbs
Jan 16, 2025
Ms. Carolyn Raye Dabbs, 53, of 44 N. Ingold Ave, 3rd St., Garland, NC, passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at Sampson Regional Medical Center in Clinton.
Carolyn was born on January 26, 1971, in Sampson County to the late: David & Daisy Dabbs. Carolyn was preceded in death by three brothers: Frank Carter; Robert Dabbs, and Kent Dabbs, and...
Desiree Cromartie
Jan 4, 2025
Mrs. Desiree Shawnee Royal Cromartie, 50, of 2385 Holland Town Road, Salemburg, NC, was called home to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 04, 2025, at UNC Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill, NC.
Desiree was born on August 29, 1974, in Sampson County to James & Hilda Royal.
The public will be received on Saturday, January 11, 2025, from 1:00-6:00 PM,...
Gary Winston Padgett
Dec 30, 2024
Mr. Gary Winston Padgett, 61, of 509 Birmingham Ave, Carolina Beach, NC, passed away on Monday, December 30, 2024, at his residence.
Gary was born on March 08, 1963, in Baltimore County, MD, to the late Winston & Elzola Padgett. Gary’s greatest loves were: his wife, family, friends, Orioles Baseball, Ravens Football, fishing, and all things country music. Gary enjoyed working...
June H. Stafford
Dec 29, 2024
June H. Stafford, 75, of Wilmington, passed away on December 29, 2024.
A Private Family Service will be held at a later date.
Mary Joyce (McKoy) Smith
Dec 26, 2024
Mrs. Mary Joyce McKoy Smith, 62, of 67 Grant Ave., Garland, NC, passed away on Thursday, December 26, 2024, at Kitty Askins Hospice Center in Goldsboro, NC.
Mary was born on April 13, 1962, in Sampson County, to the late Harry & Mary Jane McKoy.
A Funeral will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, January 04, 2025, at Miller’s Chapel AME Zion...
Regina Marcella (Murphy) Henry
Dec 22, 2024
Ms. Regina Marcella Murphy Henry, 61, of 4500 Hard Scrabble Road, Columbia, SC, formerly of Garland, NC, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 22, 2024, at Prisma Health Baptist Parkridge Hospital in Columbia, SC.
Regina was born on November 05, 1963, to Myrtise Cheek Murphy & the late, Alexander Murphy Sr.
A funeral will be held at 11:00 AM,...
Sidney Erwin Murphy
Dec 22, 2024
Sidney “Erwin” Murphy, affectionately known as Erwin, was the eldest child of Norman and Lizzie Murphy, born on July 6, 1968. On Sunday, December 22, 2024, Erwin transitioned peacefully from this life.
Erwin was a remarkable individual with special needs who found joy in the simplest pleasures of life. His love for watching cartoons and flipping through magazines brought him endless...
Bonnie Sue Phinney
Dec 20, 2024
Mrs. Bonnie Sue Smith Phinney, 78, of 804 Country Club Road, Salemburg, NC, passed away on Friday, December 20, 2024, at her residence.
Bonnie was born on June 07, 1946, in Oakland County, MI, to the late Melvin & Margaret Smith. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her beloved husband: Robert Phinney, and her in-laws: Harvey...
Howard Glenn Smith
Dec 17, 2024
Mr. Howard Glenn Smith, 79, of 1770 Old Fayetteville Road, Garland, NC, passed away on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at his residence.
Howard was born on August 04, 1945, in Bladen County, North Carolina. Mr. Smith is preceded in death by his mother, Pauline Smith Spell, step-father, Cleveland Gibson Spell, grandfather, Amos Octavius Smith Sr., grandmother, Eva Eunice Johnson Smith, and...
Johnnie Ray Pollard
Dec 17, 2024
Johnnie Ray Pollard peacefully departed this life on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC.
Johnnie was born on October 02, 1946, in Harrells, NC, to the late John and Catherine Cooper Pollard. He attended school in Sampson County, served in the US Army, and joined the Philadelphia Police Department, from which he retired. Johnnie...
Sarah M. Knotts
Dec 3, 2024
Heaven gained an angel today, Mrs. Sarah McCullough Knotts, 78, of 48 Amethyst Circle, White Lake, NC, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
Sarah was born on October 13, 1946, in Kanawha County, WV, to the late James McCullough and his wife, Margaret Clark McCullough.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, December 14,...
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