Obituaries

Jan 13, 2024

Mrs. Jo Ann Collins, 56, of 224 Robin Dr. Elizabethtown, passed away on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill.

Jo Ann was born January 13, 1967, in Hampton City County, VA, to the late: Dreyfus O. Jackson and his wife, Ida Mae Cain Jackson.

A Graveside Service will be held at...

Jan 8, 2024

Linda Jan Lee Poe, a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on January 08, 2024, in Bladen County, NC. She was born on November 24, 1948, in Robeson County, NC.

Linda’s greatest passion in life was her family, and she cherished every moment spent with them. Linda found joy in playing bingo, where she would...

Dec 31, 2023

Lottie M. Fowler was born April 2, 1938, to the late David and Ella McNeil. She heard the Master’s Call on December 31, 2023, surrounded by family. There she transitioned from labor to reward.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her son Ralph Terry McNeil, and her brother William T. Merritt. Lottie Mae...

Dec 29, 2023

Mrs. Edna “Babe Ruth” Butler Morris, 78, of 990 Parkersburg Road, Garland, NC, passed away on Friday, December 29, 2023, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC.

Edna was born February 27, 1945, in Sampson County to the late John Homer Butler, Sr. and his wife Grace Cheshire Butler. In addition to her parents, Edna...

Dec 28, 2023

Juanita lived a life of excellence and distinction, steeped in love for her family and marked by an unwavering dedication to her career.

Born on April 20, 1952, to Bertha Mae Armwood and Edward Stanley Treadwell, Juanita (more affectionately known as Nita) was the sixth of twelve siblings, renowned as one of the most vibrant and outgoing...

Dec 28, 2023

Mr. Ronald Dwayne Kersey, 51, of 1685 Bull St., Garland, NC, passed away on Thursday, December 28, 2023.

Ronald was born November 27, 1972, in Sampson County to Douglas Kersey and his wife, Mary Alean Smith Kersey.

A Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, January 04, 2024, at Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery,...

Dec 24, 2023

Mr. Prentiss “Junebug” Waddell Johnson, Jr., of 383 Bland School Road, Harrells, passed away on Sunday, December 24, 2023, at his residence surrounded by loved ones.

Prentiss was born January 11, 1955, in Sampson County, to the late Prentiss Johnson, Sr., and his wife Azra Fennell Johnson. Prentiss was a proud Army Veteran, and was also a...

Dec 23, 2023

Mr. Terry Lee Peterson, 58, of 2783 Hayes Chapel Road, Rose Hill, NC, passed away Saturday, December 23, 2023, at Wake Med Raleigh Campus, in Raleigh, NC.

Terry was born February 15, 1965, in Sampson County to Percy Peterson and his wife, Barbara Anders Peterson. Terry was an Information Technology Specialist with Smithfield for 30 years. He...

Dec 21, 2023

Mrs. Mary Lois Melvin Herring, 92, of 7215 Tomahawk Hwy, Harrells, passed away on Thursday, December 21, 2023, in Harrells.

Mary was born April 25, 1931, in Cumberland County to the late Rommie and Lougannie Owens Melvin. In addition to her parents, Mary is preceded in death by her beloved husband: William Junior Herring, one son: Dwight...

Dec 18, 2023

Mr. Charles Wayne Scott, 62, of 804 S. Poplar St., Elizabethtown, passed away on Monday, December 18, 2023, at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, in Fayetteville.

Charles was born October 03, 1961, to the late Ernest Scott and his wife Lila Bell Davis Scott.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time.

Services are provided...

Dec 18, 2023

Arlene M. Highsmith

September 6, 1930-December 18, 2023

Mrs. Arlene M. Highsmith was born September 6, 1930, in Bladen County to the late Raymond Murphy and his wife Lula Simpson Murphy. Arlene was a hard-working woman at a very young age. By the age of 16, she met and married Jessie G. Highsmith, unto their...

Dec 7, 2023

Mr. Steven Leon Shull, 43, of  Land O’ Lakes, FL, passed away on Thursday, December 07, 2023, at Bravera Health in Spring Hill, FL.

All services will be private and at the convenience of the family.

Steven was born October 12, 1980, in Forsyth County to Arlis Leon Shull and his wife Pamela Jean Warren...

Nov 28, 2023

Beverly Ann Simmons Sumner passed away on November 28, 2023, at her home in Garland.

Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2:00 pm at Garland Pentecostal Freewill Baptist Church, with Reverend Jeff Testerman and Reverend Dewey Ball.  Visitation will take place at the church at 12:30, prior to the service. Beverly was born on January 18,...

Nov 26, 2023

Sandy Frank Inman, 69, of Elizabethtown, North Carolina went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, November 26, 2023, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was the loving husband of Janet Inman, with whom he shared 50 beautiful years of marriage, and a proud father to Cody Inman. Born in Valdosta, Georgia on August 16, 1954, to military...

Nov 26, 2023

Alvin Northern, a beloved father, grandfather, uncle, friend and respected member of the community, passed away on November 26, 2023, in Durham, NC. He was born on June 5, 1945, in Brooklyn, NY, and spent his formative years in the neighborhood of Harlem. Upon retiring in 2000, Alvin moved from Brooklyn to Harrells, NC, where he resided with his...

Nov 23, 2023

Mr. Willie Henry Boykin, 79, of 120 Southwood Drive, Clinton, formerly of Garland, passed away on Thursday, November 23, 2023, at Sampson Regional Medical Center, in Clinton.

Mr. Boykin was born May 14, 1944, in Bladen County to the late Maddie James and Queen Ester Boykin.

A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 PM,...

Nov 23, 2023

Mr. James Michael Toler, 70, of Garland, passed away on Thursday, November 23, 2023, at Sampson Regional Medical Center in Clinton, NC.

Michael was born August 17, 1953, in Sampson County to the late James Steven & Sally Virginia Toler. Michael served the Garland Community for many years in the capacity of Police Chief.

A...

Nov 20, 2023

Mr. Briony Kieron Townsend, 36, of Harrells Hwy., Garland, passed away on November 20, 2023, in New Jersey. Briony was born on January 21, 1987, in the Sampson County Hospital.  He is preceded in death by his grandmothers: Cornelia R. Williams, and Gladys Townsend.

Briony “Bama” as he was called, was the owner and operator of Salvage...

Nov 18, 2023

Mr. Willie James Johnson Sr., 83, of 258 West 7th St., Garland, passed away on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at Lower Cape Fear Hospice Care Center in Wilmington, NC.

Mr. Johnson was born September 14, 1940, in Sampson Co. the son of the late Willie James Johnson and Rosa Belle Boyette Johnson.  He was preceded in death...

Nov 13, 2023

Kent Dabbs, age 54, died on Monday, November 13, 2023, at UNC Health Southeastern in Lumberton, NC. He lost his battle with liver disease and liver cancer.

Kent is survived by his wife: Joann Dabbs of Bladenboro, his daughter: Kimberly Dabbs (Jake) of Bladenboro, one sister: Carolyn Dabbs of Garland, and 3 grandchildren: Kaylee Dabbs, Haley Peedin,...