Obituaries

Geneva "Eva" Jean McNeil

Geneva "Eva" Jean McNeil

Sep 10, 2025

Geneva "Eva" Jean McNeil of Garland, NC, aged 63, passed away peacefully on September 10, 2025,  in Fayetteville, NC. Born on August 3, 1962, in Duplin County, North Carolina.

A Viewing will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 1:00-6:00 PM, at Carter Funeral Home, 111 N. Ingold Ave., Garland, NC.

The Funeral Service will be at 2:00 PM, Sunday, September...

Elaine Rich Carroll

Elaine Rich Carroll

Sep 10, 2025

Elaine Rich Carroll, 77, of Garland, NC, passed away September 10, 2025, in Goldsboro, NC. She was born January 4, 1948, to the late Eddis and Mildred Rich. She was a 1966 graduate of Garland High School. She married her high school sweetheart, William Elworth Carrol on August 28, 1966.

She enjoyed meeting and working with people within the community during...

John Murphy

John Murphy

Sep 3, 2025

Mr. John Murphy, 94, of Rosedale, NY, passed away on Wednesday, September 03, 2025, in NY. He was born in Sampson County on July 08, 1931.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time.

William "Billy" Petty

William "Billy" Petty

Sep 1, 2025

William “Billy” Luther Petty, December 31, 1949 – September 1, 2025

William “Billy” Luther Petty, 75, of Rocky Point, passed away unexpectedly at his home on September 1, 2025. He was born in Sampson County on December 31, 1949, to the late Luther and Carlene Petty.

Billy is preceded in death by his parents, Luther and Carlene Petty, and sister Celena Petty...

Alvie Carlton Fennell Sr.

Alvie Carlton Fennell Sr.

Aug 29, 2025

Alvie C. Fennell, Sr., 69, of Bethlehem Twp., passed away unexpectedly at home on Friday, August 29, 2025. Born in Harrells, NC. He was the son of the late, Alvie H. and Rosa M. (Alford) Fennell.

He was an active and devoted member of Grace Deliverance Baptist Church in Bethlehem for many years, where he also served as a trustee. Alvie...

Merian Lee Smith

Merian Lee Smith

Aug 28, 2025

Merian Lee Smith, a beloved seamstress and cherished member of her community, passed away peacefully at her home on August 28, 2025. Born in Sampson County on December 12, 1951, Merian was known for her honesty, dedication, and culinary skills. She approached life with a spirit of devotion, particularly evident in her commitment to her faith and her church, where...

Eloise Norris

Eloise Norris

Aug 25, 2025

Eloise Norris, beloved seamstress and cherished family member, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2025, in Bladen County, North Carolina, at the age of 85. Born on July 17, 1940, in Sampson County, NC, she was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who touched the lives of many during her lifetime.

Eloise spent many years dedicated to her craft as a...

Frances Rich

Frances Rich

Aug 18, 2025

Frances McDaniel Rich, 93, of Garland, NC, passed away on Monday, August 18, 2025, in Elizabethtown, NC. She was born March 3. 1932 in Sampson County to the late Lacy R McDaniel and Margeret Carter McDaniel. She was a 1950 graduate of Garland High School and was the high school valedictorian. From there she attended Pineland College. and graduated with...

Vera Jacquelyn Brunette

Vera Jacquelyn Brunette

Aug 16, 2025

Vera Jacquelyn Brunette, affectionately known as Jackie, passed away on August 16, 2025, in Wilmington, North Carolina at the age of 89. Born on June 9, 1936, in Bertram, Texas, Jackie led a remarkable life marked by her dedication to others and her myriad accomplishments.

Jackie pursued her passion for healthcare and earned a degree in Nursing, ultimately serving as a...

John "Fish" Fitzgerald Boykin Sr.

John "Fish" Fitzgerald Boykin Sr.

Aug 16, 2025

Eulogy for John Fitzgerald Boykin John Fitzgerald Boykin, affectionately known to many as “Fish,” was born on May 12, 1964, to Jay Lewis Boykin and Vernell Boykin in the close-knit and charming town of Rosehill, North Carolina. From the beginning, John carried with him a calm strength, a loving spirit, and a heart devoted to those he held dear. 

In his...

Myrtise Murphy

Myrtise Murphy

Aug 16, 2025

Myrtise was born January 27, 1944, to the late Clarence Cheek and Lizzie Cheek in Bladen County. Myrtise was preceded in death by her husband, Alexander Murphy, and daughter, Regina Henry, her siblings, WC Cheek, Vernie Cheek Melton, Mattie L. Murphy, Verlia Brady, Jesse Waldo Cheek, Easter Cheek, and Janice Manuel. They will forever be in our hearts.

Myrtise received Jesus...

Don Ray Owens

Don Ray Owens

Aug 7, 2025

Mr. Don Ray Owens was born to the late Marvin L. Owens Sr. and Mrs. Bessie T. Owens on February 5, 1957 in Bladen County. He peacefully departed this earthly realm on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at the Magnolia Assisted Living facility in Clinton, NC.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Marvin L. Owens Sr. and Bessie T Owens...

Valentin Antonio Ventura

Valentin Antonio Ventura

Aug 6, 2025

Valentin Antonio Ventura, 45, of Autryville, NC, passed away on Wednesday, August 06, 2025, in New Hanover County, NC.

Visitation: Friday, August 15, 2025, from 6:30 - 8:30 pm, Adventist Church, 690 Faison Hwy, Clinton, NC 28328.

Mass: Saturday, August 16, 2025, starting at 10:30 am, Carter Funeral Home, 111 North Ingold Avenue, Garland, NC 28441.

Interment: Following the Mass on Saturday, August...

Albert Gary Flynn

Albert Gary Flynn

Aug 2, 2025

Albert Gary Flynn, affectionately known as "Gary," passed away on August 2, 2025, at the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Care Center in Wilmington, North Carolina, at the age of 71. He was born on October 31, 1953, in Pender County, North Carolina, and his life was marked by a profound impact on those who were fortunate enough to know him.

Gary...

Nolan Thomas Canady

Nolan Thomas Canady

Aug 1, 2025

Nolan Thomas Canady, 28, of Austin, Texas, and formerly of Garland, North Carolina, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Friday, August 1, 2025. He was preceded in death by his father, Clayton Lamar Canady, his grandparents, James “Bo” and Peggy Davis, and Walter Canady, and an uncle, Stephen Gatyas.

Nolan is survived by his mother, Tracy Canady, two brothers, Clayton...

Virginia Leonard Liles

Virginia Leonard Liles

Jul 29, 2025

Virginia Leonard Liles, born December 24, 1931, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2025, at the age of 93.

Born on Christmas Eve in Bladen County, North Carolina, Virginia was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend who lived a full life grounded in family. Raised in the close-knit community of Hickory Grove, she cherished the simple pleasures of country living...

Margaret Cannady Barnes

Margaret Cannady Barnes

Jul 25, 2025

Margaret Cannady Barnes, 93, of Elizabethtown, passed away on Friday,  July 25, 2025. at the Elizabethtown Nursing Center in Elizabethtown, NC.

Ms. Barnes was born in Sampson County, daughter of the late Amie Robert Cannady and Fannie Wyse Cannady.  She was preceded in death by her husband Otis Barnes, and her siblings, Vernie Cannady, Bud Cannady, Janie Cannady Sessoms, John A....

Carolyn Letterece Newkirk

Carolyn Letterece Newkirk

Jul 21, 2025

Carolyn Letterece Newkirk, born on May 22, 1971, in New Brunswick, NJ, gently left this world on July 21, 2025, at her residence in Teachey, NC. As a devoted mother, sister, aunt, best friend, and grandmother, Carolyn's legacy will be cherished by many who were fortunate enough to know her.

Having dedicated a significant part of her life to her career,...

Mitchell Rudolph Barnes

Mitchell Rudolph Barnes

Jul 14, 2025

Mitchell Rudolph Barnes, born on February 10, 1966, in Bladen County, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2025, in his beloved hometown of Bladen County. He is remembered as a devoted father, a cherished brother, a loving companion, and a treasured friend.

Mitchell's legacy lives on through his two sons: Mitchell "Mickey" Barnes of Clinton, North Carolina, and Christopher...

Bertha L. Faison

Bertha L. Faison

Jul 11, 2025

Bertha L. Faison, born on November 2, 1933, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2025. A beloved figure to all who knew her, Bertha's life was marked by kindness, generosity, and an unwavering spirit.

Her final resting place will be at Roseboro-Snowhill Cemetery in Roseboro, North Carolina. A graveside service will be held on July 27, 2025, starting at 2:00 PM,...