Obituaries

May 6, 2025

Courtland –Joseph Richard "Ricky" Forrest, IV, 65, passed away May 6, 2025 in his home with family by his side.  Born and raised in Southampton County, he was a son of the late Joseph Richard Forrest, III and Jane Wiltermood Forrest.

Ricky was a truck driver.  He loved family, friends, farming, golf carting, and his grandpups.

May 4, 2025

Boykins – Bettie Eastwood Newsome, 81, passed away peacefully Sunday, May 4, 2025 at The Village at Woods Edge.  Born July 4, 1943, in Jacksonville, North Carolina, she was a daughter of the late Herbert M. Eastwood and Bettie Phillips Harris Eastwood.  She was also predeceased by her husband, Joseph R. Newsome, Jr. and an infant brother, Herbert M....

May 4, 2025

Franklin – Pauline W. "Polly" Stephens, 97, passed away May 4, 2025 in Consulate Health Care of Windsor.  Born in Gates County, NC, and a long-time resident of Franklin, she was a daughter of the late Berry Olando Whitehurst and Addie Barnhill Whitehurst.  She was also predeceased by a son, Allen Dennis Whitehead; a sister, Betty Vaughan; and three...

May 2, 2025

Norfolk – Howard Ernest Sherburne, 67, passed away May 2, 2025 with his best friend Tina by his side.  He was preceded in death by his parents Martin E. Sherburne and Jane Elizabeth Dolloff Sherburne and one sister, Elizabeth A. Sherburne Miller.

Howard is survived by his children, Howard E. Sherburne, Jr. and Charles P. Sherburne; eight...

Apr 27, 2025

Courtland – Melisa Lynn Hewett, 34, passed away unexpectedly on April 27, 2025.  Melisa was born and raised in Southampton County and was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Calvin "Pa" Darden and her paternal grandparents, Alfred and Alice "Nana & Grandaddy" Hewett.

Left behind to cherish her memory are her three children, Karsyn, Layton, and...

Apr 27, 2025

Suffolk - Graham Richard O'Berry went to his heavenly home on April 27, 2025.  He was born on September 20, 1936 in Newsoms Virginia to his deceased parents Robert Bernard O'Berry Sr. and Sally Porter O'Berry.  He was predeceased by his brothers Robert Bernard O'Berry, Jr. and Gene William O'Berry.

Graham graduated from Newsoms High School in...

Apr 25, 2025

Franklin - On April 25th, David Spencer Dillon caught the biggest wave of all time and rode it straight into the arms of his Heavenly Father.

David Dillon, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, pastor, teacher, and friend, went home to be with the Lord after a life beautifully lived in service to others. He passed away surrounded...

Apr 24, 2025

Franklin – Edward Damon Shafer, Jr., 79, passed away on April 24, 2025 in Southside Regional Medical Center.  Born on October 5, 1945 in Washington, NC, and a former resident of Conway, NC, he was the son of the late Edward Damon Shafer, Sr. and Louise Miles Shafer Canady.  He was also predeceased by a grandson, Turner Shafer.

Apr 24, 2025

Franklin – Thomas Wayne White, 84, passed away April 24, 2025 in Zephyrhills, Florida.  Born in Gates County, NC on August 10, 1940, he was a son of the late Norfleet Joseph "Bud" White and Dorothy Brinkley White.  He was also predeceased by a sister, Elizabeth White; a daughter, Lynette White; a granddaughter, Tabitha D. White; and a son-in-law,...

Apr 19, 2025

Franklin - Gerald Mack Elks passed away on April 19, 2025, at East Pavilion Nursing Center in Franklin, Virginia. He was born on May 7, 1933, to the late Floyd and Louise Elks. Along with his parents, Gerald was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Opal; his son, Gerry Elks; and his sisters, Dean Barber and Jean Simpson....

Apr 17, 2025

Newsoms – Sylvia Anne Lassiter, 80, passed away April 17, 2025 in her home with family by her side.  Born in Herford County, NC and raised in Newsoms, she was a daughter of the late Edwin Joshua Lassiter and Kathleen Wall Bryant.  She was also predeceased by two sisters, Veronica Cook and Martha Jane Lakes, and two brothers, Bobby...

Apr 16, 2025

Henrico – Edward Hugh Bailey, 76, passed away April 16, 2025 in his home.  Born on October 11, 1948, he was a son of the late Elle Hugh Bailey and Doris Norfleet Bailey.

Hugh grew up in Franklin (Kingsdale) and was a 1966 graduate of Franklin High School and attended VCU.  He was a former graphic art...

Apr 14, 2025

Franklin - Virginia Yarbrough Stone, 88, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 14, 2025.  Born February 11, 1937, she was the fourth of five children born to the late Clifford and Ethel Yarbrough of Edison, Georgia.   She was also predeceased by her beloved husband, Jake Massie Stone; two sisters, Mary Daniel (Wayne) and...

Apr 11, 2025

Courtland – Jerry Hewett, 85, died peacefully at home on April 11, 2025. He was born in Shallotte, NC, a son of the late Charlie and Carrie Hewett and was also predeceased by a daughter, Melissa Lynn Hewett, brothers, Charles "CL", Vol Therman "Shorty", Alfred "Cubie" and sisters, Arlene Crowl and Shula Hewett.

Jerry worked at Union...

Apr 10, 2025

Courtland - Zeannette Roberts Williams, lovingly known as "Topsy" to her family and friends, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 10, 2025, surrounded by her children.

Born in Annapolis, Maryland, Topsy was the daughter of the late Wilbur Irwin and Zeannette Krebs Roberts. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gene W. Williams, and their...

Apr 10, 2025

Courtland – Ann Buckner "Gran" Lee, 77, went to meet her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on April 10, 2025. Ann was born in Roanoke Rapids, NC and was brought up in Emporia. She was the only child of the late Charles Andrew and Elizabeth Edwards Buckner and was also predeceased by a grandson, James Harvey Lee, V.

Apr 7, 2025

Newsoms – Judith Carol Rose, 68, passed away April 7, 2025 in Greensville Health and Rehabilitation Center in Emporia. Judy was a native of Southampton County and was a daughter of the late Julian "Bozo" Darden and Mary Elizabeth Darden. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Ike Rose and three brothers, Earl and Thomas Miles,...

Apr 6, 2025

Franklin VA – Edith McQueen Roberson, 90, passed away April 6, 2025 in Southampton Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Roberson was born and raised in Philadelphia and was the co-owner of Sandblasting Experts for 25 years in Virginia Beach. She moved to Sharp Point, NC and was a member of Dilda Grove Free Will Baptist Church and a member of Sharp...

Apr 6, 2025

Carl Joseph Berube, 66, passed away April 6, 2025 at his home. He was a native of Massachusetts and a United States Marine Corps Veteran. Carl was a retired Park Ranger for the State of South Carolina. Left to cherish his memory is his daughter Katherine Henderson (Chris), two sisters, Sue Schroeder and Celeste Allain (Rick) and one brother,...

Apr 4, 2025

Murfreesboro - Keith Bradshaw, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on Friday, April 4, 2025, at the age of 70. He was born on June 22, 1954, in Franklin, Virginia, and lived in Murfreesboro, North Carolina.

Throughout his life, Keith embraced a variety of careers and entrepreneurial pursuits, always guided by his passion for hard...