Obituaries

Jul 8, 2026

Franklin – Marvin Ray Wise, Jr., 74, passed away July 8, 2026 in Sentara Obici Hospital.  Born in Little Washington, NC and raised in Carrsville, VA, he was a son of the late Marvin Ray Wise, Sr. and Mary Brooks Wise and was also predeceased by a brother, Christopher Alan Wise.

Marvin was a 1969 graduate of...

Jun 30, 2026

Colerain, NC - James Lewis Koenig, better known as Jim, passed away peacefully at ECU Health in Greenville, NC on Tuesday, June 30 after an extended illness.

Jim was born on February 22, 1948 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to the late Robert Lewis Koenig and Ruth Marie Mattern. After high school Jim enlisted in the Navy from 1967-1971,...

Jun 27, 2026

Courtland – Nancy Ward Hewett, 83, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2026 in the care of her daughter's home in Smithfield with her children by her side.  Born in Whiteville, NC, she was a daughter of the late Harvey and Jewell Ward.  Nancy was also preceded in death by her beloved husband of 64 years, Jerry Hewett; daughter,...

Jun 26, 2026

Hertford, NC – Henry Jenkins, Jr., 87, passed away June 26, 2026 in Elizabeth City Health and Rehab.  Born in Warrenton, NC and formerly of Windsor, VA and Holiday Island, NC, he was a son of the late Henry and Pattie Thompson Jenkins and was also predeceased by his wife, Joyce Peterson Jenkins, and a grandchild, Adam Jenkins.

Jun 24, 2026

Virginia Beach – Orval Lee Hodges, 88, formerly of Franklin, passed away June 24, 2026 in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.  Born on February 20, 1938 in Bluefield, West Virginia, he was the son of the late Roy Lee Hodges and Ethel Irene Neel Hodges.

Orval was a graduate of Graham High School Class of 1957 in Bluefield,...

Jun 24, 2026

Franklin - Judy Lassiter Britt, 69, of Franklin, VA passed away on June 24, 2026 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on July 10, 1956 to the late Jessie and Nettie Lassiter. She is predeceased by a brother, Melvin Lassiter, and a sister, Mildred Edwards.

Judy worked at a print shop for many years,...

Jun 24, 2026

Franklin - Regina Faith Heatwole, lovingly known as "Gina" to so many, passed away June 24, 2026 leaving behind a legacy of love, strength, and devotion to family. Born on July 6, 1951, Regina was the oldest of six children born to Hester and Jim Riffe, who preceded her in death as well as two brothers Timmy and Tommy...

Jun 21, 2026

Capron – Archer Linwood "Archie" Harrell, 76, passed away June 21, 2026 in his home.  Born in North Carolina, he was a son of the late Linwood Franklin Harrell and Shirley Woodruff Harrell.  He was also predeceased by his wife Debra McCann Harrell.

Archie was a graduate of Weldon High School and a retired Food Service Manager...

Jun 20, 2026

Courtland - Jean Gordon Cannon, 77, joined her Heavenly Father on June 20, 2026 surrounded by family, after her courageous battle with cancer. Born in Emporia, VA she was the daughter of the late Howard F. Gordon and Margie C. Gordon. She was also predeceased by her loving husband, Carroll Gene Cannon, and her son-in-law, Michael Woods.

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Jun 19, 2026

Samuel "Sam" Gerald Griffin, Sr. transitioned to be with his Lord and Savior on June 19, 2026, in his home, surrounded by his family and his faithful companion Bear. Born June 16, 1935, to Joe Tom and Janie Pope Griffin. He was predeceased by his siblings, JT Griffin, Calvin Griffin, and Nancy King. He served in the Army from...

Jun 19, 2026

Windsor – It is with profound sadness that our family announces the passing of our beloved wife, mother and grandmother.  Melinda Joyce Green Harrison, 74, passed away June 19, 2026.  Born in Franklin on June 28, 1951, she was a daughter of the late Romie Edley Green and Lenora "Lena" Cash Green.  She was also predeceased by three brothers,...

Jun 18, 2026

Courtland – Rose Lynn Gilbreath, 19, passed away June 18, 2026 with her mother by her side.

Born September 5, 2006 in Norfolk, she is the daughter of Bobbie Lea Payne Butler and Christopher Brent Gilbreath.  She is also survived by a sister, Jordan; a brother, David; her maternal grandmother, Nancy Kurowski; her paternal grandparents, Paul and...

Jun 17, 2026

Yale – Elizabeth "Beth" Owen Skinner Lassiter Seymour, 70, passed away June 17, 2026 in Courtland after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.  Born October 29, 1955 in Frankin, she was the daughter of the late Charles Skinner and Jean Bunn Skinner Lassiter.  Early in Beth's childhood, her mother remarried to Thomas Clamon "Dick" Lassiter, Jr. and after her...

Jun 15, 2026

Franklin - Charles "Ray" Smith, devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, businessman, leader, storyteller, and friend, passed away on June 15, 2026, at the age of 79.

Born on September 12, 1946, and raised in Norfolk, VA, Ray lived life at full speed and very much on his own terms. A family man with a heart of gold,...

Jun 13, 2026

Franklin - Beth Howell Cheatham, 73, died on June 13, 2026 after a lengthy battle with frontotemporal dementia.  Beth was born on August 10, 1952 in Lima, Ohio to James S. and Shirley J. Howell.  She spent most of her youth in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Wayne, New Jersey before venturing south to attend Elon College (now Elon University) in...

Jun 12, 2026

Courtland – Maryanne Wehmann Francis, 67, passed away June 12, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Maryanne is survived by her husband of 48 years, Clay Francis; her son, Joshua Francis (Corinne); her daughter, Lindsey Francis; her granddaughter, Lola June Francis; her mother, Carol Dalley; brothers, Steve Wehmann (Jan) and Mark Wehmann (Betty); stepmother, Nanelle Wehmann;...

Jun 11, 2026

Sedley – Keith D. Horne, of Sedley, Virginia, passed away on June 11, 2026 after a five-year battle with liver disease—a challenge he faced with remarkable strength, determination, and, true to form, a healthy dose of humor. He was 67 years old.

Born on June 17, 1958, in Jacksonville, Florida, Keith was the son of the late...

Jun 10, 2026

Franklin – David Edgar Wright, Jr., 81, passed away June 10, 2026 in his home with family by his side.  David grew up in Como, NC, and was a son of the late David Edgar Wright Sr. and Hazel Vann Wright.  He was also predeceased by his wives, Lou Ann Wright and Dottie Wright; his brother, Donnie Wright, and...

Jun 8, 2026

Franklin – Michelle Renee Curry, 48, passed away unexpectedly June 8, 2026 in her home.

Left to cherish her memory was her mother, Audrey Ann Holloman Lawrence; a daughter, Chelsea Cook; five sons, Michael Clayton, Nathan Cook, Jason Pickens, Justin Pickens, and Aiden Newberry; a sister, Allison Lawrence; and two brothers, Craig Fowler and Hunter Curry.  She...

Jun 4, 2026

Ivor – Buckley Wayne Duke, 73, passed away June 4, 2026 in his home.  Born in Suffolk, he was a son of the late George Clarence Duke and Virginia Morton Duke.  He was also predeceased by his wife, Clara Johnson Duke; a sister, Lynn Duke Francis and her husband, Larry Francis; and a brother, Herbert Thomas "Tommy" Duke.