Obituaries

Apr 2, 2026

Johnny L. Hinkle

Franklin – Johnny Lynn "John" Hinkle, 56, passed away April 2, 2026.  Born in Hickory, NC, he was the son of the late John Blair Hinkle and Faith Dianne Atkinson and was also predeceased by an infant sister, Dawn Arlee Hinkle.

John was a graduate of Franklin High School and attended Lock...

Mar 31, 2026

Zuni – Lt. Col. (U.S.M.C. ret.) Norris Ledford Powell, 85, returned to be with the Lord on March 31, 2026.

Born April 30, 1940, in Stanardsville, Va, to the late Paulis Stephens "Steve" and Minnie Ola Moyers Powell, he grew up on his family's farm in Greene County, Va, with 10 siblings. After graduating from William Monroe...

Mar 28, 2026

Thomas Clark Powers, of Richmond, Virginia, died on March 28th following a long battle with kidney disease and recent complications from pneumonia.

Raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Tom excelled academically, earning a full merit scholarship to attend military prep school at McCallie. He later earned a Navy ROTC scholarship to Georgia Tech, where he was inducted into the...

Mar 24, 2026

Capron – Debra McCann Harrell, 67, passed away March 24, 2026 in her home.  Born in Danville, she was a daughter of the late Floyd Lee McCann, Jr. and Annie Mae Pittmon Beale.  She was also predeceased by her brother, James Carroll McCann.

Debra was a graduate of Southampton High School and Paul D. Camp Community College.  ...

Mar 21, 2026

Courtland – Shirley Bateman Vaughan, 86, passed away March 21, 2026 in her home.  Born in Hertford County, NC, she was a daughter of the late Raymond and Dorothy Bateman.  She was also predeceased by her husband, Clyde Hayes Vaughan.

Shirley was a member of Courtland Baptist Church.

Left to cherish her memory are two...

Mar 21, 2026

Franklin – Cheryl Pope Blythe, 57, passed away March 21, 2026 in her home.  Born in Franklin, she was a daughter of the late Robert Wayne Pope, Sr. and Barbara Worrell Wall.

Cheryl was a 1987 graduate of Southampton High School.

Left to cherish her memory are her son, Richard Stephen "Stevie" Atkins, Jr. (Donna...

Mar 20, 2026

Boykins – Roy Taylor Edwards, III, 70, passed away March 20, 2026 in East Pavilion.

Taylor was born on August 15, 1955 in Roanoke Rapids, NC and raised on the family farm in Little Texas, VA.

Survivors include his wife, Sandra Edwards of Conway, NC; his son, Robbie Edwards of Conway, NC; his mother, Joyce...

Mar 19, 2026

Capron – Jennifer Louise Justice, 61, passed away March 19, 2026 in her home with her family by her side.  Born in East Liverpool, Ohio, she was a daughter of the late Clarence Wiley Sanders and Joyce Ann Hipp.  She was also predeceased by a sister, Jody Baker.

Jennifer was a Town Clerk for the Town of...

Mar 17, 2026

Franklin – Murray Ashley Phelps, 84, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on March 17, 2026.  Born in Creswell, NC, he was a son of the late Chelsie James "C.J." Phelps, Sr. and Martha Jane Hassell Phelps.  He was also predeceased by four sisters, Emily Davenport, Monene Spruill, Ina Calhoun, and Rita Sawyer and one brother, C. J....

Mar 13, 2026

Franklin - Caroline Jane Gatten, 76, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2026.

Born in Franklin on April 6, 1949, Caroline lived a life defined by service, intellect, humor, and compassion. She was a lifelong learner, a caring professional, and a devoted friend and family member.

Caroline grew up attending Franklin Congregational Christian Church on...

Mar 13, 2026

Franklin – Rosa Warner Bristow Hawn, 91, passed away March 13, 2026 in Sentara Obici Hospital.  Born in McDowell, VA, she was a daughter of the late Sewell Jackson Warner and Gertrude McCray Warner.  She was also predeceased by husbands, Jasper Carpenter, Jr., and Donald Bristow; a son, Tony Carpenter; daughter, Debbie Alexander; sister, Betty Hammer; and brothers, Jack...

Mar 8, 2026

Boykins - Alvis "Earl" Johnson, 85, passed away March 8, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. A lifelong farmer, devoted husband, proud father and grandfather, Earl lived a life rooted in hard work, faith, and deep love for those around him.

Born in Clayton, N.C., he was the son of the late William Roy Johnson...

Mar 6, 2026

Franklin – Alexander Webb "Alex" Hatch, Jr., 77, passed away March 6, 2026 in his home.  Born in Franklin, he was a son of the late Alexander Webb "Pete" Hatch, Sr. and Virginia Gillette Hatch.  He was also predeceased by his brother, William F. "Billy" Hatch, Sr.

Alex was a graduate of Franklin High School and Chowan...

Mar 4, 2026

Franklin – Elizabeth Lucy Candidi Warrington, 85, passed away March 4, 2026 in Southampton Memorial Hospital.  Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, she was the youngest of eight children.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, James Henry Warrington; a daughter, Sharon W. O'Neill and her husband Keith; a son, Steven James Warrington; and a grandson,...

Mar 4, 2026

Boykins - Charles Stephen "Steve" Whittemore, 65, born September 7, 1960, in Petersburg, Virginia, passed away March 4, 2026  in his home surrounded by the love of family and friends.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Virginia Whittemore Morgan and Charles "Sonny" Whittemore.

He is lovingly survived by his sister, Connie Poland (Chet);...

Mar 2, 2026

Zuni – Audrey Ann Ewell Spencer, 78, passed away March 2, 2026 in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.  Born in Norfolk, she was a daughter of the late William Emory Ewell and Lillian Virginia Upton Ewell.  She was also predeceased by her husband, Roger Carlyle Spencer; three sisters, Betty Jean Pangle, Shirley Christenson, and Elsie Mae Tiedeman; and a brother,...

Feb 25, 2026

Windsor – Roland Christopher Turner, 85, passed away February 25, 2026 in Courtland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.  Born and raised in Isle of Wight County, he was a son of the late William Turner and Eizabeth Garris Turner and was also predeceased by a sister, Madelene Turner, and five brothers Winifred, Leland, Jack, Billy, and Dickie Turner.

...

Feb 25, 2026

Carrsville – John Brian Stephens, 60, passed away February 25, 2026.  Born in Franklin and raised in Walters, he was a son of the late John William "Billy" Stephens, Jr. and Faye Edwards Stephens.

Brian was a graduate of Isle of Wight Academy and attended Ferrum College.  He was a former small engine mechanic at Herrala Brothers...

Feb 22, 2026

Courtland–Richard "Richie" Holloman Jernigan Jr., age 55, passed away at his home on February 22, 2026. He was the son of the late Richard "Sweets" Holloman Jernigan, Sr. and Julia Peele.

Born on April 23, 1970 and raised in Franklin, he was a 1988 graduate of Franklin High School. He became a police officer at the Franklin...

Feb 21, 2026

Franklin – Shirley V. Vick, 81, passed away February 21, 2026 in East Pavilion.  Born on March 26, 1944, she was a daughter of the late Harry and Hazel Powell Vick and was also predeceased by her husband, Harvey Fenton "H.F." Vick, Jr.; a son, Brian Keith Vick; and a brother, Terry Vick.

Shirley was a 1962...