Obituaries

Apr 11, 2026

Zuni – John Melvin Askew, 70, passed away April 11, 2026 in Sentara Obici Hospital.  Born in Ahoskie, North Carolina, he was a son of the late Fred Melvin Askew and Margaret Hall Askew.  He was also predeceased by three brothers, Larry, Timmy, and Kenny Askew.

John was a Patient Technician for American Home Patient.

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Apr 9, 2026

Franklin – Stephen Bryant Spiers, 54, affectionately known as "Tiny" to many of his friends, passed away after a short yet brave fight with lung cancer, surrounded by the love and memories of those who knew him best.

Stephen was preceded in death by his father, Davis "Fern" Spiers, and his stepfather, Al Ferrell.

He...

Apr 6, 2026

Franklin – Betty Allen, 89, widow of George Presley Allen, passed away April 6, 2026 at the East Pavilion. Betty was a native of Emporia and a graduate of Greensville County High School. She was the only child of the late Charlie Winfield and Louise Jones Allen. She was a bookkeeper for George Allen Appliance and a longtime member...

Apr 4, 2026

Franklin – Roger Wilson Drake, Jr., 83, passed away peacefully with family by his side on Saturday, April 4. He was born in Franklin, VA on March 26, 1943. He was predeceased by his parents, Shirley Porter Drake and Roger Wilson Drake Sr. (Juanita), and a son, Roger Wilson Drake III.

Wilson graduated from Franklin High School...

Apr 3, 2026

Franklin – Robert Rawls Nance, Jr., 74, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2026 in Sentara Obici Hospital.  Born September 19, 1951 in Suffolk, he was the son of the late Robert Rawls "Bob" Nance, Sr. and Alma Williams Nance.  He was also predeceased by his wife, Brenda Jarratt Nance.

Rawls was a graduate of Forest Glen...

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);...