Obituaries

Dec 25, 2025

Franklin - Carol Parham Simms, 75, passed away December 25, 2025 in Greenville, NC, holding her husband's hand as she stepped into the arms of Jesus. She was born in Franklin on October 17, 1950 and grew up in Capron. She was the youngest child of the late Robert Lee and Catherine Paynter Parham. She was also predeceased by...

Dec 25, 2025

Franklin - Bobby Jack Sherman Kirk, 89, passed away on December 25, 2025. He was born on October 19, 1936 in Mullins, WV, to the late Sherman Kirk and Lydia Ashley Kirk.

Bobby was a retired machine operator in the roll finishing department at Union Camp after years of dedicated service. Bobby was well known for his...

Dec 25, 2025

Franklin – Ann King Story, 86, passed away December 25, 2025 at East Pavilion with loved ones by her side.  Ann was the daughter of the late James and Delphine Davis King.  She was predeceased by her husband Jack T. Story, Jr., daughter April Cutchins, sisters, Susan Davidson, Robin Lawrence, Helen Crowell, Joyce Knight and brother Jim King.

Dec 24, 2025

Franklin – Myrtle Charlene Moore, 87, passed away December 24, 2025 at her daughter's home in Franklin.  Born on October 3, 1038 in Akron, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Hershel William Morrison and Ethel Strayer Morrison.

Myrtle was a retired secretary for the Youth Development Center in Pennsylvania and was a member of Oakpointe...

Dec 19, 2025

Newsoms – Natalie Worrell Cogsdale, 93, peacefully departed this life December 19, 2025 in her home with her loving family by her side.  Born on November 25, 1932, she was a daughter of the late Herman and Mildred Brett Worrell.  She was also predeceased by her husband, James E. Cogsdale; her daughter, Kimberly C. Gurganus; and her sister, Lucy...

Dec 18, 2025

Carrsville – Philip Ray Rose, 73, passed away December 18, 2025 in Nans Pointe Rehabilitation and Nursing.  Born in Franklin and raised in Carrsville, he was a son of the late William Henry Rose and Beunie Virginia "Beunie V" Carr.

Philip was a graduate of Windsor High School and attended Elon College.  He was a farmer, a...

Dec 17, 2025

Franklin – Ruby Faye Story, 77, of Franklin, transitioned to eternal life surrounded by her daughter and granddaughter on December 17, 2025, after a short battle with cancer.

Faye was born October 26, 1948.  A lifelong resident of Franklin, she was a graduate of Franklin High School and the Southampton Memorial Hospital School of Nursing.  Faye loved...

Dec 17, 2025

Zuni – Ronald Boyce Forbes, 66, passed away December 17, 2025 in Chesapeake.  Born in Franklin, he was a son of the late Millard Evans Forbes, Jr. and Barbara Fowler Forbes.

Ronald was a graduate of Forest Glen High School and attended Atlantic Christian College.  He was an ABC Manager for Hampton Yacht Club and a member...

Dec 16, 2025

Franklin – Moody Elton Munford, 90, passed away December 16, 2025 in Courtland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.  Born and raised in Sedley, he was a son of the late Moody Alfred Munford, Jr. and Mary McClenny Munford.  He was also predeceased by his first wife, Margie Umphlett Munford and his second wife, June Squires Munford, and his brother, Morgan...

Dec 16, 2025

Sedley – Ronald Edwards "Ronnie" Whitley, Sr., 75, passed away December 16, 2025 in Maryview Medical Center.  Born in Franklin, he was a son of the late Julian Linwood Whitley and Leatha Edwards Whitley.  He was also predeceased by a sister, Shirley Coggsdale.

Ronnie attended Southampton High School and received an Associate's Degree from Paul D. Camp...

Dec 15, 2025

Capron – Rubie Everett Drake, 89, passed away December 15, 2025 in her home.  Born and raised in Southampton County, she was a daughter of the late Harvey Drewry Everett, Sr. and Alice Avent Everett.  She was also predeceased by her brother, Harvey "HD" Drewry Everett, Jr.

Rubie was a retired business manager for Belk's Department Store...

Dec 14, 2025

Branchville – Charles David "Chip" Felts, 68, was called home to be with the Lord on December 14, 2025 in his home with his family by his side. He was the son of the late Joseph Wilson Felts and Daphyne Parker Felts and was also predeceased by an infant son, David Lon Felts.

Chip began farming after...

Dec 10, 2025

Franklin – Harry Clifton "Buster" Butler, III, 76, passed away December 10, 2025 in VCU Medical Center.  Born in Suffolk, he was a son of the late Harry Clifton Butler, Jr. and Kathleen Cobb Butler.  He was also predeceased by his brother, Charles A. Butler.

Buster was a 1969 graduate of Franklin High School and was a...

Dec 9, 2025

Franklin – Chester Crawford Griffin, Jr., 77, passed away December 9, 2025 in his home with his family by his side.  Born in Portsmouth and raised in Franklin, he was a son of the late Chester Crawford Griffin, Sr. and Venita Goodrich Griffin.

Chester was a 1966 graduate of Franklin High School and attended Chowan College.  He...

Dec 7, 2025

Franklin – Doris Jean Layton Myers, 84, passed away December 7, 2025 in East Pavilion.  Born and raised in Suffolk, she was a daughter of the late Howard and Irene Layton and was also predeceased by her husband, Henry Milton "Hank" Myers, her son, Herman Alvin Parker, Jr., and a sister, Donna Layton.

Doris was a Beautician...

Dec 6, 2025

Franklin – Joseph Wesley "Joe" Russell, 78, passed away December 6, 2025 in McGuire VA Medical Center.  Born in Suffolk, he was a son of the late Stanley Horton Russell and Ophelia Belle Parker Hill.  He was also predeceased by a daughter, Tammy Jo Russell Steinert, and two brothers, Stanley Parker Russell and George Ray Russell.

Joe...

Nov 29, 2025

Courtland - Judith Warren Pulley went to be with her Lord November 29, 2025.  Judy was born in Halifax County, NC and was a daughter of the late John Russell Warren and Bertha Martin Warren Colson.  Judy was retired from International Paper and had been a secretary for several local businesses in the area.  Judy's faith was very important...

Nov 29, 2025

Franklin – Dallas Clifton "Cliff" McWaters, Jr., 78, passed away November 29, 2025, in Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center, Portsmouth, with his family by his side. Born in Newport News and a former resident of Chesapeake, he was the son of the late Dallas Clifton McWaters, Sr., and Mary Irene Broderick. A graduate of Old Dominion University, he was...

Nov 26, 2025

Franklin – W. C. Gaunce, 85, departed this life on November 26, 2025 and went home to be with the Lord.  Born on September 8, 1940 in Carlisle, KY, he was a son of the late Elizabeth Bellamy and Shoat Gaunce.

W. C. served in the Navy for 10 years and retired from the Justice Department after...

Nov 22, 2025

Newport News - Ronald Aubrey Whitenack, 78, of Newport News, VA died peacefully on November 22, 2025.

Born in Norfolk, VA on February 27, 1947, Ron was the son of the late Aubrey Herman Whitenack, Jr. and Lucy Virginia Mills Whitenack. After graduating from Princess Anne High School, he enlisted and served in the U.S. Air Force...