Obits/Death Notices

January 16, 2010
Newburgh, NY

JAMES EDWARD "Q-BALL" HAYES- November 6, 1942 - January 11, 2010, a 48-year resident of Newburgh, died Monday, January 11, 2010 at St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital, Newburgh Campus, surrounded by his family. He was 67. The son of the late James Eugene Hayes and Artie Brunson Hayes, he was born November 6, 1942 in Ingold, NC. Mr. Hayes was a retired laborer for Local 17 in Newburgh, and a member of Mount Carmel Church of Christ Disciples of Christ. Survivors include his sons: James Tyrone Hayes of Richmond, VA, Craig Cornelious Hayes of Elizabethtown, NC, and Jesse McCalop of Newburgh; daughter, Chastity Torro of Albany; four sisters: Laura Owens and Charlene Monk, both of Newburgh, Betty Faison and her husband, Billy of Jacksonville, NC, and Catherine Williams and her husband, Raymond of Fayetteville, NC; four grandchildren: Tamara Owens and Tyasia Hayes, both of Newburgh, Tionia Hayes of Richmond, VA, and Jaisia Hayes of Charlotte, NC. He is also survived by his former spouse, Moselle Hayes Kenney of Charlotte, NC; sister-in-law, Mattie Carolyn Hayes of Jacksonville, NC, along with several nieces, nephews, and many friends. Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, January 16, at Mt. Carmel Church of Christ Disciples of Christ, 1524 Route 300, Newburgh, with services to begin at 11 a.m. at the church. Elder Thurmond Herring is officiating. Interment will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Middlehope. Arrangements are entrusted to Rhodes Funeral Homes, 259 Walsh Ave., New Windsor;

10-25-2009
ELIZABETHTOWN - Daniel Autry, 90, of 470 Autrytown Road, died Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. Services: Funeral, 1 p.m. Sunday in Pleasant Hill Holiness Church. Burial in Autry Cemetery. Viewing, 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Summerville-Boykin Mortuary in Garland. Survived by: Wife, Elizabeth; children, Hattie Streeter, Janice Johnson, Elaine, Machelle Staker, Edward, Leo, Thurmond, Randolph, Raymond and Jerry; brothers, Odell, Nathan, Oscar and Cleo.

7-12-2009
MARY S. MCLEAN

RALEIGH — Mary S. McLean, 68, of 2917 Creech Rd. Apt. 215, died Sunday, July 12, 2009 at Rex Health Center in Raleigh.

Funeral service will be held at 1p.m. on Saturday July 18, 2009 at Carter Funeral Home in Garland by Pastor Kefee Johnson and Minister Lynwood Settle. Burial will follow in the Spearman Cemetery in Ingold.

Mrs. McLean is survived by her daughter, Keisha Strudwick of Raleigh, one son, Earl “Pee Wee” McLean of Tacoma, WA, seven sisters, Partheina Brown of Benson, Mary Johnson and Vivian Bennett, both of Clinton, Reva Richardson, Katie Hay, and Patricia Green, all of Winston-Salem, and Margaret Spearman of Raleigh, three brothers, Lee Melvin of Benson, Jimmy Bennett of Garland, and Johnny Bennett of Fayetteville, nine Grandchildren and ten Great-grandchildren.

The public will be received on Friday, July 17, 2009 from 1 to 7 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home in Garland.

3-20-2009
ELSIE M. CAVINESS

ELIZABETHTOWN - Mrs. Elsie McDuffie Caviness, 84, of 8264 U.S. 701 North, died Friday, March 20, 2009. Services: Funeral, 1 p.m. Wednesday in Mount Zion AME Zion Church. Burial in Marshburn Cemetery. Viewing, 1 to 7 p.m. today at Carter Funeral Home in Garland. Survived by: Husband, Alex; children, Vivian Wiggins, Shelia Branyon, Ronald and Gordon; and six grandchildren.

3-14-2009
ARLECIA "LISA" AUTRY

ELIZABETHTOWN - Ms. Arlecia Autry, 46, of 1959 Johnsontown Road, died Saturday, March 14, 2009. Services: Funeral, noon Wednesday in Pleasant Hill Holiness Church. Burial in Sandhill Cemetery. Viewing, 1 to 6 today at Butler & Son Funeral Home in Roseboro. Survived by: Mother, Azzie.

11-3-2008
FRANCES L. JOHNSON

MARLBOROUGH, N.Y. - Mrs. Frances L. Johnson, 52, formerly of Elizabethtown, N.C., died Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008. Services: Funeral, 1 p.m. Thursday in Pleasant Hill Holiness Church in Elizabethtown. Burial in Autry Cemetery in Elizabethtown. Viewing: 1 to 7 p.m. today at Carter Funeral Home in Garland. Survived by: Daughters, Jennette and Whitney; son, Eugene; four sisters; three brothers; and three grandchildren.

5-29-2008
DONNIE HERRING MURPHY

Donnie Herring Murphy, age 70, of 381 McLean Rd., Elizabethtown, died on Thursday, May 29, 2008, at Bladen County Hospital.

Services: Funeral, 2 p.m. Monday in Evening Light Holiness Church in Garland. Burial in Autry Cemetery. Visitation, Sunday at Carter Funeral Home in Garland.

Survived by: Daughters, Delphine Carr, Marie McKoy and Helen Dowd; stepdaughter, Louise Walker; stepson, Daryl Walker; sister, Mary Ann Allen; 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

4-3-2008
ALICE WRIGHT SMITH

Alice Wright Smith, age 98, of 1007 Martin Luther King Drive, Elizabethtown, died on Thursday, April 3, 2008, in Bladen County Hospital.

Funeral services were conducted on Sunday, April 6, 2008, at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Elizabethtown. The pastor Clifton Freeman Jr. officiated. Burial followed in the Smith Family Cemetery.

She is survived by three grandchildren.

10-31-2007
BERTHA R. JOHNSON

ELIZABETHTOWN — Miss Bertha Rena Johnson, 93, of 149 Sandhill Loop Road, died Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007, in Sampson Regional Medical Center in Clinton.

Services: Funeral, 2 p.m. Sunday in Pleasant Hill Holiness Church. Burial in Autry Cemetery.

Viewing: 1 to 7 p.m. today at Carter Funeral Home in Garland.

Survived by: Sisters, Mary Autry and Lillie Boykin.

9-27-2007
NORMAN AUTRY

Norman Autry, 74, of 173 Lewis Autry Road, Bladenboro, died Thursday, Sept. 27, 2007 at Bladen County Hospital. The funeral was held on Thursday, Oct. 4 at Round Branch Baptist Church with burial following in Singletary Cemetery in Butters.

Surviving is his wife, Gloria Autry; two sons, Antonio Autry and Norman Autry; two daughters, Rose M. Autry-Partin and Ivey A Tucker; one brother, James Raymond Autry; three sisters, Ruth Webber, Thelma Martin and Leatha Parker; and nine grandchildren.

A service of Colvin Funeral Home of Lumberton.

9-12-2007
EUGENE JOHNSON SR.

Eugene Johnson Sr., 58, of 2758 Johnsontown Road, died Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007, in his home.

Services: Funeral, 2 p.m. Thursday in Pleasant Hill Holiness Church. Burial in Autry Cemetery.

Viewing: 1 to 7 p.m. today at Carter Funeral Home in Garland.

Survived by: Wife, Frances; daughters, Jennette and Whitney; son, Eugene Jr.; sisters, Ollie Mae Powell and Doris; brothers, Theodore, James and Jimmy; and five grandchildren.

Esther Autry McLean, 92, of 83 Estherville Rd., Elizabethtown, died Sunday, July 8, 2007 at her residence.

Mrs. McLean was born January 29, 1915 in Bladen County, the daughter of the late Oscar L. Autry and Cora Wright Autry. She was owner/operator of McLean Family Care Center, in Elizabethtown.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, July 13, 2007 at Pleasant Hill Holiness Church, Johnsontown Rd. Elizabethtown, by the Pastor Annette Johnson. Burial will follow in the Autry Cemetery Elizabethtown.

Mrs. McLean is survived by five daughters, Mary Stowers of Cleveland, Ohio, Mildred Herring of Milton, N.Y., Cora Lee, Carol Wright both Elizabethtown, Mozel Kenney of Charlotte, five brothers, Daniel Autry, Cleo Autry, Nathan Autry, Odell Autry, and Oscar Autry, all of Elizabethtown, NC Hwy. 17 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren, 10 great-great-grandchildren.

Julia Autry Johnson, 85, of 2769 Johnsontown Road, Elizabethtown, died Sunday March 25, 2007 at her residence.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, March 29, 2007 at Pleasant Hill Holiness Church by the Reverend Morilene Thompson. Burial will follow in the Autry Cemetery.

Mrs. Johnson is survived by two daughters, Doris Jane Johnson, Ollie Mae Powell both of Elizabethtown; four sons, J.P. Johnson, Theodore Johnson, Jimmie Johnson all of Elizabethtown, Eugene Johnson of Milton, N.Y.; five brothers, Nathan Autry, Odell Autry, Daniel Autry, Milton Autry, Cleo Autry, all of Elizabethtown; one sister, Ester McLean, of Elizabethtown; 13 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren

The public will be received from 1-7 p.m. Wednesday at Carter Funeral Home, in Garland.

3-15-2007
Huey O’Neal Lee, 40, of 297 McLean Road, died Sunday at Duke Medical Center, in Durham.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday at Pleasant Hill Holiness Church. Burial will follow in the Garland Cemetery.

Mr. Lee is survived by his mother, Cora M. Lee of Elizabethtown; father, Willie Neal Lee of Bossie, Idaho; two sisters, Genel Webb of Fuquay Varina, Constance Lee of Fort Washington, Md.; maternal grandmother, Ester McLean, of Elizabethtown.

The public will be received from 1-7 p.m., Thursday at Carter Funeral Home, in Garland.

HURDLE MILLS -- Mrs. Sheila Downey Autry, 44, of 279 Wiley Bradsher Road, Hurdle Mills, passed on Wednesday, September 13, 2006, at UNC Hospital.

Surviving are her husband, Michael Autry; her mother, Delphine Allen Downey; two sons, Joey Downey and Montrey Autry; a brother, David Allen; and five sisters, Connie Crutchfield, Dorothy Downey, Ivela Downy, Patricia Downey and Renee Downey.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in Siloam Missionary Baptist Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

The family will receive visitors from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Scarborough & Hargett Memorial Chapel.

Services: Funeral, 2 p.m. Friday in Summerville-Boykin Mortuary chapel in Garland. Burial in Marshburn Cemetery. Viewing: 1 to 7 p.m. today at the mortuary. Survived by: Daughter, Pamala Barrett; sons, Marcedo McNeill, Tony McNeill, Christopher Graham, Devin, Terry, and Tony; mother, Catherine; father, Cleo; brothers, Craig, Prentice, Cleo and Michael; and two grandchildren.

NEWBURGH, N.Y. - Earl Franklin Johnson, 66, formerly of 160 Johnson St., Elizabethtown, died Jan. 30, 2006.

A funeral service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Pleasant Hill Holiness Church, with burial to follow in the Autry Cemetery on Johnsontown Road. Pastors Annette Johnson and Dallas Johnson will officiate. He is survived by his mother, Julia Mae Johnson of Elizabethtown; two sisters, Doris Johnson and Ollie Powell, both of Elizabethtown; and three brothers, Theodore Johnson, J.P. Johnson, and Jimmie Johnson, all of Elizabethtown. Visitation will be today (Friday) from 1-5 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home in Garland.

10-21-2005
EDWARD AUTRY

ELIZABETHTOWN -Edward Autry, 76, of 414D Gooden Village Apartments, died Tuesday, October 18, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington. The funeral service will be held Sunday at 2 p. m. at Johnson's Funeral Service Chapel, Elizabethtown, with Rev. Gordon Griffin officiating. Burial will be in Autry Cemetery. Mr. Autry is survived by five daughters, Glenda Murchison of Clarkton, Sarah Rhodie, Daisy Smith and Cindy Rhodie, all of Elizabethtown, and Arlene Rhodie of Charlotte; three sons, Barry Rhodie and James Rhodie, both of Charlotte, and David McDowell of Elizabethtown; two brothers, Norman Autry of Bladenboro and Raymond Autry of Manhattan, NY; three sisters, Thelma Martin of Virginia, Ruth Webster of Brooklyn, NY, and Leitha Parker of Fayetteville; 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends Saturday from 4 till 6 p. m. at Johnson's Funeral Service, Elizabethtown, and at other times at the home of Rev. Milton and Glenda Murchison, 87 Rosindale Road, Clarkton.

OXON HILL, MD-Vera C. Jones, 55, of 5000 Glassmanor Drive, formerly of Elizabethtown, died Tuesday, June 28, at Greater Southeastern Hospital in Washington, DC.

The funeral service will be conducted Sunday at 2 p. m. at St. Peter AME Zion Church, White Lake, by Rev. Shelia Cunningam. Burial will follow in Marshburn Cemetery, White Lake.

She is survived by three sisters, Shirley McKoy and Romona Smith, both of Elizabethtown, and Beverly Smith of New Bern, NY; and a brother, Curlie Smith of Washington, DC.

The family will receive friends Saturday from 7 till 8 p. m. at Johnson's Funeral Service in Elizabethtown and other times as the home of Rev. Donnie and Shirley McKoy, 701 South Hill Street, Elizabethtown.

June 17, 2005
HELEN WRIGHT MCGUIRE


ELIZABETHTOWN -Helen McGuire, 67, of 620 McLean Road, died Sunday, June 12, at Bladen County Hospital in Elizabethtown. The funeral service will be conducted Saturday at 2 p.m. at True Way Holiness Church in Elizabethtown by Bishop Willie Powers. Burial will following Sugar Loaf Cemetery.

She is survived by three sisters, Marry Pellom and Mildred Whitted, both of Elizabethtown, and Rebecca Dixon of Council; and a brother, Rev. Billy Wright of Elizabethtown.

ELIZABETHTOWN -Robert L. Johnson, 71, of 120 Roberts Avenue, died Friday, March 12,2004 at his residence. The funeral service will beheld at 2 p. m. Thursday at Pleasant Hill Holiness Church, conducted by Rev. Roland McKoy. Burial will follow in McKoy Cemetery, Dublin. Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife, Geneva McKoy Johnson; two daughters, Linda J. Lloyd of Council and Leigh Taylor of Raleigh; four sons, John R. Johnson, Willie L. Johnson and James L. Johnson, all of Elizabethtown, and Jimmie R. Johnson of Garland; three sisters, Lillie Boykin, Bertha Johnson and Mary L. Autry, all of Elizabethtown; 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. The public will be received from 1 till 7 p. m. Wednesday at Carter Funeral Home in Garland.

12/2003
JESSIE JOHNSON 12/2003

ELIZABETHTOWN-Jessie Johnson, 85, of 291 Sandhill Loop Road, died Wednesday, December 24, at Highsmith Rainey Hospital in Fayetteville. The funeral service was held at 2 p. m. Sunday at Pleasant Hill Holiness Church by the Pastor, Annette Johnson. Burial was in the Autry Cemetery. Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife, Ezzline Johnson; four daughters, Etheline Bradley of Bowie, Md., Pauline Johnson and Minnie Hawkins, both of Clinton, Md., and Effie Highsmith of Elizabethtown; three son, Jessie Johnson of Garland, Harold A. Johnson of Elizabethtown, and Stevie N. Johnson of Upper Marlboro, Md.; three sisters, Lillie Boykin, Bertha Johnson and Mary Johnson, all of Elizabethtown; 19 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

ELIZABETHTOWN -Frances Moss Johnson, of 293 Sandhill Loop Road, died Monday, September 29, at her residence. She was 42.

The funeral service will be held Saturday at 2 p. m. at Pleasant Hill Holiness Church, conducted by Pastor Annette Johnson. Burial will follow in the Autry Cemetery.

Mrs. Johnson is survived by her husband, Harold A. Johnson; a daughter, Odessa Johnson of the home; three sons, Michael T. Johnson, Jessie E. Johnson and Denzel Johnson, all of the home; her mother, Argie Moss of Wake Forest; two sisters, Carolyn Kelly of Apex and Bruma Reed of Greensboro; seven brothers, Malcolm Moss and Glenn Moss, both of Wake Forest, Charles Moss and John Moss, both of Raleigh, Donald Moss of Rolesville, Eugene Moss of Landover, Md., and Warren Moss of Atlanta, Ga.

The public will be received from 12 noon till 3:30 p. m. today (Friday) at Carter Funeral Home in Garland.

The public will be received from 1 till 5 p. m. Saturday at Carter Funeral Home in Garland and at other times at the home.

OXEN HILL, Md. - Sophia Jones Smith, 71, of 5000 Glass Manor Drive and formerly of Elizabethtown, died Sunday, April 13, at Howard University Hospital in Washington, D. C.

The funeral service will be held Sunday at 2 p. m. at St. Peter AME Zion Church of White Lake with Rev. Shelia Cunningham officiating. Burial will be in Marshburn Cemetery of White Lake.

She is survived by a son, James Smith of Washington, D. C.; four daughters, Shirley McKoy and Romona Smith, both of Elizabethtown, Vera Jones of Washington, D. C., and Angelene Smith of New Bern, N. Y.; and 10 grandchildren.

There will be a public viewing Saturday from 3 till 7 p. m. at Johnson's Funeral Service in Elizabethtown.

The family is receiving friends at 701 South Hill Street in Elizabethtown.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, November 16, at Pleasant Hill Holiness Church by Pastor Annette Johnson. Burial will follow in the Autry Sandhill Cemetery.

Mr. Autry is survived by his wife, Pearl Suggs Autry, of the home; five daughters, Eva Cromartie of Elizabethtown, Wilma Sampson and Gwendolyn Johnson, both of Fayetteville, Yvonne Bethea of Wilmington, and Jackie Johnson of White Oak; seven sons, Larry Autry and Elvin L. Autry, both of Elizabethtown; Jimmy Autry of Garland; Clifton Autry of Clarkton; Herman Autry of Raleigh, Swindell Autry of Ft. Mead, Maryland, and Vincent Autry of Aberdeen, Maryland; nine brothers, Odell Autry, Nathan Autry, Daniel Autry, David Autry, Cleo Autry, Edward Autry, Oscar Autry, all of Elizabethtown, Norman Autry of Bladenboro, James Autry of New York; four sisters, Letha Parker of Fayetteville, Julia Johnson, Esther McLean, both of Elizabethtown, and Rubell Webster of New York; 19 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

The public will be received from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. Friday at Carter Funeral Home in Garland and at other times at the home of Pearl Autry, 1869 Johnsontown Road, Elizabethtown.

February 16, 2002
EVERLENA RICHARDSON AUTRY
ELIZABETHTOWN -Everlena Richardson Autry, 68, of 115 McLean Road died Saturday, February 16, 2002 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leslie Autry. The funeral service was held Wednesday at 3 p. m. at St. Peters AME Zion Church by the Rev. Lillie Hammonds. Burial was in the Autry Cemetery. She is survived by two daughters, Doretha Ellis and Beverly Robinson, both of Elizabethtown; one son, Carl A. Autry of Fayetteville; eight grandchildren and
seven great-grandchildren. Carter Funeral Home of Garland handled the arrangements.

1-24-2002
LAYLON "BUCK" WINDELL UNDERWOOD
ELIZABETHTOWN -Laylon "Buck" Windell Underwood, 42, of 467 McLean Road died Thursday, January 24, 2002 at UNC Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill. He was a truck driver and served in the U. S. Army for eight years. The funeral service was held Sunday at 1 p. m. at Pleasant Hill Holiness Church with Pastor Annette Johnson officiating. Burial was in Autry Cemetery. Mr. Underwood is survived by two daughters, Sharhonda Underwood of Louisville, Ky., and Jasmine Underwood of Clinton; a son, Shide Wendell Underwood of Garland; his parents, Sandy and Sally Autry Lloyd of White Oak; five sisters, Tiffany Lloyd and Courtney Jones, both of Dunn, Denita Council of White Oak, and Arlisha Rhoda and Lynell Jones, both of Elizabethtown; three brothers, Woodrow Under-wood, Timothy Rhodie and Marvin Melvin, all of Elizabethtown. Carter Funeral Home of Garland handled the arrangements.

1-10-2002
ADA AUTRY REGAN
ELIZABETHTOWN - Ada Autry Regan, 93, of 729 McLean Road died Thursday, January 10, 2002 at Bladen County Hospital. The funeral service was held Sunday at 1 p. m. at Pleasant Hill Holiness Church with Pastor Annette Johnson officiating. Burial followed in the Autry Cemetery. Mrs. Regan is survived by a son. Winston Whitted of Elizabethtown; and two stepdaughters, Mary Bell McDowell and Christine Powell, both of Elizabethtown. Carter Funeral Home of Garland handled the arrangements.

07/6/2001
EVERETT T. JOHNSON
ELIZABETHTOWN -Everett T. Johnson, 31, of Johnsontown Road, died Friday, July 6,2001 at Bladen County Hospital. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, July 11, at 1 p. m. at East Bladen High School with Rev. Sidney Jones conducting. Burial will be in the Johnson Family Cemetery of Elizabethtown. Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife, Sharon M. Johnson; two sons, Terrell Johnson and Kevin Johnson, both of the home; his mother, Doris Johnson of Elizabethtown; his father, Curtis Williams of Atlanta; six sisters, Sarita and Tashama Johnson, both of Elizabethtown, and Chiniqua, Tabitha, Natasha and Laytona Williams, all of Atlanta; and his grandmother, Julia Johnson of Elizabethtown. There will be a public viewing Tuesday, July 10, from 1 until 7 p. m. at Johnson's Funeral Service in Elizabethtown.

A motorcycle accident on Friday night on Johnsontown Road claimed the life of an Elizabethtown area man. According to a report filed by North Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper J. A. Woolard, the accident happened at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Friday evening. According to Trooper Woolard's report, Everett Terry Johnson, 31, of 2791 Johnsontown Road, Elizabethtown, was operating a 1995 Yamaha Motorcycle east on Johnsontown Road and was exiting a curve at a high rate of speed. According to Trooper Woolard's report, the motorcycle crossed left of center and then ran off the left side of the road. Johnson lost control of the motorcycle and collided with a utility pole on the west side of the road. After impact, Johnson was taken to Bladen County Hospital in Elizabethtown by a personal vehicle. According to Bladen County Coroner/Medical Examiner Hubert Kinlaw, Johnson was pronounced dead at the hospital. He was alone on the motorcycle at the time of the accident. According to reports, Johnson's wife apparently transported him to the hospital. The motorcycle was removed from the accident scene before Trooper Woolard arrived. Johnson is survived by his wife, Sharon Montgomery Johnson, and two children. "According to his wife, he was on his way to help a friend work on a vehicle," said Kinlaw

8/4/2000
LESLIE AUTRY
ELIZABETHTOWN-Leslie Autry, 72, of 115 McLean Road died Friday, August 4,2000 in Highsmith-Rainey Memorial Hospital in Fayetteville. Arrangements will be announced by Carter Funeral Home of Garland.

4/25/2000
ANGELA AUTRY WILLIAMS
VICENZA, ITALY – Mrs. Angela Autry Williams, 30, of Vicenza, formerly of 1869 Johnsontown Road, Elizabethtown, died Tuesday, April 25,2000 in her home. The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 6, in Pleasant Hill Holiness Church by Pastor Annette Johnson. Burial will be in the Autry Sandhill Cemetery. Mrs. Williams is survived by her husband, George Williams; a son, Joshua Williams of the home; a daughter, Mattisen Williams of the home; a stepdaughter, Kellisa Williams of St. Kitts, V.I.; her parents, Elvin and Pearl Suggs Autry of Elizabethtown; five sisters, Eva Cromartie of Elizabethtown, Wilma Simpson of Fayetteville, Yvonne Bethea of Wilmington, Jackie Johnson of White Oak, and Gwendolyn Johnson of Augusta, Ga.; and seven brothers, Larry Autry and Elvin L. Autry, both of Elizabethtown, Jimmy Autry of Garland, Clifton Autry of Clarkton, Herman Autry of Raleigh, Swindell Autry of Ft. Hood, Texas, and Vincent Autry of Ft. Bragg.

4/10/2000
ODESSA R. JOHNSON
ELIZABETHTOWN – Odessa R. Johnson, 76, of 293 Sandhill Loop Road, died Friday, April 7, in Bladen County Hospital in Elizabethtown. The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, in Pleasant Hill Holiness Church by Annette Johnson. Burial will be in the Autry Cemetery. Mrs. Johnson is survived by her husband Jessie Johnson; four daughters, Etheline Bradley of Forestville, Md., Minnie Hawkins and Pauline Johnson, both of Clinton, Md., and Effie Highsmith of Elizabethtown; three sons, Jessie Johnson Jr. of Garland, Harold Johnson of Raleigh, and Stevie N. Johnson of Upper Marlboro, Md.; two brothers, W. J. Richardson of Elizabethtown, and Rommie Richardson of Stanford, Conn.; 18 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

7/15/1999
FRANCES AUTRY THOMAS
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Mrs. Frances Autry Thomas, 52, formerly of Elizabethtown, died Thursday, July 15, 1999
in Highland Hospital in Rochester.
The funeral will be conducted at 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 21, in Pleasant Hill Holiness Church by Evangelist Lillie Hammond. Burial will be in the Autry Cemetery. Mrs. Thomas is survived by her husband, Charles Thomas Sr. of Rochester; two sons, Charles Thomas Jr. and Christopher Thomas, both of Rochester; three daughters, Jessica Thomas and Latitia Thomas, both of Rochester, and Belinda Ligon of Dale City, Va.; her parents, Daniel and Elizabeth Bordeaux Autry of Elizabethtown; six brothers, Edward Autry, Leo Autry, and Raymond Autry, all of Elizabethtown, Randolph Autry of Garland, Thurman Autry of Fayetteville, and Jerry Autry of Hampton, Va.; four sisters, Hattie Streeter, Janice Johnson and Ruby Autry, all of Elizabethtown, and Michelle Stacker of Garland; and five grandchildren. The public will be received from 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, at Carter Funeral Home in Garland.

December 19, 1998
RONALD D. MELVIN

Ronald D. Melvin, 32, of 1301 Johnsontown Road died Wednesday in New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Summerville-Boykin Mortuary chapel in Garland by the Rev. Harold Boykin. Burial will be in Sandhills Cemetery.

Mr. Melvin is survived by a daughter, Carmela N. Blanks of East Arcadia; a son, Rufus N. Blanks of East Arcadia; his parents, Joseph D. ``J.D.'' and Minnie S. Melvin of Elizabethtown; three sisters, Jane M. Autry and Mary Ann Melvin, both of Elizabethtown, and Aldora M. Grant of El Paso, Texas; and two brothers, Raymond D. Melvin of Elizabethtown and Joseph D. Melvin Jr. of New Haven, Conn.

The public will be received today from 1 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Friday, December 04, 1998
MS. ESTHER WALKER

Ms. Esther Walker, 83, of 683 W. Second St. died Wednesday in Southeastern Regional Medical Center in Lumberton.

The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday in Saint Thomas AME Zion Church in Roseboro by the Rev. Harry D. Hines. Burial will be in the Autry family cemetery in Elizabethtown.

Ms. Walker is survived by a daughter, Everlena Autry of Elizabethtown; a sister, Odessa Johnson of Elizabethtown; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

The public will be received today from 1 to 7 p.m. at Summerville-Boykin Mortuary.

May 14, 1998

FRANKLIN HEZEKIA WRIGHT

4-12-1997
MS. NIKETA R. CROMARTIE

Ms. Niketa Rochelle Cromartie, 22, of 2575 Johnstontown Road died Tuesday in Wayne Memorial Hospital in Goldsboro.

The funeral will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday in Pleasant Hill Holiness Church. Burial will be in the Gibbs family cemetery.

Ms. Cromartie is survived by a daughter, Faith Cromartie of Elizabethtown; her parents, William and Eva Cromartie of Elizabethtown; a brother, Colby Cromartie of Elizabethtown; a sister, Anita Cromartie of Elizabethtown; her paternal grandfather, William Cromartie Jr. of Garland; and her maternal grandparents, Elvin and Pearl Autry of Elizabethtown.

The family will receive friends tonight from 7 to 9 at Carter Funeral Home in Garland.

12-7-1996
JOHNNIE G. WRIGHT JR.

Johnnie Grant Wright Jr., 77, of 624 McLean Road died Thursday in his home.

The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday in St. Peter AME Zion Church by the Rev. Alonza Butler Jr. Burial will be in Sugar Loaf Cemetery.

Mr. Wright is survived by two daughters, Carolyn Richardson and Johnice Autry, both of Elizabethtown; three sons, Milton Rhodie of Texas, Stephen Wright of Baltimore and Leroy Wright of Lawrenceville, N.J.; five sisters, Katheline Melvin, Mary Pellom, Mildred Whitted, and Prophetess Helen McGuire, all of Elizabethtown, and Rebecca Dixion of Council; two brothers, Franklin Wright and the Rev. Billy Wright, both of Elizabethtown; 13 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

The public will be received today from 1 to 7 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home in Garland.

1994

MRS. SARAH E. LEWIS

Mrs. Sarah Eliza Lewis, 92, of Route 1 died Friday in Bladen County Hospital in Elizabethtown.

She was a member of Bryant Swamp Baptist Church and the Willing Workers club.

The funeral will be conducted at 3 p.m. Thursday in Bryant Swamp Baptist Church by the Rev. Richard Ingram. Burial will be in Singletary Cemetery.

Mrs. Lewis is survived by five daughters, Hattie Ghee of Jackson, N.Y., Thelma Moore of the Bronx, N.Y., Ruth Webster of Brooklyn, N.Y., Letha Parker of Fayetteville and Marie L. Lloyd of Elizabethtown; six sons, Norman Autry of Bladenboro, Edward Autry, David Autry and Elvin Autry, all of Elizabethtown, James Autry of New York, and Preston Lewis of the Bronx; 59 grandchildren; 136 great-grandchildren; and 84 great-great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends today from 2 to 7 p.m. in the Central Funeral Home chapel.

April 25, 1993

ED GRANT AUTRY

June 23, 1991

Lofton Laylon Autry

January 17, 1983

Cora Jane Wright Autry