Olga Alexandria Zhak, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and long time resident of Roanoke Rapids, NC, passed away on February 25, 2018, at the age of 69.
Arrangements are incomplete at this time and are being handled by Askew Funeral & Cremation Services of Roanoke Rapids, NC.
Patricia Gay Nethery, 84 of Halifax passed away Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at Signature Healthcare.
Private services will be held at a later date.
Online condolences may be sent to www.hockadayfs.com.
Bernard Spates Lee, loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, died Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at his home. He was 89.
A native of Northampton County, he was the son of the late James Millard Lee and Gracie Ferguson Lee.
Bernard retired from the Virginia Department of Transportation after many years of service.
Mr. Lee is survived by his wife; Doris High Lee, a daughter; Brenda L. Daughtrey and her husband Doug, of Emporia Va., a son; Larry M. Lee and his wife Cindy D. Lee of Petersburg, Va., a sister; Shelby Jean Clements of Roanoke Rapids, four grandchildren; Lori Beth Hargrave of Roanoke Rapids, Stacey L. Clements, Danielle Reeves and Christian Lee, all of Emporia, Va., five great grandchildren; Grayson Hargrave and Ellasyn Letters of Roanoke Rapids, Holden Lee, Dakota Lee and Layla Clements of Emporia, Va. and Jody Allen of Washington, D.C.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, March 9, 2018, at 2:00 P.M. at Forest Hill Baptist Church with Pastor Rick Ragan officiating. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the Church one hour prior to the Service.
The family would like to give special thanks to Community Hospice for their thoughtful and caring service.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Forest Hill Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 2103 Pine Log Rd., Skippers, VA 23879.
Online condolences may be left at wrennclarkehagan.com
Maurice Neil Lucas, 88 of Roanoke Rapids passed away Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at his home.
Arrangements are incomplete and being handled by Hockaday Funeral and Cremation Service.
Maurice Neil Lucas, 88, of Roanoke Rapids, passed away Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at his home.
Mr. Lucas was born September 18, 1929, in Halifax County to the late Joe Draper Lucas and Sallie Rawlings Lucas. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Josephine Arcangelo, Thelma Hawkins, Alice Berry and Gladys Stansbury.
Maurice was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He loved watching his grandchildren play sports.
Maurice loved working in the yard, being outdoors and his many friends.
He had never met a stranger, was hardworking all of his life and was respected by his customers. Maurice loved his country and served in the US Army’s Field Artillery Division.
Maurice is survived by his wife of 65 years, Rose Lucas; his sons, Michael A. “Mike” Lucas of Roanoke Rapids and Robert Neil “Robbie” Lucas of Raleigh; his grandchildren, Christy Lucas Hudson and her husband Danny, Michael Cole Lucas and Jessi Kate Lucas; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M. Saturday, March 10, 2018, in the chapel of Hockaday Funeral and Cremation Service with Rev. Glenn Howell and Rev. Randy Martin Officiating. Burial will follow in Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery with Military Honors.
The family will receive friends from 7:00 – 8:30 P.M. Friday, March 9, 2018 at the funeral home and other times at the home.
Memorials may be made in Maurice’s honor to Bethlehem Baptist Church, 3902 Hwy 158, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870.
Online condolences may be sent to www.hockadyfs.com.
Sidney Earl Long, 64, died Wednesday, March 7, 2018, surrounded by family at his home on Old Halifax Road just outside Roanoke Rapids.
Earl was a widely-known and well-liked resident of Halifax County.
He grew up in Roanoke Rapids and never met a stranger.
Trips into town for him would regularly be extended by his running into people he knew, which would lead to his spending time catching up and talking.
He loved talking to people and could hold conversations on any subject.
Earl frequently kept his family and friends entertained with stories of his childhood growing up in the city, and he was a devoted servant of God who loved to profess his faith and never turned his back on a friend or family member in need.
He worked as a parts manager for Acme Oldsmobile in Roanoke Rapids for many years and was enthusiastic about cars. He was a fan of drag racing and frequently journeyed to Virginia to attend races. His Brunswick stew was widely enjoyed and frequently requested.
Earl was a bachelor until relatively late in life, but that changed one fateful day when he met Patricia Baker and the pair built the house on Old Halifax Road together.
Following building their home they then built a family, a family that brought Earl great joy for all the days that followed. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, son, brother and friend.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George Franklin Long and Gladys Davis Long.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Patricia Long, of the home, son Herbert Dunlow (Heather) of Amelia, Virginia; daughters Katherine Bell (Roger) and Lisa Garris (James) of Roanoke Rapids; sisters Elaine Clemmons (Gene), and Glenda Forbes (Preston), brother Wayne Long; his grandchildren, Ian Dunlow, Brandon Raby, Owen Dunlow, Ryan Garris, Riley Garris, and Haley Bell; niece Christina Keeran; nephews, Chris Long, Brian Forbes (Joanne), Steve Forbes, Doug Love (Pam) and Charles Love; great-nephews Braxton Forbes and Owen Keeran and great-nieces Briann Forbes, Brooke Forbes, and Brittany Love as well as a host of close friends.
Visitation will be held from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 10, at Askew Funeral and Cremation Services, 731 Roanoke Avenue.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 11, at Good News Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids, with interment to follow in Cedarwood Cemetery in Roanoke Rapids.
Askew Funeral and Cremation Service is handling the arrangements.
Mary McNeill Warren, 99, of Roanoke Rapids, formerly of Weldon, passed away on Friday, March 9, 2018, at Halifax Regional Medical Center.
A native of Halifax County, she was the daughter of the late Allen P. McNeill and Flora Smith McNeill and was preceded in death by her husband Olden E. Warren; three brothers and her two sisters.
She was retired from the Halifax County Register of Deeds.
Mary was an active member of Weldon United Methodist Church and the Progressive Senior Citizens Club.
She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary where she served in many capacities on the local and state level and she also served as past President of the Auxiliary.
She is survived by her brother Hugh McNeill and his wife Ruth of Waynesboro, PA, and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held Thursday March 15, 2018, at Crestview Memorial Cemetery in Roanoke Rapids with Rev. Sue Owens officiating.
Arrangements are being handled by Askew Funeral and Cremation Services 731 Roanoke Ave Roanoke Rapids.
Online Condolences may be made to the family at www.askewfs.com
Dallas R. “Tom” Allen Jr., age 85, of Gaston, NC, died Saturday, March 10, 2018, at Vidant Edgecombe Hospital, Tarboro, NC.
Tom was born in Halifax County, son of the late Dallas R. AllenSr. and Hazel Moss Allen.
He was a retired farmer. He served with the US Coast Guard during the Korean War.
Preceding Tom in death was his wife, Gloria Sledge Allen.
He is survived by his sons, Dallas R. Allen, III, Kenneth S. Allen, Charles K. Allen; his daughter, Elizabeth A. Stone; eight grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, March 13, 2018, at Old Cedarwood Cemetery with the Rev. Rick Russell officiating.
Wrenn, Clarke, & Hagan Funeral and Cremation Service is taking care of arrangements where the family will receive friends immediately following services.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rainbow Animal Rescue, PO Box 972, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870, or online through this link.
Online condolences may be made to www.wrennclarkehagan.com
William Douglas Hasty of Roanoke Rapids died Sunday, March 11, 2018, at Signature HealthCare. He was 94.
Doug was born in Roanoke Rapids on January 30,1924, to the late Winfield Scott Hasty and Emma Dail Hasty.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother; Winfield Hasty, a sister; Marie Holmes, and a grandson; Christopher McFadden.
During World War II he served as a tail gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress with the 351 Bomb Group. He later retired from the U.S. Air Force after 20 years of service.
Mr. Hasty is survived by a son; James D. Hasty and his wife Phyllis of Roanoke Rapids, two daughters; Sandria H. McFadden and her husband Brown of Henrico, N.C., and Jane Gray and her husband Donald of Roswell, Georgia. Nine Grandchildren; Scott Brown, Crystal Brown, Leanna Torres, W. Mack Hasty, Winfield J. Hasty, Susan Hasty, Mary Ellen Roberts, Jennifer Gray, and Erin Gray, and 21 great grandchildren.
Graveside Services with Military Honors will be held Thursday March 15, 2018, at 2:00 P.M. at Cedarwood Cemetery with Rev. Jimmy King officiating.
The family will receive friends at Wrenn, Clarke & Hagan Funeral and Cremation Service from 12:30 P.M. until service time.
Online condolences may be left at wrennclarkehagan.com
Sherman Lynn Merchant, 82, of Henrico, died March 11, 2018, in his home.
He is survived by his wife, Susan O. Merchant; daughter and son-in-law, Annette and Daniel Tomlinson of Remsenburg, NY; grandchildren, Savannah and Brennan Tomlinson; a twin sister, Shirley Wood of Walton, NY; and a brother, Ken Merchant of Norwich, NY.
A memorial service will be held at 1 pm Wednesday, March 14, 2018 ,at Littleton United Methodist Church.
Friends may visit with the family following the service.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Littleton United Methodist Church; Halifax / Northampton Habitat for Humanity; or, to the charity of one's choice.
Online condolences: hockadayfs.com
Arrangements are under the care of Hockaday Funeral & Cremation Service, Roanoke Rapids.
James Henry Kleinschmidt, 75, of Littleton, passed away Saturday, March 10, 2018, at his home.
Mr. Kleinschmidt was born January 25, 1943, in Ramsey County, Minnesota, to the late Henry F. Kleinschmidt and Cleone Gulsvig Kleinschmidt. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Kleinschmidt; his brother, Allan Kleinschmidt.
He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He loved his dog, Lucy.
Mr. Kleinschmidt loved fishing and playing golf and he was a huge Minnesota Vikings fan.
He loved and appreciated everyone at Timber Creek.
He served 27 years in the United States Air Force where he served in Vietnam. He was affectionately known as Chief K.
Mr. Kleinschmidt is survived by his children, Mark Kleinschmidt and his partner Matt DeBellis and Michelle Kleinschmidt-Hoover both of Chapel Hill; his granddaughter, Asia-Marie Terrell; his brother Jeffrey Bonniwell; his sister, Karen Brown, his cousin, Dave and Judy Knutson all of St. Paul, MN; his companion and caregiver, Sarah Hux; and his dog Lucy.
Memorial services will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday, March 16, 2018, at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church with Rev. Brian Benton officiating.
Immediately following the service, the family invites all who are able to join them for refreshments in the fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of James to St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 300 Mosby Ave., Littleton, NC 27850.
Online condolences may be sent to www.hockadayfs.com.
Sandra Noel Lynch Riggan, age 73, of Roanoke Rapids, passed away Monday, March 12, 2018, at UNC Rex Hospital, Raleigh, NC.
Born February 11,1945, she was the daughter of the late Iven Lynch and Beulah Salmon Lynch. Sandra was known by many people when she worked as a carhop for Community Drive In and later was employed at J.P. Stevens Company.
She was a member of Rosemary United Methodist Church and was active in Church work. She also volunteered with Meals on Wheels
Sandra was among the first women in North Carolina to receive the Silver Beaver Award presented by the Boy Scouts of America for her dedicated service to the Cub Scouts.
She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Richard Clifton “Cliff” Riggan, Jr.; three sons, Richard Riggan, III and wife, Wendy, of Roanoke Rapids, David Riggan and wife, Susan, of Littleton, NC, Eric Riggan and wife, Miranda, of Gasburg, VA; 4 grandchildren, Jordy, Aaron, Michael, and Evan; 3 step grandchildren, Amber, Bill, and Jamie; 2 great grandchildren, Cameron and Addison; 10 step great grandchildren, Jonathan Jr., Allison, Jocelyn, Gracie, Blake Daisy, Hunter, Connor, Caleb, and Noah; best friends Brenda Porter, Brenda and Tracy Spain.
Sandra was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother; she enjoyed every moment with family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm Friday, March 16, 2018, at Rosemary United Methodist Church with Rev. Steve McElroy officiating.
Burial will follow in Cedarwood Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Wrenn, Clarke, & Hagan Funeral Home Thursday, March 15, 2018, from 7:00 until 8:30.
Online condolences may be made to www.wrennclarkehagan.com
Mr. Dwight Colin Harrison, 74, of Roanoke Rapids died March 15, 2018, in his home.
Dwight was born November 15, 1943 in Halifax County, the son of George Edward Harrison and Edna Powell Harrison, both of whom preceded him in death.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant son, Kelly H. Harrison.
He was a graduate of William R. Davie High School, and was the former owner of Rosemary Cotton Gin.
Dwight loved his family, especially his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Robin H. Harrison; daughter, Melissa H. Bunn of Wilson; and grandchildren, Kaitlin Warren and Sydney Warren.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 - 1:45 pm Saturday at Hockaday Funeral & Cremation Service, with the funeral to follow at 2:00 pm in the funeral home chapel.
Interment will follow in Cedarwood Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to the Go Fund Me page to help with medical and funeral expenses.
Online condolences may be sent to hockadayfs.com
Patricia Hux Warren 78, of Darlington, died Wednesday, March 14, 2018.
A native of Halifax County, she was the daughter of the late Oswald Jefferson and Juanita Norman Hux. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Grover Cleveland Warren Sr. and a grandson Tyler Hunt.
She is survived by her daughters, Kathy Sparks and her husband, Gary of Littleton, Dawn Patterson and her husband, Randy of Weldon and Vicki Hunt of the home; two sons, Buddy Warren of Halifax and Mark Warren of the home; five grandchildren, Randy Patterson Jr.; Michael Warren, Samantha Poole, Scott Warren and Jarrett; five great-grandchildren, Ryan Warren, A’lexus Roundtree, Matthew Patterson, Scotty Warren and Abby Patterson; also her special friend Marie Warren and special childhood and lifelong friend, Barbara Clapton.
Graveside services will be held Saturday March 17, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at the Warren Family Cemetery on Hedgepeth Road in Littleton with Rev. Justin Carp officiating.
The family will receive friends after the service at the Cemetery.
Arrangements are being handled by Askew Funeral and cremation Services in Roanoke Rapids
Bertha Nixon Bray, of Wake Forest, formerly of Roanoke Rapids, NC, passed away on Thursday, March 15, 2018 .
She was born in Surry County, NC, to the late James Robert Nixon and Susie Tedder Nixon and was preceded in death by her husband Charlie Otis Bray.
Bertha is survived by her daughter Barbara Westbrook and her husband Jim of Rolesville, NC; her two granddaughters, Melissa Bray Smith and her husband, Brian of Roanoke Rapids, NC and Whitney Nicole Tolbert and Perry of Rolesville, NC; her five great-grandchildren, Austin, Brian, Colin, Addison, and Aubrie-Anna; her brother James Nixon and his wife, Susie of Lexington, NC and several special nieces and nephews.
Graveside Services will be held on Monday, March 19, 2018, at 2:00 P.M. at West Lawn Gardens Cemetery in Clemmons, NC.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, March 18, 2018 from 2:00 until 3:30 P.M. at Askew Funeral & Cremation Services at 731 Roanoke Ave. Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870.
Online Condolences may be made to the family at www.askewfs.com
Jacob Franklin Searcy, 34, of 5297 Free Union Church Road, Pinetown, NC, passed away Wednesday, March 14, 2018 in Carolina East Medical Center, New Bern.
Born in Halifax County on May 29, 1983, he was the son of Loraine Steinbeck Searcy of Halifax and the late Joseph Floyd Searcy, Jr.
Employed as a Regional Agronomist with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, he was an active member of Covenant United Reformed Church where he served as a deacon.
A loving husband, father, son, and brother, in addition to his mother he is survived by his wife of nearly 9 years, Amber Hubers Searcy; twin sons, Paul and Ben Searcy of the home; and a sister, Kanter Searcy Morris of Roanoke Rapids.
Funeral services will be held Monday at 11:00 a.m. in Covenant United Reformed Church, 24599 Hwy 264 East, Pantego, and will be conducted by The Revs. Calvin Tuininga and Randy Martin.
A private burial will follow in the Weaver-Jones Family Cemetery in Valentine, VA.
Friends may join the family Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. in the church, and again on Monday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at his mother's home, 43 Paw Paw Lane, Halifax.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice.Miller & Van Essendelft, Funeral and Cremation Providers, 1125 Harvey Point Road, Hertford, is assisting the family with arrangements, and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.
Jacob Franklin Searcy, 34, of 5297 Free Union Church Road, Pinetown, NC, passed away Wednesday, March 14, 2018 in Carolina East Medical Center, New Bern.
Born in Halifax County on May 29, 1983, he was the son of Loraine Steinbeck Searcy of Halifax and the late Joseph Floyd Searcy, Jr.
Employed as a Regional Agronomist with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, he was an active member of Covenant United Reformed Church where he served as a deacon.
A loving husband, father, son, and brother, in addition to his mother he is survived by his wife of nearly 9 years, Amber Hubers Searcy; twin sons, Paul and Ben Searcy of the home; and a sister, Kanter Searcy Morris of Roanoke Rapids.
Funeral services will be held Monday at 11:00 a.m. in Covenant United Reformed Church, 24599 Hwy 264 East, Pantego, and will be conducted by The Revs. Calvin Tuininga and Randy Martin.
A private burial will follow in the Weaver-Jones Family Cemetery in Valentine, VA.
Friends may join the family Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. in the church, and again on Monday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at his mother's home, 43 Paw Paw Lane, Halifax.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice.Miller & Van Essendelft, Funeral and Cremation Providers, 1125 Harvey Point Road, Hertford, is assisting the family with arrangements, and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.
William Cannon, age 79, of Roanoke Rapids, died Saturday, March 17, 2018, at Nash General Hospital, Rocky Mount, NC.
He was born in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, son of the late Charles E. Cannon and Eva Brown Cannon.
William was a retired commercial truck driver for over 45 years, receiving several safety awards for having driven over one million miles without an accident.
While self employed he drove 26 years with Epps Transport.
Preceding William in death was his wife, Laura Moseley Cannon.
He is survived by his two daughters, Wanda Cannon Jordan and husband, Joe, of Henrico,NC, Lisa Cannon and fiancé, Tommy Long, of Pleasant Hill, NC; brother, Willie Cannon, of Houston, Texas; sister, Jean Bishop, of Alberta, Virginia; half brother, Wayne Cannon, of Roanoke Rapids; grandchildren, Brandon Jordan and wife, Jennifer, Katie Murray, Laura Murray, Hannah Murray, and Kelli Long; great grandchildren, McKinley Jordan and Lily Jordan.
Wrenn, Clarke, & Hagan Funeral and Cremation Service is taking care of arrangements where funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 21,2018, in the Chapel with Minister Greg Hand officiating.
Burial will follow in Cedarwood Cemetery.The family will receive friends at the Funeral Home one hour prior to the service.
Online condolences may be made to www.wrennclarkehagan.com
Mrs. Edna Evans Huss, 77, of Roanoke Rapids died March 17, 2018 at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill.
Edna was born May 8, 1940 in Granville County, the daughter of Archie and Sally Saunders Evans.
She was a retired bank teller, working with Centura (now PNC) for well over 20 years. A member of Victory Baptist Church, Edna was a devout prayer warrior.
Edna is fondly remembered by her surviving family; daughters, Jodeana Huss King (Mark), and Pamela Faith Huss, all of Roanoke Rapids; her brother, David "Tootsie" Evans of Oxford; grandchildren, Logan King Salisbury and Kyle King; and her "second, beloved family", Joe Dean Huss, Jr., Johannah Faith Huss, and their parents, Joe and Ellen Huss, all of Roanoke Rapids.
The service for Mrs. Huss will be held at 1:00 pm Friday, March 23 from the graveside at Cedarwood Cemetery,with Pastor Jeremy Kobernat presiding.
The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall of Victory Baptist Church after the service.
Online condolences: hockadayfs.com
Arrangements are under the care of Hockaday Funeral & Cremation Service.
Dustin Wayne Floyd 27, of Gaston, died Thursday March 22, 2018.
Dustin worked in construction as a pipe fitter.
He is survived by his daughter, Paisley Jade Floyd of Warren County, his parents, Tony and Kim Floyd of Gaston, his sister, Brittiany Floyd of Gaston, his brother, Daniel Floyd and his Fiancee Robin Boone of Roanoke Rapids, his Paternal grandmother, Geraldine Tripp of Roanoke Rapids and his Maternal grandmother Mary Thompson of Florence, SC; niece Kenzleigh Floyd nephew, Owen Floyd; aunts Angie Gay and her husband, Jamie, of Roanoke Rapids and Shelia Ferrell and her husband, Doug of Roanoke Rapids; uncle Jeffery Vent of Florence, SC and several cousins.
Memorial services will be held Saturday March 24, 2018 at 7 P.M. in the Chapel of Askew Funeral and Cremation services 731 Roanoke Ave Roanoke Rapids with Rev. Wayne Marshall officiating.
The family will receive friends after the service at the Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.askewfs.com
