Recent Articles

The Honors College at East Carolina University recently held a luncheon at the Benvenue Country Club for area high school guidance counselors and administrators.
Representative from Nash Central, Northern Nash, Rocky Mount High, Southern Nash, Rocky Mount Preparatory School, Rocky Mount Early College, Faith Christian School and Rocky Mount Academy were in attendance.

 Jessica Rogers of Nashville is among 20 incoming freshmen selected for the prestigious EC Scholars program at East Carolina University.
 The four-year merit scholarship recognizes outstanding academic performance, commitment to community engagement and strong leadership skills. Recipients receive a scholarship for four years, along with a stipend for study abroad, for a total value of approximately $61,000.

Rebecca Winstead, a sophomore nursing major from Nashville, was among approximately 1,400 Bob Jones University students named to the Spring 2014 Dean’s List.
To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must earn a 3.0 grade point average.

James Steven Warren, of Rocky Mount), was one of the graduates during the 2014 spring commencement ceremonies at Texas State University. Warren received a bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering.
Texas State is an emerging research university located in the Austin-San Antonio corridor on the edge of the Texas Hill Country.

The season of good old fashioned family reunions is here!  Dorothy, Audrey, and Suzy Pearce and Madgie Macklin had a great time Saturday, May 31 spending time with family.  The Tant-Pearce Family Reunion was held at Corinth Baptist Church in Nashville.  Monroe Tant and Larry Kearney organized this reunion, the first one in about 25 years.

The choir sang “In My Life Lord be Glorified” for the call to worship. Pastor Ronnie Whitehouse welcomed everyone and prayed the prayer of invocation. Hymns of worship were “Holy, Holy, Holy” and “I will sing the Wondrous Story.” Algie Jones, Jr. led the congregational singing. Prayer concerns were shared. Bobby Farmer prayed for these concerns.

Peachtree folks gathered for worship on a beautiful June morning.  Pastor Whitehouse greeted those present.  Sanctuary flowers were given by Jane May in memory of her husband, Perry May.
The sermon was titled ‘Close Doesn’t Count in Salvation.’ The prophetic scripture was found in Matthew 24:36-41.The truths that Pastor Whitehouse presented were that when Christ returns, it will be sudden and final.

Sunday School at Beulah Church of Christ began on Sunday morning at 9:45, followed by church service at 10:45. It was announced that there would not be any Sunday night services during the summer months. Those services will resume in September.

Casey Strickland was recently named the NC Holstein Association’s 2014 Distinguished Junior Member. Each state chooses an outstanding member of the Junior Holstein Association. The selection is based on participation at the National Convention, showing cows and other community service participation. The recognition earned her a free trip to the National Holstein Convention in late June.

Victoria N. Bass graduated May 10, 2014 from Halifax Community College with an Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene. She is the daughter of Robert A. Bass and Lisa B. Webb of Nashville.

ROCKY MOUNT - James “Sonny” Speight Batts, Lt. Col. USAF, ret., 79, passed away Friday, May 30, 2014. He was born May 19, 1935 in Nash County to the late John David and Bertha Davis Batts.  He was preceded in death by his parents and also his siblings John David “JD” Batts, Jr., Charles Bennett “Bud” Batts, Evelyn Caroll “Sis” Batts Rhea, Harvey Talmadge “Tab” Batts, Chester Morris “Sambo” Batts, and Mickey Donald Batts.

Mildred Mills Vick, 86, passed away Sunday, May 25, 2014.  She was born in Harnett County, October 4, 1927 to the late Richard Terry and Ruby Bell Ayers Mills. In addition to her parents, Mildred was preceded in death by her husband, Paul A. Vick; son, Dannie Vick; grandson, Len Vick; great grandson, William Carter; five brothers and a sister.

Marcelene Tharrington, 75, passed away Thursday, May 29, 2014. She was born July 20, 1938 in Franklin County to the late Thomas and Julia Moore Stallings.

James “Jimmy” Earl Gold, 72, passed away Tuesday, May 27, 2014.  He was born in Baltimore, MD July 26, 1941. He was preceded in death by his father, Mac Gold and brother, James “Mac” Gold.

Mary Elizabeth Hicks, 65, of Roanoke Rapids, died on Friday, May 30, 2014.

Kinston - Cassandra Ann Jenkins, 56, died May 24, 2014. 

ENFIELD –– Willie “Ricky / Willie Gulf” Whitaker, Jr., 59, died May 24, 2014. 

NASHVILLE - Flonnie Jackson “Dick” Parker, Jr., 84, passed away on Sunday, May 25, 2014.

ROCKY MOUNT - Bobby E. Stevenson, 64, of Rocky Mount, died on May 23, 2014.

Joyce (Gayenelle) Woodlief Tilley,  formerly of  Rocky Mount, died   Sunday, June 1, 2014 at Elmcroft Assisted Living in Raleigh. She was born August 26, 1928 to the late Aubrey Woodlief Sr. and Sarah Powell Woodlief. She was predeceased by her husband, Thompson Milton Tilley; and brothers, Bervin, Fleming, Maynard, Woodrow and Aubrey Jr.; and sisters, Selene Wright, Ione King, Hortense Gibson, Nadine Bradley and Clina Wheeler.

John Dewey Weaver, Jr, age 91, passed away June 1, 2014. He was born in Rocky Mount on March 25, 1923 to Mary Faulkner Weaver and John Dewey Weaver. He was preceded in death by two daughters, Elizabeth Lane Weaver and Ann MacPherson Weaver.

Beth Chancellor Hammersley Ferrell, age 72, passed away Sunday, June 1, 2014. Born in Washington DC on August 25, 1941, she was the daughter of the late Edward Chancellor Hammersley and Julia Marie Crump Hammersley.

William H. Stanley died Monday. May 26, 2014. He was born March 14, 1925 in Lake View, South Carolina to Ina Humphries Stanley and John H. Stanley.  He was predeceased by his parents and two brothers, Jack and Joe.

Virginia Lupton Knowles passed away May 26, 2014. She was born in Suffolk, Virginia on December 26, 1923 and was the daughter of the late Lee Blount Lupton and Mattie Matthews Lupton of Rocky Mount. She was preceded in death by her late husband, Mr. Melvin Dixon Knowles.

Marie Lamm Boykin, 83, passed away Monday, May 26, 2014. She was born in Nash County, July 7, 1930. She was the daughter of the late Onnie and Martha Lamm. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Clarence Boykin, and daughter, Betty Jo Boykin Parker. She was also preceded in death by her 10 siblings and by her best friend Faye Shiflett.