All Obituaries

“BUDDY” JESSE R. BURTON June 7, 1971 - April 20, 2024   Jesse Ray “Buddy” Burton, 52, of Franklinton, died Saturday afternoon at Louisburg Nursing Center. Buddy was preceded in death by his mother, Peggy Ann Beckelhymer; and step-mother, LaNel Hall. Buddy is survived by his daughters, Kayla Mays, Cassidy Calamaco and Kennedy Burton; father, Lonnie Burton; step-father, Donald E. Hall; sisters, Nikki (Ron) Pierce and Jessica Jones; brothers, Tommy (Shelby)...

ELIZABETH ANN HAYNES March 21, 1939 – April 20, 2024   Elizabeth Ann Haynes, 85, formerly of High Point, passed away Saturday afternoon at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare in Wilmington. Elizabeth was the daughter of the late Robert and Mary Haynes. She was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Gann and sister-in-law, Bertie Haynes. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 26, 2024 in the chapel of Strickland Funeral Home & Crematory with Mell Pitts...

CHARLES EDWARD RAY November 26, 1951 – April 20, 2024   It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Charles Edward Ray, surrounded by his loving family. He is the son of the late Charles Waddell Ray and Liza Tant Ray. He is survived by his wife Cathy B. Ray, sons Michael Charles Ray of Wilmington, and Jackson Charles Ray (Cassidy Fuller) of Pilot, sisters Barbara Jo Ray of Houston, TX, Jane R. Horton (Freddie) of Pilot, Vickie R. Robbins (Mack) of Pilot and Aunt...

CHARLIE H. THARRINGTON, III February 10, 1969 - April 18, 2024   Charlie Harbert Tharrington, III, 55, of Louisburg, died Thursday morning. Charlie is survived by his son, Jordan Tharrington; daughters, Dustin Cooper, Crystal Seagroves and Kaitlyn Murray; mother, Patricia W. Tharrington; father and step-mother, Charlie and Carolyn Tharrington; sister, Dawn Wortham; brother and sister-in-law, Shane and Rachel Tharrington.          ...

CHARLES TAYLOR PHELPS September 24, 1976 – April 15, 2024   LOUISBURG – Charles Taylor Phelps, 47, of Louisburg, went to his heavenly home on Monday, April 15, at his home. Born in Durham, NC, Taylor grew up and spent his life in Louisburg. He was the son of Charles T. Phelps and Ann P. Phelps. Taylor was a graduate of Louisburg College and Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount, NC. Even in the face of his hardships, Taylor loved wholeheartedly. He always did anything he...

NELLIE GRAY PEELE December 2, 1941 – April 14, 2024   MIDDLESEX – Nellie Gray Peele, 82, of Middlesex, passed away Sunday afternoon at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Smithfield. Nellie was a daughter of the late Noble Guy Mitchell and Maybelle Boykin Mitchell. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Peele; brothers Noble Guy Mitchell, Jr. (Thelma), Wilbert Guy Mitchell, James Gilbert Mitchell, and Stephen Mitchell (Georgia); and sisters, Glennie Godwin (Henry), and...

Sandy L. Johnson November 11, 1956 - April 5, 2024   Sandy Lee Johnson was a caring wife, mother, nana, sister, and friend. She left this world to be with her mother and father on April 5, 2024, at the age of 67. She was born to Antonio and Mary Alice Moreno on November 11, 1956. While in high school she met her husband, Grant Johnson. Together they had three daughters, Ida, Leslie, and Tanya. Sandy loved spending time in the kitchen, creating delicious and exotic meals for her...

WILLIAM L. “BILL” HIGHT October 20, 1947 - March 29, 2024   LOUISBURG - William Lawrence “Bill” Hight, 76, of Louisburg, passed away on Friday, March 29, surrounded by those who loved him at WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh following a brief illness. Bill was fun, loving, and very witty. He adored his family, his dogs Duke and Remi, and spending time at the family beach home. He is preceded in death by his parents, Fred C. and Priscilla West Hight; brother, Fred...

ROBERT C. SHANNON, SR. December 29, 1965 – March 20, 2024   LOUISBURG – Robert Calvin Shannon, 58, of Louisburg, passed away Wednesday evening at his home. Robert was the son of the late William Calvin Shannon and Catherine Booterbaugh Shannon. He was preceded in death by several brothers and sisters. Services will be announced at a later time. Robert is survived by his son, Robert Shannon, Jr. and wife Jessica of Franklinton; daughters, Kimberly Rogers of Middlesex,...

NELLIE S. FREEMAN March 26, 1932 – March 18, 2024   LOUISBURG – Nellie Stone Freeman, 91, of Louisburg, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2024 surrounded by her loving family.  Nellie was a daughter of the late Charlie Fisher Stone and Sally Hayes Stone and was a native of Franklin County.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Wyatt M.  Freeman; sisters, Fannie Jane Stone, Rachel Taylor, Alma Gaskill, Martha Vaughan, Gertie Ayscue and...